Pasta House moving out of Cape mall

The Pasta House is planning to move out of West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau.

The restaurant is expected to relocate by mid-January to 2406 William St., which has remained unoccupied since early March when Jimmi's Restaurant closed.

The transaction was completed Wednesday.

Edward Goergen, a partner with Primo Restaurants, which owns Pasta House locations in Cape Girardeau and St. Peters, Mo., said his company became interested in the possibility of a move after learning that Jimmi's closed.

"We're excited about the visibility and the free-standing location we'll have," Goergen said. "We've been in Cape Girardeau for 24 years and are excited about the future at our new location."

Goergen said renovations should begin soon. All the decorations inside its current location will be transferred to the new location. Goergen said the restaurant will close Jan. 10 and should reopen a few days later on William Street.

Cynthia DeJournett Austin, a broker with Team Austins who handled the deal, said it's encouraging to see restaurants expanding.

"Are we not all happy to see businesses still willing and able to make expansions in these difficult economic times?" Austin said. "I hope we will all support those willing to make further investments in our community."

After the Pasta House relocates, two adjoining stores inside West Park Mall will be unoccupied. Steve & Barry's discount clothing store announced in August 2008 that it was closing the majority of its stores, including the 80,000-square-foot space inside the mall, after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Susan Godorov, spokeswoman for Centro Properties Group, which owns the mall, said that despite the closure of Steve & Barry's, 94 percent of space inside the mall remains leased.

"We are extremely happy with the holiday traffic and sales that are trending above national numbers," Godorov said. "Some trends we are seeing include more cash transactions, shoppers being well informed and looking for bargains."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

2406 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO

3049 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO