My Place Hotel celebrating grand opening 

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A hotel in the Shoppes at North Village held its grand opening Wednesday as business development continues in the area. 

Rooms have been available to book at My Place Hotel since January, but leaders from the hotel brand attended the grand opening ceremony at 3621 N. Village Dr. where food, tours and prizes were available for attendees. 

“We've been around for about ten years, growing very rapidly,” My Place Hotels CEO Ryan Rivett said. “And so we are introducing ourselves to new markets like St. Joseph, and I'm really happy to be here.” 

Each guest room has a full kitchen, refrigerator, two-burner cooktop, and other small kitchen appliances. 

The hotel has 64 rooms, and Rivett said the smaller room count allows them to focus on relationships with its guests. 

“As you walk through the front doors, you're going to find the same,” he said. “You're going to find a clean, comfy, friendly location. Every room is equipped for a 30-day stay or more, or just one night.” 

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing and Communications Kristi Bailey said the additional hotel space helps solve an issue in St. Joseph. St. Joseph hotel occupancy rates typically run high and result in higher rates for rooms. 

“The more hotel rooms we add, the lower the prices can become for hotel rooms, which in turn makes St. Joseph an easier place to visit,” Bailey said. “So if your trip is less expensive, you're more likely to choose St. Joseph as a destination.” 

The My Place Hotel is one of the many new projects arriving in the north end of St. Joseph. Just north of the hotel, a new family-owned veterinary clinic is in the early stages of its construction at 5423 N. Pointe Dr. 

Across the road from the veterinary clinic, construction workers are building a hotel at 3615 N. Village Dr.

Business development also continues in Tuscany Village near the North Shoppes. Golf simulator Swing365 recently held its grand opening at 4797 Sienna Drive, and next door, skin care business Oasis Face Bar has a banner announcing that the business is coming soon. 

“We have new businesses opening in St. Joseph, we have more employers,” Bailey said. “In general, it’s just a great time in St. Joseph for business.”