__JACKSON CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS__

The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Nov. 3 for Bahama Tan, 2370 N. High St., Suite 6, in Jackson. On Nov. 18, the chamber held a ribbon cutting for Alex Elfrink State Farm, 117 E. Main St. in Jackson.

__CRICKET WIRELESS OPENS IN DESLOGE__

DESLOGE, Mo. -- The Desloge Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting recently for Cricket Wireless, 405 N. State St., Suites D and E, in Desloge. The new business offers cellphones, calling plans and accessories. Brandi Blake is the store manager and Ryan Walker is president.

__JACKSON CARDBOARD FIRM HONORED BY MAGAZINE__

Keller Ford, owner of Cask Craft Spirits & Beer Lounge, poses for a photo inside his new Cape Girardeau store, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. (Laura Simon)

Signature Packaging in Jackson was named to Black Enterprise magazine's 2015 list. Dennis Vinson started Signature Packaging in Atlanta in 2003 after working at another company in the industry. The decision was made to relocate to Jackson when the company got the contract to supply boxes to Procter & Gamble. Ground was broken on Signature's current Jackson location in October 2006, and the first box came off the line in March 2007. Signature Packaging now makes custom cardboard boxes not only for Procter & Gamble, but companies such as Rubbermaid and Nortec. It also designs cardboard displays and tests its boxes for strength.

__DAR RECEIVES MEDIA AWARD__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Daily American Republic newspaper, its publisher, Don Schrieber, and higher education reporter, Dave Silverberg, were recognized with the Missouri Community College Association News Media Award at the organization's annual conference in November. Three Rivers College nominated the DAR for the award.

__SHOE DEPT. COMING TO P.B.__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Shoe Dept. Encore will occupy 12,000 square feet in the Valley Plaza Shopping Center in 2016, the Daily American Republic reported. The store is slated for a spring opening, said Vicki O'Donnell, director of visual merchandising/marketing at Shoe Show Inc. of Concord, North Carolina, which leased the space from Valley Plaza owner Jim Bailey of Poplar Bluff. The new store will be adjacent to Marshalls and will have 18 to 25 employees, O'Donnell said.

Cutline:Shelter Insurance agent Leslie Horman's office in Chaffee, Missouri. (submitted photo)

__LONG JOHN SILVER'S CHANGES OWNER__

Long John Silver's, 25 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, is under new ownership. A recently filed business license names Pinnacle Hospitality Group as the restaurant's new owner. The location previously was owned by Fish Perfect LLC, based in Mississippi.

__DIVINE DESIGNS HAS NEW LOCATION__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting recently for Divine Designs Vintage Market, which has relocated to 1908 S. Broadway, Suite 2.

__CASK LOUNGE OPENS NEXT TO PRIMO VINO__

Cutline:J Marie's Formal Affairs in Chaffee, Missouri. (submitted photo)

Cask Craft Spirits and Beer Lounge opened Oct. 22 in the connecting suite next door to Primo Vino on North Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. Primo Vino, which specializes in wines, always had sold beer and liquor, but owner Keller Ford said they were running out of space with the increasing popularity of craft beers and bourbon in the past year. 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. In addition to the beer and liquors, Cask offers a rotating cocktail menu and seasonal cheese platters.

__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."

__LOCKSMITH MOVES TO NEW LOCATION__

Dan's Key and Lock Shop has registered a new address in Cape Girardeau. The longtime Cape Girardeau locksmith moved across the street, from 1754 Independence St. to 1749 Independence St., Suite F.

Dennis Vinson, president and CEO of Signature Packaging and Paper, LLC, discusses the business Tuesday, Nov 3, 2015 in Jackson. (Fred Lynch)

__CHAFFEE CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS__

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- The Chaffee Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cuttings on Oct. 29 for Depot Deli, which is under new ownership by Linda Yarbro, and for Shelter Insurance agent Leslie Horman. On Nov. 20, the chamber held a ribbon cutting for J Marie's Formal Affairs, 149 W. Yoakum Ave. The store opened Jan. 20 and sells pageant, prom, homecoming, social events and wedding wear, and also rents out tuxedos.

__BOLLINGER COUNTY CHAMBER PRESENTS HONORS__

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce selected Bob Englehart Farmers Insurance as its Veteran Business/Organization of the third quarter. The agency is at 401 First St. in Marble Hill. Additionally, the chamber selected Highway 51 Express as its Rising Star Business of the third quarter.

__BOUTIQUE OPENS ON KENNETT SQUARE__

Dennis Vinson, president and CEO of Signature Packaging and Paper, LLC, discusses the business Tuesday, Nov 3, 2015 in Jackson. (Fred Lynch)

KENNETT, Mo. -- 10 Little Piggies Boutique & Embroidery opened Nov. 21 at 100 College Ave. in Kennett, on the southeast corner of the Kennett Square. The store, owned by Tiffany Lee, sells clothing and accessories for children from birth to 10 years.

__PAPA MURPHY'S OPENS IN P.B.__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting in November for Papa Murphy's Pizza, 1895 N. Westwood Blvd., Suite 2. Michelle Heisserer and Craig Heisserer own the business, and Tina Higdon is the store manager.