Success of Small Business Key to Local Economy

With an unemployment rate consistently lower than the rest of the state, Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger and Scott Counties have traditionally enjoyed an economy that thrives in good times and does better than most in hard times.

Part of the secret to the area's economic success lies with its small businesses, which statistically make up more than 70 percent of all new jobs. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in this part of the state, and the outlook for the future is bright, according to some of the area's small business owners.

The Hoeckele (CQ) family has operated a bakery in Perryville since 1937, and their lengendary products continue to satisfy the sweet tooths of the area's pastry and cake lovers. Four generations of Hoeckeles have been involved in the family business, including Paul Hoeckele III (CQ) and his wife Angie (CQ), their son Joe (CQ) and daughter-in-law Yvette (CQ).

After over 70 years in business at the original Hoeckele's Bakery location in downtown Perryville, the family faced a dilemma - play it safe and continue in a location that had proved profitable but allowed no room for growth, or take a chance on a new building that offered a huge upside but also more overhead and bigger risks.

"To borrow that money and build a new building in another location and make it prosper was a big step for us," said Angie. "We have seen other businesses fail once they moved from the original location."

The Hoeckeles decided that the potential reward was worth the risk, and in July of 2006 they moved from their 3,000 square foot building to a 9,000 square foot facility on Highway 51. The new bakery is the anchor store in the Sugar Hill Plaza strip mall, which Hoeckele's also owns.

"The amount of business we do has doubled since our move," Angie said, adding that they have tripled the number of employees. She attributed the growth not only to the higher visibility location but also to being able to expand their product line to include products such as sandwiches, soups, salads and hot breakfast items.

"Whenever possible we try to listen to what our customers are asking for and add that to our existing menu," Angie said.

Another family-owned food service success has been American Ice Cream Co. (CQ) in Jackson.

Founded by Billy Joe Thompson, Sr. (CQ) in 1954 as a Dairy Queen franchise, the Thompson family has been serving up their famous cones, sundaes, concretes and other treats ever since, although the seasonal business shuts down December through February.

Today, Billy Joe's niece Sarah Thompson (CQ) operates the business from its original location on S. Hope St. in Jackson. But just because American Ice Cream hasn't moved to another building doesn't mean there hasn't been progress.

"The original business had approximately four or five employees and had six items on the menu," Sarah said. "Today there are approximately 10 to 12 employees with over 25 items on the menu." Drive though service was added in 1983.

Sarah is satisfied with the scope of the business as it is and isn't looking to expand. She said after over a half century of support from their customers, "if it isn't broke, don't fix it!"

A desire to be self-employed so he could spend more time with his family led to the opening of Lacey's Custom Cabinets near Scott City in 1995. Greg Lacey (CQ) began building cabinets with the unpaid help of his father in a small two-car garage.

"Woodworking has always been something I enjoy, so this seemed the obvious path for me," said Greg, who now operates the business that has grown to four full-time employees and a 3,000 square foot workshop near the home of Roth Drive.

Lacey said a working showroom is in the plans for the future. "Customers can come in and see the quality of our products to aid them in the decision making process."