World News in Clayton Under New Management

The new manager of in Clayton said this week that several changes are underway at the location.

"We're here, and we're staying, and we're updating," Pat Fisher said. She has headed up the store, 4 S. Central Ave. in downtown, since Jan. 1. She had been working in Maryland Heights at its World News store, which closed in December, .

The Clayton store is under the new ownership of Cowley Distributing, Fisher said.  One of the owners, Jerry Cowley, could not immediately be reached for comment. Cowley Distributing is based in Jefferson City. 

Among the changes planned at the store come spring are a fresh coat of paint on the interior walls and other interior maintenance, and a power-washing for the outside of the building, Fisher said.

The store is also . Fisher addressed the Clayton Board of Aldermen about the request at its Jan. 11 meeting. Businesses are required to seek that license anew whenever they undergo a change of ownership.

Fisher comes to Clayton with years of experience with World News, and she said her goals include "rejuvenating everybody." She worked with the company in the 1990s before relocating to Michigan, where her husband had taken a job. Most recently, she has worked with the company for 12 to 15 consecutive years. The variety of things she did in Maryland Heights makes her a more rounded manager, she said.

"Plus, I have no life, so I'm totally available," Fisher joked as she worked Jan. 17 on the newsstand side of the store.

A newsstand has been located at this section of Central Avenue since the 1940s, said Mike Flavin, manager of the newsstand portion of the store. Kathy Neal is manager of the convenience store within World News.

Roberta Selvidge began operating World News at the location in 1967 and bought the building in which the store now operates in 1978, Flavin said.