Developer scoops up downtown properties, including The Bar

Some changes may be in store for downtown Cape Girardeau.

It was confirmed Tuesday the owner of Old Town Cape Dining LLC purchased The Bar, one of the Cape Girardeau locations used last fall during filming for the movie "Gone Girl."

The Bar, at 117 Themis St., is set to open in early October to coincide with the movie's release Oct. 3. The owner also has unspecified plans for other downtown properties he has acquired.

Before becoming The Bar for the 20th Century Fox feature film, the building was the home of Social's Cafe and Catering. It was transformed in August into a bar that "Gone Girl" character Nick Dunne owns with his sister, Margo. The finished product combined the locations at 117 and 119 Themis St., and Social's Cafe moved to 31 N. Main St.

Construction is underway to restore the restaurant and bar to working order.

Laura Jones, marketing director for Old Town Cape Dining, said the property's owner is choosing to remain anonymous because he is working with several marketing projects within Old Town Cape Dining and wants the focus to stay on The Bar.

Public records show the owner of Old Town Cape Dining is Dr. Sonjay Fonn, a local neurosurgeon who owns Fonn Enterprises LLC, parent entity of Old Town Cape Dining.

Marla Mills, executive director of the downtown revitalization organization Old Town Cape, said Fonn's business has no affiliation or partnership with the not-for-profit agency.

Inquiries in the Cape Girardeau County Mapping and Appraisal office show this is not the first property Fonn has bought downtown.

He also owns lots at 132 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau, formerly Buckner Brewing Co., and 411 Broadway, previously the restaurant Mediterranean on Broadway.

The Bar was bought in January, Buckner was purchased in April and Mediterranean on Broadway was bought in December.

Jones said Old Town Cape Dining is not releasing the names of those establishments because she wants the focus to remain on The Bar for now.

She said she will release more information as plans progress.

"We're opening several entities downtown," Jones said. "The goal is to support the downtown Cape organization and the revitalization of the downtown area."

Fonn Enterprises has invested in about 10 locations, some of which are vacant lots. Others are commercial properties and at least one is a residence, according to the mapping and appraisal office.

"Instead of spending money on outside communities or something, why not put it into the local community so people can enjoy it?" Jones said of Fonn's local ventures.

The other two businesses bought in the downtown area had relocated or closed.

Mediterranean on Broadway reopened at 1027 Broadway in June after owner Sam Alsmadi was not satisfied with its previous site at 411 Broadway. He pulled out of that address in January, moving the business closer to Southeast Missouri State University to cater to students. The restaurant is less of a sit-down venue and more of a fast-food restaurant, making it easier for students to use.

Buckner closed in February 2013, and the location has remained vacant since. The historic building originally was the Buckner-Ragsdale clothing store in the early 1900s and a staple of downtown until its closure in 1982.

The last owners of the 23,000-square-foot space were Phil Brinson and his partner, Mark Sprigg, who handled the beer-brewing portion of the business.

The Cape Girardeau County Assessor's Office indicated Cape Girardeau Brewing Co. LLC, which operated as Buckner Brewing Co., had $349,723 in federal tax liens because of unpaid payroll taxes dating to 2004, according to a previous report.

Records indicated six liens imposed by the Missouri Department of Revenue for unpaid 2011 state taxes were cleared when payments were made July 6, 2012, for a total of $62,540. No state liens were on file as of the story's publication in January 2013.

It is unknown what the future holds for those locations.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

pertinent address:

117 Themis St., Cape Girardeau