60 YEARS: RUST & MARTIN CONTINUES TO GROW

MANAGEMENT TEAM: Rust & Martin Inc., a home furnishings and design center with stores in Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Ky., and Columbia, Mo., is observing its 60th anniversary this month. From left are David Rust, manager at the Paducah store; Harry Rust, president of the firm; Stephen Rust, manager at Columbia; and Mike Rust, manager at Cape Girardeau.

Rust & Martin Inc., a home furnishings and design center, is observing its 60th anniversary this month.

The Cape Girardeau firm, housed in a 26,000-square-foot structure in the Mid City Business Center in Cape Centre, is adjacent to Route K and next to Applebee's Restaurant.

Rust & Martin originally was established here in 1933 as a reupholstery shop on Broadway by Wayne Rust and Bud Martin. Following Martin's death, Rust purchased his interest but continued the business under the name of Rust & Martin.

Through the years, Rust & Martin has added many departments that have made it the complete home furnishings center it is today with locations at Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Ky., and Columbia, Mo.

"We had a great 59th year," said Harry Rust, president of the firm. "We moved into a new building here, we hosted a visit by Miss America, and only two weeks ago a couple were so impressed with our store they wanted to be married in the store."

Rust said more good things were scheduled during its 60th year.

"We're looking at expansions for the Columbia store," he said. "We're redoing the interior of the store, and we'll be taking a look at the exterior design."

The Columbia operation is as large as the new store at Cape Girardeau.

"We have about 25,000 square feet in the Columbia store, and a 5,000-square-foot warehouse," said Rust.

The Paducah store consists of about 20,000 square feet, said Rust.

"This business started out as a reupholstery shop," said Rust. "We still make upholstery. The firm also makes its own bedspreads, area rugs, draperies, window curtains and accessories.

"We provide decorating services for residential and commercial banks, hospitals, restaurants and offices," said Rust. "We offer services for floors, walls, windows and furniture."

The store is offering many anniversary specials during March.

Michael Rust is manager of the Cape Girardeau facility. He and his wife, Tennie, reside in Cape Girardeau, and are parents of three children Ashley, Tanner and Bailey.

Rust & Martin opened the store in Columbia in 1975, and started the operation in Paducah in 1987. Stephen Rust manages the Columbia operation and David Rust manages the Paducah store.

Michael, Stephen and David are sons of Harry and Barbara Rust, who own the new building.

Harry Rust and Dennis Stockard formed a partnership to develop the Mid City Business Center in Cape Centre. Applebee's Restaurant and Rust & Martin Inc. are the first two businesses in the new development. The Mid City Business Center is bordered by Route K on the north, Broadview on the west, and Cape Centre Drive to the south.

Rust & Martin's new building features a state-of-the-art lighting system and is classical contemporary in style.

"We're excited about our new facility," said Rust. "With more space, we have added some new departments, and the building complements the many specialized departments we had already."

One of the expanded departments is the gift and accessories department, which features gifts and unusual items that previously were not available in the area.

A new department, situated near the south entrance, is Karasten Gallery and Design, featuring floor coverings carpeting, marble, wood, ceramic, tile and area carpets.

"Everything in the building is designed to show the public what we can do," said Rust. "We feature 12-foot ceilings in our settings, and this gives the illusion of even more height." He said more new homes, like their architectural ancestors, are going to higher ceilings.

The store's perimeter galleries include settings that feature a variety of decorative ideas for living rooms, family rooms, dens, and bedrooms. Some of the vignette settings feature carpeting; others feature hardwood floors with area carpets, some oriental carpets; and others tile floors. Each room setting also displays window treatments.

One of the vignettes is a "Ralph Lauren" setting featuring clothing, furniture and wall coverings.

The firm makes its own bedspreads, upholstery for furniture, area rugs, draperies, window curtains and accessories.