Small Business

The owners of Bartolino's South are spearheading a lawsuit to keep indoor dining open in St. Louis County. They say at least 50 restaurant owners have signed on to the lawsuit and the list is growing.

St. Louis County Restaurants Defy Public Health Order, File Suit Against Page

Corinne Ruff

A growing number of restaurants are signing on to a lawsuit in an effort to keep their indoor dining rooms open as coronavirus cases surge.

Bob Koplar closed his indoor cycling business Steel Wheels late spring. He said the coronavirus pandemic and new restrictions from the city made it impossible to run the business safely.

Economy & Business

‘We’ve Done Everything We Can’: Small-Business Owners Struggle With Decision To Close

Corinne Ruff

Small businesses in St. Louis have faced shutdowns, restrictions and fewer customers during the coronavirus pandemic — and there’s still no end in sight.

Kristina Colón Leininger opened Kristina's Casa in Rolla to help serve the small, but growing Hispanic community.

Economy & Business

Hispanic Business Opening In Rolla Looks To Serve Growing Community

Jonathan Ahl

Rolla has a small but growing Hispanic population, and a local woman has opened a bodega to help serve that community.

Ken Zheng is one of many St. Louis entrepreneurs who have had to quickly rethink their startup's focus during the pandemic.

Economy & Business

Startups Work To Pivot In The Midst Of A Pandemic

Corinne Ruff

Early-stage companies are always a risky proposition, but these days they have to find new ways to deliver products and services and reach investors online.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday announced $50 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to be available to businesses across the state.

Government, Politics & Issues

Parson Announces $50 Million In Coronavirus Relief Grants For Business; Finishes Bill Signing

Jaclyn Driscoll

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Tuesday that he is making $50 million from the federal coronavirus relief funds available to businesses throughout the…

Drake's Place restaurant's sous-chef, Deundrake Lewis Jr. May 27, 2020

Economy & Business

Black Business Owners In St. Louis Worry They May Not Survive The Coronavirus Crisis

Andrea Y. Henderson

After years of ups and downs, Drake's Place in Ferguson was beginning to turn a profit in recent months, thanks to the many customers who kept coming back…

Sarah Young reopened her salon in Creve Coeur this week, but customers at Sola Salon must come in one at a time and follow strict safety rules, including wearing a mask and having their temperature taken. Week of 5/22/20

Economy & Business

Many St. Louis-Area Businesses Reopened This Week. Others Feel Pressure To Do The Same

Corinne Ruff

Sarah Young’s salon in Creve Coeur sat empty for almost two months. But this week, after stay-at-home orders were lifted, she reopened her booth at Sola…

St. Louis-area businesses remain closed as the coronavirus pandemic drags on. Weeks of reduced income, or none at all, has stretched small businesses thin.

Economy & Business

How Will St. Louis' Small Business Sector Look Once Things Reopen?

Corinne Ruff

As the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic worsens, small businesses throughout the region — and across the country — are struggling to stay afloat.…

Taken on 4-22-20 amid local stay at home order

Economy & Business

Some St. Louis Businesses Are Getting By On Small Loans, But It’s Temporary Help

Corinne Ruff

A local small-business loan program plans to distribute $2.3 million to businesses in St. Louis and St. Louis County that are struggling to stay afloat…

Indigo Massage & Wellness is among the businesses that closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Pictured April 3, 2020.

Economy & Business

Unemployment Is Soaring, But St. Louis Economists Say Don't Compare This To The Great Recession

Kae M. Petrin

Unemployment claims began skyrocketing in Missouri and Illinois in mid-March following orders from state and county leaders that have restricted movement…