Did You Hear Boogaloo's Radio Spot Last Week?

The downtown Maplewood restaurant was featured in the "Maplewood Minute," a radio spot on a St. Louis station.

Morning commuters listening to 103.3 KLOU in St. Louis heard a one-minute spot featuring Boogaloo on Friday. It was part of a feature called "Maplewood Minute," which happens between 7-8 a.m. on Fridays each week. Members of the Maplewood Chamber of Commerce use the weekly ad to gain exposure to a wider St. Louis audience. The chamber has reserved spots through the end of December. Members pay $170 for the ad, notes the chamber's website. The chamber posted a video with the Boogaloo ad's audio on YouTube. Three previous ads in June and July spotlighted Let Them Eat Art. Read more recent Maplewood business news on Patch:

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What Should Open on Sutton Boulevard in Maplewood?

With the recent closing of Mezzanine, one storefront is empty on Sutton Boulevard in downtown Maplewood. What should open there?

A doughnut shop and ice cream parlor are on the wish lists of at least a couple Maplewood residents. A conversation ignited on Maplewood-Brentwood Patch's Facebook page after a simple question: If you could pick one place to open on Sutton Boulevard, what would it be? Others suggested a sushi restaurant, laundromat or a place for pizza by the slice. One storefront is empty on Sutton Boulevard following the recent closing of Mezzanine. Pie Oh My! is expected to open on Sutton by early fall, but the exact address hasn't been announced yet. So, if you could pick a new business to open in Maplewood, what would it be and why? Please share your suggestions in the comments section below this article. Read more recent Maplewood business news on …

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Orbit Pinball Lounge Attracts Early Reviews Online

The skeeball and pinball bar in Maplewood has gained attention as a great destination for date nights and group outings.

The early reviews are in: Orbit Pinball Lounge is impressing those who visit it. The new Maplewood bar—which houses 10 pinball machines and three skeeball lanes—is attracting positive reviews online after opening only two months ago. Patch user Jonathan Spencer gave a five-star review on Orbit's directory listing. "It's nice to have a late night place to hang out that is more than just a bar," he wrote. (Have you visited Orbit yet? Tell the rest of the community how it was by leaving a brief review in our business directory.) The bar also has a 4.5/5 stars rating on Yelp. Those reviews agree with Spencer, adding that its a good location for dates and group outings. "Overall, this is a great place to come with friends for any reason. Drinks…

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Pictures From "Let Them Eat Art" Guillotine Posted on Patch

Take a peek at our extensive photo gallery from the festival on Friday evening.

Bastille Day came to downtown Maplewood on Friday night, and Patch was there with a guillotine prop and a camera. We posted more than 100 photos from the Let Them Eat Art festival on our Facebook page. Be sure to look through the photos, tag yourself and show your friends. And we'd love to see your photos posted too! Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MaplewoodBrentwoodPatch.

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Are You Attending "Let Them Eat Art" in Maplewood Tonight?

The Bastile Day-themed festival will feature artists, live music, belly dancing and more in downtown Maplewood on Friday night.

The French holiday of Bastille Day is coming to downtown Maplewood on Friday. Attendees can expect to experience live music, belly dancing, tarot card readings and dream interpretations, among other fun activities. Artists also will provide live demonstrations in the streets. It's all part of Let Them Eat Art, a themed festival described on the city's website as "Mardi Gras meets the Christmas Tree Walk." Festivities run from 6-11 p.m. (Curious to see what the buzz is about? Check out a Patch video from last year's Let Them Eat Art.) A dog costume contest is new to this year's festival. Five prizes will be awarded to dogs and owners. Judging is scheduled for 9 p.m. at a stage on Sutton Boulevard. A family-friendly section of the festival …

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Letters to the Editor

Maplewood Councilman Raises Food Truck Concerns

Councilman Barry Greenberg, who represents the ward that includes Maplewood's downtown business district, looks at various issues surrounding the food truck debate.

Maplewood Ward 3 Councilman, business owner and resident Barry Greenberg submitted the following Letter to the Editor on Thursday in response to the recent food truck debate in Maplewood. There are many issues to consider here. On the plus side, it adds to the eclectic fabric of the community. It might offer some food choices not currently available from existing restaurants. On the down side, food trucks can cause traffic problems not only from the trucks themselves, but motorists trying to get a parking space close by. There are few viable options for open areas that can be designated for parking food trucks. There are safety concerns for food truck patrons crossing the street. If they are not located downtown, they are encouraging …

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Tom Schlafly Named a Most Influential St. Louisian

Schlafly was among 268 people who were recognized on the St. Louis Business Journal website.

The president of The Saint Louis Brewery, which owns Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, was recognized on the St. Louis Business Journal website on Tuesday. Tom Schlafly was among 268 people who were named "Most Influential St. Louisians" by the publication. Another notable selection was Benjamin Ola Akande, the dean of the business school at Webster University, who is Brentwood city administrator Bola Akande's brother. A photo gallery recognizing all of the selections is available on the St. Louis Business Journal website.

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Restaurateur Jim Fiala Gets New York Cooking Invitation

He will be at the James Beard House on March 20, Feast Magazine's The Feed blog reported.

St. Louis chef and restaurateur Jim Fiala will cook at New York City's James Beard House on March 20, Feast Magazine's The Feed blog reported. Fiala's restaurants include The Crossing in Clayton and Acero Ristorante in Maplewood. Quoting from The Feed: "He was invited by True Refrigeration of O'Fallon, Mo., to prepare a multi-course dinner for 50 invited home-design professionals." Read more about the trip and how Fiala became famous in the complete post on The Feed. More about Jim Fiala on Patch:

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Monarch Chef a Semifinalist for Major Award

The James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chefs Awards have been referred to as the "Oscars of the food world."

Josh Galliano, executive chef at Monarch Restaurant, is a semifinalist for a special industry award. The James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chefs Awards have been referred to as the "Oscars of the food world," reports St. Louis Public Radio. Galliano is one of 20 semifinalists listed in the "Best Chef: Midwest" category. Galliano received the same recognition in 2009 and 2010. Three other St. Louis Chefs—Kevin Nashan of Sidney Street Cafe, Kevin Willmann of Farmhaus, and Gerard Craft of Niche—were also listed as semifinalists this year. Salt restaurant in the Central West End is one of 20 semifinalists for Best New Restaurant, as well. On March 19, the James Beard Foundation will announce a narrowed list of semifinalists via Twitter. …

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