Menards Blames Obama For Decision to Pull Plug on O'Fallon Site

The Suburban Journals reported Monday that a Menard's spokesman has blamed President Obama and his administration for Menard's decision to pull the plug on plans to build a new store on Hwy. N south of I-64.

The development would have straddled the O'Fallon-Lake Saint Louis border, with the Menard's store itself in O'Fallon, but part of the parking lot and outlot businesses in Lake Saint Louis.

The Journal quoted an email from Menards spokesman Jeff Abbott: "I'm very sorry, but we are a family owned business and with the Obama Administration scaring the dickens out of all small businesses in the USA at present, we have decided not to risk expansion until things are more settled."

Patch reported Dec. 6 that documents were included in the agenda packet for that evening's meeting of the O'Fallon Planning and Zoning Commission to to withdraw the applications for the conditional use permit, site plan and rezoning for the project.

A St. Peters Menards store is being constructed on Spencer Road just south of I-70 and plans to open in the spring of 2013.

READ MORE:

• Menards Withdraws Plans to Build on Hwy. N
• Ball Back in O'Fallon's Court for Menards Deal
• Tax Deal with O'Fallon Could Land New Menards Store in LSL