This post is written by Kevin Taylor, Development & Resources Coordinator at Old Town Cape.

Renovations can revive historic buildings from a vacant and unattractive state and, when done right, can reveal a glimpse of the past. If you have driven down Broadway recently, you have probably noticed the work taking place on Philanthropy's façade. The building was once covered by a false stucco façade but has now been returned to its former glory.

The stucco finish is used to modernize buildings that were built decades ago and many people don't understand or take the time to learn what it takes to restore a historic property, so they take the easy way out. The building materials back then were very different than they are today, and it's important to understand how new materials will affect them before beginning work.

The first and most common mistake made when working with historic buildings is using the wrong mortar for tuck-pointing. Have you ever heard someone say "They don't make things like they used to?" Well, the same holds true with building materials. Most of today's material are manufactured in bulk and simply aren't built for strength. As a result, today's mortar is much too strong for historic buildings and when combined with stucco, an excessive amount of pressure is applied to the brick or stone, causing it to crack or spall.

However, E.T. Masonry, the company who performed the work on the A.C. Vasterling Building, knows how to do the job right. They began by taking a sample of the original mortar used on the façade and had it tested to find out the components of it. In doing so, they were able to make sure they used the right composition of mortar, so the façade wouldn't be harmed. The results came back and they determined that a Type O mortar should be used, which is composed of a softer material that will keep the stone safe.

Jay O'Neail also told me that he hasn't seen a building with the same material anywhere else in Cape Girardeau and understands the importance of preserving it. What was once believed to be a type of limestone is now believed to be Carthage stone, which is more of a marble and is very unique.

Preserving historic buildings can be very challenging and many do not understand the difference between those and new builds. Companies like E.T. Masonry help preserve our community by giving us a way to restore the past and give part of Cape Girardeau its history back. Philanthropy is based on giving back to the community, and now their façade is doing just that! This building is full of history and is a prime example of why historic preservation is important to downtown Cape.

From sidewalk cafes to the sweetest patios and the best places to people watch, downtown has got you covered when it comes to outdoor dining options. It's time to get outside, soak up the sun and take advantage of these mild June temperatures. Below you'll find a list of all of the wonderful options for dining outside while downtown.

			1. Bella Italia Patio  |  Map it! This is the perfect place to enjoy the company of friends while watching pedestrians stride down Spanish street into nearby antique shops and salons. The checkered table cloths, mural of Italy and the zesty food selection set the tone for a wonderful outing.
2. Bel-Air Deck  |  Map it! This huge deck is a summer staple in Cape Girardeau. Grab a friend, some sunglasses and an appetite for some of the best fried bar food around. The Bel-Air potatoes are almost as legendary as the outdoor venue itself, so add those to your must try list.
			3. Cape's Cream of the Crust  & Sugar Buzz Bakery Sidewalk Table  |  Map it! Everything down to the ice cream machine itself is an antique at Cape's Cream of the Crust & Sugar Buzz Bakery. Kick back and enjoy the nostalgia of days past at this cute soda and ice cream shoppe on Spanish Street. It's directly attached to Spanish Street Mercantile.
4. Celebrations Courtyard  |  Map it! Escape the everyday grind with a lovely 5 course meal outside at Celebrations courtyard. Sip on a spectacular glass of wine while enjoying great conversation with your special someone. The attentive service and tucked away atmosphere makes it feel like you've found your very own private getaway in the city.
			5. Corner Grocery Store Sidewalk Tables  |  Map it! The Corner Grocery Store boasts the World's Best Grilled Cheese and handmade-chocolate candies among other quick meal options. Recently they've been most noted for their Kentucky Bourban Balls which are a delight for the sweet tooth. Owners, Robert & Mary, are the nicest souls you'll ever meet. Meeting them alone is worth your trip. They're natural conversationalists. Just ask about their beloved Kentucky Wildcats, and you're sure to win them over.
			6. Cup 'n Cork Patio  |  Map it! Here you'll find best friends having heart to hearts, co-workers chatting about projects and SEMO students taking advantage of the trusty WiFi signal. Come for breakfast, dinner or lunch. Coffee in the morning or wine in the evening... Cup 'n Cork will keep you powering through.
			7. Dynamite Coffee Sidewalk Table   |  Map it! A great meet-up spot, Dynamite Coffee is a niche coffee shop on Independence. After having awesome success at the Downtown Farmer's Market the shop owners decided to plant permanent roots less than a block from the market grounds. Almost a year in and the shop already has devoted regulars and raving fans.
			8. El Sol Patio  |  Map it! The patio at El Sol is a great place to bask in the fresh summer air while enjoying some of the most tasty guacamole around! They even have their own "gaucamole man" to back it up.
9. Imo's Deck  |  Map it! A student favorite, the deck at Imo's is always brewing with lunchtime gab sessions and chill dinner gatherings. Imported from St. Louis, the signature thin crust pizza and house salad dressings are never a disappointment.
			10. Keller's Balcony Patio at The Isle  |  Map it! Keller's is a wonderful mix of luxury and comfort with fancy fire-lit tables and plush couch seating. Light appetizers and entrees compliment the bar offerings. During the night you can feel the light river breeze and during the day the balcony is just high enough to enjoy great views of the Mississippi.
11. The Library Patio  |  Map it! Tiki torches, an outside bar and a sand volleyball court create an aura of excitement at The Library's patio. It's always buzzing on Friday and Saturday nights, and the full food and drink menu make this the kind of place you want to settle in for the entire evening.
12. Main Street Station Sidewalk Table  |  Map it! A fun little stop, Main Street Station, is fully equipped with a concession-like order window as well as the option for shopping inside. Enjoy a quick stop for a hot dog or water on a walk downtown.
			13. Mediterranean on Broadway Sidewalk Tables  |  Map it! Mediterranean on Broadway recently relocated and is now directly adjacent to the university campus. Sidewalk tables provide the option to watch Broadway traffic zoom by as you're enjoying a gyro.
			14. Socials Sidewalk Tables  |  Map it! The fresh ferns and plants amid Socials sidewalk tables add a touch of welcome serenity. Bring a pen and paper and write the day away as downtown pedestrians make their way up and down Main Street. Coffee, food and treats are all available inside.
15. Take-out at the River, Downtown Parks or Benches!  Get creative with take-out! Order a to-go plate from any of the restaurants downtown and bask in the beauty of the Mississippi River at Riverfront Park or from the bench atop the Common Pleas Courthouse stairs for a breathtaking view of downtown and the river.

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, Lydia Ness, Student Worker at Old Town Cape.

A few weeks ago some of my friends and I made the decision to spend our Friday night checking out Tunes at Twilight. So, after work we packed our lawn chairs, picnic basket full of cheese and fruit, and a bottle of wine and headed down to the Common Pleas Courthouse Gazebo in downtown Cape.

We arrived around 6:45 and I was immediately blown away - people of all ages, including couples, families and friends filled the lawn surrounding the gazebo. It was clear to me that this event was loved by many and it was sure to be a great night! We scoped out a spot near a large shade tree, planted our chairs and got ready for Coles Whalen, a Tunes at Twilight regular, to take the stage. Whalen is from Denver, CO and has toured all over the country with big names such Pat Benatar, Joan Jett and Kellie Pickler. A few minutes later she took the stage and I immediately fell in love.

My friends and I cracked open the wine and got out the snacks and settled in for a nice, relaxing evening. As I sat there, I thought to myself that this very moment is the reason I love downtown. The weather and atmosphere was perfect, the crowd was fun, and Whalen was just as good as I expected her to be.

I also couldn't help but to think of how perfect of an example of Placemaking this is. Old Town Cape has been really strategic in creating and designing places downtown for people to go and has transformed the area into a destination. Tunes at Twilight is a creative event that invites and encourages people to enjoy all that downtown Cape has to offer. I learned that many people visit the downtown shops and restaurants before or after the event and we did just that once the concert was over. We took the short walk to Broadway Biergarten to grab some dinner and drinks before ending the night.

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a Friday night that was as relaxing as this one was. I was fortunate enough to spend it with great friends while enjoying excellent music. If you haven't had the chance to check out Tunes at Twilight, I highly encourage you to do so! Wil Maring is the performer scheduled for tonight, but there are two more spring concerts after this one and the fall season will begin on August 15. For more information about this event, click here.