Shop Locally in Kirkwood on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 24

Start your holiday shopping at locally owned stores during Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 24 this year, two days after Thanksgiving. It is a day for everyone to support the small businesses that their community thrives on. American Express founded the day in 2010 to help small businesses get exposure during the holiday season, when they might be otherwise overlooked. With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue prospering and building the local economy in Kirkwood. "Downtown Kirkwood has been championing concept (of shopping local) for four years, but it's really gotten to be a much larger thing when American Express got involved and put some of their media money behind it," said Donna Poe, …

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Owen Skoler

9:09 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

What do you think? Is every Saturday "Small Business Saturday" in Kirkwood?   more ›

Business Spotlight

Task Force Aims to Grow Kirkwood Economy

Three organizations are joining forces to speed the process of starting a business in Kirkwood and attract new development.

Members of three organizations have come together to speed the process of starting a business in Kirkwood. Jim Wright, president of the Kirkwood-Des Peres Chamber of Commerce announced the formation of a new task force at the Oct. 18 meeting of the Kirkwood City Council. The task force is called the Center for Economic Progress (CEP) and is made up of representatives from the chamber, the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District and the Kirkwood Business Development Corporation. According to a statement given to the Kirkwood City Council, the mission of CEP is "to explore and create opportunities to facilitate economic growth that will stimulate future sales tax revenue and contribute to the quality of life for the Kirkwood Community …

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Business Spotlight

Should Downtown Kirkwood Get Shopping Directories?

Business and city leaders are exploring the idea to enhance shoppers' experience in Downtown Kirkwood.

The idea of having shopping directories and map kiosks in Downtown Kirkwood met with the favor of city and business leaders during a meeting last week. Fun in the Sun Sports owner Nancy McGee sat down with Kirkwood Mayor Art McDonnell and Donna Poe, director of the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District, to discuss the possibility. At the meting, Poe presented examples of kiosks that ranged in price.   "Both Donna and the Mayor were very receptive to the idea of offering downtown visitors with a more clear way of discovering the shops and restaurants (and parking)," McGee told Patch in an email.  The price of the type of kiosks would dictate the functionality and flexibility of the signage on the directories, according to McGee. "…

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Blues and Food at Kirkwood Farmers' Market

Here's a list of all the vendors who will be at the Kirkwood Farmers' Market Saturday. While you're shopping, enjoy live music.

Kirkwood Farmers' Market Happenings: Sept. 8

See which vendors will be at the market Saturday.

Business Spotlight

Art on the Vines: 'A Little Bit About Art, A Lot About Fun'

How creativity and good times come together at Downtown Kirkwood's painting and party studio.

You don’t need an art degree to enjoy one of Downtown Kirkwood’s newest businesses, just a desire to have a good time. That is the concept of Art on the Vines which opened at 121 Suite B North Kirkwood Rd. in July. The “painting/party studio” hosts events where groups can rent out the space for a variety of functions. Participants bring their own drinks and snacks and Art on the Vines provides the supplies and instruction to create paintings. “It’s a little bit about art and a lot about fun,” owner Robert Schrader said. (Get Kirkwood news delivered to your inbox by signing up for our free newsletter) The studio provides a 16 by 20 inch canvas, aprons, brushes and qualified instructors to guide participants in their creations. “Even novice …

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Kirkwood Farmers' Market Gets New Festival

The first Kirkwood Farmers' Market Apple Festival will celebrate the fruit with cooking demonstrations, music and tons of samples.

The following article was submitted by the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District. Kirkwood Farmers’ Market merchants are welcoming fall and celebrating the local apple harvest with an Apple Festival on Saturday, Sept. 1. This event is Kirkwood Farmers’ Market’s first Apple Festival. Visitors to Kirkwood will enjoy apple samples from local farmers as well as apple related treats and menu items at Kirkwood Farmers’ Market. Visitors to the farmers’ market will also have the opportunity to compare different varieties of apples. Apple lovers will learn to make a delicious apple and pork entrée. Travis Thompson will demonstrate how to prepare this appealing apple dish at 10 a.m. Following the cooking demonstration, The Lulus will add to …

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Winter Fireworks Festival To Be Held in Downtown Kirkwood

A drought canceled the July 4 Freedom Festival, but residents will get their fill of fireworks fun before the year is out thanks to the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District.

The following article was submitted by the City of Kirkwood. As a result of the safety measures made necessary due to the drought this summer, the Kirkwood Community Freedom Festival, one of the area’s most popular July 4th traditions, had to be canceled. In its place, the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District’s (SBD) New Year’s holiday fun will be expanded to include the first-ever Community Winter Fireworks Festival. This family-oriented event will be held on Dec. 29.  Entertainment will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at 6:30 p.m. The rain or “ice” date will be Sunday, Dec. 30. The fireworks will be launched from the parking lot at Kirkwood City Hall. During the fireworks display, a portion of Kirkwood Road and …

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Streetlight Banners in Downtown Kirkwood Get Redesign

Businesses can purchase promotional space on the banners that will hang for three years.

The streetlight banners that hang in Downtown Kirkwood’s Special Business District likely won't look the same come this fall.  On Monday, the city's Architectural Review Board approved a new design for the banners that features bright colors and provides promotional space for members of the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District.  The banners will hang for about three years and promotional space will cost about $400 per banner, according to Donna Poe, executive director of the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District. The Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District is beginning the process of offering promotional space on the banners to members. Poe said she would like to have the banners hanging in the fall.  Tell us what you …

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Business Spotlight

11 New Businesses in Downtown Kirkwood

Downtown Kirkwood has seen a host of diverse businesses move into its special shopping district and more openings are coming soon.

The Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District has seen an influx of new businesses recently and entrepreneurs who want to call Downtown Kirkwood home just keep coming. In May, the following businesses opened in Downtown Kirkwood: In June, the following openings are planned: Within in the next few months, the following businesses will open their doors: “We are pleased that these businesses have selected locations in downtown Kirkwood,” said Peggy Heffner, Chairperson of the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District Advisory Commission and co-owner of the retail store Down By The Station, in a statement. Heffner, who has worked in downtown Kirkwood for nearly 30 years, added that the ongoing efforts of the Special Business District and …

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