Opening, moving and under development

* MRV Banks will open a full-service branch in Cape Girardeau at 1602 N. Kingshighway, Suite 102, in the Regent's Parc Building. Doug Watson, president and chief executive officer, said the anticipated opening date is May 6. Local banking veterans Brian Rivenburgh and Robbie Guard will lead the team at the new location. "The board has had an interest in this market since its inception. We have had a loan production in Cape for over a year which has exceeded our best expectations. With the relationships developed in the area, our managements' long-term presence and knowledge of this market, this is the next natural step to fully serve those relationships developed," said Watson. MRV Banks, owned by local investors, opened in July 2007 in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and has in excess of $87,000,000 in assets.

* A new indoor recreational vehicle and boat storage facility has been built at 607 David Lane in Miner, Mo. The building is capable of accommodating any vehicle or vessel up to 49 feet in length. For more information, contact Gary Arnold at 270-4496 or by email: arnoldrvandboatsorage@yahoo.com.

* First Auto Credit moved to 2990 Old Orchard Road as of April 1 from its former location at 2856B Sappington Drive, Jackson.

* Clip Art, a salon, art gallery and music instruction space, relocated from 1335 Old Cape Road to a new spot at 345 S. Daisy in Jackson. Open by appointment; call 979-1288.

Closed

* Pink Galleon Billiards and Games at 2106 William St. in the Town Plaza closed March 30. Two locations in the St. Louis area remain open.

* Sears Portrait Studios and PictureMe Portrait Studios located in area Wal-Mart stores closed April 4. According to media reports, owners CPI Corp. have closed 2,000 locations nationwide, due to falling profits caused by the rise in digital photography. To claim photos, go to searsphotos.com or myonlineportraits.com by April 18 or contact the location where photos were taken.

Business development

* Free social media marketing seminars will be held at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. April 16 at the Concourse Building, hosted by rustmedia and the Southeast Missourian. Presenter Shannon Kinney is a national expert with more than 15 years of experience developing successful Internet products and sales and marketing strategies. "Shannon has helped hundreds of businesses utilize digital media to increase revenues and build stronger customer relationships," said Gary Rust II, director of rustmedia. "We are fortunate to have someone of her caliber speaking in Cape Girardeau." The seminars will focus on providing real-world examples of how businesses are using digital tools to share their message in an evolving communications environment. Those who sign up in advance will receive a free report showing their businesses' online reputation and how they rank against the competition. "As the digital landscape changes, it is growing not only more critical to keep up with your businesses' online reputation, but also more difficult to do so," said Shad Burner, sales director at rustmedia. "Whether you are investing in a website, Facebook, search engine optimization, online video or other digital media, this seminar will help give you some answers about what will be effective for you." Kinney and rustmedia will show how local businesses have used these tools since attending her seminar in November. "Since our launch nearly four months ago, rustmedia is now working with more than 20 local businesses," said Rust. "We have seen a lot of progress with digital media in this community and we anticipate much more ahead." To register, visit semissourian.com/seminar. Seating is limited.

Commercial open house

* Old Town Cape will host the organization's second downtown commercial open house from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m April 18. Eight properties available for lease or purchase in the downtown area will be showcased during the tour. Participants may begin at any of the properties and a representative will be at each site to answer questions and provide information. "It is a way to reach some people who may not otherwise have the chance to see these buildings and talk about their potential. We want people to consider downtown for business and investment," said Jeff Martin, chair of the Old Town Cape Economic Restructuring Committee, by news release. The properties are at 625 Broadway, 605 Broadway, 300 Broadway, 137 N. Main St., 135 N. Main St., 132 N. Main St., 107 N. Main St. and 115 Independence St. will be included. Officials from Old Town Cape, the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Cape Girardeau and sponsors Realty Executives of Cape County and U.S. Bank will be present at a reception and information area held at the former location of The Royal N'Orleans restaurant, 300 Broadway. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.oldtowncape.org/events or call 334-8085.

Grant opportunities

* Tri-State Advertising & Marketing Professionals is accepting applications from not-for-profit organizations in Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and western Kentucky for the 2013 Advertising for a Cause grant. The grant will provide two organizations with advertising assistance, production and media placement valued at $160,000. Sixteen regional marketing and media companies have donated services to fund the grant, which will be coordinated by Tri-State AMP. Applications are available online at www.tristateamp.com and must be submitted by April 25. For more information, call Boyce Holt at 573-429-8820 or email bo@allmediaservices.net.

* The Fund-a-Farmer Project is a competitive microgrants initiative to help farmers implement projects to improve animal welfare on their operations. The Food Animal Concerns Trust will award grants of up to $1,500 for projects that help farms transition to pasture-based systems, improve the marketing of their humane products or generally enrich the conditions in which farm animals are raised. Working, independent family farmers who raise pigs, broiler chickens, laying hens, dairy cows and/or beef cattle are eligible to apply for any of the three types of grants. Projects involving goats and sheep are eligible only for marketing grants. Grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, project examples, and the application can be accessed at www.fundafarmer.org. Applications are due by May 1 and grants will be awarded in August.

Business awards

* Best Clean Fireplace Shoppe, a division of Best Clean Plus Inc., was awarded the Kozy Heat Fireplaces Top Dealer in Missouri for 2012 award at the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association convention in Orlando, Fla. in March. The fireplace, stove, grill and awning dealer and service provider has locations in Farmington, Mo., and at 760 S. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau. For more information, visit www.bestcleanplus.com.

* Robinson Construction Co. of Perryville, Mo., won the 2013 Commercial Construction Small Business Award from the Christian County Chamber of Commerce. Awards were given to recognize local businesses based upon their "staying power, growth, innovativeness and contributions to the community." Founded in 1946, Robinson Construction has its headquarters in Perryville, with a regional office in Hopkinsville, Ky. For more information, visit www.robinsonconstruction.com

Rumors and previews

* Huddle House at 3125 E. Jackson Blvd. has been reported as closed. However, corporate offices say the franchisee, American Landmark Properties LLC has not reported to them that the location has been shuttered. More information to come.

* A Family Dollar is slated to open at 720 William St. "next year," according to Bryn R. Winburn, Family Dollar public relations manager.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

1602 North Kingshighway, Suite 102, Cape Girardeau, MO

607 David Lane, Miner, MO

2990 Old Orchard Rd, Jackson, MO

345 S. Daisy, Jackson, MO

2106 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO

760 S Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO

2411 Walters Lane, Perryville, MO

3125 E. Jackson Blvd., Jackson, MO

429 N. Broadview, Cape Girardeau, MO