Local News: Old Town Cape asks residents to find the clock in their businesses (1/6/23)

A replica clock at Main Street and Themis Streets in Cape Girardeau. As part of an Old Town Cape treasure hunt, the replica is hidden in various downtown Cape Girardeau shops. The replica was created by the Kent Library at Southeast Missouri State University using a 3D printer.

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Old Town Cape Inc. is holding treasure hunts downtown Cape Girardeau, since October.

The replica of the clock that is located at the intersection of Main Street and Themis Street is the item people are searching for. The winner of the replica will receive a gift basket filled with prizes.

Each month, the replica is hidden in a different downtown establishment. Only Old Town Cape subscribers are notified when the clock is hidden again. The newsletter, which comes out on the first Wednesday of each month, also gives information about the new hiding place to the clock’s owners.

The newsletter’s latest clue was “Take A Spin With a Glitter Wizard”, and sent savvy seekers to Spectrum Record Lounge, 113 Broadway. Spectrum has created a cocktail called Glitter Wizard to honor David Bowie’s character, in “Labyrinth”.

Spectrum’s clock was discovered in the same day as the clue appeared in the newsletter on Wednesday, Jan. 4. Sydney Waters, Old Town Cape’s event coordinator, said that they hoped it would take longer to find them.

Waters laughed and said, “We need some harder hints.” “So far, we have found the clock within the first week after the hint has been posted.”

Waters stated that the idea for the hunt emerged from Old Town Cape members who were looking for a way of getting more people to sign up to the email newsletter. It highlights upcoming events as well as the revitalization efforts in Cape Girardeau’s downtown area.

Old Town Cape gives prizes to the winners of its clock treasure hunting.

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Waters stated that she contacted Jason Bruenderman from Southeast Missouri State University’s Kent Library in order to have a replica printed using the library’s 3-D printer. Bruenderman explained that Danielle Barr (a former Kent Library media technician) designed and created the replica.

“Danielle used photos from Main Street to design a 3D rendering of a computer,” Bruenderman stated. “Then she used the design to create the clock in our printer. It turned out fantastic. It measures 11-and a-half inches high. She also added some luminescence so that the clock face glows in dark.

Waters explained that the items in the prize packages differ with each business that has the replica.

Waters stated that they always give out Old Town Cape swag such as our River Trail Murals book or some gift cards. “Then, the businesses also contribute prizes. We hidden the first clock inside a gallery in Missouri Arts Council. They donated a family member and nice prints as their prize package.

Waters said that the clock was hidden by the business owners. Waters said that when someone finds it, they can scan the QR code on their phone to tell them to return the clock back to the Old Town Cape office. The code also includes links to information regarding the clock’s history. Successful hunters are encouraged to take a picture with the clock to show their appreciation.

The clue to the next location will be sent Wednesday, February 1. Waters said people can receive the hint by signing up for the Old Town Cape email newsletter on its website — www.downtowncapegirardeau.com.

She also indicated that downtown businesses may contact her at (573) 324-58085 if they would like to be a secret site.

The real time clock at Main and Themis streets downtown Cape Girardeau

File from Southeast Missourian