Business Notebook: Academy of Dance Arts moves into new location to provide more space, amenities

After 31 years in operation, 11 of those in Cape Girardeau's Town Plaza, the Academy of Dance Arts has a new location at 2612 Gerhardt Drive in Cape Girardeau.

Owner Kara Finley Skelton said the time was right to move: Town Plaza was changing, and the Academy was looking for a bigger space, ideally one that could be freestanding.

The new location is about 1,000 square feet bigger, Skelton said, with better parking and access.

That means good things for students and staff alike, she said.

"We have a big waiting room now, where we didn't have that before," Skelton said. "There's a nice big dressing room for the girls, and dance spaces have increased as well. It's a win-win all around as far as location."

Kara Finley Skelton stands next to the logo for the Academy of Dance Arts, which has moved to 2612 Gerhardt Drive in Cape Girardeau.Fred Lynch

Skelton said more space also means they can explore more offerings, such as birthday parties, potentially, and more dance classes.

"In the future we see a lot more prospects with bigger space and area," she said.

The new space is much more convenient to get to as well, Skelton said.

Congestion in Town Plaza's parking lot was tough, Skelton said, and the main priority is students' safety.

At 2612 Gerhardt, better building access, better parking and better all-around security has worked out really well, Skelton said.

They made the move April 5, Skelton said, after about 11 years in the Town Plaza location. Prior to that, Skelton said, the studio operated on Kingsway Drive.

Right now, the studio's six instructors offer classes in styles including classical ballet, tap and jazz, hip-hop and contemporary, and a competitive dance team travels to perform in St. Louis and other areas.

"We really keep things running," Skelton said. "There's quite a bit going on."

Skelton said when the business began in 1987 on Kingsway, the building was small and parking was tight.

"Every move has gotten a little bit better," she said. "We're really proud of our new space. Hopefully we can offer more for our girls and the public."

Women's Impact Network in Jackson sets luncheon date

The Women's Impact Network (WIN) of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce is a personal and business-development group dedicated to helping women reach their full potential, according to a recent release.

Beginning on May 10, WIN plans to provide events on the second Thursday of every other month to bring women together. The first WIN luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 10 at the Jackson Civic Center. The speaker will be Eileen Sievers of Saint Francis Medical Center, presenting on how to achieve work/life balance. Tickets must be pre-paid and are available by calling the chamber at (573) 243-8131.

Local tanning salon featured in publication

Endless Summer Tan in Cape Girardeau was featured in the March issue of Smart Tan Magazine, a publication of the International Smart Tan Network, according to a recent news release. The article, titled "Never Less Than the Best," cited Endless Summer's dedication to cleanliness, maintenance and customer service.

Owner Marcia Schlueter said in the release she believes that is why the salon has been voted the best place to tan in Cape Girardeau County every year since 2007, when the Southeast Missourian began the "People's Choice Awards."

Endless Summer Tan opened in 2002 at 1420 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. After outgrowing that space, it relocated across the street to a larger space at 1403 N. Kingshighway. It has 16 tanning beds, a leg tanner and two UV-free spray tan units.

Once Upon a Child announces grand opening date

Once Upon a Child, a store selling gently-used children's clothing and items at 760 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, will hold its grand opening April 26.

Business licenses

Eric R. Goines has applied for a license to operate 180 Healthcare, a membership health company, at 24 N. Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau. Open date was listed as Feb. 15.

Chelsea Clabough has applied for a license to operate Lemonade House Grille, a fast-casual restaurant, at 350 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. Open date is listed as April 18.

Stephanie Belmar has applied for a license to operate Catalina Carpet & Hard Surfaces LLC, a retail store selling flooring and flooring supplies, at 1606 Independence St., Suite 3B, in Cape Girardeau. Open date was listed as March 1.

People on the Move

Kirk Mueller

Kirk Mueller, vice president and branch manager of the Jackson branch of Farm Credit Southeast Missouri, is celebrating 20 years of service with Farm Credit, according to a recent news release.

President and CEO Bob Smith offered his congratulations to Mueller in the release.

Farm Credit Southeast Missouri is a $650 million agricultural-lending cooperative, headquartered in Sikeston, Missouri, serving 12 counties in Southeast Missouri.

Amy Watkins

Amy Watkins, nurse practitioner, recently joined Charleston Family Care in Charleston, Missouri, part of the Saint Francis Healthcare System. Dr. Robert Robbins, DO, also practices there.

Watkins earned her Master of Science in nursing from Walden University in Minneapolis. She brings more than 15 years of nursing experience with her to Charleston.

Saint Francis Medical Center is a 308-bed facility serving more than 713,000 people throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Saint Francis' major service lines, which have received national recognition, include the Neurosciences Institute; Orthopedic Institute; Family BirthPlace, featuring the region's first Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Heart Hospital; Emergency and Level III Trauma Center; Cancer Institute; and Fitness Plus.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630