Dodge Helps You Move Quickly

If your business faces relocation, there is a lot you need to consider aside from the impact it has on your day-to-day business as you move and set up your new office. You want to get started in the new facility as quickly as possible to minimize downtime. So following some simple office moving tips can make it much faster and easier for everyone, especially when you trust the best moving company in St. Louis!

Preparation

Start planning the stages of packing and all the other details as soon as possible. Consider the time you will need to pack and what things can be packed and moved while you still do business — you want to minimize down time as much as you can. Make an office moving project plan and stick with it. Make sure everyone knows the plan and keep all managers and those in charge of the packing in the loop about updates or changes. Keeping everyone on the same page can go a long way in helping you prepare for the move so it all goes smoothly.

Packing Tips

If it is at all possible, one of the best ways to make packing easy is to let each person pack up their own office or cubicle area. They can pack things away and organize the boxes and desks so that they know where everything is when the time to set up in the new place comes around. This is a proven office moving tip that can really cut down time significantly. Of course, labeling is also very critical if you want to be able to find things quickly and easily — especially if the plan is to be working out of boxes while the unpacking continues and office operations pick back up.

Office Relocation

Use the move as a chance to upgrade your office. Do you need new computers, chairs, desks, or something else for the office? Office moving can be a great opportunity to get new furniture or equipment or to reorganize the layout of the office. Use the move as a positive time for change and upgrades and look for ways to make things better. After all, it is easier to move desks, printers, and equipment around when you first bring it into the new office than to try and move things around months or years later.

Use these moving tips and you will have a more enjoyable experience with your next move and you can get back to full operation faster! Trust us and put your trust in the moving company in St. Louis that has earned the reputation for greatness.

A History of Dodge Moving and Storage

Founded in 1902 as Dodge Moving and Storage in St. Louis, Missouri, we are a family-owned and operated business that has always been managed by members of the Dodge Family. We became affiliated with Mayflower Transit back in 1972, and shortly afterwards we opened a second location in O’Fallon, Illinois.

In the early 1990s the Clerc family became owners of both locations and led the company to major growth and expansion. Dodge Moving and Storage brings more than100 years of experience moving anything from big to small and the future looks bright for the next 100 years as the second generation of the Clerc family keeps up the great tradition and works to further the reputation of our company. Our affiliation with the Mayflower Transit has become a long and beneficial relationship that has made us a known and respected name in St. Louis and the surrounding areas. See why we are the best moving company in St. Louis!

Mission

Our mission at Dodge Moving and Storage has always been and always will be to offer the best services and to be seen as the standard of excellence in our industry. Professionalism is always exhibited through everything we say and do and the care we and attention we give each and every individual, family, or business we work with. We employ the newest advances in warehousing technology and relocation services and we go above and beyond each and every day to make sure your experience is the best that it can be.

Experience

When it comes to the process of moving your business or your family or your personal belongings, you want someone with experience doing it. You do not want just anyone touching your precious belongings so trust us with the things that mean the most to you. Whether it is a single room or an entire complex, we have the experience and the knowledge to get the job done and done right!

This is no ordinary move!!

It's an exciting time at Dodge Moving  & Storage!  If you had not heard,  Dodge was awarded the moving  &  storage part of  The CityArchRiver  Project!      

Our  involvement began this  January, and  is in full swing this  month. This past week began the fun  part, moving contents from the  Westward Museum  located  underneath The Arch. 

All of  St.  Louis' news channels and media  outlets were there to film this move.  Talk about history in the making!  

All  museum artifacts had to be removed  to make way for construction on the  new museum that will take its  place. Some items will return and others  will find new homes.

A new museum with different displays and artifacts is set to  open in 2017. 

Have questions about this relocation? Contact Kabrena Snipes, Marketing Manager with Dodge at 314-344-4300 or by email ksnipes@dodgemoving.com  

Apple Praline Bread Recipe

As shown in our company Newsletter recently. We've made this recipe and it is absolutely delicious!  Perfect for a cold winter day.

INGREDIENTS
1 ½ C chopped pecans (divided)
1 8oz. container sour cream
1 C sugar
2 large eggs
1T vanilla
2 C flour
2 tsps baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 ½ C baking apples, peeled and finely chopped


Brown Sugar Glaze – ½ C butter – ½ firmly packed brown sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread ½ cup pecans in a single layer on a cookie
minutes or until toasted (stir every 3 min). Grease & flour a 9x5
l oaf pan or use nonstick spray .
In a bowl – mix sour cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended. In a separate
bowl add - flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add sour cream mixture to
dry ingredients stir until will blended. Stir in apples and½ C toasted pecans.
Add mixture to loaf pan sprinkle with remaining ½ cup pecans. Bake for 60 or 65
minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Shield with a sheet
of aluminum foil after 50 min to avoid excessive browning. Cool in pan for 10 min
t hen remove from pan to wire rack.
Prepare glaze – bring butter and brown sugar to a boil in a saucepan. Boil 1 minute,
stirring constantly. Remove from heat – spoon over top of bread. Let cool for 1 hour.

Is it really an Arch?

The Gateway Arch has become the symbol of St. Louis. It is easily recognized by everyone even if

they do not know the history of the Arch. There are several more historically important buildings
in the “riverfront area”. The Old Courthouse is where the Dred Scott case was decided, and the
Old Cathedral is the first cathedral west of the Mississippi. But it is the Arch that is the most
noted today.

The CityArchRiver Project is underway and Dodge Moving & Storage was awarded the moving and storage part of the project! It is a wonderful project and has actually been the dream of civic leaders since the 1930’s. Their idea was to utilize the entire 92 acres (roughly the original site of the French colonial town of St. Louis) to interpret St. Louis’ role in the westward expansion. Over the years, many plans have been reviewed and rejected. But 84 years later, their dreams are coming to fruition in CityArchRiver. When I moved to St. Louis in 1966 from southern Indiana the Arch was still under construction. (Yes, I am that old!) The last piece was attached that year and both “legs” were opened to the public in 1968. That same year the Cardinals with Bob Gibson at the plate won the World Series in 7 games to beat the Boston Red Socks. Unfortunately, I think the Red Socks have made up for that in recent history!

In the summer of 1968 I brought my dad to St. Louis. We went downtown to a Cardinal‘s game. I was excited for dad to get to go to a Cardinal’s game in Busch Stadium. It was his first ever. We
could only listen on the radio in Indiana. I also wanted him to see the Arch. We parked in a parking garage which totally amazed Dad. We walked over to look at the Arch. After looking all around and taking pictures, I asked Dad, “What do you think? It’s pretty amazing isn’t it?”

Dad looked a bit longer and said, “Well it’s tall and it’s shiny, but I don’t know what it is good for.” Sorry to say, I think a lot of people at the time thought the same way. After all, it cost $13,420,168 to build! Couldn’t that money been put to better use? In comparison the current renovation for City Arch River is an estimated $380million. Wonder what Dad would think of that? But despite the pros and cons, over the years the Arch has brought millions of visitors and even more revenue to the St. Louis region.

Dodge joins the fight to end Alzheimers!

It is exactly one year since I lost my Mother-In-Law to Alzheimers. It was something that crept into her life and it took us a while to recognize what was truly happening with her. Forgetful, repeating herself, all things we thought just came with age.  She eventually progressed so quickly that within 4 years, Mom’s health declined greatly. I wish we would have known sooner who to call for help. There are organizations out there who help out free of charge if you don’t have the money to pay for full time care. We found Heartland Home Hospice. Wonderful organization, and helped more than we originally thought they would. I wish we found them sooner – we might have had Mom here longer. The staff at Heartland even came to Mom’s wake to pay their respects.   This weekend I was able to not only join the Walk to End Alzheimers, I also was able to donate trucks and men to help load supplies and assist setting up and breaking down. The event was amazing.  This will be a yearly walk for me now – honoring her this weekend was exactly what she and our family needed.

 

Questions to always ask before hiring a moving company

So you're moving! Oh the fun times that await you. Going through old things deciding what you want to bring to your new place. Deciding what to sell, and arrange a garage sale. Then you finally list your house and either it sits for months, or you sell it within a couple days. Whatever your case may be, eventually you'll need to find a moving company you can trust. 

Have an on-site consultation
Do your homework before having anyone give you a quote. We recommend always getting a visual quote. Having a sales rep come to your home to see what it moving is the way to do it. These estimates should always be free of charge.  If a company ever gives you a not to exceed or binding quote over the phone, don't accept! Always make sure your valuable possessions are inspected in person.

Are there any hidden costs that I don't know about
A lot of movers will surprise you with small details, like fuel surcharges, or stair carries, appliance charges or bulky charges. Be sure to ask what other charges could occur and get it in writing. With Dodge Moving & Storage, not only will you get a clear, honest quote - we'll never leave you feeling confused or afraid extra charges will pop up.

What form of payment do you accept
Never pay up front for your move. Also never pay cash. You want documentation of payment and should never be required to pay up front. Payment should always be collected upon arrival at delivery.

Read your Rights and Responsibilities
All movers should provide every customer with a booklet called your rights and resonsibilities. It goes over your rights as a customer and the moving companies responsibilities.