New restauranteur goes from corporate to Cape

A year ago, Christopher Bearss may have been on the phone with a client in Germany talking about IT Consulting computer products.

These days, Bearss finds himself talking on the phone about food shipments and whether the vegetables are fresh. That's because Bearss recently jumped ship from the corporate world to move to Cape Girardeau to open Indigo Restaurant and Spirits at 2 N. Main.

"I'm raising my 7-year-old son Keyllan by myself, and there was no place for him in that world," said Bearss.

Bearss had been visiting his old high school friend, Phil Brinson, for years in Cape Girardeau. Brinson owned Mudsuckers, and when Bearss learned his friend wanted to sell, he jumped at the chance.

"I felt like I had gotten to know the community and the area," said Bearss, 34. "I was looking for a good community to raise my son, and I knew this was it."

Bearss actually took over Mudsuckers in May but officially changed to Indigo earlier this month. Bearss wanted to change the business from a "hip-hop dance club" to a restaurant that focused on its food and brought in a more adult crowd with jazz and blues bands.

Bearss, who owns the restaurant with Sikeston native David Freeman, recruits about half of the bands from St. Louis and Memphis, often traveling to those places himself to scout them out. He also uses local talent.

Upcoming shows include Brown Sugar, known as the First Lady of Beal Street, on Feb. 16 and shows in March from the Dempseys and Blues Mojo.

It's not that Bearss has anything against the college set.

"College kids are welcome, but that's not our focus," he said. "We're food and entertainment. It's not a dance club full of college kids. We're looking for couples who want to have a nice dinner and some wine for under $50."

Sounds good.

House calls

Anthony Edwards is opening a new home improvement center in Cape Girardeau.

No, of course it's not that Anthony Edwards, who plays Dr. Mark Green on the hit TV medical drama "E.R."

"But I do get that a lot," laughs Edwards.

This Anthony Edwards is hoping his new business -- Custom Enterprises -- will help those do-it-yourselfers do some home healing. The new business, which held its grand opening Saturday, is at 1910 Independence.

Custom Enterprises offers cabinets, countertops, hardwood and tile flooring, carpeting, windows, doors and other home interior improvement items.

Edwards lives in Anna, Ill., and hopes to open a Custom Enterprises there within the month. Prior to opening this business, Edwards was a salesman for Custom Cut Log Homes.

The 2,000-square-foot center will have seven offices and a display floor. They will feature high-quality brand names.

He says to drop by and take a look. Stat! (OK, I added that last part myself.)

Harris Appraisal lives on

On Dec. 18, longtime Chaffee real estate appraiser Bob Harris died after a 10-month battle with cancer at age 56. Harris' wife and business partner, Virginia Harris, plans to keep the business -- Bob Harris Appraisal Service -- going. However, it will now just be known as Harris Appraisal Service.

"I changed it because I knew that Bob had been around so long I would continue to get inquiries for Bob," Virginia Harris said. "So I decided I needed to drop his first name. Even now, I'm still getting calls for him."

Bob Harris had been a real-estate appraiser in Chaffee for more than 30 years and owned his own business for 20 of those years. Virginia started out as office manager but 10 years ago became an appraiser herself. Harris Appraisal Service Inc. is at 506 Elliott Ave. in Chaffee.

Pillow talk

The St. Louis Business Journal has reported that Drury Inns has tied for the top spot on a national survey of customer satisfaction, outscoring national competitors such as the Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton. St. Louis-based Drury, an economy chain, shared the No. 1 spot with Minneapolis-based Country Inn and Suites by Carlson, a mid-price chain. The poll, conducted by Market Metrix in San Rafael, Calif., was based on 30,000 interviews with hotel guests.

Quickly

Information provided by Logan's Roadhouse was incorrect. Venture Construction is actually the company building the restaurant at 3012 William Street. Sorry about that.

Performance Quick Lube is opening a second store in Cape Girardeau. Owned by Plaza Tire Service, the new store will be at 101-A N. Kingshighway, and it will officially open in the next few weeks. The store will offer complete lube, oil and filter changes within 10 minutes.

I also want to take a quick sec to thank Pam Seal in Cape Girardeau's business license office. I bug Pam probably two or three times a week to find out what's happening with new businesses, but she never complains. I ought to share a byline with her. Thanks, Pam.

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