In the small business world, lots of ‘jobs’ make up everyday life for business owners. Not only are these individuals the face of the organization, they also have to clean the floors, balance the check book, keep up with inventory, provide an excellent level of customer service, answer the phones, change the tape in the cash register, do some marketing… We could keep going. While these ‘jobs’ are necessary to keep a business going, some owners take things a step further.

According to Merriam-Webster, a duty is ‘something you must do because it is morally right’. Charlie Bertrand embodies this.

If you head to the Spanish Street area around 8:30-9am, chances are you’ll catch Charlie on the sidewalks and in the street donning his green apron with a broom in hand. As the owner and manager of two downtown businesses for the past 11 years, Spanish Street Mercantile/Cape’s Cream of the Crust and Broadway Market & Loft, as well as being a downtown resident, he understands how important it is to keep the outside of his properties looking as good as the insides.

It takes about 45 minutes to an hour for him to cover his territory, which is more than just in front of his store. He walks up to Broadway, checks out the Broadway and Spanish Street intersection, then heads down the block to make sure Minglewood Brewery’s sidewalk is looking nice. From there he heads back down Spanish St all the way to Independence, takes a short detour up Independence then makes his way back to his establishment.

Why do this? Why spend this much time cleaning up other people’s trash in such a big area? ‘It is my duty as a downtown business owner to do my part in helping make the entire area inviting for visitors,’ commented Charlie. ‘If I do it every morning, it’s not such a big task.’

‘We, as a collective group of downtown business owners, have to pull together on a daily basis to keep our area looking nice.’

Sweeping up empty soda cups and cigarette litter does seem like a ‘dirty job’, but Charlie commented that he actually enjoys this time. ‘I get to talk to everyone, experience the ‘downtown way of life’ and, for the most part, the weather is beautiful.’

While walking along his route, we turned the corner at Broadway and Spanish Streets and it was then that I realized why he does what he does. The sun was painting a gorgeous picture on the water of the Mississippi and our downtown was gleaming with excitement and beauty. Charlie turned to me and said, ‘Do you see that? Old Town Cape is one of the prettiest spots along the entire river and I get to be a part of this.’

Thank you, Charlie, and all the downtown business owners who do their part in helping make our area a beautiful destination for people to live, work and play. We truly are one of the greatest downtowns in the nation!

When you travel downtown for work every day, you quickly notice when something has changed in the area. Over the past few weeks, we have noticed more and more downtown business owners getting into the Christmas spirit by decorating their store fronts for the season. This spurred conversation between us, so, naturally, we had to get out and take a look for ourselves. 

Our stroll began on Main Street where we first came across the vintage-themed window display at Pastimes Antiques. The window was filled with a variety of gold and silver vintage items that were each very unique and fun to take a look at - we couldn't help but wonder what the story was behind each of the pieces! After spending quite some time here, we continued on one step at a time until we were stopped in our tracks by the display at Back Porch Antiques. A giant sized Santa Claus stood tall and proud in the window with his very own collection of kids who made both the naughty and nice lists. We pondered whether we should be worried that our names weren't on either, but then decided that Santa just wasn't finished with the nice list yet :). 

The final stop along Main Street for us was at the ever-famous Hutson's Fine Furniture that puts up a spectacular display every year. This year's grand theme is Steam Punk, but they had several other windows decorated for the season as well. In fact, I (Nicholle) fell in love with the large Santa legs and the "Live Life Have Fun" slogan just a few spaces down!

As we were turning the corner onto Independence to make our way to Spanish Street, we noticed something that neither one of us had ever seen before -- an upside down Christmas tree in the window of Drop Dead Gorgeous...talk about seeing things from a different angle! A few minutes passed as we tried to figure out how they did this, but we finally just accepted that it was cool and left it at that. 

The first decor that we came across on Spanish Street was at Bella Italia, which was beautifully done up in garland, lights and bows that matched their Italian theme. We were tempted to take a break and grab some of their decadent bread, but we carried on.

Eventually, we made our way up the hill on Broadway and stopped at Katy O'Ferrells Publick House to admire not only their recent updates to the outside but also their Christmas lights and giant wreath. Being located on the corner of Broadway and Lorimer makes the restaurant stand out when driving or walking around downtown. We continued up Broadway and noticed several more "stand out" stores decorated for the season including Shivelbine's Music Store, Shoppe La La and City Church who, by the way, won my (Kaleisha) vote for the best decorated window with the large Christmas tree accompanied by Mary and the "Faith Hope Love" signs on the wall.

While perusing Broadway, we couldn't help but notice the beautiful addition of Christmas lights on all the trees lining the street, courtesy of our friends at Broadway Prescription Shop. Each block alternates red and green, and helps pull the entire Christmas decoration package together with a big shiny bow!

We consider ourselves lucky to live in a community where so many people get excited about the holiday and show it through their effort for others' viewing pleasure. We hope you take some time to enjoy downtown Cape because it is full of Christmas delight one step at a time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
         

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.

                             

It’s officially Red October! Cardinal baseball postseason is filling the air. Located 100 miles south of St. Louis, it may be hard to find the rowdy, upbeat Cardinal spirit that we, as Cardinal fans, yearn for. Luckily, Downtown Cape Girardeau has many outlets for you to enjoy the games at and partake in the wild Cardinal atmosphere.

Autumn is finally here - let the crisp, cool breeze blow through your hair while taking in the game on the patio at Bel-Air Bar & Grill. Delicious food and drinks round out this venue for a delightful outdoor viewing experience.

Newly opened Katy O’Ferrell’s Publick House provides a casual, cozy environment along with delicious Irish food and a bar for your baseball viewing pleasure.

Looking for a tasty margarita to warm your stomach while taking in our next Cardinal win? Head to El Sol for delicious Mexican fare.

Hotshots has your hot wings and large beers to wash everything down. TV’s line the walls so there’s not a bad seat in the house.

For some romantic flair, head down to Bella Italia. Televisions above the bar provide prime viewing for just about any visitor in the restaurant while sopping up their delectable oil and cheese mixture with a piece of crusty bread.

Pull on your Cardinal gear and make your way to Broadway Biergarten to indulge in their fabulous appetizers and craft beers. The ambiance in this place is pretty close to first-base-line-in-Busch-Stadium quality.

Feel your Cajun roots and enjoy some red beans and rice or a shrimp po’boy while taking in the cardinal game in Broussard’s bar area.

Take in the games at each of these downtown bar destinations, Lodo’s, Last Call, Pour House, Rude Dog, That One Bar and D’Ladiums, for the ultimate party destination.

Cardinal Nation is a family - we love our fantastic team. We love the playoffs. We love the chase for victory. And we love coming together to celebrate. Pick one of these downtown hotspots, bring your team spirit and show our rival fans what it is to be part of Cardinal Nation!

Entering Muriel's Garden for the first time I was delighted to find shabby chic vases, cozy decor and beautiful flowers. I was greeted by a friendly, soft spoken lady who turned out to be the owner and was not named Muriel as I had guessed. Her name is Sally Suchman, and she named the floral shop after her mother who had a huge passion for flowers and gardening.

I love fresh flowers. They bring me happiness, and you can almost always find them in my home. A friend of mine told me that Muriel's Garden sold flowers by the stem, so I stopped in to check out the selection and pricing. 

I found the flowers are beyond affordable. Think cents per stem! And as I looked around I saw a sign that said, "Pick a Vase, Pick Your Flowers." Sally explained that she has always enjoyed making one of a kind arrangements. She has an ever changing, wide variety of vases for customers to choose from on shelves and tables throughout the store. Most of the vases are vintage finds from auctions and estate sales; and they range in price from $1-$30. I picked out a dainty, white porcelain vase patterned with lovely blue details for $1 and started to look for some flowers. Sally helped me pick out flowers for my vase and then she put the arrangement together at her workstation. She threw in some greenery for free, and the entire thing rang up for under $8. I was sold, and said I'd be back for more.

As days past, I saw others supporting the new shop. Annie Laurie's Antiques had a display of vases, mason jars, and glasses that encouraged shoppers to purchase a vase and head to Muriel's Garden, and friends posted about Muriel's on their Facebook pages. After about 2 weeks my first flowers had retired. I was in Brick Street Antiques and spotted a beautiful glass milk vase for $8. I bought the vase and walked the short distance to Muriel's Garden. Sally suggested the blush carnations and began making my arrangement. I asked her about a few glorious green flowers in her refrigerator, and she told me they were Bells of Ireland. They were a structured flower that stood proud. She threw one into my arrangement for free along with some some ribbon that added a lovely country feel. My flowers were under $5, and again I was happy as a bird.

On another trip, I met Sally's daughter Casey. She was just as friendly as Sally and told me that the shop has brought her mom so much joy. They both talked about how people come in and share their memories of growing up with flowers and how they've created an ambiance in the flower shop that feels like home. 

My favorite part of Muriel's Garden is that there are so many options. You can simply buy flowers by the stem and take them home, or pick out a vase and ask Sally to help you with an arrangement, or select a pre-made arrangement (expect flowers in dessert dishes, bowls and mason jars). Bring in your own vase from an antique adventure downtown or even order custom arrangements ahead of time. No matter your route you will always get an arrangement with an extra dose of TLC and a full serving of creativity. Enjoy!

This past winter I was excited to find out we were getting an Irish pub. Living in cities for 15 years prior to moving to Cape, I found the “little neighborhood pub” was a staple of urban living. It was where you went to celebrate moments big and small, see your friends, gossip, talk sports, laugh, cry and just be part of the community. So opening night of Katy O’Ferrell’s, I was totally there!

Now I wouldn't say I’m a connoisseur of Irish pubs. I, however, have been to quite a few.  I’ve visited Irish pubs in Chicago, New Jersey, Dallas, Pittsburg, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Seattle, Birmingham (that’s England, not AL), Dublin (yep, as in Ireland) and many other places in between. So how does Katy O’s stack up? Pretty well, I do have to say.

The Food

One quirky thing about an Irish pub is that there is no requirement to serve Irish cuisine. Even in the pubs I’ve been to in Ireland and Great Britain, it is common to find curries, bangers and mash, burgers, etc on the menu. Katy O’Ferrell’s is no different. It's menu touts Irish favorites like boxty and shepherd’s pie alongside a burger, steaks and seafood. (BTW, the Irish dishes are even better than the ones my old Irish Granny used to make!) My favorite is the Reuben with a side of butters carrots. Yeah, I know it’s not Irish, but it still doesn’t make it any less tasty.

The Bar

The success of an Irish pub is its bar, or more appropriately its bar staff. Katy O’s warm and cheerful barkeepers provide excellent service with a smile. From pouring stouts to mixing a mean dirty martini, their drinks are always consistently delicious and served with pride.

Décor and Atmosphere

Let’s face it, Irish pubs in America look a certain way - lowly lit with a massive carved bar, with a random mix of 19th century art and quirky Irish memorabilia. Katy O’Ferrell’s hit a homerun in this department when it chose the old Petit New Orleans as its location. The outside just finished getting a new look with dark olive green and black paint.

Hopefully this little article will convenience you to come downtown and share in the Irish-American tradition of the public house. See you at Katy O's soon!

There are several new businesses popping up in the downtown area. One of these new businesses is a unique fashion boutique, Ophelia, which opened in early June. With its fashion forward designs and vast assortment of clothing, shoes, jewelry and gifts, Ophelia has something to offer for women of all ages. From trendy pieces to basic staples, the store only carries six of each individual item, allowing for new styles to be brought in daily. Ophelia also has a line of all natural bath and body products called KIND, which come from Webster Groves, Missouri.

Ophelia’s original location is in downtown Farmington, Missouri. In June of 2013, Patrice Parson had an opportunity to purchase Ophelia after hearing that it was going out of business. “I decided to start a new adventure into owning a business when the previous owner approached me with the chance to buy the store. I was so excited about the new adventure, but also scared to lose my shopping place so I decided that being a new business owner was a new adventure I was ready for”. Not long after purchasing the Farmington location, Patrice and her husband new that they wanted to expand. Being a Southeast Missouri State University graduate and a former resident of Cape Girardeau, Patrice was very familiar with the Cape Girardeau area. After making several trips to downtown Cape Girardeau and visiting with several downtown business owners, they began to start the search for the perfect building for their new boutique. With the help of Old Town Cape, Patrice and her husband were able to find the perfect location for their second store.

Ophelia is located at 125 North Main Street. For more information about their store, check out their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OpheliaCapeGirardeau.

With the recent decision to bring the annual Fourth of July fireworks display back to downtown Cape Girardeau, we thought it a pertinent time to discuss the beneficial impacts that events such as this have on the downtown area.  

 

The list of events taking place downtown during a given period is lofty, and includes the fireworks display, Tunes at Twilight, First Friday, Parade of Lights, and The River Tales Classic Car Show…among many others. These events have the capacity to draw thousands of people (local and regional) into the Old Town Cape area that might not have otherwise visited. When combined with the areas multitude of retail, dining, and entertainment options, it’s an obvious winning situation for downtown merchants of every variety.

 

A recent study conducted by The Maine Center for Economic Policy examined a cities’ economic impacts when comparing local versus chain stores. The city of Portland, ME that was chosen has a population of just over sixty-six thousand people, which is comparable in nature to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson regional area. They analyzed data collected from 28 locally owned retail businesses, along with corporate filings for a representative national chain. The researchers found,

 

“That every $100 spent at locally owned businesses contributes an additional $58 to the local economy.  By comparison, $100 spent at a chain store in Portland yields just $33 in local economic impact.”

The study concluded,

 

“That if residents of the region were to shift 10 percent of their spending from chains to locally owned businesses, it would generate $127 million in additional local economic activity and 874 new jobs.”

 

Cape Girardeau is obviously not Portland, ME, but even if we were to assume a fraction of the benefits they found, we can come to the conclusion that local spending and events are a winning combination for Cape Girardeau. This is why we as downtown merchants, of every variety, should feel the need to champion events such as our recent fireworks display, while also applauding those who chose to patronize local retailers while in attendance.  Of utmost importance though, is to come to realization that events such as these can come to a close at a moment’s notice without support from the local community. We don’t like to imagine a downtown free from the sounds of an acoustic guitar at Tunes at Twilight, the uproar of a hot rod revving its engine during the car shows, or seeing the first set of Christmas lights parading down Broadway. We certainly hope that everyone in our area feels the same!

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.