DOWNTOWN CAPE GIRARDEAU ON THE MOVE

Jennifer Hazel, left, is manager of Europa's with owners John Wyman and Jerrianne Wyman.

John and Jerrianne Wyman, purveyors of fine food and drink in Cape Girardeau since 1989, have opened Europa's Gourmet Market in downtown Cape Girardeau.

A market and cafe, Europa's combines shopping for unique and gourmet food items with a casual dining menu of selected soups, salads, sandwiches and quiche.

The new market at 20 N. Spanish also houses corporate offices of Meriweather Investments.

Europa's is the one of the latest business to complement the retail makeup of downtown Cape Girardeau. Merriweather, owned by the Wymans, includes Europa's, Mollie's and the Royal N'Orleans, along with rental property."We call Europa's a 'home meal solution,'" said John Wyman. "We offer breakfast rolls and quiche for breakfast, sandwiches, soups and salad for lunch and a number of entrees for dinner."The dinner menu, which can be ordered to go or eat-in, includes chicken, roast beef, leg of lamb, seafood, pasta, vegetables and desserts.

Europa's is open six days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m Monday through Thursday, and, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday."We may expand to include Sunday hours later," said Jerrianne Wyman.

Europa's will prepare corporate "lunch boxes" for small groups, and offers full-service catering for large groups.

Jennifer Hazel, who previously served as chef at the Royal N'Orleans Restaurant, is general manager of Europa's.

The Wymans have been in the restaurant business since 1989, when they opened Mollie's Cafe & Bar on Good Hope Street. Mollie's was moved to its current location at 11 S. Spanish in 1993. The Wyman's assumed ownership of the Royal N'Orleans, at Broadway and Lorimier, in October of 1995. At one point, they also operated the Bel Air Grill, at 24 S. Spanish.

The Wymans also live in downtown Cape Girardeau.

C.P. McGinty Jewelers has new lookC.P. McGinty Jewelers Inc. has a new look for the holidays.

Highlighting the new look is a 30-foot-long, 8-foot-high mural, designed and painted by Cape Girardeau artist Craig Thomas. The mural depicts a "People Helping People" theme. The store, at 117 N. Main, has been completely remodeled, "from the show windows to the office area," said McGinty. "The mural is the focal point of the entire design."McGinty and his wife, Laura, brought the jewelry town downtown almost a dozen years ago."We were located at West Park Village when we first opening the store," said McGinty. "When this building, along with a 14-car parking lot became available, we brought the business downtown."The store has undergone remodeling and redecorating several times.

A Riverfest Mural was painted on the back of the store building a decade ago, and was repainted in 1996. The mural features Riverfest activities in downtown Cape Girardeau."We've talked about having an inside mural," said McGinty.

McGinty contacted Craig Thomas, a local freelance artist who lives in the downtown area, and he agreed to do the job."The entire mural is of people in the service industry," said McGinty. "There are about 18 go 20 people in the mural, many of whom can be associated with the real people of downtown Cape Girardeau."Thomas, who also put hints of downtown architecture and the Mississippi River into the mural, said the entire project took about two months, from design, research and redesign to painting it.

Al Phillips, an architect with downtown offices, did McGinty's remodeling design."Both of these guys -- Phillips and Thomas -- did a great job for us," said McGinty.

McGinty's Jewelers offers a wide selection of fine jewelry -- rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants and a choice of loose diamonds and mountings. McGinty is also known throughout the region for his custom jewelry design.

Also available at the jewelry and gift store are miniature collectible imported French porcelain boxes, and "Department 567" collectibles and "Fitz and Loyd" tabletop accessories.

Pyramid Group in new locationPyramid Home Care Group, which recently announced the opening of its newest addition -- Pyramid Nursing Services -- moved into new offices earlier this year.

The Pyramid Group, with offices here, Kennett, Sikeston, Fredericktown and Ferguson, moved into new downtown headquarters in a remodeled portion of the old Montgomery Ward Building.

Only recently the group announced its state-licensed home health agency will provide Services in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Stoddard, Scott and Perry counties.

The Pyramid Group has been in the home health industry more than 27 years.

Additional information on the new program is available by contacting Claire Karnes at the new offices here.