Maplewood Chamber of Commerce

The 4th Annual Taste of Maplewood Street Festival will be held on Saturday, May 19th from Noon-9:00 p.m. on Sutton Blvd., just South of Manchester. Vendor registration is open now through  May 4th.

This event brings thousands of visitors to Maplewood where Sutton Blvd. is lined with restaurant and boutique tents. The Chamber provides live entertainment on our  Main Stage and Community Stage areas.  As past participants can tell you, the event provides tremendous exposure for businesses and an opportunity to promote or sell your products and services. We limit our vendors to those businesses and organizations located in Maplewood. Have additional questions? Taste of Maplewood Questions and Answers for TOM Vendors

Interested in event sponsorship? Click here. Make sure to check the 2012 Taste of Maplewood Event Webpage for event updates and details.

Get Started with Registration

STEP 1: Review Vendor Guidelines here 2012 Vendor Guidelines

STEP 3: If your booth will require electricity, fill out the electricity order form here Electricity Form

STEP 4: Return your form and payment to the Chamber Office (This completes your registration if you are not serving food or alcohol at your booth)

If you are planning to serve food at your booth complete Step 4. If you are planning to serve food AND alcohol, complete steps 4 and 5. See Checklist for more information Restaurant-Vendor Checklist

STEP 5: If you are planning to serve food, you must obtain a Temporary Food Establishment Permit from St. Louis County Click here for the application 

STEP 6: If you are planning to serve alcohol, you must obtain a caterers license. Click here for the Checklist Click here for the Caterers Licence Application. (You will not be able to obtain the letter from the City of Maplewood for this license until you are a registered with the Chamber as a participant of Taste of Maplewood. Tip: You may consider applying for your liquor licence for Let Them Eat Art (City of Maplewood SBD event) at the same time.

Registrations received after May 4th are subject to a $100 late fee! If you have any questions are concerns, don’t hesitate to contact the Chamber office at 314.781.8588.

The Maplewood Chamber of Commerce and its Economic Development Committee wants to ensure your business success. We are a solution for your business needs and challenges.

NetSolution is an informal opportunity for you to meet area business owners and gain perspectives of what could solve your business challenges. NetSolution follows the Master Mind concept:

*Briefly explain the ins and outs of your business (your business model): i.e. What makes your business work? How does your business make money?

*Be specific about what you want to accomplish during NetSolution: a problem you are experiencing; a goal you are working towards; or people you need to meet.

*Be open to new ideas.
Space is limited to 10 participants.

Our first NetSolution:
DATE: Thursday, May 10
TIME: 11:30-1:00
WHERE: The Wood, 2733 Sutton, Maplewood

RSVP HERE

Last month, the Chamber Board voted to take a position that opposes food trucks in Maplewood.  We sent a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and gathered over 35 signatures in support of our position. Additionally, we encouraged restaurants and retailers to write letters to the Commission as well.

The Planning and Zoning Commission met last night and gave the public an opportunity to voice their opinion. Representatives from Home Wine Kitchen, The Crows Nest, Jimmy Johns and The Post Sports Bar and Grill all spoke about the detriment that food trucks will have on their business. Rob Birenbaum, Commercial Property Owner, also spoke about his interest in protecting his tenants from the negative impact of food trucks. It should also be noted that Birenbaum led the charge in bringing awareness of the food truck issue to the Chamber, businesses and other organizations. Finally, Bill Berthold, President of the Chamber, spoke to communicate the Board’s position and presented the signatures that had been collected. The public portion concluded without any favorable support for  food trucks in Maplewood.

Ultimately, the Planning and Zoning Commission opted to take no action on the matter,thereby, upholding the current ordinance that food trucks are not allowed in the City of Maplewood. There is still a possibility that the issue may come before the Maplewood City Council, who have the authority to change the business code to allow food trucks into Maplewood.

With thousands of people attending the Taste of Maplewood Street Festival each year, there is no better place to promote your business. We’re expecting our largest crowd yet on Saturday, May 19th! Taste of Maplewood sponsorships are both affordable and effective! Sponsorship’s can be customized to fit every budget and need!

Sponsor satisfaction is our top priority and for that reason, we have elected to limit the amount of sponsors at certain levels this year. While this may translate into lost revenue, it ensures that our secured sponsors are given the highest visibility and will not be lost in a sea of logos.

To view all sponsorship opportunities and levels, click here.

To view pictures  illustrating how sponsors have been recognized at the Taste of Maplewood, click here. 

Interested in Vendor Registration? Click here. Make sure to check the 2012 Taste of Maplewood Event Webpage for event updates and details.

The Maplewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Twitter Workshop on Thursday, April 12th from 8am-10am at Stone Spiral(2500 Sutton Blvd.)

Social media is changing how business and networking are done. People are using Twitter to keep in touch, promote their products and services, find a new job or find new clients. Learn how Twitter can help you bring your message to the world. Whether you’re a small business owner or corporate executive, a realtor or handyman, this class will help you tailor Twitter to meet your needs.

This is a participatory activity-driven workshop. Participants will learn effective ways of using Twitter from understanding basic terminology and etiquette, to composing a Tweet that will be noticed and stand out. Participants should bring a laptop computer to the workshop.

Special thanks to our generous sponsor, The Rampant Creative Group who is making it possible to offer the workshop at a discounted rate. The cost of this workshop typically runs between $75-$150. We are offering it to Chamber Members for $25 and $40 for Non-Chamber Members.

Space is limited so register early. Click here to register.

Recently, Jerry Gibbs, Chamber President, and I were interviewed by Ryan Martin of Maplewood-Brentwood Patch.com about the Chamber’s progress in 2011. As I prepared for the interview, looking back at the last 12 months, I was reminded just how far our organization has come in a short time.

In 2011, the Chamber  welcomed 17 new or relocated businesses to Maplewood with Ribbon Cutting ceremonies. We held well over 30 networking events for Chamber Members resulting in stronger relationships among our membership. The launch of our Net-Lunch program was a hit as well as our first ever Chamber Pub Crawl in conjunction with the City of Maplewood, Let Them Eat Art event.

The Chamber experienced our highest attendance and success in years for both of our signature events.  Despite a forecast of epic storms and torrential rainfall, the Taste of Maplewood Street Festival brought record crowds who enjoyed sunshine, live music and tasty bites from our restaurants. The Christmas Tree Walk looked like a cross between Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and Black Friday at its very best. There is nothing more fulfilling to myself or our Board, then seeing Maplewood filled with visitors spending time and money enjoying our businesses.

Finally, perhaps our greatest accomplishment of 2011, was the launch of our website! Redesigning our website was a major part of our strategic plan that came to fruition in August. The new site allows us to serve and promote our Chamber Members in ways we haven’t in the past.

After reflecting on the year and trying to pinpoint the success factor, I concluded that it takes the perfect storm to create a year like 2011. It begins with a strong and innovative leader, like Jerry Gibbs, supported by a dedicated and involved Board of Directors. It gains momentum by buidling strong parternships with the City of Maplewood, MRH School District and community leaders. It grows by taking risks, experimenting with new ideas and thinking outside the box. Finally, it is sustained by our Chamber Members who choose to be active, involved and engaged. This was the perfect storm of 2011.

2012 Anniversaries

2012 marks significant anniversaries for several Chamber Members. Please let us know ASAP if your business is celebrating an anniversary that we haven’t acknowledged below.

Congratulations to all of the following businesses:

80 Years

Jay B. Smith Funeral Home

75 Years

 Sherwood Forest Camp

65 Years

 Essex Manufacturing

45 Years

 Unique Heating and Cooling

25 Years

 Cozad Commercial Real Estate

Gobberdiel Strategic Communications

Myotherapy Pain Relief of Missouri

20 Years

 Schaefer Shell

10 Years

Girls on the Run St. Louis

 Event Partners

Martz & Wilson

5 Years

Mike Piazza Automotive

Premier Insurance Source

Saint Louis Cellars

The Hermann London Group

Troll Construction

The Maplewood Chamber of Commerce’s 10th Annual Christmas Tree Walk is December 2, 2011.

Join us as we officially kick off the holiday season in Maplewood at the 10^th Annual Christmas Tree Walk. The festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. in Citizens Park with caroling, the grand lighting of the tree and Santa Claus’s arrival. Throughout the evening, enjoy free carriage rides, hot chocolate and a shuttle service that will take you through historic Maplewood. Visit our merchants and take advantage of their holiday shopping specials. Relax and refuel at one of our popular dining destinations or coffee shops that are featuring live entertainment. Make Maplewood your first and last stop for holiday cheer, shopping and entertainment. Very special thanks to our sponsors: City of Maplewood Special Business District, Citizens National Bank, Moosylvania, Sunnen Products Company, Patch.com and the MRH School District.

Participation information for Maplewood Businesses and 2011 Christmas Tree Walk Registration Form

Program of Events

 6:00 p.m.

• Grand Lighting of the Christmas Tree
• Caroling
• Arrival of Santa Claus
• Merchant Window Decorating Contest winners announced

6:30-9:00 p.m.

• Santa visits and photos and free carriage rides (7305 Manchester)
• Merchant Open Houses throughout Maplewood
• Free Shuttle Service (see map below)

See below for a list of participating businesses. Check often for updates.

Citizens National Bank (7305 Manchester Ave.)  Train Display, visit and picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Kakao Chocolate (7272  Manchester Ave.) Handmade chocolate samples, specials on hot chocolate

Tigerlily Gifts & Monograms (7328 Manchester Ave.) Book signing by Amanda Doyle, personalized ornaments by artist

Home Wine Kitchen (7322 Manchester Ave.) 3 course special menu for $40 (not including alcohol)

St. Louis Salt Room (2739 Sutton Blvd.)   Open House, celebrating our first year with various specials offers

Paramount Jewelers (7348 Manchester Ave.)  Holiday appetizers and drinks

Charm Boutique (7312 Manchester Ave.)  Christmas cookies

Roots (3104 Sutton Ave.)  10% off entire purchase and light refreshments

Vom Fass (7314 Manchester Ave.) Complimentary wine tasting, apple punch, cookies

Encore Baking (2730 Sutton Blvd.) Complimentary cake samples

Maya Cafe (2726 Sutton Blvd.) Live entertainment and specials on selected drinks

Concordia Lutheran Church (7291 Sarah) Complimentary food, music performances, and caroling

Foundation Grounds (7298 Manchester Ave.) Seasonal drinks including hot cocoa, apple cider, and honey cardamom latte

Gisele’s (7318 Manchester Ave.) Special pricing on certain items for the evening only

Stellar Batik (2506 Sutton Blvd) Light refreshments

Penzeys Spices (7338 Manchester Ave.) Complimentary  1/4 cup jar of Penzey’s mulling spice

Boogaloo (7344 Manchester) Live entertainment and specials on holiday beverages

Saratoga Lanes (2725A Sutton Blvd.) Buy one game bowling get one free or free shoe rental

Airedale Antics (7316 Manchester Ave.) Refreshments, $5 nail trims or coupon for later use, meet trainer Jennifer Huddleston, 50% off marked gift items

The Post Sports Bar & Grill (7372 Manchester Ave.) $2 Schlafly seasonal beer

The Wood (2733 Sutton Blvd.) Live entertainment, special on Irish hot chocolate

2012 Membership Form Website_distributed

What’s out? Black Friday What’s In? Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is on November 26th.  Nationwide, the public is asked to shop “small” on the Saturday of the biggest shopping weekend of the year. There is no better place in St. Louis for small business shopping than Maplewood! Below is a list of Maplewood businesses running special promotions on Small Business Saturday.

Check back often for an updated list.

Tigerlily Monograms & Gifts (7328 Manchester Rd.) Complimentary food and wine punch, 20% discount on personalized ornaments

Maplewood Scooter Company (7509 Manchester) $300-$1000 off selected Scooters, 10-30% off Scooter accessories

The Kerry Cottage (2119 S. Big Bend) 10% of the proceeds taken in will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul