Skinny dining coming to Jackson

The graders and bulldozers buzzing along East Jackson Boulevard these days are kicking up more than just dirt. They are also scattering public speculation as to what developments will emerge from the razed lots. Allow Texan George Townsend to put down at least one of those rumors.

Townsend said that the freshly upturned lot in front of the Jackson Wal-Mart will be the new site of a 24-hour short-order restaurant called Skinny's Diner. Townsend's M/T Development out of Houston, Texas, is just putting the finishing touches on a new Skinny's in Perryville, Mo., which will be opening this week. The Jackson location will be the fourth in the nation, Perryville, Miner, Mo., and Kennett, Mo., being the other three.

Skinny's offers a wide range of short-order cooking including breakfast items, steak, chicken-fried steak and their famous Renegade Burgers.

Townsend said the plan is to break ground in Jackson this week and to have the restaurant up and running 70 to 95 days later. Mark Kimber, who runs the Perryville diner, will also head operations in Jackson.

Elias closing in Cairo, staying open in Cape: Fred Elias recently announced that he will be closing Elias Family Center in Cairo, Ill., after almost 40 years of business.

Elias took over sole control of the business in 1988, and in 1999, he opened his second store, Elias Ace Hardware at 1719 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. He said that the Cape Girardeau location will remain open, and may expand to add new departments once the dust has settled from the Cairo closure.

Elias said that the steady loss of population in Cairo is the reason behind his recent decision to close. He said it's a problem that is facing many of the businesses left in town. He said that Cairo's population is now around 3,500, almost half of that just a few years ago.

For the next two months, Elias will be liquidating his inventory at the Cairo store before closing up shop for good. He then intends to sell or lease the Cairo building at 3101 Sycamore St., unless someone comes along and buys the whole thing between now and October. If not, the Cairo inventory will be added to the Cape Girardeau store.

Inmans complete area Century 21 hat trick: Three months after father-son realty team Ken and Keith Inman bought two Cape Girardeau Century 21 Realty offices, they decided to go for the trifecta. The two now own the Century 21 Heartland facility in Jackson and its satellite office in Marble Hill.

Back in April, the Inmans fulfilled their longtime desire to own a local Century 21 office by buying Century 21 Key Realty and Century 21 Ashland Realty -- for which the two agents previously worked -- in the same week.

With the Heartland deal, as was the case with the other two acquisitions, the Inmans will take overall control, but the office will continue to work as a separate entity. As was also the case with Key, the Heartland office will retain its previous management, as former owners Bill and Sheila King have been asked to stay on.

Ken Inman said he was excited about his acquisitions' growth potential in Jackson and Marble Hill. He said that the Marble Hill office will be expanding, adding up to six new agents. He said the Jackson office at 1404 Old Cape Road also presents a possibility for physical growth because there is 2,000 square feet of land open for development adjacent to the existing 3,000-square-foot building.

Ken Inman said that the new agency was a perfect fit for the father-son duo, and their acquisition will satisfy a desire on the part of the New Jersey-based parent company for Century 21 offices grouped together in certain areas to have as few owners as possible.

Cape Communications bought by former employees: Your business is your baby. You sacrifice to conceive, build and nurture it, and when it comes time to let it go, you want to make sure it's in good hands. That's why often those hands belong to a family member.

Tom and Judy Millburg weren't able to keep their business in the family, but they did the next best thing.

After giving birth to Cape Communications Corp. 27 years ago, the Millburgs have decided to sell their telecommunications business at 615 N. Broadview in Cape Girardeau. As beneficiaries, they selected two employees that have a combined 27 years working for the Millburgs. Mark Essner (18 years at Cape Communications) and Mike Bles (nine years) have bought the business and took over operations as of July 1.

Although ownership has changed, Tom Millburg said that's about all that will be different. All current staff will remain, as will all current products and services. Even Tom will stay on to be available for support as needed. The company may even expand its services, which already include fiber optic and high-speed cable installation.

Duskin into detailing in Jackson: Even after 10 years in the car wash industry, Curt and Mary Smith of Jackson decided they didn't know all they needed to know. After joining their staff -- including their two children, Ray and Toni -- in attending an extensive training course out of Portland, Ore., the Smiths are ready to expand their Jackson Car Care venture. The new Duskin Automotive Detailing at 2929 Sappington Drive is the result. Duskin now offers full service interior and exterior detailing, including paint restoration, fabric protection, stain and odor removal, and carpet recoloring.

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.