Cozmo's closing Jan. 31

Cozmo's Cafe & Cream is closing its doors Jan. 31.

But owner Dr. Michael Jessup said the move is not because of the economy.

"We've done what we needed to do with it here," said Jessup, who also operates a medical practice in Cape Girardeau. "I wanted to get it ready for a particular point and then move on.

"I've always wanted to get it ready to be franchised and move it on to a larger metro area," Jessup said. "That was my plan from day one."

Jessup said future locations include St. Louis, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Branson, Mo. He expects to have at least one of the new stores open by the summer. The stores will have the same logo and menu as the Cape Girardeau location.

Jessup has plans to lease the building at 1929 Independence St, but he will move the equipment and furnishings to one or more of the franchised stores.

Until Jan. 31 Cozmo's will maintain a staff of about six employees, its normal business hours and its full menu.

Jessup opened Cozmo's in June 2006 and has expanded its menu to include gourmet coffees, homemade pastries, soups, sandwiches and gelato.

Cozmo's is the second coffee shop to close in Cape Girardeau in a four-month period. Grace Cafe, at 818 Broadway, closed its doors Oct. 15. Owner Grace Parry said at the time the slowing economy was to blame.

But earlier this week Broadway gained another coffee shop when Mississippi Mud House opened for business in the same block as Grace Cafe. The coffee shop offers the same coffees and menu as the original Mississippi Mud House in St. Louis.

Jessup said he is grateful for the time Cozmo's operated in Cape Girardeau.

"I want to thank all the customers in Cape Girardeau for their business through the years," Jessup said. "We hope they liked our gelato and products. And we hope to see them one day soon at one of our other locations."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628