MISSOURI GAINS MANUFACTURING JOBS DESPITE FLOOD

Missouri is on the plus side in manufacturing plants gained and lost during the past year.

"Despite flooding conditions in the state, Missouri's manufacturing community continued an upward climb," said Margaret Evans of Manufacturers' News Inc., Evanston, Ill., which researches and publishes manufacturing registers each year.

Missouri gained 554 plants during the past year, and lost 475 due to mergers, movement out-of-state and closings.

"That leaves a net gain of 79 plants for the year," said Evans.

"Manufacturing in Missouri seems to have escaped the economic side effects of the flood, such as a temporary crimp in growth," said Howard S. Dubin, president of the Evanston company. "In spite of the hardship, Missouri industry is maintaining its positive momentum."

A total of 8,731 manufacturing facilities are listed in the state. That compares to 8,079 a half decade ago.

Cape Girardeau is among the top Missouri manufacturing cities in two categories -- 11th by number of plants, with 85, and fourth by number of manufacturing jobs, with 11,756.

St. Louis is the leading industrial city, with 2,031 manufacturing plants, up three from last year's register. St. Louis gained 154 plants during the last 12 months -- August 1992 through July 1993 -- and lost 151, for a net increase of three plants. More than 120,000 people are employed in manufacturing in St. Louis.

Kansas City, the second largest industrial city in the state with 825 plants, gained 44 and lost 42 for an increase of two plants over the past year. More than 60,000 people are employed in the manufacturing sector in Kansas City.

Rounding out the top 10, by plants, are: Springfield, 338; North Kansas City, 157; Fenton, 150; St. Joseph, 137; Joplin, 136; Independence, 123; St. Charles, 104; and Maryland Heights, 103.

Cape Girardeau, with its 85 manufacturing facilities, ranks fourth on the list of manufacturing employment -- behind St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield -- and ahead of such industrial areas as St. Joseph, Fenton, North Kansas City and Joplin.

Printing and publishing firms comprise the largest industrial group in the state with 1,490 such firms statewide, representing 16.8 percent of the state's total. Industrial machinery and equipment is second on the list, with 1,117 plants, accounting for 12.5 percent of manufacturers in the state. Rounding out the top five of manufacturers are metal fabricating, 858 plants; food industry, 628 plants; and lumber and wood products, with 590 related plants.

Garfield's Restaurant and Pub has opened in West Park Mall.

The restaurant, located in the JCPenney wing, includes outside and inside entrances.

The new restaurant has seating for about 250 patrons, and features a number of menu items, including steaks, prime rib, fish, sandwiches and salads.

"We have appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, Mexican food, pasta, Italian and oriental foods, and desserts," said Mike Robertson, area director of operations.

Shannon Scoper is general manager of the restaurant, which employs more than 100 people.

Garfield's, headquartered in Oklahoma City, also features 54 varieties of beer.

The restaurant opens every day at 11 a.m.

Mitchell's Antique Gallery, featuring a large selection of antique furniture, opened recently at 2121 William in Cape Girardeau.

"We have one of the finest selections of antique furniture in the area," said Karen Mitchell. "We will be specializing in quality antique furniture. We also have a lot of glassware."

The new operation is owned and operated by Shawn and Karen Mitchell, who also own Cape Jewelry and Pawn on Plaza Way.

The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Tractor Supply Company (TSC), 612 S. Kingshighway, will move across the road into new and enlarged quarters in early 1994.

"We'll expand our space by more than 7,000 square feet," said a spokesperson from TSC headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. "We'll go into an 18,750-square-foot building at 501 S. Kingshighway, hopefully by early- to mid-March."

TSC is expected to receive the keys to the new building Feb. 2. "It'll take us three to four weeks to get everything moved in," added the spokesperson.

The building contractor is Mike Stallion of Mac Con Construction Co., of Gordonville.

Bob Price of Cape Realty arranged the transaction.

Tractor Supply Co., was founded in 1938 and is celebrating 55 years of service. The company operates 150 stores in 21 states,with sales totaling more than $250 million in 1991.

The public will have an opportunity to take a look at Chateau Girardeau Estates this weekend.

"Our model cottage will be open during open house ceremonies Saturday and Sunday," said Rick Bowzer, public relations director. "The two-bedroom display house has been furnished by Rust & Martin."

The latest Chateau Girardeau expansion is being added to provide residents of the retirement complex an option of living in an apartment or an individual house.

Four of the cottages, which include formal dining room, breakfast room, living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and two-car garages, are occupied.

"Three more houses are under construction," said Bowzer.

The construction site for the planned 34 homes is almost complete, with sidewalks, street lights, utilities and sewer.

The cottages will be constructed as they are reserved by future Chateau Girardeau residents.

Residents have their choice of two floor plans.

"The plans are very similar," said Bowzer. "The difference is that one plan contains more square footage that the other."

Residents have their choice of two exterior finishes -- brick or synthetic plaster. They also have choices of colors for carpeting and walls.

The houses contain the same emergency systems that are found in Chateau apartments. An emergency call system is wired directly to the Chateau Health Centers and is monitored by the nursing staff 24 hours a day.

This project will complete the four levels of retirement living that has been planned for the Chateau Girardeau facility from its start more than a dozen years ago, in 1979, with 151 apartments.

The Chateau board actually adopted the long-range plan in 1983, and this project was Phase II of that plan. Phase I was the addition of an assisted living facility, which opened in 1988.

Chateau Girardeau is owned and operated by Cape Retirement Community Inc., a local non-denominational, not-for-profit corporation headed by a 13-member board of directors. The center is the only full-service continuing care retirement community of its type between St. Louis and Memphis.

The center offers completely independent living. The Medicare-approved health center and the assisted living center are available if residents need more assistance and care later in their lives, regardless of their financial status.

A new manufactured retail home center has opened a mile south of Cape Girardeau.

AA Mobile Homes recently completed construction on its new sales center, located on the east Outer Road of Interstate 55.

Mel and Mary Williams of Festus are owners of the new center. Wayne McCullough of Cape Girardeau, who has more than 20 years experience in the mobile home industry, is manager of the operation.

The Williams currently have three mobile home centers in the Festus and St. Louis area.

The accounting firm of Schott & Van De Ven, 1020 N. Kingshighway, Suite D, has formed a "Small Business Task Force."

"This group of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) will focus on the needs and concerns of smaller businesses in the area, including retail, service companies and small industry," said Mel Van De Ven, CPA partner in the Cape Girardeau-based company.

Van De Ven explained that the new task force was formed in response to the growing complexities facing small business.

"Current economical, social and political trends are bringing about dramatic changes in the business climate," said Van De Ven. "Many smaller companies are finding that complicated tax laws and government regulations require more specialized knowledge and experience than ever.

"We have created this task force with experienced members of our existing staff," added Bill Schott, founding partner of the firm. "It is designed to provide companies with information on tax, insurance and business operations."

Additional information is available by contacting Schott & Van De Ven, Certified Public Accountants.

"A Taste of Little Egypt" will give consumers an opportunity to have a "little taste of home" for the holidays.

A food gift basket will include items produced or manufactured in Southern Illinois, says Nick Rion, the project's creator.

"Even the basket is made in the Southern Illinois area," said Rion. "Each basket is numbered and signed. They make a good gift, especially for friends or relatives who have moved from the area."

The baskets include various barbecue sauces, popcorn, chocolate, honey, beans, dessert spices and a greeting card. Two baskets are available $49.95 and $59.95 -- from Lick Creek General Store, Route 1, Box 360, Anna, Ill., 62906, or by calling (618) 833-4410. The store is open only on Saturdays.