Wymans to buy Hechts' properties

Although the word has been on the street for some time, last Thursday John and Jerry Wyman put substance to the speculation. The Wymans announced that they have indeed purchased a number of downtown Cape Girardeau properties from Marty and Tootie Hecht, including the flagship store at 107 N. Main St.

The Wymans have been working on this deal for about three months, and John Wyman said it still hasn't officially been closed. He said he felt it was finally at a point where he and Jerry felt comfortable going public.

In addition to the landmark old Hecht's Store, the property package includes the buildings at 33, 35, 45 and 46 N. Main St. and the downtown Spanish Street parking lot. In all, that's 32,000 square feet of vacant store space for which the Wymans now hope to find tenants.

After several smaller closings of various businesses over the past decade, the Hechts' swan song was sounded last October when Marty and Tootie announced the closing of the upscale clothing store that had been at 107 N. Main St. for 86 years. The couple had decided to retire. When Dan Elkins, store manager at the time, declined to take over, the doors to Hecht's Store were locked for the last time.

Now less than a year later, the building's new owners are taking to the task of finding replacements for 107 and its Main Street sisters that will follow in the lineage of Hecht's.

"We're look for a mix of retail businesses," John Wyman said. "Businesses that will enhance an upscale retail base that already exists" downtown.

John Wyman said that although the buildings are sound structurally, with solid exteriors, all the properties will require a bit of rehabilitation work that will begin once the sale is final. He added that most of the adjustments will be made per unit and per business that decides to take up residence there.

Carol-Cyn's on the move again: In the first week of July, Carol Schwettman and Cyndi Schutt were celebrating the 15th birthday of their women's apparel and accessories store, Carol-Cyn's, by moving into a new location. But having hit an unexpected growth spurt, the Cape Girardeau store will move at least once more before its 16th.

Before the paint could dry at their new home at 1910 Independence St., the mother/daughter team that runs Carol-Cyn's and its sister store, Carol's Closet, decided that the building wasn't adequate for their swelling vision. That being the case, the duo found new quarters for their two businesses, both now to be located at the corner of Pacific and Independence streets.

The new building offers more room for two new tanning beds, a stock of home decorations and furnishings, an expanded inventory of new brand-name women's clothing and a new children's consignment clothing department. The facility also features the visibility of a corner location and more parking. It also has room to grow, just in case the well of their expanding imagination isn't yet dry.

Schwettman said that the new location will be open by Oct. 1. She also said the store at 1910 Independence St. will remain open until December, when a close-out sale will take place. However, starting in October all new merchandise and consignment will go to the new corner store.

High Street Station now in a different family: Jackson's High Street Station has always been a family business. But now it's just a different family.

In April, Kathleen Walker and her two daughters, Lisa Walker and Lynette Strange, bought the gift and decorative accessories store at 106 S. High St. from Sharee Galnore and her daughter, Dawn Fallert. The new owners are now ready to cut the ribbon to christen their joint venture.

While most people retire to the coasts of the world, Kathleen Walker retired as a homemaker in Hawaii to come to Jackson. Looking to keep the family close, her two daughters moved to the area from California. Now the Walker women have decided to pool their talents and tastes into High Street Station.

"It's always been a dream to have a shop together," Lisa Walker said. "It's more fun when you do it with friends and family."

Lisa owned a stationery and card store in California, while her mother was a homemaker, occasionally volunteering in hospital gift shops. Add in Lynette's CPA experience to help with the books, and you have a recipe for a homemade business.

In addition to bringing new perspectives to the store, the Walker women have also brought a new assortment of wares. On top of the store's traditional offerings of home decorations and accessories, the Walkers have discontinued the baby department and replaced it with an array of garden accessories. The store will also offer seasonal holiday merchandise.

To celebrate their official grand opening, the High Street Station will hold an open house the first two days of October.

Kies is home to new procedure, technology: Cape Girardeau's Kies Eye Center recently announced that Dr. Mason Bias is the first ophthalmologist in Southeast Missouri to offer the NearVision conductive keratoplasty procedure that improves near vision for people who have presbyopia, an age-related eye condition that sets in after age 40.

The procedure is performed with the ViewPoint CK system, which uses radio waves to reshape the cornea and bring vision back into focus with no lasers or cutting or removal of tissue. It is done in minutes, using only an eyedropper anesthesia.

Closing number: Tom M. Meyer said that 1,850 people attended the Wednesday afternoon open house at the Marquette Tower. He said a large number of those came in after school and after work, keeping the tours open until about 6:30 p.m.

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.