NEW BUSINESSES FEATURE FOOD, GIFTS, ANTIQUES

Visitors to Cape Girardeau's annual Riverfest celebration this weekend will have an opportunity to visit some new businesses that have made their appearances in downtown Cape Girardeau during the past year.

No less than five new names can be found in structures that were vacant during Riverfest '91.

They are:

Daina Rae's, a craft-supplies and gift shop, 130 N. Main.

Heartland Antiques Emporium, an antique and collectibles operation that includes a total of 31 shops at 5 N. Main or 5 N. Spanish.

My Daddy's Cheesecake, a gourmet cheesecake business that offers a variety of cheesecake, muffins, coffee and tea.

Jay's Beauty Shop, 42 N. Main.

M.J. Jewelry, a wholesale costume-jewelry shop at 108 N. Main.

In addition, Peddler's Corner Furniture and Stuff opened recently at 701 Broadway.

Daina Rae's offers Victorian-era gifts, greeting cards, lace doilies, aprons, baskets, and the Wyndham collection of bath products."

The business also offers many craft supplies patterns, paints, lace and ribbon," said Daina Eyler, owner of the store.

Eyler and her husband, Bob, moved to Cape Girardeau from Simi Valley, Calif., where she was a secretary and he was an educator.

"I also operated a crafts business out of my home," said Eyler.

My Daddy's Cheesecake offers retail, wholesale and mail-order sales.

The business was founded in 1987 by Tom Harte and his wife, Jane Harte, and Joe Low and his wife, Lauchette Low, as a part-time business. It previously was in Plaza Galleria.

The business offers a low-fat cheesecake, low-fat muffins, scones, and brownies.

"We sell our cheesecakes by the cake or by the piece," said Low. "People are welcome to stop by and purchase a muffin or a piece of cheesecake to go. We also offer coffee and tea."

The company has won two national "best dessert" awards.

Included in the cheesecake line are five favorites New Orleans Praline, a national award-winning dessert in 1991; Turtle, a national award-winning product, in 1990; Mississippi Mud; Cookies `N' Cream; and the Classic cheesecake.

Jay's Beauty Salon opened recently. Jay Whitfield is owner of the shop, which opens daily at 8 a.m.

Whitfield, a Jackson native, is a graduate of Stage One, The Hair School, and has about nine years of experience.

He worked at Hair Performers, and became salon coordinator for that company.

Heartland Antique Emporium opened last November.

"We have more than 13,000 square feet on the first floor," said Greg Hahs, who operates the business. "We have another 13,000 square feet upstairs, which will open in the future."

Hahs, who formerly operated Heartland Antique Mall at William and Sprigg, and his wife, Sharon, purchased the Main Street property. It formerly was the Rivertown Center mini-mall.

Entrances to the business are from Main and Spanish streets.

"We feel the new location is a plus for the operation," said Hahs. "We now have 31 dealers here, and are looking forward to eventually opening the second floor, which will add another 13,000 square feet to the operation.

"We have dealers who specialize in furniture, glass, paper memorabilia, old linens, primitives and more," said Hahs. "Antique buffs will find an appealing selection of many collectibles."

Hansen's Collectibles opened about a month ago at 210 Independence.

"Downtown is where the action is," said Lee Ann Hansen. "We like the traffic we're getting." Hansen and Tim Hansen are owners of the new shop.

L.R. Brandes, who has been selling "furniture and stuff" for more than four years as an auctioneer, and his son, Lonnie Brandes, are owners of the Peddler's Corner Furniture and Stuff.

"We've been involved with furniture, antiques and other household items a number of years," said L.R. Brandes. "But this is the first time we have tried the retail business."

Brandes, who is still in the auctioneer business, said the store will offer a variety of furniture in all price ranges.