Cranky Yellow, Cherokee Street Oddity Emporium, Tries to Fight City Hall

Hold on while I call the...  .... 

Wow, I guess every schumck who violates city code or gets a citation should have an article in the RFT? What kind of journalism is this?

I love this city and this site. It's perfect... For me to poop on!

Maybe he should change his name from "Wolk" to "McKee" or "Sinquefield."

check out all sm business free help organizations and the sm bus publications in the library-don't plead "no one told me" do the ground work and find out for yourself what needs to be done to have a legal business in the city of st. louis like every other sm business has to do-pleading stupid doesn't work. The reast of the sm businesses have figured it out it is all there in print form do the research.!!!

Seriously, there are so many free resources available for small business owners. A simple Google search shows several SBC's in the metro area. There are resources readily available outside of the "community".

And, as others have pointed out, why would he not talk to the other business owners about his issues? His attitude seems to be one of entitlement.

I bet he sells weed lol this is a lame article quit bitching and do things by the book, you gotta pay to play in this world

I've owned several businesses OUTSIDE the City of St. Louis and just recently opened my first business IN the city (on Cherokee). The difference is night and day. In City Hall, it's 1942. Nothing can be done by telephone, fax, or internet, you have to take days off work and walk around from office to office. To get a license & occupancy permit required 5 inspections (2 more days off work waiting in my empty space for inspectors) and a hearing. I had hoped to open in January, but jumping through the hoops at City Hall took 2 extra months -- that's 2 months of paying expenses without one penny of revenue! That's enough to put most small businesses under before they even start. But the WORST part was trying to get information about what I was supposed to do. My landlord, Alderman, and Business Assistance rep helped me -- although I've been chipping in with my neighbor for trash, since I generate one tiny bag of it per month, and had no clue that might be illegal and the City might cite me for it - YIKES!

Three problems: You probably are a pain in the ass. They are totally incompetent. And, you are not in the favored and money-bloated central corridor. The nut-governor just gave Forest Park between $200,000 and $500,000 to separate bikers and walkers because it will increase tourism. No, it will separate walkers and bikers. Downtown is looney-toons and sliding into the Mississippi.

I would have probably done my research before opening a small business. You can't just go into something like this blindly and then be mad when the city enforces laws.

Furthermore, the shop would probably make money if there was something inside worth buying. Instead the owner seems more concerned with stocking the shelves with hipster merchandise that is sure to fade when whatever new fad comes to town.

I don't think David is trying to gain sympathy by telling his story. Instead of closing up shop and slathering out of town with his tail between his legs like most other independent businesses that have been forced to close, he is telling it like it is. He's a 23 year old kid that followed his dream and tried to start something that doesn't exist anywhere else in this city. And yes, he's a kid, and he doesn't understand how all of the beauracratic red tape works, but he's trying to get some straight answers. There's no shame in asking for help. But, every time he takes a step forward, it seems he is getting pushed 2 steps back. He does need to put his big boy pants on, but his are probably floressant yellow, covered in art and blood, and have pockets for ray guns. Maybe not what most people would choose, but I think that's the point.

People who are starting new businesses or thinking of starting new businesses need to view lawyers and accountants as an investment in their business rather than an unaffordable expense. The article said that he spent an entire year after high school designing websites in order to save enough money to open his store. He should have spent TWO years or however long saving money so that he could invest in someone who could advise him on what he needs to do, file, pay etc. in order to stay in compliance. What he's going to pay in fines and interest would have covered some if not all he would've spent for a few hours of time with a lawyer or an accountant. Not to mention future fines for whatever else he isn't aware of.Going forward, instead of tweeting and facebooking about the lack of response/help he's getting from the city he should try tweeting and facebooking about the laws and rules he's since discovered - help other new start-ups out b/c no doubt there's someone just like him totally winging it and clueless. BTW I admire him for what he's doing and especially for bringing it to the city. As a city resident I know from experience that it can be extremely frustrating in trying to get answers from city employees, if you're able to actually speak to one. Also, I'm not a lawyer or a cpa.

'The Collector of Revenue's receptionist told him to just file "zero" on his taxes, and his court troubles would evaporate.'

She is right, but the office told me but you still have to pay $50 court costs if your case gets on a docket. So he can probably expect a letter to that effect.

Every time I need to contact the tax department, I can never reach a human being. I can understand how trying to comply with laws THEN getting slapped with a penalty can be painful. Cranky Yellow is not just a store that sells consigned art and odd items, Cranky Yellow is a building that has concerts, art gatherings and special events that ALL benefit the community. The donations David has asked for are to help sustain the business for all of the free events and gatherings. Cranky Yellow is an essential hotbox for local art and performance.

This story is about a small-time business owner TRYING to understand the rules and regulations that have been set in place and the density of St. Louis laws. I urge other readers to understand this from the viewpoint of an inexperienced artist who is working to deliver a unique experience (whether it be shopping or performance). Do not feel sorry for David, but do not praise him in an imaginary fight against the city either. This article should be informative for those of you looking into an unorthodox business venture.

"I'm too young, too driven, and too talented to be fined for my effort to create and grow in this city. It's now or never--I won't wait."

Someone is gonna take their ball and go home.

Adios, dipshit.

i wonder why this article didn't mention the $500+ in donations he has recieved in the last 24 hours to support his cause

"I'm not saying I'm out there on the street all the time picking up trash, but I have picked up trash behind my business before that was not my responsibility, and I disposed of it properly," Wolk says.

Actually, the alley behind your business (and the sidewalk in front) IS your responsibility. You're an enterprising fellow, I find it hard to believe that in five years you never heard about the earnings tax (despite a statewide vote about it) and a commercial dumpster (despite being a member of the business association).

I don't want to hate, I really don't, because I've shopped at the store and attended shows many many times in the past. There are many businesses in the area that have gone through the ringer while playing by the rules (including the shitty predatory ones). There is a strong network of independent business owners RIGHT ON YOUR BLOCK. They're resources, use them. Don't bitch and moan on the internet expecting things to be made right.

I have supported Cranky Yellow. So much so that I have even given several "donations", unwillingly, by selling my items on commission there and NEVER GETTING PAID for the sale of my jewelry/accessories and I have heard the same from several STL artist/makers.Being an indie artist/business person is tough, and no one is going to "tell you" all of the rules. When you find a stumbling block, get creative, have a fundraiser or a bake sale, not post 100's of status updates on facebook about the fines and taxes you have to pay to the city. I am a freelance artist, working as a contract employee with several art non-profit organizations and I found a way to pay the $550 in taxes I owe this year as a self employed person, even though I am so broke that I am on foodstamps. I didn't turn ANY profit on my business either. Learn to HUSTLE and SUCK IT UP, please.

big boy pants...put them on.

I'm of the "tough love" camp here. Cranky Yellow is a cool shop, but it's also necessarily a business, which means it's going to be a pain in the ass at times. I'd like to hope he takes this as a business lesson and gets all the red tape worked out.

I have 3 David Wolk original paintings (ORIGINALS NOT PRINTS). One framed. Email me for pricing options. FYI, they won't come cheap.

What a fucking child.

"Nobody told me the rules.... "

What the fuck ever. Put on your big boy pants. You're not disputing the validity of the rules, you're asking someone to hold your hand and tell you all about them and walk you through the process of how to comply? If you can't figure it out yourself, then you need to hire a lawyer - that's what lawyers do - help you understand the law and comply with it.

I was with the guy until the last paragraph. I'm sure there is a lot of nonsense he and other city businesses have to put up with to function. I'm sure if we combed the city we could find business owners with a lot more horrifying stories than this guy's. But when I read comments like "I'm too good for this city" it makes me cringe. The way this article reads he would've run into a lot of the same problems in any city/state based on his glaring inexperience. I agree with him that the city should be more helpful and do everything it can to foster indie businsesses, but how much of what is going on here is really the city's fault?

My only knowledge of this situation is from this article but it seems to me a lot of his problems are his own fault. Ignorance of the law is no excuse to break it - no matter how mind numbingly ridiculous the law may be at times.

Schmid is probably the one that reported him. Schmid is no one's friend!

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make a prediction: if we ask Wolk what contact he's had with his alderman about this, we'll find out that Wolk was approached for a campaign donation, and declined to pay it.

Giving this person attention / money for not doing what every other business does isn't helping him. If you do, guess how he'll face his next hurdle, more crying for others to solve his problems. As long as that works why should he do research, follow rules / codes everyone else follows (even the stupid ones). All commercial businesses are required dumpsters and are required to file wage reports (even when they don't pay salary in a particular quarter). Maybe certain business should be exempt from that but I don't think the OP cares about that, he just wants an exemption/solution for himself (because as he says "he's too driven, too talented" to be treated like this). I'm all for constructive civic debate, but this seems more like a personal histrionic fit. If you support him, be supportive by being honest with him, help him help himself.

Man, does the city bureaucracy have robots combing the internet and commenting negatively on posts that rail (fairly) against them? That's what it seems like, reading one or two of the comments posted here already. Even this article makes it clear that David is doing more than just complaining--note the parts where he attempts tirelessly to comply with every stricture in place? Dude's tryin' his best! As a feller that has had to deal with some pretty ridiculous (and unpublicized) facets of municipal red-tape, not as a business owner but just as a guy trying to BE, I have much sympathy for what he's goin' through (to say nothing of my love for the work he's doing with his unique store). Good on ya, David (and Diana for bringing this to light); more than just unfeeling haters have read this article, and sent good thoughts yer way.

I hope you stay in the city. This is the problem with local governments everywhere, especially many of the smaller munis in STL County. I own several businesses, one in the County and one in Saint Charles and it can be frustrating at times. You learn as you go. Rumor has it that some people are working to reform the City's Charter to make it more streamlined and business friendly. Modernize it. Use your energy and frustration to help this cause when the times comes because I want to see Saint Louis shine as much as you.

Part of running a business is doing all this paperwork, which I'll admit can amount to bullshit.

They're not trying to push you out. The city is not against you - yet. But there's no way around it: play by their rules or you're out. Take the time, get it done. Close the shop on a slow day, make appointments, go to City Hall. Work with them.

Publicly complaining will only get you ostracized by the people whose help you need - if I bitch about your store on Facebook and Twitter, would you be interested in giving me real service when I come into your shop? Being vocal about this will *not* win you any friends, and you *need* an advocate with some influence in City Hall right now.

That's just the way it is. I wish you the best of luck.

While I do think that it is difficult as all hell to try and run an indie business, you can't just run one and expect it to be the storefront equivalent of a flea market table. You have to deal with bullshit and taxes and consequences. You don't like it? Join the effing club over here. That's why businesses close. Why don't you do something other than write 100 facebook status updates a day about how annoying all of this is? I love Cranky with all of my heart. I've shopped there at least a dozen times and will continue to shop there and support it, but this guys needs to do something other than complain. There are so many business owners in St. Louis who are making it work. Just walk into someone's goddamn shop and ask them how they do it. Or use the internet to research what you need to do. Do something OTHER THAN bitch every day because THAT is exactly how you turn customers away.

Does anyone hear anything here but whining? Go on with your bad self and pack it in then. Just because you don't know the rules doesn't mean you should get away with breaking them. Poor you, having to follow the same rules as every other business owner.