Schaefer Shell’s last day in business is Feb. 29, owner Gene Kohler said Tuesday. Kohler has been at Schaefer Shell 24 years and has been the owner for about half of that. Vince Schaefer was the previous owner. Kohler said he wasn’t offered a lease to sign.
“We were month to month for a little while,” he said. “I think the handwriting was on the wall. I really didn’t expect no lease. I expected a short lease, but not no lease.” Circle K owns the property.
He said it’s a bitter pill.
“All the years we’ve been here never been late on rent,” he said. “Never bounced a check, because that was a big deal. If you bounced a check with Shell Oil or anybody you were on COD. Never had an issue.”
See also: Schaefer Shell employees get together for a last photo
He said the Shell station will be demolished, and he has a pretty good idea who will be taking the corner.
“Somebody made a phone call here by mistake,” he said. “Got a pretty good idea who’s going in here — probably wouldn’t be wise for me to say. It’s not McDonald’s. They’re done. They did everything in their power to piss the whole neighborhood off.”
See also: McDonald’s meets Ellis Avenue residents: free-for-all, McDonald’s pulls out of P&Z meeting
Kohler said McDonald’s had “six figures in remediation of the property — core samples and wells, and to walk away from it — startling.”
No applications for zoning or a business license have been received at the city, the Maplewood city manager said.
He said any repairs that they’ve done will be warrantied at Schaefer Auto Care (6520 Chippewa Street). He said he plans on moving there and some of the employees at the Maplewood shop will go too. He employs about five to six. Most of his accounts will follow also.
He said their last day, Feb. 29, would be a good day for customers to stop in and say goodbye.
Shell station has been very supportive of Maplewood events. Community car washes, allowing signs to be put up for other local events, Bar-b-ques, etc. I loved and will miss the Bar-b-ques held there. I wonder what other Maplewood business would do this? I am sorry and saddened that they did not get more respect in that they were only given two weeks notice. I wish them good luck as they move, but they will be missed.
As soon as QT came in, that gas station’s days were numbered. Anyway, I’m excited to see what comes in its place! #ILoveMaplewood
Really this gas station supported more people and groups doing fundraising than QT or any other main stream chain ever will. And why not put your name on comment instead of hiding behind “Maplewood Resident”
There goes more of our history and atmosphere that has made Maplewood a desired place to live and conduct business. Greed is happening right under our noses.
Gene and his staff are great representatives of our community. We wish all of them a bright future.
Big brother again drives out the little guy, but he’s not little, when the young turn old they won’t have anyone to relate to…. Who’s gonna say ” do you remember Yolanda at Olive Garden”? You get what you reap,
I miss Olive Garden, but I don’t remember being served by Yolanda.
It would be a big help if city officials helped citizens understand how the established planning and zoning map establishes requirements for businesses looking to fill the space. What you can get away with on the South side of Manchester from Big Bend to just past Laclede Station road (zoned for arterial business) may never work for “Downtown Maplewood” which is the CBI District. Even after attending the citizen academy, it is not entirely clear.
I know that it is possible for a business to replace an old business and not go in front of the P&Z committee – see The Wood turning into the Muddled Pig. The Muddled Pig requires minimal changes and already meets the zoning requirements so no P&Z involvement (and I suppose no City Council involvement either). Tearing down a business and reconstructing would certainly require P&Z involvement, even if the new owner wanted to put in another gas station. Im not exactly sure though where the line is drawn on what needs to go in front of P&Z or City Council.
This particular spot on the corner is further complicated by the fact that the county is responsible for maintaining Hanley and Big Bend and therefore businesses along these roads are arterial business. However, properties that are arterial business can be rezoned – as QT, CVS, Tim Hortons have become “planned unit development” which seems to unfortunately translate as build whatever you want, however you want.
And even though Im not thrilled about the way those businesses are set back from the street, it is ridiculous to think Maplewood government officials are lining their pockets with business kickbacks. They are just following the rules. So, if you are concerned about the building that will be at the corner, the first step is to understand the rules in place and then ask “Why is it zoned this way?” and ask for it to change. It would be a terrible shame to see a building on this corner that caters to vehicular traffic as the other three properties on the corner are. If Maplewood wants to connect its show pony CBI district with the metro link then this property is very important. However, I don’t believe the current zoning is helping in that goal.
I would love to hear more from someone who understands the zoning. The City of Maplewood website has a planning and zoning map… http://mo-maplewood.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/910
Well said, Joe. With as many visceral responses as this story has evoked, it’s important to keep in mind that private interests work within the system established by the City. If it’s consistent with Maplewood’s zoning map and accompanying regulations, and meets county (Big Bend) and MoDOT (Manchester/Hwy 100) requirements, they can do with the property as they please.
There is a middle ground where private and public interests meet. Businesses come to the table with money, land, and the services or products they intend to sell to the market. The public comes to the table with a zoning map, a zoning ordinance, and a comprehensive plan to make sure that private development meets the needs, values, and aspirations of the people. Maybe it’s time Maplewood revisits these guiding documents through an engaging, participatory comprehensive planning process and subsequent zoning code/map update.
Here’s a good primer from the Missouri Municipal League on Planning and Zoning in our state: http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.mocities.com/resource/resmgr/publications/planning_and_zoning_procedur.pdf
Maybe it will be walgreens, yipee.
Full service is available at Leach BP on manchester in rock hill and at Trogs in Kirkwood on manchester across from shop and save. He’s cool old timer who has been there since the sixties.
If you went to Schaefer Shell, you know how awesome everybody there is & they will definitely be missed. Change happens, we need to accept it, embrace it, move on, bla, bla, bla. True. But lately there seems to be more distasteful change. Is corruption, money, greed to blame? Anyone else bothered by what Gene said about the new tenant? Is whoever taking over the lease already approved–without any input from the public? How is that possible? Does anyone know what’s going on??? Lots of things about Maplewood currently are very disheartening and troubling. Even just little things that are symbolic of what is wrong, like a GIANT, ugly, tacky plastic yellow smiley face that hangs over a shop on Manchester in the heart of Maplewood. Things like this are not representative of what we considered to be the heart of Maplewood. Many people chose to move to move here because of what we thought was the very unique charm of Maplewood. But that charm seems to be evaporating right in front of our eyes. and nobody seems to care! It’s sad and frustrating and I feel like no one can do anything to stop it 🙁
I care, and I agree with you…..no one, but us little people, who have depended on the businesses for as long as we can remember, seen to care. And that’s a shame. Let’s just see who is coming in here…..
As someone with a disability and walks with a cane, having a full service station nearby was a godsend on those days when my pain levels were too high to pump my own gas.
Good luck!
Laura – the QuickTrip across the street (and all QuickTrips in fact) has signs on their pumps directing you to call the phone number listed if you have a disability and need assistance pumping gas. They are friendly and quick to serve.
Will they check your car’s different fluids, wash your windows, and check tire pressure? Will they fix a flat if you have one? No they won’t.
Maplewood is selling it’s soul. What made the community great is that it WAS a community. Now it’s becoming a plasticized tawdry commercial flim flam. What made it a great place was the wonderful mix of businesses and people. We’re losing it to the intersection of money and politics.
We’re going to miss you guys. It’s a sad day for all of us.
Q!
I am going to miss not getting full service and avoiding the mess at QT. I am not happy with the whole situation there. Glad I rent and don’t have to worry about losing more of the small town feel of Maplewood . I can move on. Too many parking lots going in for my taste.
I know nothing stays the same, but e use Schaefer Shell for all our car repair needs for years. So convenient, just a few blocks away. All very nice and good work always done. Sad to see them close.
I think they have the last Full service island for gas in the whole st.louis area. They will be missed.
It’s a shame…. Shell (Circle K) could care less too. Just two weeks notice for a business that has been loyal for years and years. Shows you how money hungry big businesses have become and how little they care, when it doesn’t make them more and more money. I will be sorry to see them leave. At least you knew if something was wrong with your car, they could fix it, and do it the right way. And the kids at the high school will miss having a place for their car washes. Good luck, Gene, and hopefully, you and the guys can keep a car repair business going. Whatever goes in to replace you, will probably not work out….but we will see. …
I am disheartened to see them go. The Shell station has deep roots in and around Maplewood. They could always be counted on for allowing schools and such do their car washes along with the different organizations and charities use the choice corner spot to host B B-Qs etc. They gave you the “family” feel in lieu of the cold impersonal Box businesses. Thanks for the Many, Many years of service.
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