Like many of the business' offerings, the concept for Cask is one that has aged.

Proprietor Keller Ford said when he first started thinking about a companion business for Primo Vino about three years ago, the idea was for a high-end, full-service bar and lounge with comfortable seating.

"It just seemed like there ... [weren't] many places on this side, the north end of town, to get a drink, so we thought that would be a good idea," Ford said.

But the timing was never quite right -- until October. Cask Craft Spirits and Beer Lounge opened Oct. 22 in the connecting suite next door to Primo Vino on North Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

Bottles are shown at the newly opened Cask Craft Spirits & Beer Lounge in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Primo Vino, which specializes in wines, always had sold beer and liquor, but Ford said they were running out of space with the increasing popularity of craft beers and bourbon in the last year.

"It's crazy how many people are into it, how many new offerings there are each week," he said.

The suite next door, which had been empty for three years, seemed like a natural place to expand to give Primo Vino more space and increase the beer and liquor offerings.

Ford said over the years his customers had commented they would like to have a place to sit and have a drink or two.

Cask Craft Spirits & Beer Lounge in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

"So more seating was certainly one of our top priorities," he said. "So we thought, 'Let's put a decent-size bar in and be able to sell nice bourbons by the drink.' We have 12 [beer] taps, and we're trying to have some really higher-end, more esoteric taps that you don't see in other places in town, typically."

While Cask is not a full-service bar, in addition to the beer and liquors, it offers a rotating cocktail menu and seasonal cheese platters. Primo Vino and Cask offer tastings and often help people find pairings for their holiday dinner menus and parties.

Ford comes by his expertise in alcohol through his more than 20 years in the restaurant industry. He has worked fine dining, nightclubs, retail and winery management -- "a vast experience," he calls it.

Cask Craft Spirits & Beer Lounge in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Ford stresses Cask's calm, casual atmosphere for socializing.

"No smoking, no televisions, no neons," he said.

Cask is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It can be found online at caskcape.com and facebook.com/caskcape.

Carr Textile buys RM COCO

Carr Textile Group has acquired the assets of RM COCO and Custom Creations in Cape Girardeau.

Carr, based in St. Louis, is a diversified wholesale textile distributor owned by Mike Carr and Steve Carr.

The company plans to maintain and increase RM COCO's product offerings.

"We're going to retain all of the employees at RM COCO," Mike Carr said. "We're offering everyone employment and want to continue the operation as they are, and we are looking to grow that operation in the future. Additionally, our Sikeston facility with Carr Textile will remain exactly as it is."

Carr said RM COCO and Carr Textile are complementary but different in terms of their needs for space and layout.

"We are very excited about this opportunity," Mike Carr said. "And it brings us into the home-furnishing market."

Human-resources seminar planned

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a human resources seminar Dec. 2 at the Isle Casino Event Center.

Topics scheduled for the one-day seminar include employee recruitment using social media, strategies to manage workplace diversity, managing a company drug-testing program and talent assessment and analytics.

Deann Partridge, vice president of human resources at Silver Dollar City Attractions, will be the keynote speaker.

The day will also include a panel on best practices for human-resources processes with panelists from Concord Publishing House, Commerce Bank, Isle Casino Cape Girardeau and RHC Holding Corp.

To register, fill out and return the form found at capechamber.com/seminars.aspx.

Locksmith moves to new location

Dan's Key and Lock Shop has registered a new address with the city.

The longtime Cape Girardeau locksmith has moved across the street from 1754 Independence St. to 1749 Independence St., Suite F.

State jobless rate fell in October

Seasonally adjusted data released Tuesday by the Missouri Department of Economic Development show the state's unemployment rate fell by three-tenths of a point during October to 5 percent.

It was the lowest rate since April 2007, according to a department news release.

Industries with increases in employment in October included health care and social assistance, which added 5,500 jobs; construction, which added 2,800 jobs; and professional and business services, with 3,700 new jobs. September employment estimates were revised up by 5,000.

Bankers predict weak economy in 10 states

Bankers continue to predict the economy will slow in the months ahead in rural parts of 10 Western and Plains states, including Missouri, the Associated Press reported.

The economic index for the region slipped to 43.7 in November from last month's 44.4.

The overall index is based on a monthly survey of rural bankers Creighton University conducts, and organizers said any score below 50 suggests that factor will decline. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said low crop and commodity prices and manufacturing slowdowns all are weighing down the economy.

The confidence index fell to a weak 38.9 in November from October's 42.1. The strong U.S. dollar also is hurting exports. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

Ribbon cuttings

• Alex Elfrink State Farm, 117 E. Main St. in Jackson, held a ribbon cutting Wednesday.
• A ribbon cutting was held Wednesday to celebrate the first anniversary of Mario and Angela's Italian Cucina, 1740 Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3842