Business Spotlight

Fireworks to Mark 10-Year Anniversary of West County Center

A ceremony takes place Thursday morning with events through the weekend.

Fireworks, a dove release, Dora the Explorer and handprint tiles are all part of a 10-year anniversary ceremony Thursday to commemorate West County Center in Des Peres. The ceremony is from 9-9:25 a.m. The first 100 attendees will receive a commemorative gift package, including a $10 dining gift card.  Fans can meet Dora the Explorer and Diego from 9 a.m. to noon and 3-6 p.m., and children can create commemorative handprint tiles that will be permanently displayed at the mall. Chic-fil-A will provide free food during regular mall hours. More events are scheduled through Sunday including live music. To learn more, visit the West County Center website.  RELATED CONTENT:

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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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Business Spotlight

Accessories Boutique Joins Downtown Kirkwood Shopping Scene

With less than a month under its belt, Kirkwood's Sparkle is seeing success.

The location of Sparkle Boutique near the intersection of South Kirkwood Road and Monroe Avenue puts owner Diana Slay exactly where she wants to be. Slay opened Sparkle Aug. 22, and already she is seeing success in Downtown Kirkwood at 217 South Kirkwood Rd. "The foot traffic's been great. We've had a lot of activity," she said, adding the location is a perfect spot to catch the eye of drivers. Sparkle is a boutique store that sells accessories and gifts. The business carries fashion items like purses, hats, sunglasses and jewelry but also gift items like candles and soap. Many of the products are locally made. "With so many little boutiques around, it seems like Kirkwood's become the destination for specialty shops," Slay said. "I figured…

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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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New Apple Festival Saturday in Downtown Kirkwood

The first Kirkwood Farmers' Market Apple Festival will celebrate the fruit with cooking demonstrations, music and tons of samples. Fun kicks off at 8 a.m.

Business Spotlight

East + West Brings Men's Fashion to Downtown Kirkwood

How Kirkwood's newest fashion boutique aims to deliver St. Louis men a unique shopping experience.

Emerging men's designers on the East and West coasts don't have a lot of exposure in St. Louis, according to Brian Simpson, owner of East + West. The 28 year old who grew up in the Kirkwood area is on a mission to change that.  Formerly a financial planner, Simpson recently opened East + West in the heart of Downtown Kirkwood with his wife Lauren. The boutique is one of the few in St. Louis catered toward men's fashion. "I wanted to create an atmosphere and culture that’s comfortable for guys to come into," Simpson said. "What I’ve tried to do is have a very antique Americana feel to the store with a lot of industrial metal and antique wood. It's designed in a setting that feels like a guy’s store." East + West will focus on delivering …

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Sale or Sales Tax Holiday? Which One Offers The Best Back-to-School Deals?

Where will you find the best savings, during this weekend's sales tax holiday or during a store's regular sale? Tell us in our 'Patch' poll.

The Missouri sales tax holiday is underway and runs until midnight, Sunday. From Aug. 3 - 5, Missouri is waiving the state 4.225 percent sales tax and St. Louis County is waiving its 2.7 percent sales tax. Shoppers can save at least close to 7 percent of some purchases as a result. (Read Previous Story: Sales Tax Holiday Now Underway) Sales tax in waived on select items this weekend. Click here for a complete list of qualified items. Many cities opt out of the holiday and are not waiving the sales tax this weekend. The Missouri Department of Revenue lists all cities opting out on its website.  Although the weekend offers welcome discounts, St. Louis Better Business Bureau Director Chris Thetford reminders shoppers that although the sales …

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Kirkwood Not Participating in Tax-Free Weekend

Kirkwood will not participate in an upcoming back-to-school, tax-free holiday due to the need for money and visits from non-residents to big box retailers.

Cities across Missouri are not collecting taxes on back-to-school purchases as part of an upcoming sales tax holiday. Kirkwood is not one of them. The tax-free holiday is from Aug. 3-5. Participating cities will not tax shoppers on clothing, school supplies and computers, as well as other items defined by a state statute, according to the Missouri Department of Revenue. Kirkwood city councils have not participated in the program since its inception, according to Kirkwood Chief Administrative Officer Mike Brown. "The City really does need the money and that is the reason past city councils and voters approved the tax," Brown said. In Kirkwood, the large retailers that sell school supplies are in the Kirkwood Commons shopping area. "Not all…

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Fashion Friday: Fun, Summer Fashion Trends from Head-to-Toe

This week, we take a look at some of the season's hottest new trends in clothing, shoes and accessories from one of the area's newest boutiques.

Looking for some of the hottest trends in summer fashions, shoes and accessories? Chances are you'll find them at one of the area's newest shops — Toulon Boutique in Webster Groves. The new shop recently opened in the same location that was formerly Jennie Annie’s. It's a women’s clothing boutique named after a small, port city in France known for its affordability, relaxed atmosphere and fun. Although there are still a few novelty gift items in the store left over from the purchase of the boutique, Toulon sells a variety of unique, fashions appropriate for all ages. Brands the new store carries include Angie, Radzoli, Nikibiki, OOFOS, Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops and yoga wear by Omala and Twist. Toulon also carries locally owned Before …

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