City Council Approves Permit for Faith-Based Resale Shop

St. Charles City Council on Tuesday approved an application for a permit for a resale shop at 2215 Droste Road, the former location of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.

Cindy Besselman, wife of Ward 2 Councilman Tom Besselman, applied for the permit. Tom Besselman abstained from voting on the issue.

Several people spoke in favor of the business, which would be called Renewed Treasures. The thrift shop would be run as a nonprofit and the net profits would be given to charities, several board members said. Members anticipated many donations from students at Lindenwood University.

Cindy Besselman said the store would be similar to resale shop in Creve Coeur or the in Clayon.

"We are looking forward to making a dfiference," she said.

Business hours would be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

Up to Four Home-Based Businesses Allowed in One Home

St. Charles residents can now legally have up to four home-based businesses in a home.

Council President Michael Klinghammer, Ward 8, proposed changing the ordinance to allow more than one home business in a home. Klinghammer said if people are going to play by the rules, the rules should allow them to do so.

"We don't want to turn residential areas into commercial activities," Klinghammer said. "We're not trying to start cottage industries. We do recognize the fact that the workplace has changed." 

Councilman Bob Kneemiller, Ward 4, suggested the council amend the proposed change to allow up to four home based businesses. He said there could be a family who has one certified public accountant who may want to do work under two LLCs, plus his wife and child who may want to run businesses.

"Our whole goal should be to get people to have the proper business license and run them in the proper fashion," Kneemiller said.

Council Weighs in on Combined St. Charles/St. Peters Chamber of Commerce

Several city council members weighed in on the to create on the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce.

Kneemiller said the merger is interesting. He said it's good that the cities have begun to do more things together, like

As far as the chambers combining, "I don't know if it's good, I don't know if it's bad," he said.

Klinghammer said he thinks the move makes the overall organizations stronger in these economic times.

"The boundary lines between St. Charles and St. Peters are evaporating quickly," he said.