Chamber of Commerce Might Not Be What You Think
The name conjures up a local community group devoted to defending small businesses and mom-and-pop shops.
It’s surprising for many people, even politically engaged people, to learn what the Chamber of Commerce does,
the Chamber often leans toward supporting and funding the agenda and policies of investment groups that may avoid taking a controversial public stand on issues, “allowing them to anonymously funnel money to the Chamber, which then advocated on their behalf. Public citizens follow the money and work to expose the origins of some of the dark cash, found that various contributors to the Chamber — including companies, rich individuals, and politically active nonprofits, This isn’t exactly in line with the mom-and-pop, small-town.

From my perspective, it’s about being around for the long term. It’s good business. 

A Message from the Mid County Chamber of Commerce
By: Executive Director, Jeannine Beck

Is the Maplewood business community going to be okay?
Yes!

In light of the recent string of businesses that announced closings, we feel compelled to reassure the community that downtown Maplewood remains a vibrant business hub for dining, shopping and entertainment. The simultaneous closings cannot be ignored.
Linda Beck maybe a relative of Jeannine Beck, has a colourful history in the Special Business District She operated a business called Flora Diva.
I am not going ton take the time to share my experiences with Linda Beck, however, if anyone is interested post a comment.

I posted on Facebook the following to Rob Birenbaum concerning Maplewood Special Business District not attracting enough “Shop & Walk Maplewood” this can become an experience. St. Charles, MO is charming, from the brick-paved historic South Main Street filled with boutiques and restaurants to the wineries, historic attractions and friendly people. My post on FB:Rob I was studying your shopfront as a design student in architecture. The front door is a standard residential door, and the glazing around the door is not period correct. Do you think it is time for you to make capital improvements for the beautification of Maplewood Streetscape. Did you know that this is the natural built fabric of the street that adds to the experiential quality of the space? Possibly, the Maplewood Special Business District has grant money for your effort. Shopping becomes an experience for the consumer that pays back in multiple ways. Shopfront lost. Maven has been for the past 5.5 years and moved to the Hill.

Viewers are calling the Olympic opening ceremony one of the worst
My comment:
The artistic director is responsible, so France is well known for its liberal tolerance of the expression of art. And it is documented how Hitler felt about abstract art. I would not get on that bandwagon. Maplewood, MO Take a moment or a few days before responding. I believe there is an answer to problems the Maplewood Special Business District could learn from. And I have been bashing the Maplewood Special Business District. And I would like to clear my poor writing skills. 1 The Maplewood Community regarding residence I have little knowledge of what living in the housing includes. When I post, I am directing my comments to only the Maplewood Special Business District and the Administration of Maplewood City Hall. Thank you!

Recent post on 40 South News-
The owner and founder of Speakeasy Therapies and Fitness, Celia Montes, which opened and closed (recently) on Sutton Boulevard, said the business closed in Maplewood because the business was dissolved because she lost her staff.
and A reply from L Shafer July 27, 2024 At 3:54 pm
Was this a bar or a gym?
It appears there is a lot more to this story considering Kirkwood and Maplewood are not an extreme distance for the former employees to travel.
I responded – Maybe some truth, but here are some facts, The business was requesting a state-funded grant and was declined. Maplewood, Mo has become a haven for fraud. The city administration and building owners are acting out of desperation and renting to anyone willing to pay with American dollars.

Shoot! This one was in this Sutton location only like two months! Wonder what went wrong? About 2718 Sutton, So I posted my outlook on what is the problem.

Top fan
Tom Thompson
First – Local politics, Second – Maplewood Special Business building owners are real estate speculators and are only interested in their portfolio holdings, and using empty space as tax write-off, Third Maplewood City signage approval allows a clutter of designs and colors just not a professional appearance, some of the businesses do not even advertise the name of the business, looks shady. Forth – What has been built out is done on a shoestring budget without any professional design choices. (Colors, Material, Door and Window sizing, Hardware used on doors, mailboxes ect.) The Maplewood Mayor needs to hire an Architect. So many projects are not finished. What is up with the crapping-looking Caboose behind this building. The city could change the name to “Brokewood”. That is how I see it. Somebody is not paying their bills.
I received this back from CEAS
You forgot crime is becoming a problem in Maplewood also. Who in the world wants to pay high rent for a bad location. My family roots have been in Maplewood for 80 years. I live here and I’m completely shocked by what is going on. I have had an extremely scary incident in Maplewood involving 5 men with ARs. I did call the police and they were on it. Also let me talk about the people that don’t maintain their property 3 ft of grass and abandoned cars. It takes an act of congress to get it taken care of. I maintain my property but some of my neighbors should be ashamed of themselves. I pay a lot of money on property taxes and I’m tired of Maplewood neglecting to enforce codes. After all these years I’m looking to move to a different county. Maplewood will soon be a shadow of what it was and the town government is to blame.

I uncovered a painted-over ghost sign at 2732 Sutton Blvd. and wanted to restore it, Barry Greenberg told me the city council would not allow it. Look at 2737 second-floor windows falling apart, never painted they were brand new Marvin Windows. Neither the building owner nor the fraudulent condominium property management or other decision-makers on this whole complex to the corner of Hazel ever created a Condominium Association. The complex was built fraudulently. Just look at this Haphazard lacking any obvious principle of organization: Because this was never a Condominium. Maplewood MO City manager Marty Corcoran, the City Council with Barry Greenberg an architect, and Mayor Mark Langston who may still own 2739 Sutton Blvd. This group was behind the cooked-up scheme of a “condominium” 2737 What is Studio X Graphic Design, There is no signage. And look at the Salt Room signage, what a joke. Could you look at Sea Foam Media, it does not match the existing signage. I was given a variance by Maplewood City Council to use that space for the signage I designed. In place of transom windows.
There is a lack of signage review, and building exterior code requirements. This is Barry Greenberg, Mayor of Maplewood MO/ Architect responsibility. The ball is in your court, can you hit the ball back? The key to success, surround yourself with the right people.

Barry Greenberg Mayor of Maplewood, MO is an architect, does he have an opinion on Drinking Water Service Line Inventory – Missouri Water?
Restaurants with lead supply lines.
If a building was constructed before 1989 that does not mean it has a lead service line. Most do not, but it is possible. Should restaurants be lead-free?
You might have lead in your drinking water if your service line, household plumbing, or fixtures contain lead. Buildings built before 1930 are more likely to have lead supply lines. A service line is an underground pipe that carries potable drinking water from the water main to the customer’s home or building.
Application Period is Open
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is offering a new funding opportunity to assist communities with their lead service line inventory, planning, and replacement projects. This funding helps public water systems comply with the revised federal Lead and Copper Rule requirements. The rule requires all public water systems to complete an inventory of all drinking water service lines connected to their distribution system.

Funding is provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and made available through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Funding is expected to be allocated on an annual basis through 2026.

Restaurants close one after another, are they paying too much for rent? Maybe Maplewood has become a glut of restaurants and not enough retail shopping, art galleries, and other shopping interests.

Restaurants closing in Maplewood MO – Summer 2024. When the famed Monarch Restaurant closed on the corner of Manchester and Sutton I was shocked, and my first reaction was “this is the beginning of a downward trend”. I have lost count of the number of openings and closings of restaurants and businesses in the Special Business District. Lately three more restaurants closings this summer Boogaloo, Meadow Cafe, Burger Champ. I remember when former Councilmen Barry Greenberg said to me “Maplewood does not want to be the next Delmar Boulevard” The vibrant Delmar Loop, designated “One of the 10 Great Streets in America” by the American Planning Association. A decade ago, the city’s leaders realized their community needed a new spark, a new call to action. At the time, the city’s face, the commercial strip along Manchester and Sutton, was suffering; at one point there were more than 15 vacant storefronts. And a community development director Rachelle L’Ecuyer appointed. But Rachelle L’Ecuyer, resigned as the Maplewood community development director. Forward to Aug 7, 2018 · In a news release, Loop chairman and “Duke of Delmar” Joe Edwards announced that Rachelle L’Ecuyer will serve as the first-ever executive director of the Delmar Loop.
What I heard from the Councilmen, it became personal for Mr. Greenberg. A specific goal. Now Barry Greenberg is Mayor for a second time. So Barry is getting his wish.
How is this working for Maplewood MO?

April 2 2024 Tonight will Maplewood MO May show its fickle mind and change loyalties. Characterized by a lack of consistency or stability in decisions, preferences, or affections. It’s important to note that fickleness isn’t inherently bad or good. It can be both, depending on the context and the outcomes of these frequent changes. Emotional volatility is a part of everyday life. Decisions change as emotions do, leading to inconsistency. Consider someone with an avoidant attachment style. That person may become uncomfortable with too much closeness or commitment, often resulting in decision-making patterns that keep them detached and independent. Values, likes, dislikes, and goals, usually exhibit consistent behavior and are less likely to be fickle. Ships without a rudder, drift with the currents and winds of circumstances, changing direction frequently. Leading to perceptions of fickleness.

Why was this post removed?
Why I am running for Mayor of Maplewood as a write-in candidate from 40 South News-Is this a form of What is censorship in politics?

What Is Censorship? Censorship, the suppression of words, images, or ideas that are “offensive,” happens whenever some people succeed in imposing their personal political or moral values on others. Censorship can be carried out by the government as well as private pressure groups. Censorship by the government is unconstitutional.

Didn’t know where to post this. Thought folks would be interested. This is the lady that distributed food when she lived in Maplewood.
https://bit.ly/3OWOuEK

Used to be a window painting contest for Halloween in Maplewood. I think it was sponsored by The Observer. (I delivered them as a kid).
I won a prize one year.
Back in the ’50s.

Lived on 7200 block of Manchester above Cook’s Paint during the 60’s. Would love to see some pictures of that store back then. Walked to the newspaper and tobacco store every afternoon to pick up a newspaper.