Eight years ago many people were upset when Noodle’s & Company and Chipotle Mexican Grill, both chains, were granted approval to move into a building that long-housed a record store — the lease expired.
Late last month the University City Council granted conditional-use permits to the eateries, a decision that fomented a swiftly organized revolt to place a cap on the number of formula restaurants and retail chains that can be allowed to do business in the Loop.
Such rebellions are nothing new among the Loop’s specialty set. When Qdoba Mexican Grill moved to Delmar a couple of years ago, sound and fury ensued. But this time, some merchants insist, the stakes are higher. (RFT)
I don’t recall if a cap was put into place or not.
Locally-owned Racanelli’s Pizza is banjo on the Delmar Loop — now located between two national chains.
I was very glad to see Racanelli’s return to the Delmar Loop — it began just down the street in 1994. Since first opening, this has been among my favorite local pizza places. Hopefully the Loop has achieved a local/chain balance.
St. Louis has had very little success with transit-oriented development since our original light rail line, MetroLink, opened in 1993. From the start the Emerson Park station in East St. Louis, which opened in May 2001, was different. The station includes some storefront space and around the station homes & apartments have been added over the years, a recent addition is Eco Jazz, see New Senior Housing A Bright Spot In East Saint Louis.
Jazz Ensemble Market believes that food is the connection that brings us all together. When we sit at the dinner table, we share our moments with family, friends and food gives us opportunities to connect.
Serving the East St. Louis Community is our core business philosophy. We are locally owned. Any purchase that is made in the store, stays in East St Louis. We are locally operated. All employees come from within East St. Louis. We are neighbors serving neighbors, the way it should be.
Our community involvement is vast. We are partnering with local vendors, local producers, local outreach groups to give each other a helping hand up. We are working with other local organizations to develop and implement solutions to their challenging problems.
Jazz Ensemble Market will never be on the side lines of the community.
For far too long East St. Louis has been a food insecure area, and we are the foundation to turn that around.
Let’s take a look…
The Jazz Ensemble Market as seen from the MetroLink platform, it opened last Fall in the ground floor of the new Eco Jazz./Jazz at Walter Circle senior housing buildingLooking toward the transit station from the market’s door we see a WB trainInside the market has a small deliSome produce near frozen foodsMore produce next to dairyRoom for more produce!
The nearest larger grocery store is a Schnuck’s at 25th & State — a 1.5 mile/30 minute walk from the station. The number of people walking to/from the market and station was encouraging. A seating area up front lets you enjoy your deli purchase while looking at the station, the free wi-fi let’s you stay connected.
This adds up to be a great subject for Good News Friday (#gnf)!
We’ve all encountered businesses that keep their public restroom(s) under lock & key, requiring you to ask for a key at the counter. The other day I had lunch with a couple of friends but the restroom access was simple while keeping out non-customers.
Restroom sign & lock at the Chipotle at the “Flying Saucer” on Grand.
Each receipt has a restroom code, the deadbolt you lock on the inside shows to others if the restroom is occupied or vacant. Great solution! I’m not sure how often they change the code, still probably easier than messing with a key on a stick or letting non-customers use the restrooms.
On Sunday, as this poll was ongoing, I was shopping at Trader Joe’s — the store I most want to open a location within the City of St. Louis. TJ’s was the top answer in the poll, followed by Apple Store and Costco.
Interior of the recently expanded Trader Joe’s in Brentwood.
The results:
Q: Which retail stores, if any, in our region would you like to see open a location in the City of St. Louis? (pick up to 5)
Trader Joe’s 30 [16.57%]
TIE
Apple Store 19 [10.5%]
Costco 19 [10.5%]
Lucky’s Market 10 [5.52%]
Dierbergs 9 [4.97%]
TIE
Crate & Barrell 7 [3.87%]
Macy’s 7 [3.87%]
Marshalls 7 [3.87%]
TIE
Old Navy 6 [3.31%]
Walmart 6 [3.31%]
Other: 6 3.31% [3.31%]
Target
Rural King
Microsoft Store
Walgreens
Target (downtown)
Dollar General
TIE
Best Buy 5 [2.76%]
Cost Plus World Market 5 [2.76%]
Nordstrom 5 [2.76%]
TIE
Sears 4 [2.21%]
T.J. Maxx 4 [2.21%]
Williams-Sonoma 4 [2.21%]
TIE
Cabela’s 3 [1.66%]
Home Goods 3 [1.66%]
Pottery Barn 3 [1.66%]
Pier 1 Imports 3 [1.66%]
Sam’s 3 [1.66%]
None 3 [1.66%]
TIE
Dillard’s 2 [1.1%]
h.h. gregg 2 [1.1%]
Kitchen Conservatory 2 [1.1%]
TIE
Menards 1 [0.55%]
Ross 1 [0.55%]
Sur La Table 1 [0.55%]
Tuesday morning 1 [0.55%]
American Girl 0 [0%]
I suspected Trader Joe’s would be the top answer, especially considering the reation to my last April Fool’s Joke (see Mixed-Use Building with a Trader Joe’s Coming to Grand & Lindell Corner). Seriously, we need a Trader Joe’s in the city, going out to the suburbs is just to inconvenient.
In the other there were two suggestions for a Target, presumably both downtown. I concur, an urban Target downtown would be great — much better than a traditional department store. Not sure why someone listed Dollar General, there are two within the city.
December 5, 2014Featured, RetailComments Off on Business Coming To West Florissant
West Florissant Ave in St. Louis or its suburbs isn’t the most prosperous of commercial streets, still I see local entrepreneurs earning a living, providing needed products & services, and employing others.
For a few months now I’ve seen a vacant building as I pass by on the bus or drive by. The other day I noticed something new.
The building at 7365 W Florissant in Jennings will become a Hawaiian Grill, click for map
A “Coming Soon” sign was added. This is very encouraging to see, especially just a mile from the Ferguson city limits. Being next door to a popular Velvet Freeze is probably a wise business decision.
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