^Ok, now that would be awesome!!! This property continues to amaze me.
I wouldn't call a 1.7 mile walk (per Google Maps) "just down the street". I'd say for residents of the McKinley Heights, Peabody Darst Webbe, Lafayette Square and The Gate neighborhoods, this store will be helpful: especially those people without cars of their own.downtown2007 wrote:Don't forget Culinaria is located just down the street. A compact walkable store that contains everything most people need. Also Vincent's is a great option.
I don't see a problem with that.downtown2007 wrote:Suburbanization of STL quote of the article.
"The site’s close proximity to entrance ramps for interstates 44 and 55 also will cater to downtown’s office workers who want to make a quick shopping trip before or after work."
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^ yeah, the placement is just good business. building it next to the highway is not going to make the city more suburban by any means (so long as it has some relation to the sidewalk) and it will get them more business, which will allow them to expand in the future (hopefully another city location).
It may have been posted already, but according to this they're shooting for a 01/04/2014 grand opening.jambo wrote:Fields Foods - getting closer to opening
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Not trying to pile on you but I just got back from Chicago. There are a couple of big box-big parking lot suburban style grocery stores on the edge of their downtowndowntown2007 wrote:Suburbanization of STL quote of the article.
"The site’s close proximity to entrance ramps for interstates 44 and 55 also will cater to downtown’s office workers who want to make a quick shopping trip before or after work."
-a Dominicks along Division just east of I-94.
-a Jewel/Osco along Division just west of I-94
-the Jewel not far from the Rush/Division bars and the Gold Coast.
I'd venture to guess those stores also get suburban shoppers on their way home.
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Looks great! I'm already hearing some people say "gee I hope it's not too yuppy and overpriced".
And these same people weren't happy with Sav-A-Lot as it was "too ghetto"
It seems with some St. Louisans Schnucks is the gold standard of all grocery stores and anything that deviates from that norm is not to be trusted.
And these same people weren't happy with Sav-A-Lot as it was "too ghetto"
It seems with some St. Louisans Schnucks is the gold standard of all grocery stores and anything that deviates from that norm is not to be trusted.
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^Culinaria is 1.7 miles away, if that's what they want.
I'm gonna be honest, I'm one of those people without directly being one of those people.southsidepride wrote:Looks great! I'm already hearing some people say "gee I hope it's not too yuppy and overpriced".
And these same people weren't happy with Sav-A-Lot as it was "too ghetto"
It seems with some St. Louisans Schnucks is the gold standard of all grocery stores and anything that deviates from that norm is not to be trusted.
While I would certainly go there in a pinch or if it was super convenient, I wouldn't necessarily be confident in the quality of a Save-A-Lot. And when it comes to Trader Joe's (though, I'm told my perception of them is completely off) or Whole Foods or that sort of thing, I think trendy and overpriced.
Schnucks is a happy medium. I trust their quality, they have what I want and need, and their prices are reasonable.
I don't say this as someone close minded and I have NO IDEA where Field Foods fits into the spectrum. Just saying I get the the idea.
All of that said, I'm happy as heck St. Louis is getting a Whole Foods in the CWE even though I may never step foot in it. It's not always about what appeals to me. I know these things appeal to other people, and I know that's good for the city. It's the people who don't understand that that are the real issue.
I'm just absolutely amazed at the grocery choices that has occurred pretty much every where and any where and how it is now slowly but sure working its way into the cities. I think they were some legitimate concerns that once you saw Walmart and Target selling groceries that you would see a lot less choices and the downfall of some of your local grocery chains, such as Dierbergs or Schnucks in St. Louis area. Instead, you keep seeing new and niche stores continue to expand either it be this project, Whole Foods in CWE and now a grocery store as part of the N. Kirkwood Gateway proposal, so on. At the same time, Dierbergs and Schnucks continue to march on and so forth.
You will soon have three legitimate grocery store choices within a mile and half of Lafayette Square as well as the fact you have Soulard Farmers market and a CVS for produce and incidentals to boot. The range of cost, quality and choices is good for the area as a whole and still impresses me from a business stand point how it all works.
You will soon have three legitimate grocery store choices within a mile and half of Lafayette Square as well as the fact you have Soulard Farmers market and a CVS for produce and incidentals to boot. The range of cost, quality and choices is good for the area as a whole and still impresses me from a business stand point how it all works.
^I agree.
I've always believed that more local competition in the grocery business is good for St. Louis. It forces local establishments to step up their game. I can see Straub's and Schnucks stepping up in the CWE because of Whole Foods. The new Aldi's is for a low-priced demographic. It's all good for consumers.
Also, I think this store (Fields Foods) is shaping up to be a high-quality store. You can take a look at the quality fixtures (checkout stands, food cases etc.) and even the exterior to see they are aiming for the customer to have a great experience and they are seeking to be competitive.
This type of quality appearance along with good customer service could draw customers beyond Lafayette Square and the lower southside.
I hope they are planning to open in other markets - like Whole Foods and Trader's.
Last, I don't understand why the new Save-A-Lot is considered "ghetto" when it is a new store. Is it because of the demographic it targets? It's good to see food deserts being filled in St. Louis City. Fields Foods seems like it will serve a different demographic. All demographics will have more options and that's a good thing.
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I've always believed that more local competition in the grocery business is good for St. Louis. It forces local establishments to step up their game. I can see Straub's and Schnucks stepping up in the CWE because of Whole Foods. The new Aldi's is for a low-priced demographic. It's all good for consumers.
Also, I think this store (Fields Foods) is shaping up to be a high-quality store. You can take a look at the quality fixtures (checkout stands, food cases etc.) and even the exterior to see they are aiming for the customer to have a great experience and they are seeking to be competitive.
This type of quality appearance along with good customer service could draw customers beyond Lafayette Square and the lower southside.
I hope they are planning to open in other markets - like Whole Foods and Trader's.
Last, I don't understand why the new Save-A-Lot is considered "ghetto" when it is a new store. Is it because of the demographic it targets? It's good to see food deserts being filled in St. Louis City. Fields Foods seems like it will serve a different demographic. All demographics will have more options and that's a good thing.
Feast took a tour - Looks nice on the inside - Also looks like they are going to have an emphasis on locally produced/grown/raised - like a larger Local Harvest - Still not crazy about the front loaded parking, but that can be mitigated if they follow through with proper development of the rest of the site - Should be a huge plus to Lafayette Square, Soulard, Darst/Peabody and LaSalle Park - My guess it will not impact Soulard market that much - the more I think about it, looks like going for a different experience
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Great read. Thanks for sharing, Mark. I work really close, so while it probably won't be my primary grocer, I most likely will make some stops on the way home. Looking forward to checking it out soon.
Looks fantastic in your blog pics! Thanks for those... cannot wait to shop there - I live just 2 minutes away 
Attempted to go there yesterday. It was like Christmas Eve at the Galleria. No open parking spaces, cars still pouring in, moments of gridlock. The kids were impatient so gave up. But I was encouraging to see the excitement and reception. Had no idea people would flock to it like they did!
Wonder if it was all excitement over the grand opening or if it was also benefitting from the impeding snowstorm like the rest of the grocery stores in the area were.
Probably a bit of both.
Probably a bit of both.
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What a smile of fortune though, to open on Snowpacalypse Eve, right? There's no way that could've been planned, right? Right?
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Most people I've talked to or heard from like it. The few criticisms I have heard are:
1. lack of prepared foods
2. quality of prepared foods was low
3. not enough local stuff
I would imagine all 3 of these will improve as their gain their sea legs. #3 is kind of tough right now because we are in the middle of winter. I assume there is interest in more dried goods from local sources. To me local is relative, right? If they carry shrimp that comes from U.S. waters or farms, that is a big bonus for me, Shop N Save and Schnucks carry the Chinese and Thailand shrimp and the U.S. shrimp at a premium. I hope this continues to be a draw and they do well.
1. lack of prepared foods
2. quality of prepared foods was low
3. not enough local stuff
I would imagine all 3 of these will improve as their gain their sea legs. #3 is kind of tough right now because we are in the middle of winter. I assume there is interest in more dried goods from local sources. To me local is relative, right? If they carry shrimp that comes from U.S. waters or farms, that is a big bonus for me, Shop N Save and Schnucks carry the Chinese and Thailand shrimp and the U.S. shrimp at a premium. I hope this continues to be a draw and they do well.
I was there on Saturday
My biggest possibly negative observation was the lack of a coherent flow to the checkout lanes. People seemed to start at produce and work their way through on the perimeter of the store then made a massive traffic jam to checkout all the way back to beer. It looked like they were waiting to be called up for an open lane, but the other lanes in front of the coffee bar/bakery were light.
I was hoping for more Geisert pork. The grass fed beef they have is really reasonably priced compared to TJs or Whole Foods.
Other local items I'd like to see:
Manzo Sausage
Claverach farms produce --more likely in the spring
Angel Baked cookies
Kakao choc
Traveling Tea
These are the same people that had Sappington, right?
My biggest possibly negative observation was the lack of a coherent flow to the checkout lanes. People seemed to start at produce and work their way through on the perimeter of the store then made a massive traffic jam to checkout all the way back to beer. It looked like they were waiting to be called up for an open lane, but the other lanes in front of the coffee bar/bakery were light.
I was hoping for more Geisert pork. The grass fed beef they have is really reasonably priced compared to TJs or Whole Foods.
Other local items I'd like to see:
Manzo Sausage
Claverach farms produce --more likely in the spring
Angel Baked cookies
Kakao choc
Traveling Tea
These are the same people that had Sappington, right?
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One oversight I noticed was a lack of bike racks. There were a few bicycles locked to each cart return when I went. Maybe they are on order...
I think all of the procedural and logistic concerns (parking, flow, queues...) will be ameliorated once the store is operating under normal patronage. It was like Black Friday in there on Saturday.
I was pleasantly surprised by their offerings and prices, and will definitely be a regular customer.
I think all of the procedural and logistic concerns (parking, flow, queues...) will be ameliorated once the store is operating under normal patronage. It was like Black Friday in there on Saturday.
I was pleasantly surprised by their offerings and prices, and will definitely be a regular customer.
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^ I thought all new construction was required to have bike racks?