Shrewsbury Small Business Owner is Concerned About Kenrick Development
He's in the TV repair business, and sells them as well. He's hoping his business won't suffer.
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A renovated Kenrick Plaza is now on the way, which leaves at least one nearby Shrewsbury business owner with questions.
The Shrewsbury Board of Aldermen approved Tax Increment Financing for the project in a special meeting on Jan. 29.
Joe McMillian owns A-1 Antenna TV Service Company on 7570 Watson Road, across from the planned Kenrick Plaza renovation.
In an interview, McMillian asked if Shrewsbury has to come up with a funds for the project, and if merchants’ taxes will increase as a result of the financing.
The City of Shrewsbury posted an FAQ on its website on the project and financing. The project is paid for with bonds, which are paid back through revenue generated by the businesses.
He's concerned about the development's effect on his small business. A WalMart will be the anchor.
“As far as it helping business, I don’t know,” he said. “We’re in the television repair business. We sell a few TVs. As far as sales go, it will probably hurt us. As far as service, it might help us, I don’t know.”
McMillian has been in business 40 years, and at his current location on Watson Road for 12.
He said his daughter lives in the apartments west of the plaza, and understands she won't have to move. Neither will his business, on the south side of Watson Road.
PGAV Planners describe the development as “located roughly between Watson Road on the south, and Cardinal Glennon Court on the north, Cardinal Ritter Senior Apartments to the west and the Southwest Medical Center to the east.”
McMillain is also concerned about increased crime.
“A lot of those stores, people go in and steal stuff and shoot out of there,” he said. “I’ve seen that happen up in Sunset Hills. We’re scared all the time when we’re here by ourselves. Someone might come and stick a gun at you.”
He also wondered about the business that will be displaced.
“I guess they’re going to have to pay those people, is that right?” he asked. Businesses such as the St. Louis Sports Zone will receive funds to pay for relocation.
See related in Patch:
Chris P
7:25 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
"Businesses such as the St. Louis Sports Zone will receive funds to pay for relocation."
Unfortunately, from what's available, they will likely be unable to relocate within the development. In the early phases of planning, there was a chance that some buildings could be developed prior to demolishing the part of the center where existing tenants were.
With the latest iteration of the plan, the Wal-mart and one strip center are "Phase I" and will happen simultaneously, at least as of the January meetings.
Inexplicably, the developers said that the displaced businesses could relocate somewhere for a couple years, and the draw of Wal-mart would be so strong that they'd be happy to re-relocate back to Kenrick Plaza after its construction. It is blind adherence to the word of snake-oil "developers" and this type of impenetrable logic that has had me vexed about this project for the past six years. Nothing they say is true. Every word that falls from their lips seems to be shrouded in secrecy, misdirection, and/or lies.
There are a lot of great businesses that we're going to be losing. SportsZone. DaVita. Primary Eyecare. Family Dentistry. Prestige. A chiropractor, a financial analyst...and others.
These were all places that, while they didn't provide a steady flow of sales tax, made Shrewsbury a nice place to live. Ask your aldermen today what they think of non-retail businesses. The answer might surprise you. And we may never see these businesses back.
Francis Soyer
7:48 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The alderman of Shrewsbury have already spoken clearly and loudly on what they think!!!! and it isn't very encouraging for these people or Mr McMillian. Be very clear, Walmart likes nobody, they would much rather you buy a new TV from them then have an old one repaired.
Chris P
8:14 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
I hadn't really thought about the businesses nearby that were not in Kenrick Plaza.
The "conventional wisdom" from the developer was that their plaza and anchor would be such a magnet that everyone would benefit. And maybe that is true.
But I will say that of the three business I know that have expressed an opinion, two (in Kenrick) are livid, and another (this one, not in Kenrick) is playing wait-and-see.
I'm curious what each and every one of the businesses in Kenrick (upper and lower) think. Would make a great Patch article.
maryo
7:34 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
I'm assuming the TV repair business is slow anyway, with the newer televisons. This man has a right to be concerned. He is a tax paying citizen and does not want his livelyhood disturbed. I hope it works out for him and other small business owners in this area.
dave garren
2:04 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
I too feel sorry for folks like Mr McMillian as I do not see how his business will survive. And it is ironic that HIS tax money is going to help finance HIS competitor. A competitor that will surely put him out of business.
Chris P
5:56 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Their site says they are an authorized repair center for all types of TVs including LCD and plasma. Now, maybe it is more economical to throw them away than repair, but apparently they do get repaired sometimes.