Recruiting offices on the move

With all the hustle and bustle that typically surrounds the holiday season, imagine the added pressure of moving into a new building across town before the new year.

That's the situation facing Cape Girardeau military recruiters. Their mandate is to be out of their location at 1313 Broadway and into the old Dr. Troy Bell Optical building at 3019 William St. by Christmas. The latter facility has been undergoing renovations, which officials say is simply an enhancement of surroundings, for the past few weeks to facilitate the move.

Sgt. Eric Agney of the 345th Recruiting Squadron said that the agency's lease on Broadway was up, and it was decided that it was time to look for a bigger facility.

As for the office's Broadway location, building owner Su Hill said she hadn't received any official word from the government concerning this news, but that several prospective tenants have inquired about the space at 1313 Broadway, next to Cafe Azu.

Crossroads under new ownership: Located at Independence Street and Kingshighway, the Crossroads Shopping Center is now under new ownership.

David Donely of Commercial Real Estate Specialist has announced that he and his company has brokered a deal that transfers ownership of the 20,600-square-foot shopping center and several surrounding buildings from longtime owners Rock and Judy Wilferth to his wife, Sandy McLane Donely. Judy Wilferth said the property has been in her family since 1948, when it was home to United Service Station, United Oil Company and United Distributing.

In addition to the center, which is home to businesses like Saffron, Apropos and A.G. Edwards, Sandy McLane Donely will also take ownership of the United Building, and the buildings that house Miracle Supply Co. Inc. and Performance Quick Lube.

David Donely said that there are no plans to change any of the existing tenants in any of the buildings. He said that the shopping center is 95 percent occupied after the departure of Scraps 'N' More to the Shawnee Center across town.

Seasonal shopping at Westfield: The holiday season is a growing season for Westfield Shoppingtown West Park. Over the winter, shoppers can see a plethora of seasonal shops sprouting up all over the shopping center grounds, peddling a variety of wares. This year there are 25 new shops and vendors in the mall strictly for the holiday season. Here's a quick round-up.

There's the Glass Gallery (glass sculpted figures), Airbrush (wearable artwork), Hickory Farms (holiday meat, cheese and candy gifts), Challenger (remote-controlled cars), Top Country (embroidered sweat shirts), Rail Cars (miniature cars on rail tracks), Day by Day (calendars and day planners), Poker Cart (chips, dice, playing cards and gaming felts), Arctic Outdoors (hunting fleece, western artwork), Airborne (remote-controlled flying saucers), Wilson's Leather (coats, jackets and handbags), Motion Pictures (framed artwork with movement and sound), Tupperware (traditional favs with new concepts), Interactive Games (video gaming), Avon (health and beauty products) and Go the Game Store (traditional and unique board games).

There is also Gifts Galore (fashion jewelry and handbags), BeautiControl (health and beauty products), 4-Kids Company (Christian music and CDs), Pichincha Entertainment (flutes, flute music CDs, bracelets and dream catchers), All That's Natural (health and beauty items made from salts and minerals from the Dead Sea), Aromatherapy (stress relief via natural herbs), Fast and Furious (remote-controlled cars), Wood Specialty (hand-carved items and 3-D crystal sculptures) and Nancy's Kettlecorn (traditional and flavored varieties).

Stylist finds comfort in Cape: During her six-year career as a hairstylist, Jamie Clifton has always worked for someone else. It's not that she didn't want to own her own salon, nor was it that she didn't think she was capable. She just never found a place where she felt comfortable enough to take that plunge.

But after four years in Texas and a little over a year in Perryville, Mo., Clifton brought her family to Cape Girardeau last July. Encouraged by the treatment she's received from the people of the City of Roses, she's decided it's time to go out on her own.

The fruit of that inspiration is Kuts Plus, which just opened at 1836 Broadway. There Clifton and Candie Halter offer haircuts, shampoos, waxing, curling and perms for the men and women of Clifton's newfound home. No appointments are necessary.

JCS/Tel-Link opens in Perryville: Cape Girardeau-based JCS/Tel-Link communications service company is celebrating the opening of its latest office in Perryville, Mo. The new store is the company's second in Missouri, fourth overall. The other stores are in Cape Girardeau, Chester, Ill., and Anna, Ill.

The new Perryville location at 1418 West Joseph St., Suite 60, will focus of sales and service of Verizon Wireless products, including cell phones, wireless Internet cards and personal e-mail devices.

Tony Rehagen is the business editor for the Southeast Missourian. Send your comments, business news, information or questions to Tony Rehagen, 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699, e-mail trehagen@semissourian.com or call 335-6611, extension 137.