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Metro East Sears Store Slated For Closing

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Alton Square Full Line Sears Store To Be Closed in 2012

More evidence why shopping local, Madison County businesses is very important!
Due to massive forth quarter losses, Sears marked another 24 stores for closing behind announced closings in December and August 2011. Recent store closings have included both Kmart, Sears and Sears Great Indoors stores. Of the 24 recent announcements, only three were full-line Sears stores, one of which is the store at the Alton Square Shopping Center. Malls depend on anchor stores to keep the hallways active which feeds the smaller stores, so the Sears loss at Alton Square is a massive loss to all the stores between the Sears end of the mall and the remaining anchors.

Also, losing any business can impact the local tax base and Sears in Alton will cost all of Madison County in some way. If anything, this is a warning to Madison County residents that we may want to drive to and shop at Madison County retail outlets even if the St. Clair version of the store is closer. The gas money you think you are saving may cost you in tax dollars later
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Full list of sears closings

Spreading a good event: “Night of Superstars” Reveiw

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The Metro East Needs A “Night of Superstars”

Team Puts Together Very Special Red Carpet Children’s event in just 50 Days!
St. Louis Night of Superstars Website
On Saturday, February 25th I had the honor of photographing and videotaping an event for a friend and client who is a REMAX Best Choice agent in South County. When offered the opportunity a few days prior to the actual date, I jumped on it more as a favor to a friend, but soon realized that it was he who was doing me a favor. Night of Superstars is an event that stated in Dallas, TX in 2005 that puts on a Hollywood style awards show for kids that have achieved and amazed despite various health issues. Saturday’s event was the first St. Louis “Night of Superstars”. Read more »

Schedule of events posted at the new Gateway Motorsports Park!

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Madison’s Gateway Motorsports Park Racing Into 2012!

Former Gateway International Speedway renamed, racing and bring NHRA back!
St. Louis and Midwest are racing enthusiasts no longer have to wonder what will be happening at the newly renamed Gateway Motorsports Park because the schedule is up! The regions preeminent racing facility featuring a drag strip, oval and road course races back to life on March 17th with an “Open Test and Tune”. Chassis certification happens on the previous weekend with a “Gateway Kickoff” and a two-day NHRA Chassis Certification.

For complete details be sure to check out: Gateway Motorsports Park Schedule

For those that are willing to work for an early peak at the race track, there is a Volunteer Work Day Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 9AM and it is scheduled to run until 3PM. Sunday, March 4th is a back up day.

When more details become available, I will update the blog and local calendar.Gateway Motorsports Park staff will be updating their Facebook page with more details including who you should contact if you want to attend. They will be providing refreshments for volunteers, so they would like volunteers to RSVP.

Anyone in Collinsville, race fan or not, should be excited about this development! Gateway Motorsports Park is going to once again be an integral part of Collinsville’s prosperity and help grow our community’s reputation as a place in the Metro East St. Louis area to do business and raise a family!