New Rhodes slated to open this week

For 20 years before the old Mississippi River bridge was torn down, people were offered this choice: Bi-State or Rhodes. Soon after the new Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge was put up, a Bi-State shortly followed. Now, this week, a Rhodes 101 is opening at the intersection of South Sprigg Street and Highway 74, near the new bridge and across the street from Bi-State's new store.

Seems appropriate.

The new Rhodes is expected to open in time for Thanksgiving, according to Jeff Maurer, vice president of operations and business development for PAJCO Inc., which owns the Rhodes stores. The new Rhodes will be the fifth Rhodes in Cape Girardeau and the 28th store owned and operated by PAJCO in Southeast Missouri.

Here are some of the offerings you can expect at the new Rhodes:

They will sell Chester's Fresh Fried Chicken, have a drive-through (I refuse to spell it t-h-r-u), and will be the first Cape Girardeau convenience store to sell E-85 fuel. E-85 is the blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 is used in flexible fuel vehicles currently offered by most major auto manufacturers. FFVs can run on gasoline, E-85 or any combination of the two. Maurer wanted to stress that Rhodes 101 will continue to sell normal petroleum gasoline and diesel in addition to the E-85. By the way, the E-85 fuel dispenser is clearly marked and has a yellow hose to distinguish it from the petroleum nozzles.

Life on NARS: I sat down with Chris Buehrle, president of National Asset Recovery Services Inc., for an interview that you can read in the upcoming Business Today magazine. For all the particulars, make sure you pick it up. But I can tell you Chris, a Cape Girardeau native, is extremely proud of the time he spent here.

"I travel all over the world, but when people ask me where I'm from, the first thing I say is Cape Girardeau, Mo.," Buehrle told me.

Also, I ran into Chris again last week. He was back in town, hiring the company's first 100 folks or so. He continues to heap praise on Mayor Jay Knudtson. "If it wasn't for Jay, we wouldn't be here," he said.

One of NARS' first hires was also announced last week. Cathi Schlosser is leaving the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce to join the NARS management team as human resources director.

Schlosser has served the chamber as director of membership development since April 1, 2003.

"Cathi was a tremendous volunteer for the chamber for many years prior to joining our team," said John Mehner, president and CEO of the chamber. "She continued that commitment while here. She will be missed but we are happy she has been given this great opportunity with NARS."

Cape Importers: Got a tour last week of Cape Importers, a new gallery at 16 N. Spanish St., that will feature items imported from Indonesia. It is owned by Joe Elayer and Paul Walker. Some of the more interesting things I noticed were a 2,200-pound, onyx lion that was listed for $25,000 and an onyx horse for $17,500. But the gallery isn't just for wealthy folks. I saw a fascinating array of charcoal and oil paintings, masks, furniture and other items. Also situated around the show room were sculptures, ceramics and other items shipped here from Indonesia.

"There's nothing like this for 500 miles," said Walker.

Chan's re-open: I reported in this space a few weeks ago that Chan's was re-opening in November. Well, it has.

One of my spies tells me he went in there two Fridays ago.

"Friday night was CRAZY with people waiting to be seated," he wrote me in an e-mail. "I think there is a Chan's Cult."

If so, sign me up.

Scott Moyers is the business editor of the Southeast Missourian. Send your comments, business news, information or questions to "Biz Buzz," 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699, or e-mail them to smoyers@semissourian.com or call (573) 335-6611, extension 137.