The Year In Business: Potbelly Comes, Reuther Goes; What's Your Top Story?

You definitely were interested in business stories impacting Creve Coeur this year, from new stores and restaurants opening, to longtime staples and large employers which closed their doors. 

Here are some of the stories which caught our eye and yours in 2012, in no particular order:

Potbelly Comes To Town: In January, Patch was first to break news of the the popular sandwich chain's interest in Creve Coeur,  The Creve Coeur spot is the only St. Louis location for the Chicago-based chain.

Ray's Donuts Opens: Once city leaders allowed for commercial bakeries to operate in the area, the stage was set for Ray's Donuts, which had been in Olivette, to move down Olive Boulevard and into Creve Coeur.

Reuther Automotive Closes: The longtime fixture in the St. Louis automotive scene closed in October, as part of a deal that will see Plaza Motors place a new Jaguar and Land Rover dealership at the property on Olive Boulevard across from City Place.

The Reuther dealership lost its status as a Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge franchisee when the U.S. automotive industry was on the brink of collapse in 2009.

The Reuther Ford operation in Herculaneum remains open.

Molina Healthcare, Ceridian: Molina Healthcare, the medical firm, closed its Missouri operation based here after a decision by the state to award Medicaid contracts to another firm. The Creve Coeur office employed a total of 119 people.

, impacting approximately 200 jobs as the company consolidated into Georgia and Florida locations. A company spokesperson said as many as 100 people would be given the chance to work in a virtual environment.

Delmar Gardens Decision Looms

After years of speculation about what it would do with more than 20 acres of property on Ladue Road west of Interstate 270, the senior care provider put forth plans for assisted living and independent living facilities and single-family residential homes at the site.

City staff and many residents praised the quality of the project, but the plan had stiff opposition from neighbors in the area who said it would endanger the residential character of Ladue Road.

The Creve Coeur Planning and Zoning Commission gave the project a negative recommendation in November.

City Council members will next address the proposal on January 14, after Delmar Gardens failed to win a 3 month delay.

Tell us what you think the biggest business stories were in 2012. Did we miss one?