Business briefs

__TWO KENNETT BUSINESSES HAVE NEW OWNERS__

KENNETT, Mo. — Matt and Christy Ross are the new owners of two businesses in Kennett. They recently purchased Gibson’s Quick Lube from Larry Gibson and Heartland Outdoors Bad Boy Mowers from Kirk and Leah Ford, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. The couple have owned Matt Ross Trucking for some time.

__SOUTHERN BANK HAS GRAND OPENING__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — A grand opening and ribbon cutting were held April 22 for Southern Bank’s new headquarters at 2991 Oak Grove Road in Poplar Bluff, the Daily American Republic reported. Ground was broken on the facility in November 2014 and construction was completed in early March. The bank opened its doors on March 15 and is home to approximately 50 employees.

__RHODES GROUP ADDING WAREHOUSE CENTER__

The Rhodes Group, a real estate development firm in Cape Girardeau, is building a 13,000-square-foot, eight-unit office and warehouse business center at 2311 Bloomfield Road. Each unit is to have an office area, restroom, warehouse space and overhead door in the rear of the building, according to Scott M. Rhodes. The building is expected to be finished in late summer. Three units still are available, with Boulder Construction taking a considerable portion of the space.

__FOREVER FIT OPENS IN DEXTER__

DEXTER, Mo. — The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Forever Fit. Josh and Lori Robinson own the fitness training facility at 13147 State Highway AD. The business offers personal training and 24/7 gym access through the key code method.

__CAPE MINI STORAGE CHANGES OWNERSHIP__

Cape Mini Storage has changed ownership. The business, at 1915 Golden Eagle Court in Cape Girardeau, formerly owned by Church Enterprises, now is owned by Grey Wolf Investments LLC.

__CLEMENTINE FLOWER BUSINESS OPENS IN CAPE__

Dana McDowell is the owner of a new floral design business, Clementine, in Cape Girardeau. McDowell, born and raised in Cape Girardeau, lived in Alaska for two years with her husband while he served in the U.S. Army. While in Anchorage, she discovered a flower shop offering arrangements of garden-grown flowers and foraged plant materials. She interned at the shop and said she now wants to recreate those wild and foraged arrangements in Missouri. She said her long-term goal is a brick-and-mortar store or a flower truck, but for now, she is working out of her home and planning a garden from which she can cut her own flowers. Clementine offers evening and weekend delivery service and online ordering at clementineincape.com.

__FIRST MIDWEST BANK OPENS NEW BRANCH__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — First Midwest Bank held a grand opening on May 3 for its new branch at 3069 N. Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff, the Daily American Republic reported. A ribbon cutting also was held with the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. Construction on the 4,000-square-foot facility began in October and the bank opened its doors April 18. Bank president Joey McLane said the new branch is a relocation of the one previously inside the Kroger grocery store. Cassie Whelchel is the branch manager.

__P.B. INSURANCE AGENCY HONORED__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Charles Moffitt, agency manager at Morse Harwell Jiles, accepted the President’s Award from Cameron Insurance Companies’ annual banquet in Branson, Missouri. The event honors independent insurance agencies that have qualified for the highest achievement with the company. Morse Harwell Jiles has represented Cameron since 2003.

__BIZZEE KIDZ CUTS RIBBON__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting recently for BizZee Kidz Therapy’s new location at 3390 Kanell Blvd. Jerri Ann Rowland and Staci Blankenship own the business.

__CAPE BOUTIQUE FEATURED IN TRADE PUBLICATION__

Hansel and Gretel Boutique of Cape Girardeau is featured in the April/May issue of Earnshaws magazine, a national trade publication for the children’s wear industry. The feature can be seen on pages 78 and 79 of the April/May issue at earnshaws.com.

__TWO WATER COMPANIES IN CAPE MERGE__

Schaefer Water Centers announced a merger with Culligan of Cape Girardeau. After 40 years coexisting in the market, the two companies joined forces to serve the region as one entity. Current Culligan customers will transition into a dealership with a broader range of services than they had, and Schaefer Water customers will benefit from Culligan’s use of technology, expanding the number of product and service choices available. After the merger, Culligan customers will relocate to the Schaefer Water Centers location at 2021 Themis St. The location will assume the name of Culligan of Cape Girardeau.

__SALON, TANNING SERVICE OPENS IN MALDEN__

MALDEN, Mo. — A ribbon cutting was held May 2 for Sun Kissed Expressions, 307 E. Main St. in Malden. Missy Fowler and Pam Foster are working together to provide tanning services, haircare, manicures and pedicures, the Portageville Missourian-News reported.

__HARDEE’S HAS NEW OWNER__

Ownership of the Hardee’s at 2115 William St. in Cape Girardeau has changed. Previously owned by MIH Admin Services LLC and Jason LeVecke, the store now is owned by STARCORP LLC, based out of Phoenix.

__NEW DOLLAR GENERAL OPENS IN JACKSON__

A new Dollar General store opened in Jackson at 4585 Highway 72 in Jackson.

A grand opening was held June 4. The store expects to hire six to 10 workers, depending on the needs of the store.

__NEW RESTAURANT, MUSIC VENUE TO OPEN IN CAPE__

A new restaurant is coming to downtown Cape Girardeau, offering fresh food, games and live entertainment. Cathy Thompson, owner of The Library and The Study, seeks to expand her business. The Playground soon will open in the old Bel-Air Bar and Grill building. With volleyball courts, cornhole toss and a new bandstand planned for later this summer, Thompson hopes to create an environment that promotes socialization while offering a menu of freshly made food. The building, Thompson said, has been cleaned, painted and updated as needed, and fencing will be put around both sides of the deck to enclose it. The fencing will allow The Library, The Study and The Playground to be contained together “so it can be one big music venue,” Thompson said. She also plans to build a new stage for The Playground on the north side of the property. Thompson was aiming for a June 18 opening, with several soft openings before then, though dates were not finalized at press time.

__RUE 21 EXPANDS IN SIKESTON__

SIKESTON, Mo. — Rue 21, a store specializing in teen apparel, has expanded its location at the Sikeston Outlet Stores, according to a news release. The business has moved into a new space, adding approximately 2,300 square feet to the store, as well as a new line of plus-size clothing and an expanded section for men, said Kyla Evans, marketing director at the Sikeston Outlet Stores. Rue 21 also has a new look with exposed ceilings, concrete floors and new lighting, Evans said. The new store is expected to open June 30.