Nerds return to Cape after fire

You've heard of them: They're nerds.

At least according to their radio commercials. But for the last two years Computer 21 has slipped a little below the radar. Two years ago, a fire severely damaged the office on Christine Street. A laptop battery exploded.

Owner Andrew Bard opted to move the business to Scott City. He also realized he needed a break.

The computer company had grown 960 percent in the years preceding the fire. It had gone from $43,000 in sales to $420,000 in four years.

"You just kind of get tired," Bard said. "We were working all the time, trying to keep it growing. I wanted to regroup. Figure out how we were going to grow again."

In 2006, the "nerds" at Computer 21 moved back to Cape Girardeau, opening at 1923 N. Kingshighway.

Computer 21 does computer repair, works on networks, servers and phone systems, and is branching out into home automation. Home automation allows people to do things like lighting control, checking security cameras via the Internet and full house audio. Computer 21 will also be a Charter Communications payment center, Bard said.

So now the business is back in Cape Girardeau, rested and ready to grow.

"It allowed me to slow down enough to give me time to think and come up with a new plan," Bard said. "It was a blessing in disguise. But everything can be a blessing in disguise if you make it one."