Business opens on Broadway

Earlier this year I was doing a little spring cleaning and gave away, among other items, my Nintendo Entertainment System. That video game console was a large part of afterschool and Saturday morning entertainment during my elementary and middle school days. Though at times I regret my decision, I was pleased to discover one business near the Southeast Missourian office that could have the remedy in case I desire to purchase another Nintendo one day.

Cash It In, 519 Broadway, offers classic and retro video games and consoles, new and used guitars, CDs, DVDs, tasers, TVs, jewelry and more.

During my brief visit with owner Erik Harper, I was pleased to hear that he chose to open the business on Broadway because of the area's potential. Cash It In joins a list of businesses — Mississippi Mud House and Stevie's Steakburgers (see the story on this page) — which recently have opened or soon plan to open on Broadway.

"With all the revitalization of Broadway in recent years and what I believe will happen in the future on this street, I knew this was a great time to open a business here," Harper said.

Harper's future plans include expanding his selection of items and possibly the current Monday through Friday store hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* Fruitland Diner opens: Every day I pass by businesses that look interesting, but for some reason or another I never get around to finding out more about them. On Aug. 17, when I saw an "opening" sign in front of L'il Red Barn restaurant about 100 yards from where I attend church in Fruitland, I knew I had to call and find out more information about the eatery.

After a brief closure, the Fruitland institution at 5841 U.S. 61 is set to reopen today, but under new ownership and a new name. Bobby Steers, the owner of Jackson Diner, recently purchased a portion of the ownership of L'il Red Barn — now called Fruitland Diner — to "give the restaurant a facelift." While the restaurant specializes in breakfast, Steers told me that the diner also serves a full lunch and supper menu. It will be open seven days a week, hours vary.

* Cheerleading training center opens in Jackson: Cheerleading enthusiasts may find the next business opening rather appealing. Melanie Wissore and Billy Hoskins have opened Athletes Plus, a cheerleading training center at 3210 Old Cape Road in Jackson. The business offers classes for those interested in making their junior high, high school or college cheerleading squads. It also offers tumbling classes, camps, birthday parties and more. Because the majority of its business is made of school-age youngsters, most classes are taught in the evening hours.

"With football, baseball, basketball, soccer and other sports offered for kids throughout the community, we are offering this as another outlet for those interested in another type of sport," Wissore said.

* Dollar Tree in Jackson closes: Procrastination normally is not the best habit to practice. However, putting off a much-needed haircut until Thursday afternoon allowed me to discover that Dollar Tree, 2050 Walton Drive in Jackson, had closed. During the five minutes I was in the parking lot, about five cars pulled in, only to discover the business was no longer open. While its corporate office would not return my calls, people who know about the situation told me Dollar Tree closed Aug. 8.

* Flooring business changes names, ownership: Philips Carpet at 615 W. Main St. in Jackson is now Main Street Flooring and Interiors. Donna and Dennis Cook recently purchased the business and have no major plans to change anything at the moment. An employee of Philips Carpet for 13 years, including the past three years as manager, Donna Cook said the opportunity came along and was too good to pass up.

"Jokingly, I said I was too lazy to find another job," she said. "The job found me."

Open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, the store employs two full-time and two part-time employees and five carpet installers.

* Ribbon cutting scheduled today: The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at 1:30 p.m. for Window World of Cape Girardeau, which has opened its new showroom. The 500-square-foot showroom at 3527A Perryville Road will service the vinyl replacement window needs of Southeast Missouri.

* Blattner Steel Co. nears completion of fabrication space: Blattner Steel Co., 2100 Rust Ave. in Cape Girardeau, is building additional fabrication space. Once complete, the 12,000-square-foot addition will increase the company's full-service steel production. But this is not Blattner's first addition to its property. Since 2004, the business has built a new blast line and beamline.

Business reporter Brian Blackwell can be reached at 335-6611, extension 137, or bblackwell@semissourian.com.