Old bakery to become pharmacy

After a tornado in Jackson leveled Meyer's Bakery at 404 S. Hope St. last year, business owner Connie Meyer decided to pick up and move across town to East Jackson Boulevard. But while Meyer's rebuilds elsewhere, the old Hope Street location has been undergoing its own renewal, and it will soon be host to a different type of clientele, that of a pharmacy.

Land and building owner Ralph Wille -- who now owns and runs Wille's Bakery in Cape Girardeau -- ran Wille's Bakery from this Jackson location before selling the business to Meyer a few years ago. He said within a week the wooden structure that seems to have sprouted from the ground at 404 S. Hope St. will be ready for brick work. Within the next 30 days, he hopes, the building will be ready to welcome its new tenants.

Wille said he is currently in lease negotiations with the pharmacy company, which he wouldn't name. He expects the deal to be closed by the time the building is completed.

Plaza Galleria property on the market: A new sign has been placed in front of the faded blue electric Plaza Galleria sign just off Independence in Cape Girardeau. It is the sign of a real estate company.

Tom Kelsey with Lorimont Place Ltd. -- whose name is on the new sign -- said his company has been charged with finding a new owner for the familiar complex at 2001 Independence.

In 1983, current owners C.R. and Betty Talbert bought the property, which was originally a Kroger Super Store in the 1970s, and gave the place a major overhaul. The end result was a busy ice skating rink with retail, restaurant and office space. In recent months, the ice rink and most of the other businesses in the building have closed.

Two stores that remain are Fantasticks, a specialty gift store owned and operated by the Talberts, and Pockets, a billiard operation that leases space. Kelsey said both plan to stay at the location under a new owner, unless the new tenant would require that space. In that scenario, the Talberts would move Fantasticks elsewhere.

Kelsey said that the 56,450 square-foot building could serve a variety of functions, but nothing specific can be forecast at this time.

Carol-Cyn's moves, celebrates: Since 1989, Carol Schwettman has been bringing women's apparel and accessories to Cape Girardeau, and now it's time to celebrate. Schwettman and her manager/ daughter, Cyndi Schutt, are doubling their pleasure by simultaneously celebrating Carol-Cyn's 15th anniversary and its grand opening at its new location during the week of July 5.

In January, Carol-Cyn's and its sister -- upscale resale clothing store Carol's Closet -- moved from the Hecht's building at 19 N. Main St., to a larger building at 1910 Independence. The initial reason for the move was landlord Martin Hecht's retirement last winter. However, Schwettman said that this move has had some benefits.

"This location is more convenient for our customers," she said. When she made her first move from 1020 N. Kingshighway to Main Street six years ago, she said, she lost some customers who didn't like going downtown.

In addition, the new facility offers a bit more space. To use the extra room, Schwettman has incorporated the dealing of small household furniture into Carol's Closet's offerings.

New accounting firm in Jackson: After years of working for a large Cape Girardeau accounting firm, CPAs Connie Brown and Holly Thomas have decided they wanted to take their combined 40 years of experience in the field and hang their own shingle in Jackson. Starting today, Brown and Thomas CPAs, PC will begin taking customers at 1166 Greenway Drive.

"We wanted to wet our wings and get started with our own company," Thomas said.

The move also brings these two CPAs closer to home. Thomas hails from the Oak Ridge area, while Brown is now working in her hometown of Jackson.

Thomas is a certified estate planner, and Brown is certified in valuation. But their services include tax preparation and planning, small business accounting, payroll services, auditing, financial statements and business consulting.

Silver anniversary at the Chateau: On July 2, 1979, Chateau Girardeau held its grand opening as a nationally accredited, full-service retirement community. Twenty-five years later, the Chateau is ready to set off some fireworks a little early to kick off a six-month anniversary celebration.

On Friday, festivities will begin with a tribute to Leta Bahn, the first president of the corporation. Each month, highlights of the Chateau's operation will be featured. Events are planned for residents, community members and friends and will include not only celebrations of the current facility, but also announcements of plans for its future.

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