TOWN PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER REFURBISHING TAKES PLACE

The Town Plaza Shopping Center is taking on a new look.

"We're in the process of redecorating the entire strip that fronts William Street," said Scott Campbell of Greater Missouri Builders Inc., headquartered in St. Louis. "We've completed some of the interior and exterior work."

Owners of the center said they refurbish the shopping center about every three to five years.

"We gave it a facelift about three years ago," said Campbell. "At that time we also resurfaced part of the parking lot."

Greater Missouri Builders acquired the center in 1972. The center, which opened in August 1960, was developed by the late Burton J. Gerhardt.

Campbell said that within the next year a new entrance and new signs would be put in place.

"A new entrance off North Kingshighway will be installed to direct traffic in front of the shopping strip by Cinema 5 Theatre," said Campbell. "We're also planning new landscaping."

The center has only two vacancies, and Campbell said he should be making an announcement on one of them becoming occupied in the near future.

"There has been a lot of movement at the center this year," he said. "And we've had numerous inquiries about the vacancies."

Two regular tenants have resituated in the center this year: Crown Shoes moved from a 3,000-square-foot space at 2144 William to a 6,000-square-foot area at 2148 William, and Room Mates moved from 2146 William to a 4,000-square-foot space at 2146.

New to the center is Amy's Fashions, which moved to Cape Girardeau from Scott City.

Other remodeling and expansions include: Fashion Design, which was completely remodeled inside; The Party Palace, which has redecorated and expanded its bridal and floral sections; and Videos and Creme, which expanded its video-movie and family arcade operations.

Crown Shoes of Cape Girardeau doubled its space in the shopping center. "We have more room and more inventory," said Dora Osborn, manager of the store.

The shoe company, owned by Shonac Corp., is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

"We have about twice the space we used to have," said Osborn. "We've greatly expanded our lines of shoes."

The store has several main lines for men, women and children, including Nike and Keds in athletic shoes, and Naturalizer and Sandler of Boston in dress wear.

With the move, the store has added three employees. "We now have seven employees," said Osborn, who has been manager of the store four years.

Store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5:30 p.m. Sundays.

Amy's Fashions, which offers clothing for men, women and children, moved into the shopping center because "we feel we're in a higher traffic area here," said Gay St. Mary, store manager.

The new business offers casual sportswear and a full line of denim, including clothing from Lee, Levi, Jordache and Bugle Boy. "We also offer a career line of clothing for women," said St. Mary.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

The store opened as Jeans & Things in Scott City last April. The store is the third for owners Jimmy and Janice Clifford of Henderson, Tenn. They operate stores at Henderson and Selmer, Miss.

Room Mates moved after 22 years in the same place. "It was time for a change," said Ed McCormick, who has operated the business since 1970. "We're taking on a new look."

"We have all new lighting and decor, and an exciting new store front," said McCormick. "The translucent graphic designs are a new look for store fronts."

An above-ground pool has been installed inside the store in the new spa and pool area, and the sleep center section is highlighted by softsides, waterbeds and innerspring mattresses in a new gallery setting.

Room Mates is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and Sunday afternoons.

The Fashion Design Store has also fashioned itself a new look. "We have new fixtures, new carpet and a new paint job," said Don Bruce.

Bruce and his wife, Donna Bruce, operate the junior and missy fashions store.

"We totally remodeled the inside of the 5,000-square-foot store," said Bruce. He said business has been good in Cape Girardeau.

The Bruces also own a store at Sikeston.

The Party Palace near the east end of the center has expanded its bridal and floral sections.

"We have also added tuxedo rental," said owner Mike Redfearn.

Expansion is in the planning stage at Videos and Creme.

"We want to enlarge both the arcade and the movie area," said Herman Wiedefeld, a co-owner. Videos and Creme has been at its site for six year.