Philanthropy to move from downtown storefront

A popular downtown Cape Girardeau boutique soon will move west.

Philanthropy, which sells apparel, jewelry, home decor items and gifts, carries a Christian message and pledges percentages of all sales to charity, plans to relocate and reopen in a retail center at 201 S. Mount Auburn Road by May 1.

The store opened at the front of the circa-1903 A.C. Vasterling building at the corner of Broadway and Fountain streets in 2012, after an extensive renovations.

Moving the small business from downtown to a retail-centered area near William Street on the west side of Cape Girardeau wasn't an easy decision, owner Bridgett Kielhofner said Monday, but it had to be made.

"I'm just really feeling drawn to go to an area where we can reach more people," Kielhofner said. "At the end of the day, it's about reaching people for Christ. I love downtown. I have my heart, my soul, my family's time and my money in this space, but it's about going somewhere where you are most accessible to your customer."

The space the store occupies is going up for lease. Philanthropy placed signs recently at the soon-to-be former and new location to let customers know about the changes.

The store's new location, between Brown's Shoe Fit Co. and Belladonna Salon, is being built out to suit the business. Elements of eclectic style seen at the Broadway location, such as high ceilings and exposed stone on the walls, will be repeated, Kielhofner said.

Brown's was a downtown store for decades before its move to the Park West Centre in 2012. The total retail center is about 18,000 square feet and was built by Mid-America Hotels Corp. in 2006 to complement to other properties in that area owned by the company, including those that hold several restaurants and hotels.

Kielhofner said she is looking forward to having retail neighbors because it may help her business.

"We're excited to change it up a little bit," she said. "Where we are now has been good because I love the building and the landlord and being downtown," she said. "But there aren't any restaurants or other stores too near here, just mostly offices. Looking back, Main Street might have been better for us."

Kielhofner said despite the move, she plans to stay involved downtown through the Old Town Cape organization.

Philanthropy in Cape Girardeau was the first franchised store of the company that began in Franklin, Tennessee. Kielhofner developed the Cape Girardeau store with the help of the flagship store's owner.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent address:

407 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO

201 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO