What's Wrong with Working from Home? Would You if You Could?

Now Best Buy has joined Yahoo! in banning employees from working from home.

Here at Patch, there is no "here." We all work from home. Or from coffee shops, public libraries, patios, porches and dining rooms—anywhere we can get a wi-fi signal. It keeps us nimble, keeps costs down and let's us work out in the world with the people in the communities we cover. It's a great gig. And not to gloat...but I was in the warmth of my home office working while some of you were fighting traffic during the recent snowstorms. But it's obviously not for everyone. Some people prefer the office environment, the regular interaction face-to-face with coworkers. And in the case of Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo!, she wasn't having it anymore. She insisted several weeks ago that the company employees could no longer work from home. But …

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50 Best Buy Stores on the Chopping Block

It's for fiscal year 2013. Is the Brentwood 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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Black Friday News and Updates

Find the latest on Black Friday lines, deals and news as it happens. If you see something we should know about, send us a tip at Lindsay.Toler@patch.com or tweet @StLouisLindsay.

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Brandon Fry - Local Volunteer

9:38 am on Friday, November 25, 2011

We got in and out with all of our video games in about 1 hour. We got some great deals and little hassle with long lines this year. Of course we avoided the big box stores. Once we left the mall and went to McDonald's it was a different story.   more ›

Black Friday Shopping Guide in St. Louis

The stores, sales and strategies you need to optimize your all-night shopping blow-out.

Here’s a new holiday tradition to try: Say grace, eat turkey, head to the mall. Black Friday sales start at midnight this year at some of the regions biggest stores, including Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and Best Buy. We’ve read through the ads and compiled everything you need for the best all-night holiday shopping blow-out possible. And for each sale, we've highlighted the items we think would make the best gifts (at the best prices!) Check back on Black Friday for updates and tips, and if you hit the sales, tag your tweets with #BlackFridaySTL or mention @StLouisLindsay. And don't forget: Black Friday sales are already starting online at popular big box stores. Best Buy said they've already sold out of popular $80 TVs and $150 laptops, but …

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Black Friday Deals Bring Crowds to Brentwood and Maplewood

Crowds from the metropolitan area line up and race through the big box stores for holiday bargains.

Bonita Brock and Cicely Tucker, two St. Louis County residents, waited through rain, sleet and snow for a 32" television with Blu-ray player and a Nintendo Wii. Holiday shoppers endured 20 degree temperatures in Brentwood and Maplewood in the early morning on Black Friday. They hoped to score great deals on appliances and electronics. Brock and Tucker, mother and daughter, were first in line at the Brentwood Best Buy for the "Friday Doorbuster Specials." An employee from the Sports Authority, next door, took pity and gave them a 10-pack of hand warmers. Best Buy employees walked the line passing out tickets for limited-number items. Shoppers waited until 5 a.m. for the doors to open. "It's a family tradition," Tucker said. They've been …

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Black Friday Deals in Maplewood and Brentwood

Check out these fantastic deals on electronics, apparel and more.

For many, the most exciting part about the Thanksgiving season is not the holiday itself, but the morning after. Scores of eager crowds line up outside of stores as early as 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (yes, you read that correctly!) to get a jump on the deep discounts this unofficial holiday has to offer. There are dozens of excellent deals in the St. Louis region; here are just a few in the Maplewood-Brentwood area that caught our eye. Best Buy 8300 Eager Road; 314-646-1331 Open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday This big name electronics store is pulling out all the stops for Black Friday. Enjoy television watching in style with the Panasonic 50" Plasma HDTV for $699.99 (regularly $999.99). In the market for a new washer and dryer? LG has a deal …