Grace Cafe moving to old Craftsman building

Grace Cafe is moving and owner Grace Parry says anyone who's tried to find a seat during a "packed out" lunch or dinner will know why.

"We need more space, definitely," said Parry, who opened Grace Cafe and the adjacent A Touch of Grace Herb Shop in 1996 at the corner of Themis and Spanish. "Right now, our maximum occupancy is 32. We end up being full all the time."

The new location is the old Craftsman building at 835 Broadway, a building that is more than 100 years old but offers 6,000 square feet. That's more than twice the size of what Parry uses now to sell her coffee, pastries and herbal supplements, along with other all-natural items.

Parry said she plans to reopen in her new location sometime in January. She plans to put the coffeehouse in the basement area , which should "easily" hold 50 people, she said. That is the area where the couches and the overflow from lunch will be. The folk, acoustic and contemporary Christian bands that play every weekend will perform there, too, Parry said.

Upstairs, the main floor will accompany a private meeting room that is big enough for 25 people. That room is by reservation only.

She's heard from her neighbors downtown who are disappointed about the relocation. "But most people are very excited," she said. "We'll be closer to the university, and that's really our target customers: university personnel and students."

There will also be a parking lot. Finding a space at their spot now has always been difficult, she said.

"And we'll still be a part of Old Town Cape," she said. "We'll still be downtown, just not on the riverfront, and that's what I keep telling people."

The Practice

Speaking of that area, a lot of people have been asking about the building just across the street from Grace Cafe.

Cape Girardeau lawyers Malcolm Montgomery and Bryan Greaser will soon be starting their new criminal law practice in that building at 118 Themis that a few years ago had been home to Griffin's Cafe and Spirits and more recently -- and more briefly -- Happy Hour Sports Bar.

The practice will be called Montgomery and Greaser Attorneys at Law. Montgomery said another lawyer will share office space there, though the lawyer won't be a part of their practice. The building is owned by John and Jeri Wyman, and Montgomery and Greaser are leasing with an option to buy.

"We've totally gutted it, and it will be incredible when it's done," Montgomery said of the building. "We've done everything."

By everything, he means they have put new walls up, added new heating and air conditioning, redone the hardwood floors and are getting the fireplaces back to working order. Montgomery said they're shooting for an opening in mid-December.

Are they taking new clients?

"What, are you kidding?" he asked. "Every lawyer accepts new clients. We're not like doctors."

Hempies' return

I'm sorry, all right?

I've been fielding calls all week from people who are outraged -- outraged! -- that I didn't put the address of Hempies, Cape Girardeau's new head shop, in my column when I wrote about it last week.

One groggy caller even accused me of leaving it out because I disapproved of the business, which sells bongs, small pipes and incense. (I don't, though it doesn't have anything I want to buy.)

A heavy-lidded e-mailer wrote: "Dude, you forgot to say where Hempie's is." When I replied with the address, he responded with a "Thanks, dude."

The city business license office has even been getting calls from people wanting to know where it is.

The truth of the matter is I had the information, but I accidentally deleted it. I must have been high.

Anyway, I don't know if your goal is to protest or purchase, but here is the address: 113 Themis. It's in between Spanish and Main streets.

Now leave me alone. I'm going to go light up my mind-altering drug of choice -- a buffet.

Patricia Ann's new owner

I had been talking to Debra Martin for less than five minutes when the topic of "enhanced lovemaking" came up.

I didn't mean to be rude, but the conversation got intriguing when she told me that one of the products she will be selling when she reopens Patricia Ann's as its new owner is called "Kama Sutra."

"What's that?" I said.

She groaned: "You had to ask."

But then she good-naturedly told me that it's a line of organic massage oils, designed to enhance lovemaking. "

"It's a very popular line," she said.

"I bet," I said, by way of a follow-up question.

I don't want you to have the wrong impression about the downtown gift shop at 130 N. Main, that Martin and her husband, Jeff Martin, recently bought from Patricia Blades. It's been closed for a week or so, but they plan to open it again this Wednesday.

Mostly they sell gourmet food, as well as gift-shop items like curtains, table linens, candles, etc. They're also going to expand the gift-basket business, she said.

The Jackson couple moved here from Wisconsin five and a half years ago. Debra Martin is a Realtor -- and will continue to be -- but she was familiar with the store and jumped at the chance to buy it. The manager, Phyllis Humphries, plans to stay on.

If you go in there and ask for Kama Sutra, tell them you read about it in Biz Buzz.

Jackson branch open

First Missouri State Bank, the bank that is being headed by Steve Taylor and Jay Knudtson, opened its Jackson branch a week ago at 1846 E. Jackson Blvd., in the office that used to be Bank of America.

The property has been relandscaped, said Taylor. It's also been painted and new signs have been put up. Judy Sievers is branch manager there.

"We've been received very well," Taylor said.

The bank will open its Cape Girardeau branch on Mount Auburn in mid-December, he said.

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