REOPENING OF SHOE PLANTS IN CAPE GIRARDEAU AND FARMINGTON IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE AREA

When it comes to shoe plants, the news has been dismal in recent years. Foreign shoe competition has closed plant after plant across the United States.

What once was one of the largest industries in Southeast Missouri has diminished substantially. Last year, Florsheim and Trimfoot shoe plants closed in Cape Girardeau and Farmington, resulting in the loss of more than 450 jobs.

That's why it was such a pleasant surprise to learn a Chicago firm would reopen the Florsheim shoe plant in Cape Girardeau. A different firm has purchased the Trimfoot show manufacturing business in Farmington and has reopened that facility.

Unfortunately, the number of jobs won't compare with what was lost. But it's a start and certainly welcome news to both communities.

In Cape Girardeau, Abbey Manufacturing will employ between 40 and 50 workers, including former Florsheim workers. Abbey purchased the 94,000-square-foot building and 12.6 acres of land from Florsheim. It will manufacture shoes for sale to Florsheim and other companies.

Kudos to the local organizations that worked hard behind the scene to make this happen. This success story can help in recruitment efforts to attract other new industries to town.