Fruitland's Frontier under new ownership

Kevin Harris' absence from the local restaurant scene was brief.

In December 2003, Harris sold the KFCs in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Dexter, Sikeston and Charleston. Those were the last of 13 KFCs that Harris' father, Lloyd Harris, had owned and operated for 38 years.

"They just got to be too much to handle," Harris said.

But when the Lloyd Harris Partnership -- now consisting of Kevin Harris and his two brothers -- acquired the real estate on U.S. 61 near Fruitland on Sept. 19, Kevin decided to get back into the food business. Along with partners Joe Darnell, Diana Ackman and Raymond Reid, Kevin Harris now owns and operates Frontier Food and Kitchen.

The partners are all former employees of Harris' father at KFC. Now they'll run the Frontier restaurant, food market and deli that has been serving the area for more than 20 years.

Although country cooking is served by the plate only for breakfast and lunch, the owners plan to have it open for an early supper by late this month or early November.

Kostomb Shoppe open at Westfield: Holly Hunter has a theater background and a passion for Halloween. Therefore, it must come at no surprise to anyone who knows her that her first small business endeavor is built around costumes.

For one month and one month only Hunter will operate Kostomb Shoppe at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park. It is in the store that formerly housed Mr. Bulky's, next to Chick-Fil-A.

For October, Hunter will do her best to hook customers up with an assortment of costumes, hats, masks and accessories to get them ready for the Halloween season.

However, Hunter also has supplies for enthusiasts of the other season that coincides with All Hallow's Eve. Her inventory contains an entire section dedicated to costumes of famous politicians. George W. Bush, John Kerry, JFK, Richard Nixon, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, even Uncle Sam himself are all there. If your preferences are more toward a general party, she has elephant and donkey costumes as well.

Although politics may be more geared to the adult crowd, Hunter also has costumes to fit newborns, infants, toddlers and older children. She also has plus-sizes for adults.

As for the name, Hunter said she wanted something simple, but with a little character. Even though she said some customers take a little longer to pronounce it correctly, she said the name "Kostomb Shoppe" has been a big hit.

The Shoppe will be open until 6 p.m. Oct. 31. If it is successful, Hunter said, she'd like to come back next year.

Joplin moves Cape practice to Albert Street: After more than three years, chiropractor Dr. Tim Joplin has decided to return to a private practice.

Joplin began as a private practitioner in 1984, but has spent the last three years working with Mid Town Chiropractic. As of Friday, Joplin is once again out on his own with a new office at 226 Albert St. in Cape Girardeau.

Joplin's new Albert Street Chiropractic Clinic features more room and newer facilities for his practice. That combination will facilitate Joplin's expansion into offering new services such as massage therapy and electronic billing. The newly renovated office features three treatment rooms and a receiving room.

River City Imaging celebrates first year of business: Completion of the first year is a watershed of sorts for new businesses. Judging by the success of that year, business owners can start planning for the future. River City Imaging is doing just that.

Started last summer by Rick Ross, River City Imaging has been conducting MRI scans for area physicians. Over the past year, the business has been accredited by the American College of Radiology and has produced more than 2,000 scans for physicians in the region.

Tony Rehagen is the business editor for the Southeast Missourian. Send your comments, business news, information or questions to Tony Rehagen, 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699, e-mail trehagen@semissourian. com or call 335-6611, extension 137.