What Businesses Would You Like to See Come to Maplewood?

Vocal residents are capable of doing big things in Maplewood.

In November the Maplewood City Council voted to allow QuikTrip to move its store to the northwest corner of Manchester Road and Big Bend Boulevard. A group opposed to the move gathered the needed signatures to force a referendum, Proposition Q, on the April 2 ballot.

A yes vote agrees with the ordinance and the QuikTrip move. A no vote goes against the move.

Join the conversation: Share Your Thoughts on QuikTrip in a 'Letter to Maplewood'

Andy Barnes and his wife, Katrina, decided to use an online forum to bring chattier residents into a positive conversation about business development. The couple started the "Yes in My Backyard" (YIMBY) Facebook group to let residents "discuss what businesses we would like to see come to our beautiful city!” The page is in response to QuikTrip, Barnes wrote in an announcement on Patch.

"This is not a statement for or against the Quick Trip relocation, only a forum for the citizens of Maplewood to express their desires for what types of businesses that we would like to join our community," he said.

The group has around 60 members, who've thrown out ideas ranging from nut-free bakery to pizza parlor to Indian restaurant. They also discuss new business coming to town (including Strange Donuts and Great Harvest Bakery), and what they'd like to see in other vacant spaces.

It should come as no surprise that people are quick to jump into conversation. A link to a Patch article on the newly-vacant Jumpin' Jupiter space generated a discussion with more than 20 comments on the YIMBY page. A similar post on the Maplewood-Brentwood Patch Facebook page generated another 10 from readers!

Read the latest on QuikTrip:

• Amended QuikTrip Ordinance to be Tabled or Deleted at Council Meeting
• Readers Upload 6 Announcements Around QuikTrip Controversy
• QuikTrip Has Contract on Hanley Road Property in Richmond Heights