Work on Jackson shopping area to start next summer

When former Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes had the water slide built in Jackson more than a quarter-century ago, he had never seen one.

But he built it anyway and for 25 years it was a success. I have more than a few memories howling in delight as I raced down the watery slide on a rubber mat, topping out at, I was sure, more than 100 mph. (I was 8, OK?)

But in 2004, the Lickity Split Water Slide, formerly Wet Gene's, closed for good.

"It's life had been used out," Rhodes said.

Now, Rhodes said his plans are progressing on a strip shopping area on the water slide property along East Jackson Boulevard.

Rhodes is awaiting some permits, and he's beat a lawsuit brought by the Department of Natural Resources, which was claiming that since more than an acre of ground had been disturbed, a silt fence was needed. But Rhodes said the judge threw that case out and now he's ready to move forward.

"It seems like it's taking forever," Rhodes said. "If we ever get all the permits together, if we can get the state, DNR, federal and the county on the same page, we can get going."

Rhodes said he's already spent $35,000 trying to get the permits. But he's hoping all those are in place in time for construction to start next summer. Then, within the next year or so after that, Rhodes envisions a strip mall of sorts with 2,200 linear feet of highway frontage. The property will go from Bening Mazda down to the Annwood subdivision on a total of about 30 acres.

No tenants have been lined up. Rhodes said they haven't even started thinking about that yet. But he sees the property as a mix of office and commercial uses.

"Mostly commercial," Rhodes said.

The property would be a good spot for restaurants, small retail shops and even a "good-sized" store, Rhodes said. The property could house 15 to 18 businesses, he said. Still, he cautions it's a multiyear deal, though he hopes it's all finished in two to three years.

"It will be a fantastic deal for Jackson," he said.

* Backyard Grill at West Park Mall: The owner of Kacie's Cookies, Carl Ritter, plans to open a restaurant at the West Park Mall in the former spot of Chick-Fil-A. Ritter tells me he is looking to open the first week of December, but it may be the second week.

The restaurant will feature combo meals with registered Angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, fried chicken wings, waffle fries and cheesecake. The new restaurant will also have a children's menu with prices under $4. Ritter, a high school PE teacher, said he's heard some complaints about a lack of places to eat at the mall in recent months.

"The mall is in need of a place to get a hamburger," Ritter said. "Kids want a hamburger and fries."

Ritter has operated Kacie's Cookies for four years, and he just renewed his lease there for five more years, he said.

"We hear complaints all day long at the cookie store," Ritter said. "Everybody says there needs to be another place to eat. We're hoping to fill that void."

The store will employ 15 to 20 people.

Ritter admits it will be trial and error at first.

"We're opening during a very busy shopping time for the mall," he said.

• Popeyes opening next week: Popeyes is opening its new Cape Girardeau restaurant Friday. The work is nearly finished at the new building on William Street between the Olive Garden and Panera Bread restaurants. The restaurant will be owned by Midamerica Hotels, which is responsible for many of the restaurants that have gone in near the new Holiday Inn Express.

"We're pleased to welcome Popeyes into our corporate family," said Bob Hahn, vice president of development for Midamerica Hotels, which is operating the restaurant. "We feel like it will be a good addition to our food offerings in our Park West Hospitality Center."

The restaurant will employ between 30 and 40 people.

• Rhodes 101 property: Jeff Maurer told me to be patient about the future of the old Rhodes 101 property on North Kingshighway. Maurer, vice president of operations and business development for PAJCO Inc., which owns the Rhodes stores, said the company is still waiting on a final few pieces to fall into place before they make an official announcement. So check this space again in a couple of weeks.

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.