CHILDREN'S BAZAAR OBSERVES 25 YEARS IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

A yearlong celebration is under way at Children's Bazaar.

"It's our 25th anniversary," said Judy Wilferth. "In today's retail environment, independent specialty stores who have been in business for 25 years are increasingly rare."

Actually, Children's Bazaar has been around almost 30 years. The Wilferths, Fred "Rock" and Judy, purchased Children's Bazaar in 1973, from Ed and Lois Nenninger, who had operated the store five years.

The original store was in what was then Kroger Plaza in the 2000 block of Independence Street. In three years, Children's Bazaar tripled in size and had to purchase the Bib & Tucker Children's Shop in downtown Cape Girardeau as a second site.

The two stores were consolidated in 1980 and moved to a 6,000-square-foot store in West Park Village, where it remained until 1991, when the Wilferths constructed and opened the Crossroads Center at Kingshighway and Independence.

Judy Wilferth attributes the success to its employees. Employees working at the store have almost 100 combined years of experience, led by Romona Shock and Irmi Niswonger, with 21 and 20 years experience respectively.

Other employees in the operation and years of service include Ruth Chenoweth and Ella Mae Hoeller, 13 years each; Carol Brazel, eight years; Michelle McVay, seven years; Jennifer Garner and Vicki Connell, five years each; Sarah Garner and Misti McElroy, two years each.

Other Wilferth operations in the Crossroads Center include Boys Corner, which was established in 1980, and Sandy's, which opened in 1993.