“As long as I’ve known Barry, he has been encouraging me to get involved in our city. First, the Citizen’s Academy (now known as Maplewood 101), then he encouraged me to apply for the Plan and Zoning Commission. I thought Design and Review sounded more interesting, but I didn’t have the necessary qualifications for it. Little did I know that P&Z was going to be my calling! After serving there for over four years, it was once again Barry who encouraged me to run for City Council. I’m supporting Barry because he understands Maplewood’s government and the role of the Mayor and City Council, and he has a proven track record of working with others – even when he doesn’t agree with them – always with the best interests of our community.” – Sandi Phillips
My Maplewood Story
I started Architectural Design Guild in 1981 with two employees in University City. By 1988, I had grown to the point where I needed more space and wanted to own a building. I was looking for something that was reasonably priced and needed work and had room to grow in an area where there was a thriving retail and restaurant culture. Maplewood was not that neighborhood; in fact, Maplewood was not even on my radar. Driving down Big Bend, I saw the Summers Realty building (now Garden Heights Nursery) for lease and stopped in to see if they would sell it to me. They declined, but said they had some properties down the road that were for sale. The first place I saw was 2710 Sutton. It was near the only two sit-down restaurants in the “Central Business District,” Forest Cafeteria and Morgan’s (the name of the diner on the corner then) and had free parking on the Marietta Lot.
Both the building and the neighborhood would need a ton of work for my dreams to come to fruition. As I began the renovation, I found out two things: the building was a bowling alley constructed at the same time as Saratoga and nobody had renovated a building in Maplewood in 20 years. The few people that walked by were curious and very encouraging. As I became familiar with the city government, I found them to be very helpful. But, at that point, I realized that for there to be other neighborhood businesses, it would require a lot of effort. That is when I met Ellen Bern, the first executive director of the re-formed Maplewood Chamber of Commerce. Her energy and vision were contagious to the point that Rob Birenbaum (then owner of Drum Headquarters) and I signed up to be on the Economic Committee of the Chamber.
The condensed version is that Bob and Barb Suberi bought the building on the northwest corner of Sutton and Manchester and turned it into Bobby’s Restaurant. The former clientele from their previous Delmar Loop location and curious Maplewood residents were intrepid enough to venture in for a tasty meal and great New Orleans atmosphere. A couple years later, Penzeys Spices opened in the 7300 block of Manchester and shortly after that, Tom Schlafly and Saint Louis Brewery decided to put their second location in the old Kroger/Shop ‘n Save at Manchester and Southwest. I was selected as the architect for the brewery, bar and restaurant and it is my favorite project out of 10,000 done during my 39-year career, not only the design but because of what it did for the community. I went on to design Saint Louis Closet Company, Side Project Cellar, Side Project Brewery, Mauhaus Cat Café and numerous other commercial, residential and civic projects in Maplewood. My accomplishments for the business community resulted in me being named Chamber Business Person of the Year in 1999.
I am a member of the Maplewood Kiwanis Club, serving the children of the world and our local community. We have awarded multiple scholarships on an annual basis for M-RH graduating seniors and have benefited school district programs like Joe’s Place and Seed to Table. https://www.facebook.com/maplewoodkiwanis
I have volunteered my architectural and structural expertise to the Missouri S.A.V.E Coalition for the last 23 years. Missouri SAVE Coalition | SEMA (mo.gov)
I did three pro bono projects for the City of Maplewood: Fire/Police Exercise Area, Police Stair Addition and Pool Equipment Enclosure in order to save Maplewood taxpayers architectural fees.
I have been on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Kansas State University College of Architecture Planning and Design for over two decades and have established an annual scholarship for economically challenged students to participate in the Study Abroad program.
I am extremely fortunate to have the love and support of my wife, Deni, for 24 years. She has accompanied me to numerous National League of Cities and Missouri Municipal League conferences, (not at taxpayer expense), ribbon cuttings, Kiwanis meetings and Maplewood events. I am proud of my daughter Lis, her husband Jake and their two boys, Beau and Ryatt. I also take immense satisfaction that my son, Dan, married a teacher and became a paramedic and firefighter. He and his wife Emily have given us both a grandson, Eli, and granddaughter, Mila. And to complete our family is Davi, our beautiful and beloved whippet.
I have committed to give back to my school, my profession, charitable organizations and the Maplewood community, all of which have provided me a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. Please WRITE IN BARRY GREENBERG FOR MAYOR on April 2nd, 2024 so I can continue the work I started almost 35 years ago.
I am a member of the Maplewood Kiwanis Club, serving the children of the world and our local community. We have awarded multiple scholarships on an annual basis for M-RH graduating seniors and have benefited school district programs like Joe’s Place and Seed to Table.