NEW FIRMS BUILD DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE

The renaissance of downtown Cape Girardeau continues as more businesses start up or relocate to the area.

Evelyn Boardman of the Downtown Merchants Association says many elements attract businesses to the downtown, including its historic roots, mix of shops and offices, low overhead costs, good restaurants, and ambiance.

"We have elements like the Mississippi riverfront and the courthouse, not available elsewhere," she said. "It's a fun area to be in. It has a certain cordiality."

Current capital improvement projects include the mural on the floodwall and the pavilion being built in the south parking area.

Over the past year, a number of new businesses have opened in the downtown area. They include:

Riverview Banquet Center, 132 N. Main, which offers dining and meeting space for large gatherings, is housed in the former Buckner-Ragsdale building. Jerra May manages the center, which is owned by Ron Mix of Chaffee.

The center can accommodate up to 250 people. The mezzanine level offers a view of the Mississippi River.

"This is a full-service banquet center," May said. "We have just remodeled the facility and have added a second bar."

Metro Title Insurers Inc. relocated to 2 N. Lorimier in November. The century old, Victorian-style former home was renovated by architect Ted Hoehner.

"It is a pleasant place to work in and is very comfortable," said spokesman Debbie Schemel. "And we have close access to City Hall, Common Pleas Courthouse and Federal District Court." Metro provides real estate title insurance, warranty deeds, escrow and abstract services.

Office Furniture World opened in February at 20 N. Main St. in a building, which was occupied for many years by the Montgomery-Wards store. It handles previously owned office furniture. Wanda Hamilton manages the store.

Owner Frank Klueppel of Cape Girardeau said the store covers 40,000 square feet, with half of it being on the main level. The prices are generally one-fourth of what would be paid for new furniture.

Country Girl Creations opened in April at 6 N. Sprigg St. It offers a variety of handmade items. Craft persons rent spaces in the shop.

Owners Linda Hess of Jackson and Lenora Widner of Cape Girardeau are both "crafters." The store is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ultimate Image Eyewear, which provides prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses and non-prescription sunglasses, opened in March at 110 Themis. Jack and Patty Smith of Cape Girardeau own the business and Scott Smith manages it.

The Smiths have been involved in wholesale eyewear at the location for two years. A St. Louis laboratory produces the prescription lenses.

Riverside Recording Studios provides various professional recording services. It opened in September at 45 N. Main St., lower level. Dean Winstead and Bill Hopkins own the operation, and Dan Wilson is manager.

"We just completed our first album for a local group, the Rich Reeder Trio," Winstead said. He said interest is increasing in recording. "We offer full-album recording services," Winstead said. The company has music tapes available and can produce specialty tapes and radio-show tapes as well.

Players Sports Bar opened May 1 at 632 Broadway. Owners Rodney Pobst, Mark LaMont and Wendy LaMont have oriented the bar to sports enthusiasts.

"We have a large screen television set tuned to the sports channels," Pobst said. "And the walls are covered with sports posters." Players has seating for 62. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday.

Creative Arrangements/Unique Caterers provides full-service catering and floral services. Elma and Ron Staten opened the business at 707 Broadway in October.

The business also has gift items and special gift baskets available. Additional services in the catering line include decorations and serving for sit-down dinners.

The shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and until 3 p.m. Saturday.

Roses and Balloons offers fresh and silk flower arrangements and roses, Mylar balloons, air walkers, mugs, stuffed animals and other gift items.

Owner Francine Seier of Cape Girardeau said the shop offers quality products at lower prices. Roses and Balloons, 1 N. Sprigg St., is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The One Wood Doctor provides a variety of furniture services. Ken Haas and Mike Shaffar, who owns Oak Tree Furniture, operate the business. Brian Driscoll is manager. It opened in October at 433 Broadway.

Wood Doctor provides furniture repair, stripping, refinishing, caning and regluing. They use a flow-over stripping process that avoids harsh-dip tank techniques. The shop also sells some used and new furniture.

Madder Rose Limited has "a little bit of everything," according to owner Evelyn Boardman. The shop is at 31 N. Main St., a building she and her husband John Boardman renovated for shop, office and living quarters.

"This is a fun shop," she said. "We have things that make you happy." Some of the unique items carried are leisure clothing, chocolates, jewelry, contemporary folk art, fine-art note cards, beach towels, and wrist radios.

Boardman prepares gift baskets for special occasions. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 8 p.m. Fridays.

Chrisman Art Gallery and Outfitters has returned downtown after an 11-year hiatus. The operation moved from the mall to a building it purchased and renovated at 34 N. Main St.

"We have lower overhead costs here and the atmosphere downtown is more appropriate," said owner David Vinson. Chrisman joins the S. Gregg and the Stev-Mark galleries in the area.

Chrisman is expanding its gallery of prints and adding outdoor merchandise, including fly-fishing equipment, hunting clothes, and outdoor casual clothing, shoes and boots.

Shell's Furniture and Collectibles is situated close to two other antique dealers downtown, Olde Towne Antiques and Smothers Antiques. It opened in December at 221-A Independence.

"We have both older and antique furniture for dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms," said manager Jack Shell of Cape Girardeau. "Our collectibles include glassware, knifes, silverplate, toys, pottery and lamps." The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reruns, a clothing resale shop, relocated to 110 N. Main St. to take advantage of the downtown pedestrian traffic, said owner Cathy Davis of Cape Girardeau.

She handles a variety of women's clothing, including jeans, blouses, dresses and accessories. Davis specializes in natural fiber clothing for teenagers and adults.