JACKSON MERCHANTS EXPLORE WAYS TO RETAIN BUSINESSES; PANEL FORMED TO KEEP BUSINESS DISTRICT ALIVE

JACKSON -- A group of concerned Jackson merchants and business owners are getting up very early once a week. For the past two months, on Thursday mornings at 7, the group, known as the Small Business Recruitment Committee, meets to discuss the future of small businesses in Jackson.

"We want to keep the downtown full," said Councilwoman Val Tuschhoff, a member of the committee.

She said a group of about 12 Jackson businessmen and women decided to become active in the recruitment of small businesses to downtown Jackson.

In the last few months some downtown businesses have left. Some have relocated and some stores have closed. One recent loss to the downtown area was Sanders True Value at 113 Main Street. Its owners relocated the store to East Highway 61.

Tuschhoff said downtown merchants are concerned about replacing businesses that have left the downtown area. "We want to prevent the loss of merchants and the increase of empty buildings to downtown Jackson," she said.

Tuschhoff said that although the committee wants to keep small businesses in the downtown area, its members want to encourage new business to locate in Jackson regardless of the location.

A survey developed by the committee and circulated to service groups helped in the committee's efforts to identify the types of new businesses that Jackson residents want.

Tuschoff said the survey revealed that clothing stores, shoe stores and specialty sit-down type restaurants were at the top of the list.

"We are working to attract new, small businesses to Jackson by distributing brochures and through advertising," she said.

The committee is currently in the process of placing ads in business journals in St. Louis, Memphis and in the "Business Today" publication. The committee is also in the process of raising funds for advertising and promotion efforts.

Tuschoff said fund-raising events are planned to help with the committee's expenses.

A barbecue cook-off contest is set for Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside the Cape Girardeau County Administration Building. Along with the food, Tuschhoff said there will be crafts and other activities. The committee is also selling polo T-shirts printed with city logos.