Rehabbed Corner Storefront Now A Bright Spot In Fox Park Neighborhood
In November 2011 I posted about a Saturday in Fox Park, the city park in the neighborhood of the same name. At that time a storefront building just across California Ave from the park (map) was vacant, boarded up, and for sale. Neighborhood resident and blogger Mark Groth and I discussed that cold morning how nice it would be to have a restaurant across from the park.
I know what you’re thinking, two bloggers dreaming again. Show me the money, right? The demographics aren’t right, or some other negative viewpoint. To the rest of us, we look at the above and see potential. We may not have the ability to rehab the building but there are rehabbers that share our vision. One such rehabber bought the building and renovated it. Michelle Veremakis, originally from upstate New York, came to St. Louis in 2008 after five years in California. I asked Veremakis how she decided to buy and restore this building:
It was listed on the MLS. I had looked at it and was a worried that it would be more work than it was worth, considering the condition of the building and the immediate neighborhood. Instead, I put an offer in on a ‘safer’ building in McKinley Heights… But I just couldn’t shake the feeling I got standing inside 2800 Shenandoah. So, I followed my gut, ended the contract on the other building and began negotiations with DeSales.
For many who buy & rehab buildings it is about that “gut” feeling they get. Veremakis rehabs property in the city and county, preferring the “worst of the worst.” She closed on the property in December 2011 and completed the rehab by October 2012.
Long-time Fox Park resident Brooke Roseberry had been thinking about opening a neighborhood restaurant. Brooke and her husband Tony considered the former Tanner B’s space, but in 2013 decided to lease the newly-renovated storefront space at California & Shenandoah. After a delayed build out of the interior, The Purple Martin opened a few months ago.
My last question to Michelle Veremakis, the owner of the building: When you first looked at the building did you have a vision for what would go into the first floor?
Everything in reference to that building was motivated by vision. Having purchased one of the most prominent buildings in Fox Park, we felt that we were in the unique position to benefit and inspire the neighborhood; first by revitalizing the neglected building and secondly by choosing a business (and business owners) that had the energy, intention, and vision to create something great. After completing construction we advertised the space to the public, specifically targeting eating establishments, feeling that food creates community, and that community could bring this corner to greatness. But money talks, right? Unfortunately, it does which made deciding to turn away paying commercial tenants because their business type failed to meet our vision, particularly painful. However, my genetically inherited stubbornness paid off, and V2 properties could not be more proud or excited to have The Purple Martin at 2800 Shenandoah. Brooke and Tony are exactly what this neighborhood needs and deserves… they share in the vision, but more importantly, they are all heart.
I think Fox Park and St. Louis are lucky to have these two businesswomen! Here’s information on The Purple Martin:
- Website: ThePurpleMartin.com
- Twitter: @PurpleMartinSTL
- Facebook: /PurpleMartinFox
Try the lablabi!
— Steve Patterson
Great example of a success story. But this is also a case of “show me the money” at work – this would NOT have happened had not Ms. Veremakis decided to use her resources to make it a reality. Yes, it takes vision, dedication and hard work, as well, but you can’t ignore the real need for financial resources, too. As for bloggers and dreaming, there’s nothing wrong with that, either. But for dreams to move to reality, the dreams need to be tempered with action. We all have our opinions – it’s those that are tied to real world results that carry the greatest credibility (at least in my mind) – I respect Joe Edwards because many of his dreams HAVE become reality. And when it come to renovating a city, it’s going to take many, many more projects, just like this one. Like the old saying goes – how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
Yes, capital is required to rehab buildings — that’s a given. At the same time, a lack of working capital doesn’t mean the vision a citizen has isn’t valid, or worth finding capital to pursue.