What's Wrong with Working from Home? Would You if You Could?

Now Best Buy has joined Yahoo! in banning employees from working from home.

Here at Patch, there is no "here." We all work from home. Or from coffee shops, public libraries, patios, porches and dining rooms—anywhere we can get a wi-fi signal. It keeps us nimble, keeps costs down and let's us work out in the world with the people in the communities we cover. It's a great gig. And not to gloat...but I was in the warmth of my home office working while some of you were fighting traffic during the recent snowstorms. But it's obviously not for everyone. Some people prefer the office environment, the regular interaction face-to-face with coworkers. And in the case of Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo!, she wasn't having it anymore. She insisted several weeks ago that the company employees could no longer work from home. But …

•  7 Comments
• Photos (1)

Ellisville 'Best Buy' Closing, Shoppers Sent To Chesterfield

When shoppers arrived at the Best Buy Saturday, they were told the store was closed and referred to other nearby stores. The store is open for business Sunday as it prepares to shut down for good.

This weekend, Best Buy electronics store announced on its website that the Ellisville store off Manchester Road is closing. The store was closed Saturday but reopened Sunday with 20 percent markdowns. Would-be customers were directed to nearby Best Buy stores in Manchester Highlands and the Chesterfield Valley store.  As previously reported in March by Chesterfield Patch, Best Buy is closing 50 stores nationwide. Most of the targeted stores will permanently close by May 12. In the midst of all the store closures, the company's former CEO Brian Dunn resigned Tuesday and is under investigation over an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer and using company funds in the process. As reported by KMOV, as customers showed up to shop …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

50 'Best Buy' Stores Closing After July 1; Others to Shrink

Chesterfield store on the chopping block?

Best Buy, the electronics big-box store, announced it will close 50 of its stores in the U.S., to bolster its bottom line. CEO Brian Dunn said Thursday in a press release that as the consumer electronics industry evolves, the company is taking “major actions” to improve its operating performance. The company would save $300 million with the closing of 50 stores next year, as part of an $800 million multi-year cost reduction program. Best Buy would look to a new multi-channel strategy to strengthen its portfolio of traditional stores. The strategy includes “closing some big box stores, modifying others to our enhanced Connected Store format, and adding Best Buy Mobile stand-alone locations,” Dunn said. The company wants to upgrade its …

• Photos (1)

Black Friday News and Updates

Find the latest on Black Friday lines, deals and news as it happens. If you see something we should know about, send us a tip at Lindsay.Toler@patch.com or tweet @StLouisLindsay.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)

Brandon Fry - Local Volunteer

9:38 am on Friday, November 25, 2011

We got in and out with all of our video games in about 1 hour. We got some great deals and little hassle with long lines this year. Of course we avoided the big box stores. Once we left the mall and went to McDonald's it was a different story.   more ›

Black Friday Shopping Guide in St. Louis

The stores, sales and strategies you need to optimize your all-night shopping blow-out.

Here’s a new holiday tradition to try: Say grace, eat turkey, head to the mall. Black Friday sales start at midnight this year at some of the regions biggest stores, including Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and Best Buy. We’ve read through the ads and compiled everything you need for the best all-night holiday shopping blow-out possible. And for each sale, we've highlighted the items we think would make the best gifts (at the best prices!) Check back on Black Friday for updates and tips, and if you hit the sales, tag your tweets with #BlackFridaySTL or mention @StLouisLindsay. And don't forget: Black Friday sales are already starting online at popular big box stores. Best Buy said they've already sold out of popular $80 TVs and $150 laptops, but …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Black Friday Blasts Off on Cold Thursday

While many enjoy the last throws of drowsy post-turkey contentment, others hunt bargain electronics and toys.

Black Friday started in earnest Thanksgiving night in Chesterfield this year.  While many people were enjoying the last throws of drowsy post-turkey contentment and a slice of pumpkin pie, Teresa Russo of Manchester was hauling around her sister and brother to the 10pm opening of Toys 'R Us in Chesterfield at Baxter and Clarkson Roads. Since 6:15 Thursday night, the trio had been first in line at the locked doors. They were determined to buy an advertised $80 laptop computer, Toy Story gift set and a Sing-A-Ma-Jigs. "We are on a tropical beach," Russo said, stomping her feet and trying to keep warm in temperatures that were dropping into the 20s.  "I didn't get any pie," complained Russo's sister, Sarah Russo. The line forming outside the …

• Photos (16)