JAYSON JEWELRY AND ERVIN'S NOW SHARE BUILDING

Jayson Jewelry, which opened at 33 N. Main in September 1984, has moved.

"We moved around the corner," said Jayne Ervin, who operates the store with her mother, Joyce Blattner. "We're now located at 115 Themis."

The jewelry store shares a 3,000-square-foot showroom with Ervin's Metalsmith.

"My husband, Loyd Ervin, purchased the metalsmith business from Otto Dingeldein in 1975," said Ervin. "Our businesses are similar, and the new showroom gives us the opportunity to expand both retail operations.

"We feel it's a good move for both businesses," said Ervin. "We have owned the building a long time, and had space which was not being utilized. We split the 6,000-square-foot street level into two sections, one for the showroom and the other for use in the metalsmith fabricating."

The businesses will hold a grand opening starting Friday. "We'll continue the grand opening through Nov. 14.," said Ervin. "People can register for a free prize during that time."

The Ervins are hoping to get the two-story building on the National Historic Register.

"Built in 1906 as the Elk's Club, the building originally had four stories. When the building was heavily damaged by fire in 1938, it was rebuilt as a two-story structure. The building has been utilized for a number of businesses since the late 1930s, including a sportswear retail operation and bowling alley.

Dingledein, a fourth-generation silversmith who came to the U.S. in 1927 from Germany, moved to Cape Girardeau in 1959. He moved to the 115 Themis location in early 1975 when his previous silversmith studio was damaged by fire.

Loyd Ervin served his metalsmith apprenticeship under Dingledein.