Nonprofit organizations work really hard to achieve all that they do with some of it unnoticed.  But sometimes, they get lucky and their work receives recognition. That’s just what happened for Old Town Cape at the Missouri Main Street Conference that was held July 23-25 in Kansas City, MO.

Each year, Main Street communities across Missouri are encouraged to submit nominations in a number of categories for awards that are then presented during the Evening of Excellence Dinner at the conference.

This year, we submitted nominations in six (yes, six!) different categories: Cape Riverfront Market for Top Special Event; Broadway Prescription for Business Excellence; Broadway Corridor Project for Streetscape and Public Improvements; Bill Dunn for Volunteer of the Year; and Old Town Cape for Greatest Achievement . Six is a lot, but we aimed high. And shortly after the nominations were submitted, we were notified that we were semi-finalists in all six categories!

So, we made our way to KC for the conference. After attending educational sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, it was finally time for the dinner. “The Top Special Event award goes to Old Town Cape for the Cape Riverfront Market.” There’s one. “Old Town Cape receives the Streetscape and Public Improvements award for the Broadway Corridor Project.” There’s two. “The Greatest Achievement award is the highest award you can receive and is given to the downtown organization that produces the most exceptional work and accomplishes their goals. We are proud to announce that Old Town Cape receives the Greatest Achievement award for all of their hard work.” There’s three.

We are so thankful for the recognition that we received but we certainly couldn’t do it without the help of each and every one of our volunteers, sponsors and investors. You help make Old Town Cape what it is today – give yourself a pat on the back! Thank you for being a part of it.

Up until about a year ago the historic A.C. Vasterling building at 407 Broadway was sitting dusty and empty. Some initial TLC was given to the building in 2012 by then owner Seymour Chilton and boutique owner Bridgett Kielhofner. After some renovations to the front retail section, Philanthropy, a women's boutique was opened in June of 2012.

Seymour had visions for the rest of the building, which stood with the majority still empty, unused and in need of an intense rehab, but he decided to sell the property instead.

Enter Cara Naeger and RJ Clements, a sister and brother duo, who run their family business, Clemco Development. Cara and RJ bought the building together 6 months ago, and hit the ground running with Architect, Rebecca Ward and major plans to overhaul the upper floors into luxury apartments aka Vasterling Suites. 

If you've driven Broadway lately, you've probably noticed that the façade of Philanthropy is being restored, too. The building qualified for historic tax credits, so Cara and RJ decided to take advantage of the credits and to adhere to historic standards for the rehab with the help of Rebecca. One of the requirements was to remove the stucco façade and to restore the historic façade that still laid underneath - most likely dating back to 1923 when the building was remodeled from 2 stories to 3. (Pretty exciting for a history nerd like myself!)

I first met Cara about a month ago at Vasterling Suites in the midst of construction and clean up. She met me at the entrance with rushed enthusiasm and paint-stained jeans, and explained that they had to have construction finished in a matter of days for the first tenants arrival date - July 1st. We took a quick tour of the building going through studio apartment options, one bedrooms, artist suites and even a two bedroom so I could get a feel for the place. Historically, she said the building used to house a sausage shop, bowling alley and a rumored underground tavern. 

I visited the Vasterling Suites again on Friday with some of the Old Town Cape crew to take photos of the freshly finished apartments. This time Cara and RJ both took us through the suites. RJ was enjoying the "day off" although we hardly believed he was taking a vacation day while on location. We were all so impressed with the slick work that Clemco Development did in just 6 months. The apartments are beautiful and trendy, and still have some neat, historic details in tact including charming trim throughout the building and original fire doors that now serve as industrial hallway decor.

This is Cara and RJ's first project downtown. They chose downtown and the historic rehab because they love downtown and wanted to contribute something great to the community. In our eyes they've more than accomplished that. More specifically they've created a truly unique living space for some very lucky tenants. 

While so much has been accomplished there are still more plans for the property including an outdoor courtyard, fitness center and additional first floor apartments to name a few. We're really grateful to have another living option downtown, and to see a once vacant, historic structure returned to its shining glory.

If you're interested, apartments are still available for rent ranging from $590 - $990 depending on size and # of rooms. Several amenities are included, and they have the coolest washer and dryers in town - they text you when your laundry is done! Another fun perk is that tenants get 10% off at Philanthropy. Give the Vasterling Suites office number a call at 888.346.0543 and press 1 for Leasing Details. You can also check out the Micro Luxury Apartment here.

Read more about this project on Rebecca Ward's blog, Uncovering the Past.

Author: Toni Eftink is a Project Manager at Element 74 where she leads custom web projects. She has a huge love for downtown Cape Girardeau and small businesses. You can find her on Google+ and Twitter.

This post is written by guest blogger, Kelsey Stratton, Intern at Old Town Cape.

I’m from St. Louis. When I need something to wear, I go to the mall. If I need something for the kitchen, Home Goods or The Container Store is sure to have it. You can see where this is going...I’m a generic shopper. But these purchases always feel a bit empty, like some vital component is missing – a story, perhaps:

As you walk up Broadway, the iconic and well dressed Zsa Zsa and her surrounding goodies are outside to greet customers with just a preview of what you can find inside Annie Laurie’s Antiques. Walking in, you can feel owner Laurie Everett’s inspiration from art deco of the 1920’s, the retro 1960’s, and the bohemian 1970’s reverberating through the walls. From the purses and clothing to the kitchen goods, furniture, decorations, lamps, glassware, and jewelry, you can find just about anything at Annie Laurie’s Antiques– except from this decade. According to their website “this is not your grandmother’s vintage clothing store." And that is absolutely true. Everything in the store holds a funky and eclectic vibe that makes you want to search for more. I felt like no stone could be unturned, and I had to see and experience everything the shop had to offer. My only wish is to know the story behind every item:  when/where it came from, the things it had seen, the places it had been. But the unknown is where the mystique lies. 

Leaving the shop was unlike any emotional experience I’ve had while shopping. Annie Laurie’s Antiques made me yearn for more out of life – to explore and see, do, and learn more. I was inspired to live differently and to always find the story out of life. 

 

A walk downtown is unlike any others. I love pacing the sidewalks next to our beautiful streetscapes, historic buildings and local shops. And what I love most is that no two walks downtown are ever alike. That’s because downtown Cape Girardeau is alive with people and stories.

Just last night I grabbed two friends for a walk: Jessica, who first recruited me, and Jen, a newbie to the Downtown Walking Crew. We started our trek on Broadway where we made pit stops to window shop, enjoy some art and smell the roses.

Next we headed down Main Street to peek in a couple more shops, and enjoy the awesome silhouette of the two unbroken blocks of historic architecture. By this time it was starting to get dark, so Jen decided it was time for ice cream. Usually we walk downtown for the exercise, so ice cream doesn’t make the cut… but like I mentioned every walk downtown is different. This time we decided that exercise and ice cream went together.

We turned on Themis from Main and hit Water Street to grab some ice cream from Port Cape Girardeau’s, Sweet Sixteen window. (This is a must stop on any river visit.)

Close-by a young guy was jamming on his guitar, so we found a bench and chilled out to his sound before wrapping up our walk.


Thanks to my beautiful walking models Jessica & Jen!


Author: Toni Eftink is a Project Manager at Element 74 where she leads custom web projects. She has a huge love for downtown Cape Girardeau and small businesses. You can find her on Google+ and Twitter.

Few people have the chance to share what inspires them every day, and learn about what inspires others. Even fewer people have it as their job. Yet, my friend and downtown neighbor, Paula Haas, has built her business on it. Her shop, Somewhere In Time Antiques, started on the idea that anyone can add more elegance and charm to their lives with vintage items.

Somewhere In Time Antiques is a lot like the swanky antique stores I liked to visit in Southern cities like Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta and Oxford. It has all the essentials: well-appointed tables of sparkling Depression glass and vintage china, thick gilt vintage picture frames, assortment of deer antlers, more chanedliers than you can shake a stick at, Downton Abby-esque English country finery, vintage jewelry and a tiny cute K-9 greeter, Atticus. Yet, unlike its metropolitan counterparts, Somewhere In Time Antiques is not stuffy or pretentious. In fact, its owners make these incredible antique treasures accessible and affordable to local shoppers. Each time I walk in, I say "Wow, that display is just like something I saw in Garden & Gun or Traditional Home." To which Paula responds, "Well of course! That is so easy to do!" And you know what, it is.

Paula's dedication to sharing vintage charm stems from her own family. Her love for antiques started with a vintage bowl that she received from her aunt. "My Aunt Martha played an important part in my love of antiques and vintage items by giving me one of her favorite bowls from her kitchen. That special room was the heart of her home and that one bowl led me to collect more items from that same era," Paula explained. She sees this same passion in the new generation of antiquers and vintage collectors. "People are very busy but a little vintage elegance can be very relaxing and can bring focus in their lives." This trend she believes is helped by movies and social media. Often shoppers will come in looking for items they saw online or in the latest period drama. She giggled, "If you watch a movie and catch yourself looking behind the actors to see how a set is decorated, you probably have the same 'addiction' I do." This addiction has made Somewhere In Time Antiques very popular with its followers on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

I once asked Paula how she developed such a cool store. Here's what she said - "My inspiration is found every day that I walk in my shop. I am a firm believer in working hard to make my store a unique shopping experience. My customers inspire me to find that special item they are looking for! I have been in the business since 1998 and opened my own shop in 2010. During that time, I have fine-tuned my purchases so that I look for the best items that will excite my customers to create their own personal decorating inspiration."

If you are looking to be inspired, please stop in to Somewhere In Time Antiques or visit them online via their website or Pinterest page.