This post was written by guest blogger, Cheyenne French, student at Southeast Missouri State University

Shopping for that special man in your life isn’t as difficult as you think. If you find yourself in the Downtown Cape area and have an itch to check some people off your Christmas list, you’re in luck! This area is home to some of the best cuisine, entertainment and shopping experiences around. Not to mention its historic background adding to the allure. Shopping for a man has never been easier once you see what these shops have to offer.

Start with some downtown restaurants, such as Broussard’s (for your Cajun lover) or Bella Italia (to satisfy your guy’s Italian craving), to kick-start your shopping spree off right. Port Cape (did someone say excellent BBQ?), Cup n’ Cork and Dynamite Coffee (who doesn’t need a good cup of coffee to start their day off right?), El Sol (Mexican!) and Katy O’Ferrell’s Publick House (your local Irish pub) help add to the diverse dining scene. Don’t forget Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill on Main St for the sports lover in your family. The Corner Grocery & Gourmet Chocolates is a hidden gem for the sweets lover in your life. Stop in to get him some Kentucky Bourbon Balls, homemade fudge and delicious turtles. Yum! Knock more people off your list and pick up an extra gift card or two for any food lovers you may know.

Gaming Grounds, located on Broadway, has tons of lightly used games for guys of any age. You can even rent the place out for parties or buy him an hour or two of gaming time in the store. They also sell gaming accessories for an awesome price. Gaming Grounds is a must stop for any gamer in your life.

Maybe you need a gift for the more sophisticated man; one who cherishes things from the heart. Any of the downtown antique stores would be the perfect place to start. Sure, you hear the word “antiques” and think of some old cameras or ceramics, right? Wrong! These places have TONS of treasures for guys young and old. You can find vintage watches and belts, high-quality ink pen sets and vintage tools, or trinkets to hang in their man cave.

If man cave accessories are what he’s looking for, step over to Hutson’s Fine Furniture for a selection of furnishings and décor that’s never ending. If you’ve been searching for the perfect recliner to be his easy chair, you’re in luck. Does he need a new desk for his home office? Hutson’s is the place to shop. With a wide variety of all sorts of furniture including recliners, tables, clocks, rugs, mattresses and even fireplaces, Hutson’s has you covered.

If you’re feeling extra nice, take a look inside Grass Roots BMW Motorcycle for some excellent gift ideas. A shiny new motorcycle under the tree is sure to bring a smile to his face, but if that’s a little out of your realm, they also have apparel and accessories, parts and everything your cycle lover can dream of. While in the area, stop in Lattitudes Fair Trade Store where you'll find tasty coffee blends, handmade soaps and lotions, beautiful wine racks and other furnishings, to name a few. We can't even begin to detail what it means to be 'fair trade', so stop in and see how your purchases make a difference for those in need.

All these locations are a hop, skip, and a jump away. So take advantage of the beautiful city you live in and shop locally. Keep your main street alive and well by finding the perfect gift right in your very own neighborhood. Shop local in Downtown Cape Girardeau for all of the men on your list this Christmas!

This listing is not comprehensive of all the Downtown Cape offerings for men. Please check out all shopping outlets for unique ideas.

                             

This post was contributed to by Claire Bruce, owner of Sloan + Themis.

The bond between a mother and her child is indescribable. But, what about the bond between mothers and daughters in business...together? In celebration of Mother's Day, here's what it's like to share that indescribable bond in both life and business while working as a mom-daughter team in downtown Cape.

Pastimes Antiques - Deb Maevers and Kyleigh Baliva

"This whole store wouldn't have been in my wildest dream. But, us working together? It's been fun. I would enjoy working with her whether she was daughter or not," says Deb , owner of Pastimes Antiques when asked about working with her daughter, Kyleigh.

Deb and Kyleigh have worked together on several ambitious projects. Not only does the mother-daughter team manage one of downtown's largest antique stores, they've embarked on the Vintage Now Fashion Show. Vintage Now, started in 2009, is an annual fundraiser that brings together their love of vintage fashion and helping women via the local safe house.

Both ladies bring their own energy and specialties to the business, which add to their favorite parts of working with one another. "We can be silly together and make fun things," says Kyleigh.

Kyleigh said they can be put into any situation and are able to know what the other is thinking. In the business of vintage and antique wares, one never knows exactly what may come through the door. The pair prepares well together to handle anything and everything as a team, right down to reading each other's minds according to Deb. "I do some things before I know she wants me to do it," said Kyleigh.

Deb and Kyleigh's relationship has grown even closer having worked together since 2003. Deb's extensive work with interior design has been passed down to Kyleigh over the last several years. "I used to do all the windows, and now mostly she does them all. She's become a great window display artist," said Deb.

Time spent together working at Pastimes is invaluable to both ladies. Catching up with one another is easier at the store, providing an opportunity that otherwise may not be as easy to come by. "She's my best friend; I don't know what I would do without her," said Deb.

Stash - Jill and Emily Hoehne

In fall 2012, downtowners got some new neighbors when mother-daughter team Jill and Emily Hoehne opened Stash on Main Street. With a mix of brightly colored frocks and hip accessories, the boutique was an instant hit.

"It was always my dream to open a shop, and the stars aligned to make it happen," said Emily. Emily has managed retail shops in the St. Louis area for several years before returning to the Cape Girardeau area to earn her degree. Around the time Emily graduated, Jill had the opportunity to retire, then both mother and daughter were able to start a new adventure together.

The Hoehnes found that taking turns was key in making it all work. They worked together designing and building the shop. From scouting out vintage accents, constructing displays, refinishing tables, and hanging and steaming clothes, mother and daughter shared tasks and business decisions. Today, they still distribute the workload 50/50 in the store. Emily is the planner and the buyer who travels several times a year to market in Los Angeles and Dallas. Outgoing Jill has found her strength in styling and helping find the perfect look. "I love meeting all the new people and learning their stores, what their likes and dislikes are," said Jill.

Not only have the Hoehnes made a big impact on Cape's fashion scene, downtown has made an impact on their family. If you have every shopped at Stash, you know it is truly a family business. In one of the dressing rooms hangs a photo of Jill's mother, who provides shoppers with inspiration for grace and elegance. Emily also often brings her son to work. "I like that my son, Adrik, can see people working hard and succeeding. It teaches him the value of a dollar," said Emily. Recently Adrik even raised money for his school by making bracelets and selling them at Stash. Business savvy definitely runs in the Hoehne family.

"I shop for the store like I'd shop for my home," said Susan Hall, owner of Shoppe La La, a furniture and housewares repurposing and resale studio studio located at 437 Broadway.

Lucky for me, Hall and I must "shop for our homes" in a similar fashion. My husband and I decided to make a stop at Shoppe La La one Saturday, on a whim, while making our occasional jaunt to the downtown area's antique and vintage stores. I'd spent nearly two years searching for larger, more eclectic bedside tables to pair with the mass-produced bedroom group we'd purchased after our wedding.

My new tables were nestled in the studio work area of Hall's shop, one of which has been the perfect height and size for holding a can of Old Town Paints and multiple brushes. After decided to purchase the side tables, Hall and I discussed available colors and finishes. I placed a 50 percent deposit on the tables after deciding on the perfect color, finish and completed price of $100. About two weeks later, the tables graced by bedside and are a perfect fit!

"What's unique about us is not only do I have pieces that are prepared, I have pieces that customers can pick unfinished and be a part of that process," Hall said. "Or, if you have something and you need it remade, or made over, you can bring it in and we'll do that, too."

Other than customers special-ordered pieces, Hall takes an artistic approach to choosing other projects for her studio. "They just kind of talk to me. I don't really do a factory assembly line type of painting," she said. "I look at each piece and as I'm cleaning and base coating it, it tells me what it needs to look like. Something just attracts my eye."

Hall will bring chosen items to the studio if the pieces have great lines or a potentially great purpose. A busy bee, customers will almost always find her and her employee working on a new item or three. Projects include everything from a small set of candleholders to large and detailed buffets and sideboards.

"Most people would think they were beyond repair. We took them, and took away and added to, and made them beautiful and useful again. For me, that's probably what sticks out in my mind. We can take pieces that really have been forgotten, whether it's been damaged or is out of style, and give them new life so people can enjoy them for the next 20 or 30 years," said Hall.

Shoppe La La is also a retail location for Old Town Paints, the type of chalk paint Hall uses to create beautiful "new" pieces. Chalk paint is gaining popularity worldwide, thanks to Pinterest, and its durability and ease of use makes it a great product for painting furniture. "I actually used to use a different chalk paint starting out. I decided not to carry that brand, so I went searching for something that I would like," Hall said. "I contacted several companies, had them send me their paint, tried it out, and Old Town Paints won, hands down."

Hall liked that the Old Town Paints brand had a large selection of colors and was relatively inexpensive. "I don't think it should cost a huge amount of money. You really can get quite a few projects out of one quart. And then it was just a really lucky coincidence that it was called 'Old Town Paints' in Old Town Cape," she said.

After being involved in design and repurposing for 20 years, Hall started concentrating on furniture, originally selling out of her home and then from a booth space. Growth landed her back in Old Town Cape. Hall only sees advantage to operating out of the downtown district. "I think there's a great energy down here. I think there are a tremendous amount of creative people down here. I think it's a mindset - even when customers come down, they know they're going to get something that someone created," Hall said.

If you'd like to learn how to create your own works of art with chalk paint, Hall is offering classes at the studio beginning in January 2014. "The first classes are an intro to chalk paint. You can come with absolutely no prior painting skills. Then, throughout the year I'm going to up the ante," she said. The three-hour classes cost $50 and is hosted at Shoppe La La. Entrants should bring their own small project, and Hall will supply the paint, brushes and other supplies. Course space is limited. Email shoppelala@gmail.com or call 573-803-2744 to sign up. A small fee must be paid to hold your spot in class. Upcoming classes include 1 to 4 p.m. on January 21st, 3 to 6 p.m. on January 25th, and 6 to 9 p.m. on January 31st.

Shoppe La La can be found on Facebook, and operating hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

This post is written by guest blogger, Laurie Everett, owner of Annie Laurie's Antiques.

My name is Laurie Everett, and I am a picker. Being an antique dealer is something that runs through my blood, it is part of my DNA and often takes over my thoughts. Like most addictions I have my triggers: auctions, estate sales, thrift stores, yard sales, rummage sales, junk yards and dumpsters. You would think that I lived through the depression because I see value in most items and I have difficulties just throwing things away. There are piles - piles that need to go to the recycling center, piles that need to be donated, piles that need to be sorted. The number one question that I get from my customers at Annie Laurie's Antiques is, "Where do you get all of this stuff?" I used to travel as far as Destin, Florida to find wares for the shop, but what I have learned is that some of the best things that I have ever found are right here in the Midwest.

The second question that is most commonly asked is, "What types of items are you looking for to buy?" This is a tough one to answer, because I look for all sorts of things. I often say that I look for retro/vintage items from the 50s, 60s and 70s, but there is a fine line between what is cool from these eras and what is still just stuff from grannie's attic. I also covet items from the 1920s Art Deco. These items are hard to find, but they are still out there. When it boils down to it, I look for anything funky, cool, weird, unusual and just plain rad! I even bought a vintage car once at a yard sale.

Take a look below at some pictures of my normal daily life and why I love it. I hope you enjoy!

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

Q: Who are you and when did you open the store?

A: My name is Kathy Pincksten and I opened Merci in May 2013 when the perfect building came along.

Q: What makes your store unique?

A: Merci has something to offer for everyone from babies, children and toddlers to adults with jewelry, decor, lotions, and even gifts for dads. My grandchildren were somewhat of an inspiration for the children's clothing though.

Q: Why did you choose to locate your store in downtown Cape?

A: The Julius Vasterling building on the corner of Broadway and Sprigg has been home to a variety of stores over the decades - a dry goods store, saloon, billiards hall, meat market, electric supply company, restaurant, cafe, and home appliance store - but we wanted to introduce something new to this building - a boutique! Kathy said" I love being in the downtown area and I love being able to shop around town and eat at the local cafe's for lunch. It's so quaint."

This post is written by guest blogger, Kynli Smith, Intern at Old Town Cape.

When you first open the doors to Annie-Em's at Home you immediately notice the warm atmostphere. Walking into the store feels like you are shopping at home. Annie-Em's at Home is celebrating their one year anniversary on Saturday, September 7. There will be wine, cookies and fun at the store to kick off the celebration, Having moved to a new location this past year, the downtown business continues to grow!

"The business has really grown over the past year. We are introducing new lines and have broadened our age group," said owner Emilie Stephens.

In 2012, Emilie took over the business from her mother who ran the business for 11 years. Having a dietician degee, Emilie had no idea that running a business in downtown Cape was in her future. "I never imagined I'd be operating my own business. That was not in my plan. But, I'm glad my plan didn't work out. Being a business owner in downtown Cape is an amazing opportunity, one that has brought many people into my life."

Emilie credits her family, friends and her faithful customers to keeping her business successful. It is because of them that the experience of being a business owner has been so rewarding. "New faces come into my shop and those faces are always full of news, stories and advice. The relationships that I've built with my customers are worth more than they'll ever know."

As far as Annie-Em's at Home's future, Emilie plans to keep expanding her business. She hopes to launch a store website soon and she's also busy shopping and looking for new products of her favorite things to bring into her customer's hands. There will also be a big Christmas Open House celebration in November. It's a tradition that her mother started many years ago. Emilie feels as though her mother would be so proud of the people downtown.

It all started a few months ago at my friend’s house. She was serving dessert (following one of her many legendary dinners) and handed me a home-made, lemon cupcake on the most darling little saucer. It was a seafoam green, semi-translucent plate that I made all kinds of excited fuss over. My friend, Jessica, had received it as a gift from another friend who found it at an antique shop. Jessica explained that she had actually been on the hunt for additional pieces and then flipped the saucer over to reveal the Fire-King trademark. This was the first I’d heard of Fire-King, and it sparked some interest.

Through a little research on Antique Trader, I found out that Fire-King glassware was mass produced by Anchor Hocking Glass Corp. from 1942 – 1976. My friend, Jessica, had looked the dishes up online and found some pretty steep prices on several Fire-King sets and individual pieces. Turns out, we’re not the only ones gaga for Fire-King, especially the Jade-ite color which is the official name for the color and the most popular among collectors.

We were a little disheartened by the online prices, but I knew something that so many of us take for granted in Cape Girardeau – that we have one of the best antique districts in the Midwest. And from that thought the mission commenced: I would find Fire-King for my friend!

I was confident that Fire-King was patiently awaiting my arrival in an antique store downtown. I headed out on a Sunday afternoon, and popped into Brick Street Antiques and Pastimes Antiques where I found Fire-King pieces, but no Jade-ite, Fire-King. I was getting warm!

Then I strolled into Riverfront Antique Mall. As I walked in, I saw an entire wall of antique glassware that immediately caught my – oh boy! – eye. I approached the wall, and locked my eyes on a section of seafoam green dishes. I grabbed a saucer, and it was the moment of truth! I flipped it over, and there it was… Fire-King!! I had found it, and in a matter of 45 minutes downtown. I purchased one medium sized serving bowl and 4 saucers for $25.90 which was a steal compared to the prices we had found online. The clerk inside was very helpful, and told me about Anchor Hocking and several of the dishes they had produced. She pulled out a reference book to see if she could find the exact dishes I was purchasing for value’s sake, but they weren’t inside the particular issue.

Immediately after I paid my $25.90, I walked outside and texted my friend Jessica, “I have a thank you gift for the millions of dinners you’ve cooked me!!!” I’ve never been one to contain excitement. I ended up giving her the dishes that night, and we both danced with giddy excitement. Ok, maybe I was the only one to literally dance, but I know Jessica was right there with me in spirit!



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 co-written by blog committee members Emilie Stephens, owner of Annie Em's at Home, and Claire Bruce, owner of Sloan + Themis.

These days, everyone is looking for that one little thing to make their wedding day extra special. Whether it's the rings, food, or wedding china, the businesses of downtown Cape Girardeau can help you get ready for your special day. Below are a few things that will make your wedding plannning a little bit easier.

1. Wedding rings - We have several fine jewelry stores downtown that carry the latest trends for both men and women's wedding jewelry. Check out Zickfield's Jewelers, C.P. McGinty's or Jayson Jewelers.
2. Rent the romance - If you are looking for vintage china for your special day, Annie Laurie's Antiques and Somewhere In Time Antiques will rent vintage china to you that will certainly make your reception unique.
3. Vintage fascinators - Today, many brides are choosing vintage fascinators over traditional wedding veils. Sloan + Themis carries a variety of fun, vintage fascinators that will add the finishing touch to your wedding gown.
4. Tea party - Looking for a location for a fun bridal shower? Judith's Antiques will arrange a vintage tea party for you and your guests.
5. Bourbon balls - Delight your weddings guests with a delicious southern confection. Handcrafted by Mary of the Corner Grocery Store, these treats are sure to please!
6. Food and catering - Many of downtown's restaurants offer catering for your special occasion -- Port Cape Girardeau, Bel Air Grill, Celebrations, Rose Bed Inn, Socials Cafe, and many more!
7. Quick wedding gift - If your friends are getting married on a Saturday afternoon, make sure to stop by Renaissance because they have a wide selection of gifts and home decor to suit any newlyweds.
8. Bridesmaids dresses - Looking for something bold or funky for your bridesmaids? Checkout Pastimes Antiques collection of vintage dresses and accessories for your bridal party.
9. Bridesmaids bling - Annie Em's at Home offers a wide selection of fun bridesmaid's jewelry. Whether you're looking for something bold and bright or something with a little sparkle, they can help!
10. It's a sign - Sweet Designs Boutique offers custom made signs to commemorate your wedding.

 

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. 

 

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.