NEW ON THE BUSINESS SCENE: ANNIE LAURIE ANTIQUE MALL OPENS

A framed sheet of "Annie Laurie" sheet music rests on the desk near the front of the newest mall to sell antiques in Cape Girardeau.

"My brother gave it to me," said Mary Ann Robertson, owner of the Annie Laurie Antique Mall at 536 Broadway.

The song was one reason for the name of the antique mall, which opened recently and has more than a dozen antique and collectible dealers.

"My father used to call me Annie and sing the song, "Annie Laurie" to me," said Robertson.

The new mall has more than 5,000 square feet on the ground level, with another 1,700 square feet to open soon.

"We're looking for quick expansion of the ground floor, which contains more than 7,000 square feet," said Robertson. "And, eventually, we may expand upstairs."

Robertson has operated a single-operation antique shop on Frederick Street for two years.

"We had an opportunity to acquire this property and decided to open an antique mall," said Robertson.

The mall is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. With more than a dozen dealers, the shop provides a variety of antiques and collectibles.

The building housing the new mall was constructed in 1929 as a funeral home. The funeral home closed operations in 1987.