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Florissant City Council meeting
Aldi’s Plans 2nd Store in Florissant,
MERS Goodwill to Open Education Center
By Carol Arnett
A restaurant, high school, and grocery store were all on the agenda Monday night as the Florissant City Council held its first meeting of 2023.
The council held a public hearing on a request by Krystal Smith to open Krissy’s restaurant at 2470 N. Hwy 67. This is between the KFC and Domino’s on Lindbergh, across from Target.
Smith said she has been in business for three years. Her restaurant sells funnel cakes, burgers, ice cream, and other foods. Her current location is on Parker Rd. in Bellefontaine Neighbors, and she plans on closing it when the new location opens.
Councilman Tommy Siam asked Smith if she would use the drive-through at the location, and she said no. She said 12 to 14 people could sit inside. Her hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Smith said her goal to open is February.
No one spoke in opposition and the council held a first reading on the bill approving the project.
The second public hearing was a request by MERS Goodwill to open an Educational Development Center at 3180 N. Hwy 67. This is on the former Lowe’s property.
Mark Arens, president and CEO of MERS Goodwill, spoke to the council. He said the center would allow adults to finish high school. They would serve about 200 individuals.
“It allows adults to pick up where they left off,” Arens said. They can complete the credits they need to finish high school. The location also offers preschool and life coaching to students. It would be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Classes are Monday through Thursday, with tutoring sessions on Friday. (
Arens said there are schools in Columbia, Springfield, Poplar Bluff, and St. Louis City. They have been operating in 2018.
Councilman Tommy Siam asked if it was a year-round operation. Arens said it was. Arens said that they could have about 120 students at once. They would like to open on March 20. The school is open to ages 21 and up.
Councilman Andrew Harris asked about transportation. Arens said they did not provide transportation, but they did work with students to arrange carpools and they provide gas vouchers.
Councilman Robert Parsons asked about funding and if the students pay for the service. Arens said that there is no tuition charged to students. It is funded by the state. The school will not provide food, but will partner with local food banks to help students who need it.
Goodwill asked for two readings on the bill so that they could begin construction. However, the council held only a first reading on the bill that would approve the project.
A third public hearing was about a proposed ALDI at 182/240 Howdershell Rd. This is across Howdershell from Koch Park.
Brandon Harp spoke to the council about the project. He said Aldi had the two properties under contract. They would like to consolidate the two parcels and rezone it for the grocery store. The proposed store would have approximately 21,000 square feet and 97 parking spots. It would be open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.
No one spoke in opposition and the council held a first reading on the bill approving the project.
In other matters, the council:
- Passed a bill authorizing a special use permit to Behind the 8 Ball for the operation of a billiard parlor at 1165 N Hwy. 67.
- Passed a bill imposing a sales tax of three percent on adult use marijuana sold within the city. This is subject to approval by the citizens at the April 4 election.
- Passed a bill authorizing an appropriation of $50,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for Professional Services – Economic Development. This is to allow the city to enter a contract with Retail Strategies, company that works to recruit retailers to the city.
- Approved a request for a full liquor by the drink license for Plush Lounge at 12667 New Halls Ferry Road. Owner Prince Koroma spoke to the council.
Council Presidents Joseph Eagan said that he concern was that the business will be a nightclub, not a restaurant or sports bar.
Koroma said he had several TVs for sports, and no dance floor. Koroma previously offered hookah. He said he removed the hookah, but some council members said it was still there recently.
- Approved two requests to transfer special use permits, one from St. Catherin RHF Housing, Inc. to All Saints Apartments at 3350 St. Catherine and one from Desmet RHF Housing Inc. to All Saints Apartments at 1425 N. New Florissant Rd.
