Maplewood council pauses MapeVape license revocation, asks owner to resolve state sales-tax status

Maplewood — The Maplewood City Council on Dec. 10 postponed action on revoking the business license for MapeVape LLC, the retailer at 7213 Manchester Road, and set a continuation for Jan. 14, 2025, after the owner said he is working to resolve a sales-tax licensing issue with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Tefanisha Hyde, the city's resource development and public engagement manager, presented documentation that the Department of Revenue notified the city the business's state retail sales tax license had been revoked. Hyde told the council the department certified a revocation order dated Nov. 22, 2024, and the city received prior notices dated June 12 and Aug. 27, 2024. "The Missouri Department of Revenue notified the city on 06/12/2024 of the revocation of MapeVape LLC's state sales tax license," Hyde said during her testimony.

Owner Joe Siron told the council he had entered a payment arrangement with the Department of Revenue and said he paid a substantial up-front amount and expected remaining monthly automatic debits to bring his account into good standing. "I made arrangements with them and paid a big chunk of money up front," Siron said. He asked the council for time to contact the state and produce evidence that payments were made and that his state license had been reinstated.

Council members pressed for documentary proof. Several members urged the owner to file evidence of payments with the city so the council can determine whether revocation remains required. Council member Paige said the city must rely on documents from the state and on evidence the owner can provide: "The city is not required to determine that he made payments or not," the council's attorney advised.

After testimony and cross-examination, the council voted to adjourn the revocation hearing to Jan. 14, 2025, to allow Siron time to secure and present documentation from the Department of Revenue. Mayor Barry Greenberg said the city would attempt to assist where possible but emphasized the underlying compliance issue rests with the state.

The council and counsel discussed legal implications: the revocation order indicates that operating without a valid Missouri retail sales tax license may be a misdemeanor under state law, which counsel noted would be a matter for state enforcement. The city attorney and staff explained that, under the city code, a revoked license may not be reissued until the basis for revocation is cured.

The hearing will resume Jan. 14 unless Siron provides evidence showing the state has restored his retail sales tax license before that date.