A Chinese restaurant with locations on N. Kingshighway and Gravois was OK’d by Maplewood planning and zoning Monday to open a third location in the corner spot in the Shop ‘n Save mall (7325 Manchester Road). The space was most previously occupied by Dots.
The owners are planning an approximately 35-seat restaurant, with take-out.
The restaurant (St. Louis Kitchen) will have a hot bar, but not an all-you-can-eat buffet, owners told planning and zoning. See the N. Kingshighway location menu on Urban Spoon.
Maplewood officials could give the restaurant its first reading at the next council meeting, on Dec. 9.
Planning a zoning also passed an amendment to allow a restaurant going into a previous restaurant location, to open in the Community Business zone (CB1) without planning and zoning or city council approval—working only with city staff for a permit.
The CB1 zone is Manchester Road in the 7200 and 7300 blocks.
The change would speed up the process for a new restaurant by 45 to 60 days.
City public works director, Anthony Traxler said a restaurant would still need to follow the CB1 guidelines and performance standards. He said planning and zoning hasn’t turned down a potential restaurant in 10 years.
See also: Sushi, ramen, yakitori bar set to take Church’s Chicken location