Second DQ coming to Jackson

Dairy Queen Enterprises in St. Louis has awarded an additional franchise to Jackson, a company representative confirmed last week. The franchise was granted to King William Management Inc. of Cape Girardeau.

King William owns already owns and operates the Dairy Queen on William Street in Cape Girardeau and is currently completing construction on a second on North Sprigg Street. A King William representative said the company's third Dairy Queen will be at 2800 E. Jackson Blvd. The residential structure currently at that address will be razed to make way for a 3,200-square-foot, brick and stone building that will house a full-menu Dairy Queen. Construction is slated to begin in early spring.

Jim Thompson, owner of the current Jackson Dairy Queen at 221 S. Hope St., said the St. Louis office had offered him the franchise, but he declined. He did say that his store -- which has been running for 48 years -- will remain open.

Rental Land expands: Independence Street just seems like the place to be for Rental Land.

In 1966, the first outlet for Cape Girardeau's rental needs opened in a small building at 1455 Independence St., then later moved to its current location at 1922 Independence St. The business rented out equipment for construction, lawn and garden, maintenance and plumbing. In 2002, owner Mark Kasten broke tradition by opening a second store at 52 S. Plaza Way in the William Street Town Plaza. However, the recent departure of Beaver Janitor Supply from its store at 1914 Independence St. left an opportunity for Kasten to bring the Rental Lands back together where they belong.

Kasten said it was a happy coincidence.

The second store, which specializes in renting tables, chairs, tents and supplies for parties and special events, was expanding at such a rate that it soon outgrew the 6,000-square-foot quarters in the Town Plaza. Kasten said that when a space more than twice that size opened up right next door to the flagship Rental Land, it was too good to pass up.

The two stores will now share a parking lot. The special events store will now have 12,500 square feet to split between warehouse storage and showroom space for its rapid and ongoing expansion. Kasten expects to be out of the Town Plaza by Sunday and ready to open at 1914 Independence St. on Nov. 1.

New Realty Executives office in Jackson: Bill and Susan Cole have expanded their business from Cape Girardeau into Jackson. On Oct. 11, the two opened a new Realty Executives office at 510 W. Main St. in Jackson. It is the Cole's second Realty Executive location.

The Coles started Realty Executives of Cape Girardeau in December 2003 with four executives. That family of executives has since grown to 19. Now the sister office in Jackson will be managed by the Coles along with Deb and Jeff Martin and Carmen Shadron. In addition, executives Lori Friese and Michelle Doughten will bring their extensive real estate sales experience in the area to the new Jackson facility.

Advanced Pest Control enters 25th year: In the fall of 1980, after 18 years working for a Cape Girardeau pest control company, Gene Schuessler decided to go into business for himself. At age 40, Schuessler and his wife, Dorothy (also 40) started Advanced Pest Control Systems.

Since then, the company has moved to its current location at 821 Progress St. in Cape Girardeau. It has also expanded from two employees to 20. But one thing that has not changed is the Schuesslers' approach to business.

"Our motto is to treat others as you would want to be treated," Dorothy Schuessler said.

That maxim has served them well. Dorothy Shuessler said that she still has the original billing ledgers from over 24 years ago. Going through them, she sees a lot of the same names that are still doing business with Advanced.

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.