Businesses see some green from Color Me Cape run

The Color Me Cape 5K did more than give the runners a workout; it gave businesses in Cape Girardeau's downtown area a boost, especially the restaurants.

The starting line for Saturday's race was on Spanish Street, near Merriweather Street. The course continued up Morgan Oak Street to Good Hope Street before turning at North Frederick Street, then Middle Street. More than 2,000 runners made their way down Washington Avenue and Park Drive before connecting to Main Street and coming full circle on Spanish.

The event benefited the Safe House for Women, Discovery Playhouse children's museum and Howard Aslinger Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

Indirectly, it also helped downtown businesses.

Bel Air Grill sat between the start and finish lines. Customers and spectators flocked to its raised outdoor patio to dine and drink as they enjoyed the view and cheered the runners.

Other Spanish Street businesses, such as The Library and Spanish Street Mercantile and Ice Cream Parlor, displayed large window signs advertising to-go foods, cupcakes and ice cream.

Nearby Main Street also was flooded with people, many of whom made a stop at coffeehouse Cup N Cork.

"It's been amazing today. We've been super-packed," said Danielle Hardin as she rang up customers at the register. She said she noticed many people from the race stopped by, and expected more would arrive after the first wave of runners crossed the finish line.

Down the street, Ron Taylor of the Main Street Station restaurant and convenience store said the race had not yet caused a change of pace at his business, but noticed it was affecting downtown as a whole. He hoped to see a few more people stop by the walk-up window or duck into the building for refuge from the crowds as the race continued.

"People walk around with blinders on with their cellphones in front of them. So nothing's going to have much of an impact except what she's doing," Taylor said, referring to an employee passing out fliers with the restaurant's menu.

With thousands running and walking downtown, Cape Girardeau police officers could be seen assisting with traffic control to keep runners safe as they made their way through the course. The section of Spanish Street where the start and finish lines were placed was closed to traffic during the race.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Merriweather Street and Spanish Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.