P&Z approves dueling piano bar on Manchester corner

Some time this week or next Phillip “Spanky” Manaois plans to sign a lease for 7376 Manchester Road — the corner of Manchester and Sutton that has seen a string of businesses come and go in the past several years.

Manaois and partner (general manager), Drew Graefe, were two of three partners in Jive and Wail dueling pianos, which closed in the same location in 2010. Jive and Wail went downtown, but Manaois and Graefe weren’t part of that, they said in the Maplewood Plan and Zoning meeting on Monday.

Plan and zoning approved — for recommendation to city council — their plan for a similar piano bar on the corner. Manaois said by email the tentative name is The Jukebox Piano Bar.

Red Brick Management owns the building, and Manaois said previously that strained relations with Red Brick were part of the reason Jive and Wail left when their three-year lease was up.

Plan and zoning member Kevin Sullivan said he’s happy they’re back. “They bring crowds. There’s overflow to other businesses,” he said.

Member Sandi Phillips she she’s happy about it too, but had a question for the partners: “I have a friend that used to operate a business around the corner, and one of her big complaints was broken beer bottles, spilled beer, etc. in the alley by the side door.”

Graefe said from his perspective, as general manager, no one should leave with bottles, but unfortunately some are drinking beer before they come in. He suggested putting out trash cans and having the staff do a walk-around.

Assistant city manager, Anthony Traxler said the dumpsters in the back are better organized now than when Jive and Wail was open, which should contribute to a cleaner environment.

The commission also approved a group home for people with disabilities, and an auto detail and Internet wholesale business at 2803 S. Big Bend, with the stipulation that a fence is used so cars aren’t parked on the sidewalk. Mike Bogard Jr. is opening the business. His father Mike Bogard Sr. owns the property, and Bogard Jr. is buying it from him.