Decorative cake business opens in Cape Girardeau

If you're looking to celebrate your birthday with a treasure chest cake or your wedding with an elaborate yet traditional cake, the area has one more option with the opening of A Creative Cake. Open since late April, A Creative Cake offers homemade cakes with pretty much any design you'd want.

Amanda Thornberry said she had always been an artist and loved to bake as a hobby. She recently found that she could combine the two passions and start her own business.

"Doing a cake business is a form of edible art to me, and that's what I look at it as," Thornberry said. "I can create art, but edible art."

Thornberry meets with potential customers for a tasting of different flavors. She bakes cakes 24 to 48 hours before an event so they are as fresh as possible.

"I can do anything," Thornberry said. "I like a challenge."

Thornberry operates A Creative Cake out of her home at 107 S. Ellis St. in Cape Girardeau. She can be reached at 837-9338 or amanda@acreativecake.com. The website is www.acreativecake.com.

* Missouri Health & Rehab opens

Cape Girardeau chiropractor Dr. Michael Givens has started Missouri Health and Rehab. Open since February, the business at 1417 N. Mount Auburn Road Suite D in Cape Girardeau offers Department of Transportation physical exams, drug and alcohol testing, DOT random selection programs, DOT supervisor training, workman's compensation treatment, on-site and after hours testing and pre-employment physical tests. Givens said he started Missouri Health and Rehab because he saw a need to provide such services at a single location.

"The advantage that Missouri Health and Rehab offers to both DOT and non-DOT companies is in convenience and the number of services offered at one location," Givens said. "Ultimately, this saves both time and money for the employer. Being a small company, we offer responsive and timely services that larger operations can't match."

Missouri Health and Rehab is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. The phone number is 651-8686.

* McCafe introduced in national ad campaign

Last week, McDonald's launched an ad campaign for its new line of specialty coffees that will soon be sold at more of its 14,000 U.S. locations. While I wasn't able to nail down when area McDonald's will start serving the McCafe line, I've been told by one source that it may be soon.

The fast-food chain already sells its iced vanilla lattes, hot mochas and other specialty coffee drinks at some of its local restaurants but this week began a $100 million marketing campaign which included TV, radio, print, online and outdoor ads.

The ad campaign portrays the drinks as an alternative to those offered by chains like Starbucks.

"We think that the timing is right," McDonald's USA president Don Thompson said in an Associated Press article. "We think the opportunity is right."

* Spa opening soon in Jackson

Mousee Salon and Spa will soon open in Jackson. Owner Lottie James said that in addition to haircuts, she'll offer coloring, waxing, massages and pedicures.

While her exact days, hours of operation and opening date haven't been set, James has a June 1 grand opening planned at the 126 S. High St location. Customers will be able to reach the salon and spa at 204-8400. Cheyenne Wilson will be the salon's stylist.

James said she has never operated such a business before but is excited about the challenge.

"It just seemed like the right time and thing to do," James said. "I thought it would be a lot of fun to meet new people and faces and I'm excited about the possibilities that lie ahead here in Jackson. I want this to be a first-class, upscale salon that the community enjoys visiting."

* Wm. Nobbe earns recognition

Wm. Nobbe & Company, a local dealership that carries John Deere, Polaris and Hardi equipment, has been designated a Power ProSM dealer by the North American Equipment Dealers Association. The dealership earned accreditation by meeting industry standards related to operational performance and customer commitment. The dealership, which is owned by Tom and Brian Nobbe, has been in business for more than 102 years and is relocating soon to Scott City.

* Cape chamber plans insurance information session

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce is planning a session for those who have questions about commercial, auto, home and health insurance. The presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday will feature a panel of insurance experts who will present information and tips for those seeking coverage. If you can't make it Thursday, another presentation is scheduled for 7:30 to 9 a.m. May 28.

Seating for Thursday's session is limited. To register call 335-3312. The cost is for Chamber members is $25 and includes lunch. Non-Chamber businesses can attend but the cost is $35 per person. The cost for the May 28 breakfast session is $15 for Chamber members and $25 for nonmembers.

* Two ribbon cuttings Tuesday

NAPA Auto Tire and Parts, 212 S. Kingshighway, will have a Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The public will have an opportunity to see the new showroom, which features a 1920s truck from Georgia, a mural detailing some of the company's history, a gas pump, a Coca-Cola display and a part of an semitrailer that will look like it is coming out of a wall.

The Chamber will hold a second ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. Missouri Gold and Silver, 78 S. Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau, as part of a grand opening celebration. The business purchases gold and silver for cash.

* Strickland Engineering 30th anniversary to coincide with Jackson Chamber Business After Hours

Strickland Engineering, 113 W. Main St. Suite 1 in Jackson, will celebrate 30 years in business during Tuesday's Jackson Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Festivities at the open house will kick off at 3 p.m. and wrap up around 7. Food, drinks and door prizes will be on the agenda. Strickland Engineering is a consulting engineering and land surveying firm providing comprehensive professional services to a variety of projects.

* New website features

If you haven't checked out the new features on the business page of semissourian.com, you may be missing out on information such as the latest agricultural reports. In the past few weeks we've redesigned the site and added other new features such as archives of my weekly Talking Shop interviews with local business people, daily business stories of national and international importance, new business blogs and my occasional series on products made in Southeast Missouri. As always you can check out my blog, photo galleries of business events, stock market prices and business news of local importance at semissourian.com/business.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Brian Blackwell can be reached at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com.;