Lots of buzz among Reddit posters? OK.
Sounds like SFSTL is one of the handful of parks that actually makes the organization money.
Sounds like SFSTL is one of the handful of parks that actually makes the organization money.
True.JaneJacobsGhost wrote: ↑Aug 07, 2025Lots of buzz among Reddit posters? OK.
Sounds like SFSTL is one of the handful of parks that actually makes the organization money.
When they say “non-core” they’re clearly signaling the oddball water parks.
St. Louis got barely mentioned in the call and all they did say about it was it has about the lowest in-park spend.
^Was there with the fam last week. Spent ~$200 on three season-refill sodas and 5 pretzels. Will probably go two more times between now and Halloween and will do our best to spend $0 each time. The refill sodas are probably worth it if you go multiple times, but everything else is even more overpriced than the major sports venues.
That aside, the park seemed busy all over without being overcrowded. Most rides had <30min wait times, with the exception of the Catwoman ride, which looks absolutely insane to this middle aged man and had a 90min line. The Screaming Eagle is showing its age (49!) but everything else seemed to be well-maintained (the Joker was closed). Hope it stays open, my kids are almost old enough ride everything and really enjoy the experience.
That aside, the park seemed busy all over without being overcrowded. Most rides had <30min wait times, with the exception of the Catwoman ride, which looks absolutely insane to this middle aged man and had a 90min line. The Screaming Eagle is showing its age (49!) but everything else seemed to be well-maintained (the Joker was closed). Hope it stays open, my kids are almost old enough ride everything and really enjoy the experience.
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SFSTL is (was? not sure about park ownership of Cedar Fair before the merger) the only OG SF park to be wholly owned and operated by the company as well, which helps keep costs down. It's positioned solely as a "family" park within the chain, so never expect any real big rides to come (damn you Over Georgia for stealing our Hyper back in the day) but yeah it basically prints money since they don't have to put much investment in other than the occasional ride and maintenance.
At least the Carousel is finally back open after a disgustingly long refurbishment (seriously, why have like two people do the whole thing in-house when you could've just sent it to the original manufacturer for a fraction of the time and not had it not operating for years? Kinda defeats the whole "money-saving" angle).
At least the Carousel is finally back open after a disgustingly long refurbishment (seriously, why have like two people do the whole thing in-house when you could've just sent it to the original manufacturer for a fraction of the time and not had it not operating for years? Kinda defeats the whole "money-saving" angle).
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I would be shocked if SFSTL actually closes. The lack of investment by Cedar Fair is certainly concerning, but this is a solid park that stands alone in the St. Louis area. It's easy to navigate (everything generally goes in one big cirlce) and profitable. If Cedar Fair wants to divest I could certainly see them selling the park to another operator.
TBH the best case scenario would be if they sold to Herschend (the operators of Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, and Kentucky Kingdom.) They could certainly take the park to the next level in terms of a themed experience beyond just rides. Busch Gardens would make a lot of sense too being in AB's backyard.
The upside at SFSTL is actually huge. Numbers have been dropping over the past decade because nothing big and exciting has been added. Any potential purchaser of the park would probably want to add a flashy new coaster right off the bat. Some basic investment into its current rides would make a difference, maybe convert The Boss into a steel tracked coaster (like Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point)
TBH the best case scenario would be if they sold to Herschend (the operators of Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, and Kentucky Kingdom.) They could certainly take the park to the next level in terms of a themed experience beyond just rides. Busch Gardens would make a lot of sense too being in AB's backyard.
The upside at SFSTL is actually huge. Numbers have been dropping over the past decade because nothing big and exciting has been added. Any potential purchaser of the park would probably want to add a flashy new coaster right off the bat. Some basic investment into its current rides would make a difference, maybe convert The Boss into a steel tracked coaster (like Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point)
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... erger.html
Nexstar to buy Tegna for $6.2 billion. The deal would put KTVI, KPLR, and KSDK under the same ownership.
Nexstar to buy Tegna for $6.2 billion. The deal would put KTVI, KPLR, and KSDK under the same ownership.
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... -city.html
MERS Goodwill and Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas to merge into one non-profit organization.
The St. Louis-based MERS Goodwill is significantly larger than the KC counterpart, with an operating budget of $248 million and 1,658 employees vs KC's $62 million and 633 employees.
The new organization will be called MERS Goodwill, but it is unclear who will lead it, where it will be based, and when the merger will be finalized.
MERS Goodwill and Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas to merge into one non-profit organization.
The St. Louis-based MERS Goodwill is significantly larger than the KC counterpart, with an operating budget of $248 million and 1,658 employees vs KC's $62 million and 633 employees.
The new organization will be called MERS Goodwill, but it is unclear who will lead it, where it will be based, and when the merger will be finalized.
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Looking back, Six Flags should have totally been on the east riverfront. Would have made it one of the big draws. Combine the arch and sports tourists with unique amusement park views and it would probably be one of their top 2-3 parks today.
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Eh, but I love the hills there, and the natural views from higher up places is great. I am glad to see Union Station expanding its attractions to maybe act a little as you suggest.
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... stner.html
'One of St. Louis' biggest architecture firms acquires another'
CannonDesign has acquired Christner Architects and will join its forces and grow to around 200 employees located downtown at the CannonDesign owned 4 story, 32k sq ft office building which was renovated in 2009 inside an historic power station.
CannonDesign is a global firm with a heavy presence in St. Louis with major projects including the new BJC Barnes-Jewish West Plaza Tower, WashU School of Medicine's Neuroscience Research Building, and the Central Library's renovation/expansion to name a few. The firm has also been named one of the "Best Workplaces for Innovators" by Fast Company.
Christner's expertise on local and community driven projects like the Stephen & Peter Sachs Museum at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Jewel Box renovation complements and aligns with Cannon's focus on positively impacting the local community and giving back to STL.
(also CannonDesign has probably the coolest office downtown...)
'One of St. Louis' biggest architecture firms acquires another'
CannonDesign has acquired Christner Architects and will join its forces and grow to around 200 employees located downtown at the CannonDesign owned 4 story, 32k sq ft office building which was renovated in 2009 inside an historic power station.
CannonDesign is a global firm with a heavy presence in St. Louis with major projects including the new BJC Barnes-Jewish West Plaza Tower, WashU School of Medicine's Neuroscience Research Building, and the Central Library's renovation/expansion to name a few. The firm has also been named one of the "Best Workplaces for Innovators" by Fast Company.
Christner's expertise on local and community driven projects like the Stephen & Peter Sachs Museum at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Jewel Box renovation complements and aligns with Cannon's focus on positively impacting the local community and giving back to STL.
(also CannonDesign has probably the coolest office downtown...)
Christiner Architects is based at 621 Skinker Blvd in The Link building at Delmar and Skinker. All 50 employees will be moving to Cannon's downtown office.
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Schnucks buying two Wisconsin grocers. Adding 50 stores.
https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/schnu ... tores/amp/
https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/schnu ... tores/amp/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dominion-v ... erty-vote/
Dominion acquired by St. Louis based KNOWiNK, rebranded to "Liberty Vote".
Dominion acquired by St. Louis based KNOWiNK, rebranded to "Liberty Vote".
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^Scott's an old friend and a good guy. Congrats to him and his company. WOW!!!!!
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It's got "Liberty" in the name, so I'd expect the exact opposite when it comes to elections.
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... rters.html
FutureFuel to move its corporate headquarters to Batesville, Arkansas as part of an effort to streamline the company and save money.
The company is currently based at 8245 Forsyth in Clayton.
FutureFuel to move its corporate headquarters to Batesville, Arkansas as part of an effort to streamline the company and save money.
The company is currently based at 8245 Forsyth in Clayton.
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^ Any word on how many employees are here that will be moved? Are they moving everyone out of here or just the execs?
Seems like they only had a few executives based here. So I assume a handful of employees at most. Most of their employees are already based in Arkansas.DogtownBnR wrote: ↑Oct 15, 2025^ Any word on how many employees are here that will be moved? Are they moving everyone out of here or just the execs?
This is more of an "on paper" impact than an actual impact.
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^That's good to hear. At least the impact should be minimal. STBJ made it sound much more concerning, as they tend to do.
And ofc they refer to it as a "St. Louis based" company even though its Clayton based.DogtownBnR wrote: ↑Oct 15, 2025^That's good to hear. At least the impact should be minimal. STBJ made it sound much more concerning, as they tend to do.
To streamline our operations and focus on our main production, technology, and administrative site, we have decided to close our remote headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri and consolidate all corporate activities and key personnel at our Batesville, Arkansas, production facility.
As Auggie says, "remote headquarters" doesn't make it sound like there were many people.
As Auggie says, "remote headquarters" doesn't make it sound like there were many people.
It's all St. Louis.Auggie wrote: ↑Oct 15, 2025
And ofc they refer to it as a "St. Louis based" company even though its Clayton based.
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They’ve probably been planning this move since the old man passed
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... nches.html
Raleigh, North Carolina based First Citizens Bank is purchasing 138 branches of BMO Bank, including 13 in the St. Louis area and three in the city.
I think the most notable branch as part of this transaction for this forum would be the 603 Locust location in the MX Exchange.
Raleigh, North Carolina based First Citizens Bank is purchasing 138 branches of BMO Bank, including 13 in the St. Louis area and three in the city.
I think the most notable branch as part of this transaction for this forum would be the 603 Locust location in the MX Exchange.