TOWN PLAZA UPDATES WITH NEW LOOK

When Kent Evans explained his idea to revamp the Town Plaza Shopping Center's look, he got some questions. Would the light-colored walls and rounded, bright blue roof work?

Now that the project is nearly completed, Evans says the sceptics have been won over.

"We kind of surpassed their expectations," he said. "I think we have a look that will last into the next millenium."

Evans is manager of real estate for Greater Missouri Builders Inc. in St. Charles, which owns the Town Plaza.

"It was pretty obvious it was an older center," Evans said. "It had a 1970s look to it." It was time to update the grey, cedarboard siding.

"The tenants had been pushing for something different," he said. "Nothing else in Cape looks quite the same."

But, he said, not everyone immediately jumped on the bandwagon for his blue-topped idea.

"It took a while getting people to believe and have some vision," Evans said. "A lot of people were surprised by what it ended up looking like. It's a bright new corner in town at Kingshighway and William."

Last year, new parking lights were installed, which also added to the attraction of the corner, Evans said. Tenants are responsible for their signs and most have been installed.

Some work remains. On the corners of the building by Garber's and Crown Shoes, clock towers are planned. The clock faces are in the design phase.

Evans said the remodeling work has generated lots of calls from prospective tenants. Space is available for lease.

"We want to look for the right tenant," Evans said. "I think we have a good mixture of tenants that support each other and don't really compete against other. We are looking for tenants that will not compete and will be an asset."

"It was unfortunate that the Woolworths store left," Evans said. "But it opened up 12,000 square feet that we subdivided."

Guy's Big & Tall moved down the block, into about 4,000 square feet of the Woolworth building. New tenants include Play it Again Sports and Carol's Hallmark.

New to the center is CHECKSplus, which moved into the arcade portion of the strip, and Tans-R-Us, which moved into a vacancy adjoining Garber's Men's Store.

The biggest new business is Hastings Books, Music & Video, which moved into the more than 22,000 square feet that previously housed Plaza Gift and Office Supply. That company recently moved to 342 S. Kingshighway. Roommates also left the center.