Shopping Center with Walmart, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond Sells Again

It changed hands in 2010. Now, the Post-Dispatch reports that the company owned by real estate developer and Rams owner Stan Kroenke assumes control.

The busy shopping center at the southeast corner of Highway 141 and Manchester Road has changed hands a little over two years since the last time, according to a report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The newspaper reported that the Phoenix firm that had owned the Manchester Highlands shopping center sold it this week to TKG, which is The Kroenke Group, owned by real estate developer and St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke. The parties did not disclose the purchase price. The center is anchored by Best Buy, Bed, Bath and Beyond and a Walmart Supercenter. It last sold in September 2010 to Cole Real Estate Investments in Phoenix, which paid $48.5 million for the center at the time.

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50 Best Buy Big Box Stores on the Chopping Block for FY 2013

Is the Manchester store in danger of closing?

Best Buy announced Thursday that it will close 50 big box stores in the United States in an effort to improve its bottom line. CEO Brian Dunn said in a press release that as the consumer electronics industry evolves, the company is taking “major actions” to improve its operating performance. The company hopes its new multi-channel strategy will strengthen its portfolio of store formats. The strategy includes “closing some big box stores, modifying others to our enhanced Connected Store format, and adding Best Buy Mobile stand-alone locations,” Dunn said, noting that the company’s goal is to improve the shopping environment, increase its points of presence and improve performance, in addition to increasing profits. He added that the coming …

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Say Goodbye to Walmart Greeters

TAKE POLL ABOUT THEM: Wal-Mart announces phasing out an iconic employee role—those store greeters who issue friendly hellos and play double-agent regarding merchandise return and possible shoplifting. Will you miss them?

Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton fought for years to get people greeters positioned at the front of each entrance of his retail stores, but now customers have to say a slow and sure goodbye to the 32-year run of those greeters. This week, news is spreading throughout business circles about Wal-Mart's greeters being phased out. Patch spoke to a longtime greeter at one West County Walmart, who said the good news is that greeters will not lose their jobs. Instead they will be repositioned at other locations inside the store, he said. An article about this topic in Huffington Post on Wednesday stated Walton first stumbled onto a greeter at a small Walmart in Louisiana in 1980. The greeter explained to Walton he had a "dual purpose: to make people …

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Tax Questions Raised About Manchester's New South Side Shopping District

After years of negotiations, Manchester moves forward with a new South Side Shopping District, despite complaints by aldermen that tax money collected for the shopping district is not being used properly.

On Aug. 11, the Manchester Board of Adjustment put an end to what has been years of negotiations with the South Manchester Transportation and Development District (SMTDD). The board, which handles zoning issues within the city, approved several variances to the city’s zoning law so the SMTDD could begin improvements to businesses in the strip mall directly across from the Manchester Highlands shopping complex. The district encompasses the area on the south side of Manchester Road between Highway 141 and Enchanted Parkway. Since its creation in 2006, the SMTDD has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales tax from shoppers in its district, according to Manchester board of aldermen minutes. Prior to the Aug. 11 meeting, Manchester …

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The Business Break-Down

MassageLuXe Opening this Fall in Manchester Highlands

Affordable luxuries, one franchise at a time. A look at the latest addition to the Manchester Highlands and what's left to fill.

A new MassageLuXe is slated to open in September at 921-931 Brittany Parkway in the Manchester Highlands shopping complex behind Costco. This leaves only three more vacant retail spaces and an undeveloped lot to fill in the shopping center. Manchester's Director of Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Franz Kraintz said that businesses are interested in the remaining spaces and should be moving in before long. MassageLuXe offers nine types of massage, including Swedish, hot stone, deep tissue and sports therapy. This location will also be the first in the area to offer a facial bar, where customers can receive walk-in facials or make appointments for various skin care services. Darren and Jane Thomas will operate the Manchester …

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The Business Break-Down

New Business Roundup

Several new businesses are now open throughout Manchester and Town and Country.

Signs of economic recovery are cropping up all over the West County area as new businesses open their doors and vacant buildings find new tenants. Sushi Ai, an all-you-can-eat sushi bar, will open this fall at 471 Lafayette Center. Franz Kraintz, the director of Planning, Zoning and Economic Development for Manchester said Sushi Ai is in the process of being approved by the city and should receive its permits in July. Sushi Ai is a local restaurant with a location already in Maryland Heights. Massage Luxe will open soon in the Manchester Highlands. Massage Luxe offers massages, facials and waxing services and has eight locations in the St. Louis area. The fast growing franchise was founded by Todd Beckman, a St. Louis businessman who made …

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Opinion

Why Shopping at Manchester Highlands Reminds Me of Being on Vacation in Europe

Sales taxes keep creeping up toward those in Europe and we are to blame. Shopping along Manchester Road can have some hidden costs.

When the new Walmart Supercenter opened in the Manchester Highlands I was amazed at the kind of money I was saving on groceries, drugs and other items. I am also a regular shopper at the PetsMart store for certain high-end dog food products. I recently bought a CD player and speakers at Best Buy. However, shortly after the Manchester Highlands opened I looked at a cash register receipt and couldn't believe the 9.175 percent sales taxes!  It's like being on vacation in England, paying VAT taxes. The standard sales tax in Manchester, 8.175 percent, got goosed another one percent at the Manchester Highlands due to a Transportation Development District (TDD) tax. The for-profit developer wants customers to pay his construction costs for roads…

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Natalia Motola

12:36 pm on Monday, January 24, 2011

This article was very informative. I even make a special trip to that Walmart because of the low prices. I wonder, between gas and taxes, how much am I really saving?   more ›

Tow Trucks Line Up for Children

Metro West Services tow truck company holds its annual toy drive along Manchester Road Saturday until 5 p.m.

Drivers on Manchester Road don't be alarmed at the six tow trucks parked along the Manchester Highlands shopping mall Saturday. There hasn't been an accident, but the Metro West Services towing company is holding its second annual toy drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of Eagle Bank. Lance Romines, supervisor at Metro West Services, and organizer of the event, said the toys will go to children of local Ballwin and Manchester families in need and to the local St. Vincent De Paul Society. Romines said he didn't have to ask his workers to come out to volunteer in the windy, 33 degree-weather. "I didn't have to tell them anything, they all wanted to volunteer," Romines said. "It's nice to give back to all the people in Manchester and Ballwin…

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The Business Break-Down

Manchester Highlands Living Up to Expectations

The colossal shopping center at the corner of Hwy. 141 and Manchester Road is making "satisfactory progress" on its fifth anniversary.

Packed parking lots during the busy holiday shopping season aren't the only indicators that Manchester Highlands is bringing in business. According to the latest figures from Manchester City Hall, the shopping center is close to bringing in millions in local tax revenue. "We can safely say we're approaching $2 million for the end of the year," said Manchester Finance Director Dave Tuberty. "Hopefully it will do even better next year." Manchester Director of Planning and Zoning Franz Kraintz, recently made a presentation updating the board of aldermen on the Manchester Highlands Redevelopment Plan during a public hearing. The hearings are required by law and must occur once every five years. The Manchester Highlands project began in 2005, …

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Your Weekly Patch Preview

Take a look at just some of what you'll find on Town and Country - Manchester Patch this week.

Coming up this week on your Town and Country - Manchester Patch site:   Candidates File This Week for April Election- Candidate filings officially open Tuesday for local school boards and Manchester and Town and Country city offices. Early filing starts Sunday. Patch will let you know who is filing for what. Parkway School District Looks to Restructure School Hours- The Parkway School Board is considering new start and end times for middle schools, longer elementary days and a full-day kindergarten. Patch will explain what changes you could see beginning next school year and take a closer look at what this means to parents and students. Business Breakdown- It's the five year anniversary of the Manchester Highlands Shopping Center project…

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