NEW SOURCE FOR SCHOOL UNIFORMS IN CAPE

An experienced uniform vendor has a fresh new line of uniforms -- and customers -- thanks to its recent purchase of a growing business.

Students attending St. Vincent de Paul and St. Mary's Cathedral elementary schools soon will be outfitted almost exclusively by Guy's Big-Tall, 2136 William.

Guy's, which currently suits up Cape Girardeau police officers, sheriff's deputies and other emergency personnel, recently purchased B&B Apparel, formerly J&J Apparel & Uniforms, 2027 Independence. The small business, owned by Don and Donna Bruce, had contracts with both schools to supply student uniforms.

"We've already had about six parents in here today," said Justin Ray, a sales clerk at Guy's. "We are telling parents we'll be prepared to take orders on the 16th. We are going to take physical possession of (inventory) Monday or Tuesday."

St. Vincent's principal Sharon Thompson said she received word last month that the Bruces were selling the business and moving out of town. The company had supplied uniforms for students at St. Vincent's since they became mandatory dress for some students in 1995, she said.

Currently, students in kindergarten through fifth grades are required to wear uniforms. St. Vincent de Paul will require all students to wear school uniforms by 2000.

Last winter a committee at St. Mary's voted to have the company supply its students with their first mandatory uniform for the 1997-98 school year. Debbie Foeste, a member of the uniform committee, said B&B was chosen as the uniform vendor because "they had a better quality for the price and a better selection than anyone else."

Although the business has been sold, she said, the Bruces have assured school administrators that students will still receive their uniforms in a timely manner.

"Donna told us they would be trying to work with us and have a smooth transition," Foeste said. "They said they would make sure there will be a vendor for the uniforms."

The change of hands means parents from the schools will buy almost all of their school clothing at Guy's. Cardigans, jumpers, jackets and other accessories carrying school emblems will be sold exclusively at Guy's, although parents will have other options for shirts, pants and shorts.

"I'm pretty certain anything with an emblem will have to be bought from them," said Foeste. "If (parents) don't want to get them from the vendor, they can go someplace else, but it has to be a certain brand."

Thompson said the same general rule exists for St. Vincent students. Jumpers, skirts and special order items have to be ordered from the vendor, she said, but plain pants and polo shirts in school-approved colors can be bought from other stores.