Starting a Small Business in Florissant: Financing Your Business

"Florissant Patch" rounds up expert tips and valuable resources for small business owners.

Welcome back to our series on how to start a small business in Florissant. This week, we're offering tips and resources for financing for your small business. Last week’s experts, Richard Shoaf and Chris Coleman, are back with more tips for potential small business owners. Bob Russell, the City of Florissant’s economic developer, also weighs in. Many people say that securing financing is one of the most difficult parts of getting a small business off the ground, and they’re right. But if you take the right steps to prepare, you can definitely minimize the amount of stress involved. One of the most common reasons that banks and other lending institutions turn down small business loan requests is that they consider the business too high-risk…

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Restaurant Inspections: Florissant Shaved Ice Shop Needs Updates

Two Florissant restaurants have follow-up inspections scheduled but pass the test.

We’re changing up our restaurant inspections a tad bit. We've expanded our inspections to surrounding areas, including Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights and Hazelwood.  Each week, Florissant Patch publishes information from the local restaurant inspections of St. Louis County Department of Health as well as their grade. Here are the latest restaurant inspections for the past 90 days: Commons Lane Elementary Address: 2700 Derhake, Florissant Date of Inspection: April 27 Type of Inspection: Routine Risk Factor: 2 Grade: 96-A Comments: Mildew found on plastic shield inside of ice machine; door sweep on back door needs repair; inspector noticed ceiling tiles in kitchen, store rooms and restrooms must be corrected to be nonabsorbent.  *Follow-up …

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Do You Think Farmers' Markets Are 'Fresher'?

Local farmers’ market vendors say that the fruits and veggies they grow are superior to grocery store produce for many reasons.

Do you buy the freshest produce possible? According to many area farmers, the fruits and vegetables you buy at the grocery store may not be as fresh as you think. With farmers' markets open now (or about to open) around the St. Louis area, including Wentzville, Lake Saint Louis, Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Clayton, Ellisville, Wildwood, Arnold and elsewhere, we wanted to talk a little about what "fresh" means to you. Tim Hess, owner of Silent Oaks farm and a vendor at several area farmers’ markets, told Patch that most of the produce sold in local grocery stores comes from Calfornia or Florida, areas where many farms are staffed by migrant workers. “It’s a long trail and at the end of the trail you’ll find that migrant Mexican workers do …

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Ed Norman

1:28 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The two greatest deterrents to lo locally grown produce and fruits are... 1. Convenience - everyone wants to have their needs met close to home, easily accessible and inexpensive 2. Instant Gratification - "I want it NOW, even though it is not in season I want it and should be able to have it!" Gone are the days of waiting for the peaches and tomatoes to ripen in the backyard! I personally would …   more ›

Lunch Break

Grab a Sandwich or Soup for Lunch

We've selected two spots where you can get a hot sandwich or cup of soup for your meal.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but lunch is the meal that keeps your fueled up and going for the day. Each week, Florissant Patch highlights eateries in town where you can eat for lunch.  If you head to any of these places or others in our directory, make sure you tell us how your experience was and what you think of the place. You can learn more about the restaurant by clicking on the link.  St. Louis Bread Co. Address: 2375 N. U.S. Highway 67 Price: $ Food Offerings: Sandwiches, Soups, Salads Lunch Specials: None  Deleo’s Café and Deli Address: 2782 N. Highway 67 Price: $ Food Offerings: Sandwiches, Soups, Salads, Wraps Lunch Specials: Ask about daily specials

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Jenoa Olson

2:20 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

Have heard very good things about DeLeo's... especially in regards to the corned beef! Will be stopping by in the next few days!   more ›

The Business Reviewer

Rate and Review: Does Florissant Jewelers Fit Your Needs?

We're asking you to rate and review the local jewelry store.

Have you just had the greatest customer service experience, or worst off, a bad one? Well, here’s your opportunity to let others know. Each week, we’re giving a readers a chance to rate a business in Florissant and tell others what they’ve experienced. It’s very simple. Just click on the link provided of the business’s name, and rate it from there. You can write a small review as well as give between one and five stars. This week, we’re putting Florissant Jewelers in the hot seat for a review. Tell us what you think about the business, or any of the businesses in our directory.  

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Starting a Small Business in Florissant: Employer Responsibilities

"Florissant Patch" rounds up expert tips and advice and valuable resources for aspiring local business owners.

Welcome back to our series on how to start a small business in Florissant. This week, we're offering tips and resources for understanding your responsibilities as an employer. Last week’s experts, Richard Shoaf and Chris Coleman, are back with more tips for potential small business owners. Bob Russell, the City of Florissant’s economic developer, also weighs in. Advice from the Experts “As an employer, you have responsibilities to yourself, your employees, and their families,” Coleman said. “There is a reason why few ever take on the role of employer—because there are so many responsibilities.” He said that among the most important responsibilities an employer has is taking good care of employees. “This includes everything from …

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Deleo's Dishes Out More Than the Traditional Deli

General manager of the new popular Florissant cafe has plans to build upon its predecessor's legacy.

Since opening three months ago, Deleo’s Café and Deli has been edging its way into the hearts and palates of Florissant diners.  General Manager Jake Hall got inspired for the idea after visiting the original Deleo’s Café and Deli in Estes Park, CO. He and his friends had been considering starting a business, and while on vacation in Colorado, they found what they were seeking in Deleo’s. Hall said that he and his partners bought the brand, rebranded it and decided to bring it to St. Louis, more specifically to Florissant. The original Deleo’s closed down late last year when the owner retired. Florissant has allowed for the café to build community partnerships with businesses, such as next-door neighbor T R Gater's Pub by providing a late-…

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Rate and Review: Did Kids Again Meet All Your Needs?

We're asking you to weigh in on the local kids and maternity consignment shop.

Have you just had the greatest customer service experience, or worst off, a bad one? Well, here’s your opportunity to let others know. Each week, we’re giving a readers a chance to rate a business in Florissant and tell others what they’ve experienced. It’s very simple. Just click on the link provided of the business’s name, and rate it from there. You can write a small review as well as give between one and five stars. This week, we’re putting Kids Again in the hot seat for a review. Tell us what you think about the business, or any of the businesses in our directory.  

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