Grace Cafe to close later this month

A slowing economy has forced Grace Cafe in Cape Girardeau to close its doors, effective Oct. 15.

"We've cut corners everywhere we can, but it just hasn't worked out," said owner Grace Parry. "This really needs an owner who can devote 40 to 60 hours a week to this business, and since I have a family I can't do it. We don't have extra money to put into this, and my family needs me."

Parry informed her employees of the news Wednesday. She has explored other uses for the brick building at 818 Broadway originally constructed in 1928 but has no plans to sell it.

"I probably will use it for a meeting space," Parry said. "I have a lot of things to pray about."

For longtime customer David Kelly, the news was heartbreaking.

"You can chalk it up as the next victim of the current economic trouble," said Kelly, who was enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation with friend Tye Parks. "I've had coffee many places in Cape Girardeau, but there is absolutely no comparison to here. It's a very alive place that will be missed a great deal."

Like Kelly, Parks will miss the countless afternoons and evenings he spent attending Christian music concerts and meeting with friends in the coffee shop. He said such local establishments are becoming a rarity in the area.

"It's a shame that a local business like this can't survive," Parks said. "That's just one less local niche choice we have in a market that has its share of national chain establishments."

Employee Missy Montgomery said the news of the closure is bittersweet.

"It's been such a comfort to be here that I don't want to go," Montgomery said. "But at the same time I'm happy for Grace and [husband] Mike Parry because the Lord is giving them an exciting new direction. I'm excited to see what is in store for her."

Before Montgomery began working at the coffee shop in May, she was grieving the loss of a sister to an automobile accident. But Montgomery's feelings of isolation turned to joy shortly after Parry offered her a job at the coffee shop.

"There's a spirit of peace that goes beyond the building," Montgomery said. "After all, she's not in the food and coffee business but the people business."

Co-worker Lisa Sanchez expects relationships formed with customers and other employees to continue after Grace Cafe closes its doors.

"The saddest part is the customers we won't see on a regular basis," Sanchez said. "Cape Girardeau is losing a great environment that the community has come to love."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

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