The City Manager of Maplewood, Marty Corcoran, received an urgent request from Mayor Mark Langston, ”Order more Keys to the City, please!”
The number of new businesses opening has been so brisk in this inner-ring burg that the city is running out of the symbolic key ceremoniously handed to the new business owners. Dozens of businesses have moved to Maplewood over the last year, ranging from architectural firms and art galleries to chiropractors and massage therapists. Maplewood boasts a number of award-winning restaurants, the Schlafly Bottleworks and many unique boutiques, all within a walkable historic downtown.
A Community Revitalized
Two large firms, Moosylvania Marketing and Saint Louis Closet Co. (already in Maplewood) expanded their businesses and poured millions of dollars into the creation of their Maplewood headquarters. David Schlafly, a regional developer, is overhauling the Maplewood Mill building to headquarter several firms as well as debut the newest eatery by restaurant veterans Jimmy Russell and Suzanne Miller, Deluxe. Frontenac Engineering and Pitzman’s Company, the oldest surveyors in the region, have also purchased space below the historic Saratoga Lanes and plan to stake it out as their new home.
Rounding out the entertainment that ranges from bowling at Saratoga Lanes to live music at The Focal Point to live theatre at The Black Cat Theatre, the new Jive and Wail Dueling Piano Bar now offers a lively and exciting entertainment venue soon to become a regional destination.
Rachelle L’Ecuyer, Director of Community Development, agrees that there is a lot going on! “Maplewood is a very accessible area, even with the pending I-64 construction, there are many major roads leading here. We have a great number of destination businesses in an historic area where people can shop, dine and be entertained. Residents love it because many of them walk from their homes; everything is at their fingertips.”
How do you keep the momentum going in an area like this? First, in January 2008, the Special Business District is implementing a “rebranding” of the area. New updated and colorful banners will grace the streets of this historic downtown, guiding visitors to the destination businesses. A brochure featuring the 200 plus businesses will be available from every merchant and will be online at www.cityofmaplewood.com.
Exciting Events in the Heart of Downtown
Maplewood’s Special Business District sponsors several events in the downtown area called “Romps.” These are self-guided evenings where visitors to Maplewood can stroll through the shops, dine in the restaurants and find some real entertainment in the various venues. Maplewood’s Special Business District has also developed a signature event held on Bastille Day weekend: Let Them Eat Art. Let Them Eat Art is a free-for-all carnival-like celebration bringing art, music and food to the streets of Maplewood. You never know what you will find when you turn the corner – belly dancers or poets, a firecracker dance or pirates! This event has grown dramatically in just two years, bringing thousands of people to Maplewood. The Maplewood Chamber holds an annual Christmas Walk the first Friday of December. This event, which includes tree-lighting, caroling and visits with Santa, has made St. Louis Magazine’s A-list!
2008 will bring even more to Maplewood with the launching of the Centennial Celebration that will feature events and activities highlighting the history and the people that made and continue to make Maplewood a great place to shop, dine, play, live, work…stay!