In 2022, Bobbi Baker, a Kirkwood property owner, investor, and developer purchased 10921 Manchester Rd, 1120 Earl Ave, 1113 Earl Ave, 1119 Earl Ave, 1121 Earl Ave, and 1123 Earl Ave. The commercial property was abandoned for decades. The residences were vacant or rented but in dire need of attention. Bobbi and her team chose to invest almost 3 million dollars into these parcels to develop Namaste Yoga Studio and rehab all 4 residences which in return has increased commercial and residential values in the area significantly. This redevelopment was a catalyst for other local well known businesses to invest on the block. In 2023 Bobbi and her team purchased the old Painted Zebra at 10907 Manchester Rd and is currently developing the location into a neighborhood cafe/coffee shop. Additionally in 2025, Bobbi and a partner acquired 10910 Manchester Rd directly across the street from Namaste and are redeveloping that into a 10,000 square ft social wellness/longevity club. Bobbi is deeply vested in this zip code and sees her vision as the heartbeat of this Manchester corridor.
 
With the organic growth of Namaste yoga studio and its community, she would love to expand off the back of the building to build a second studio room. Unfortunately adding additional square footage would legally require additional parking spaces. There is one option and we are looking for your support. A portion of the vacant lot at 1120 Earl Ave could be re-boundaried to 10921 Manchester Rd that is adjacent to the studio. Before this occurs, we need Kirkwood's support to rezone that portion to B-3 so that it could be used legally. 

The lot is known to the city council as the only residential lot in the City of Kirkwood that has never been developed and can never be developed.

The reasons are to follow:

• The lot at 1120 Earl Ave is primarily in a floodplain. 
• Current easements as well as future MSD easements set for 2026 will prohibit the construction of any structure on the lot at 1120 Earl Ave.
• The only allowable use for 1120 Earl Ave would be for a parking lot. 

Many concerns from the residents have again surfaced but this time it is different. Prior rezoning efforts were looking to rezone all of the Earl Ave parcels. This rezoning is only calling for half of the residential lot of 1120 Earl Ave. Residents all voiced concerns regarding flooding and storm water issues due to a creek running through the property of 1120 Earl Ave that is managed by MSD. They are concerned if a parking lot or commercial structure is built on the property, it could create more flooding. Kirkwood city council sided with Bobbi that a residential home would create the same concern. It does not seem as if the residents want to control the rezoning as much as they want to control the use of the space and pushing for it to remain as green space. Residents are also concerned that once it is zoned commercial that future developments could take place. Fortunately if new developments were to take place, the set backs would not allow for much use. 

Please join us by signing this petition if

• you support Namaste Yoga Studio’s initiative to expand the use for additional space 
• you support Namaste Yoga Studio’s initiative to provide safe, additional parking for the yoga clients and future cafe clients
• you support keeping the surrounding neighbors involved in the rezoning so that the community can work together to come to a solution for all 

Bobbi Baker has also confirmed that even though it’s not her concern, she is going to make every attempt to work with MSD to help mitigate the flooding downstream regardless if the rezoning takes place because it benefits the community as a whole and is the right thing to do. 

If rezoning is approved, Bobbi will also be required to abide by storm water retention plans and go above and beyond the necessary scope of work.

She has guaranteed a lighting plan that serves the parking lot but does not allow for intrusive lighting for the neighbors or her tenants as these residences are their homes.

She is keeping a large perimeter buffer of trees to create a significant degree of separation as well as developing a comprehensive landscaping plan to make the current vacant lot more appealing to the eye. 

The request for rezoning goes to Kirkwood City Council on March 6, 2025 and voting will occur on April 3, 2025.  We invite you to sign our petition to show our Council Members and Mayor Liz Gibbons our support for the rezoning of 1120 Earl Ave AND to support the people who invest in our residential and commercial properties.