Tower Grove coffee house is not anti-Slay — just “pro-change”
MoKaBe's
ST. LOUIS — It’s unusual for a high-profile city business to publicly air their misgivings with Mayor Francis Slay.
But that’s exactly what MoKaBe’s, the popular coffee shop and cafe across from Tower Grove Park, has done in this election cycle, offering a space for Slay’s opponents to make their case.
Last month, Democratic challenger Irene J. Smith held a press conference at MoKaBe’s criticizing Slay for accepting a donation from Holcim, Inc., whose plans for a cement factory in Ste. Genevieve have been criticized by some environmentalists.
Last week, Slay’s latest opponent, independent candidate Maida Coleman, held a meet-and-greet at the coffee house, located near the corner of Grand and Arsenal.
MoKaBe’s is a progressive institution in the South Grand area, where vegan sausage is on the menu and the walls are covered with Obama campaign stickers.
The shop is in the 15th Ward, where 70 percent of voters sided with Slay in this month’s Democratic primary.
You won’t find any Slay buttons, however, at MoKaBe’s: Owner Mo Costello is no fan of the status quo.
“I’m not anti-Slay,” Costello says. “I am pro-democracy. And I’m pro-change.”
Costello said she’s embarrassed by the low-turnout in the March 3 contest — more than eight in 10 voters stayed home — in this “era of change.” She’s also upset with Slay’s treatment of the city schools and former Fire Chief Sherman George.
She’s hoping to provoke a political dialogue, even if that means hosting candidates who are considered a long-shot to defeat the incumbent.
“There has to somebody who will say, ‘Sure, use my corner,’” Costello said. “Let’s get something going in an alleged Democracy.”
Good for Costello. I am a Slay supporter myself, but I can hardly disagree with her that the low-turnout of the March primary was shameful and not good for the long term health of our civic polity. If she can get the citizenry engaged in city politics then my hat is off to her, even if she is supporting the opposing candidate.
I support change when the leadership is bad but change just for the sake of change is a waste.
I am not anti Mokabees but I am pro not going there for my coffee anymore.
The irony here is that Coleman will be not be a 1/4 as supportive of Mokabees major demographic which is the GLBT community. Mayor Slay has been one of the most supportive mayor’s of the GLBT community in the entire United States and this is how Mokabee’s shows appreciation?
Maybe curtailing the progressive liberalism here for a moment and actually considering the alternative would be in Mokabee’s as well as St. Louis’ best interest.
You can get better coffee across the street at Panara, so … so long, Mo!
MO,
Obama stickers do not equal democracy or change. They represent communism / socialism or theft, just read the fine print of the recently passed spending bill (expansion of government bill) introduced by the Obama administration.
Sherman George - If I were Slay and I found out what George was trying to do I would have fired him way sooner. Too bad George did not think the testing in the fire department was fair. We should congratulate George for trying to lower the bar for future candidates.
City Schools - Yes they are bad. Here is a great idea lets get rid of the current mayor who is trying to bring some accountability to the city school system. No I have a better idea, straight out of the Obama school of thought - a 60% tax on all city business to throw more wasteful spending into the system. We know this is fair because business owners are evil especially big business. Sorry MO everyone has to chip in during this time of change.
Slay - I am not a city resident but I would certainly vote for Slay!!
Finally - I grew up in south city. MO after reading this story I would never patronize your store and if it is ever recommended by a colleague I would vote no for change you can believe in.
Thanks for the inspiration to shed some of my pent up feelings on politics.
USF1965: So the F stands for fool? Let me get this straight, Obama Stickers = communism, socialism, and theft? And…”I am not a city resident but I would certainly vote for Slay!!” You have established yourself as a parody of yourself in one short post, something many blowhard nuts are only able to achieve after years of spouting their nonsensical world views. Congrats.
I am impressed with the bravery of Mo Costello.
Politics is a vengeful game. Lets all keep watch for what happens to Mokabes after the election. When the city ‘forgets’ to pick up their trash. Or turns that entire intersection into a ‘No Parking Zone’ or creates an ordinance to ban the selling of coffee in the Tower Grove neighborhood.
The friendliest mayoral candidate to the city’s LGBT community would undoubtedly be Libertarian Robb Cunningham, and Libertarians are grateful to MoKaBe’s for its past and present support of an open political process that includes us.
Great coffee and food, too. I haven’t been down there for a latte and a French dip in way too long, something which I’ll attempt to correct ASAP! Hopefully Robb will drop in as well.
Regards,
Tom Knapp
Chair
St. Louis County Libertarian Central Committee
At this point, there’s a pretty clear trend emerging. People who value policies over party identification are overwhelmingly opposed to Slay. Those who value party identification over policy are mostly in support of Slay (and that includes right-wingers like Kasoff and A CENTRIST). No person who thinks of his or herself as a *progressive* first and Democrat second could possibly support Slay anymore.
Mo does more as a business owner to try to encourage civic engagement then anyone I know. While she and I do not agree on everything, it is nice to go somewhere and have an intelligent conversation. Keep up the good work Mo!