NEW BUSINESSES, NEW NAMES, NEW LOCATIONS: JACKSON GROWTH BENEFICIAL TO BUSINESSES

It's no secret that Jackson is growing, there are new businesses going up frequently. It's also no secret why.

"It's just a nice community," said Jackson Chamber of Commerce President Larry Hall. "We're growing along with all of the Southeast Missouri region. But Jackson is an especially pleasant place to live."

Jackson is a close-knit community, and Hall says that businesses are doing well because the people in Jackson try to help the businesses do well.

"People like to start businesses where they're welcome," Hall said.

Another reason, Hall said, there are so many new businesses in Jackson, is because of all the housing development taking place here.

"To build new homes we have to have builders and developers, which enables a strong market to be here," Hall said. "More homes means more people. This lends itself to more businesses."

When Susan Coburn of Dexter wanted to open a new business, she never consider anywhere but Jackson.

Last week Coburn opened a new clothing store, Uniquely Yours Outlet, located in the Heartland Plaza, across from Burger King.

"We know Jackson is a thriving community and we wanted to be a part of it," Coburn said. "It's progressive, clean and has a career-minded community enthusiasm."

Becky Henley of Gordonville thought that now was the time to move her business, Becky's Fashions & Gifts, from Gordonville to Jackson.

"It's a growing town," Henley said. "My business is doing 80 percent better." She says this is partly due to a bigger building and the fact that her business offers one of the few tanning salons in Jackson.

Henley says she's very pleased with her decision to move here. "I'm really happy here."

A town growing like Jackson has experienced changes in the health care field as in other parts of the country. Drs. Kennett Asher and Charles Pewitt, associates of the Jackson Family Clinic recently merged with Regional Primary Care of Cape Girardeau.

"Dr. Pewitt and I were associates here as Jackson Family Clinic and elected to network with Regional Primary Care due to changes in the health care environment," said Asher.

Despite the fact that Donny Holley has lived in Cape Girardeau for the past five years, when he wanted to start his business, Holley Motor Co., Jackson seemed like the logical choice.

"It's a nice town," Holley said. "There's just a lot less hassle over here [in starting a new business] than in Cape." Holley plans to open his business, which buys and sells new cars to wholesale dealers, next month.

While the interest lies with the new businesses, the businesses that have been in Jackson say their business is doing great, too.

Joel Philipps, owner of Philipps Carpet, has been operating for a year now and he says his business is doing really well. He's never regretted opening a business here.

"Jackson has grown tremendously in the last several years," Philipps said. "The subdivisions are growing by leaps and bounds."

Philipps attributes community support as the main reason his business is succeeding.

"Everyone here is very supportive of local businesses and the word-of-mouth advertising you get here is the best advertising.

"We plan to be here as long as they'll let us."

Other existing businesses in Jackson have recently moved to new locations. Clean Attitude Auto Detailing has moved from uptown Jackson to the old Strickard Station next to Jackson Glass, Inc. (featured in Jan. 14's Jackson U.S.A.).

Jackson Podiatric Medical Center also moved from uptown Jackson to North High Street in the old H&S Building.

Dr. Wayne Sarno, owner of Jackson Podiatric says he is impressed with the increased space in his new location and the remodeling of the interior.