Business Notebook: State chamber of commerce tour to kick off in Cape

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry will introduce a new initiative, Missouri 2030: An Agenda to Lead, on Thursday in Cape Girardeau during the first of a series of meetings to be held throughout the state. The initiative consists of a 15-year plan designed to improve Missouri's competitiveness, according to a release.

Dan Mehan, president of the state chamber, and Ted Abernathy, head of the initiative, will present information from a recent survey of more than 1,000 employers in the state and share comparative economic data at the meetings, according to a release. Businesses in attendance also will be asked for opinions of the plan.

Thursday's meeting will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at Drury Lodge. Additional meetings are planned in the areas of Kansas City, Joplin, Springfield, Jefferson City and St. Louis.

Old federal building increases occupancy

The large former federal building at 339 Broadway in Cape Girardeau is filling with commercial tenants, said owner Joseph Uzoaru, who runs Athena Property Group.

A first tenant, a co-working community, began renting space in the building over the summer. The building now has more than 10 tenants, with the first floor full, and some on the second floor.

Space for storage also is leased in the basement. About 8,000 square feet of office space that includes windows remain available on the second floor, and other spaces are available. Before Uzoaru, who is also a member of the Cape Girardeau City Council, bought the building earlier this year, it was in the hands of another private owner, who bought it from the General Services Administration in an auction. Cape Girardeau County at one point made an offer outside the auction to buy the building from the GSA, but no agreement was reached. Federal court and administration operations moved from the building after the opening of the Rush Hudson Limbaugh Sr. Federal Courthouse on Independence Street in 2008.

Saint Francis Heart Hospital reaccredited

The Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care has given Saint Francis Medical Center's Heart Hospital full reaccreditation. Hospitals that receive the accreditation, according to a news release from Saint Francis, "have achieved a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who arrive with symptoms of a heart attack." The hospital was first accredited by the society in 2009.

BBB warns about ATV parts dealer

Complaints about a Southern Illinois business that sells Chinese all-terrain vehicle parts and accessories online have been coming in to the Better Business Bureau. The organization, according to a news release, has received more than 50 complaints from customers throughout the country who claim never to have received their orders or a refund from ATVsNetWeb Inc. of Alto Pass, Illinois. The company is believed to run several websites, including BuyATVsOnline.com. A full list of the associated websites and more information are available at bbb.org/stlouis. The organization has given the company an "F" rating.

Business roundup

• New life looks to be coming soon for a longtime clothing store turned restaurant and brewery. According to signs posted at the former Buckner Brewing Co. at 132 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau, a business named Old Towne Cape Brewing Co. is opening soon. Buckner closed in February 2013. The historic building has sat empty since. Old Town Cape Dining LLC, owned by Dr. Sonjay Fonn, bought the building in April. The same company is opening The Bar at 119 Themis St., used in the filming of "Gone Girl" in Cape Girardeau in 2013. The Bar, according to signs posted at the business last week, is hiring.
• Game Knights Books & Collectibles, a gaming and hobby supply store at 57 Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau, is closing, according to a sign posted at the store. The store opened in January, according to Southeast Missourian archives.
• Delta One Stop will close Saturday, the North Stoddard Countian reported. It had been the only grocery store in Delta for the past three years. Diana Cook owned the business; she also is a retired pastor and operates two boarding homes in Marble Hill, Missouri. Cook is the second person in her family to operate a business in the large brick building on Highway 25 in Delta. Her sister, Ellie Cook, operated Red Door Antiques in that location for several years.

Business licenses

• Triple G Vapors, 67 Plaza Way, Cape Girardeau, is an electronic cigarette retail store owned by James Graham. The license application listed today as an anticipated opening date.

eragan@semissourian.com

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