urbanSTL

So where are the shoppers coming from? The surrounding Schnuck's stores? City Market was obviously one option, but they never had the crowds that the new place has.

Grover wrote:So where are the shoppers coming from? The surrounding Schnuck's stores? City Market was obviously one option, but they never had the crowds that the new place has.

You have to wonder what sort of hit the Lindell store is taking? Has anyone who still goes there seen a difference?

Walked home tonight with about $80 in fresh groceries. In my backpack. Hallelujiah! I'm so glad the grocery's there I'll venerate that crucifix, even give an approving nod if it is ever replaced with a Flying Spaghetti Monster.

I don't understand why they don't rebuild the Lindell Schnucks with this same concept. A neat mixed-use building would really go a long way towards transforming the character of the neighborhood. And we all know that Blockbuster is going under and that DESCO owns the land...why not start planning for Lindell street frontage right now. Culinaria Two, anyone? Especially if the prices are the same for the most part, I don't see what objections there would be.

But Matt - don't you know that EVERYONE outside of a few cooky So-Ho wannabe's downtown demand lots of surface parking and want all their stores to exist on one floor? (so says CVS)

In order to increase the appeal or attractiveness of downtown to businesses, residents and visitors, there should as many exclusive retail, boutiques and stores as possible - mixed in with regular stores, of course. Culinaria is exclusive. A second Culinaria in the region would only help to zap the life (or appeal) out of the downtown location. Why go downtown, if there is a similar store is in my own backyard?



There should not be another Culinaria - at least not in the near future - anywhere in the region.



All Schnucks has to do is upgrade its so-called "ghetto" Lindell store by enhancing its appearance, security, cleanliness (inside and outside). And to hell with SLU students, if a second Culinaria were to be built there, you would still get the same local residents shopping there regardless.



SLU could build or hire a chain to build a mini-market on or near its campus.

Arch City wrote:In order to increase the appeal or attractiveness of downtown to businesses, residents and visitors, there should as many exclusive retail, boutiques and stores as possible - mixed in with regular stores, of course. Culinaria is exclusive. A second Culinaria in the region would only help to zap the life (or appeal) out of the downtown location. Why go downtown, if there is a similar store is in my own backyard?



There should not be another Culinaria - at least not in the near future - anywhere in the region.



All Schnucks has to do is upgrade its so-called "ghetto" Lindell store by enhancing its appearance, security, cleanliness (inside and outside). And to hell with SLU students, if a second Culinaria were to be built there, you would still get the same local residents shopping there regardless.



SLU could build or hire a chain to build a mini-market on or near its campus.

I see what you're saying, but you're wrong. Culinaria is not a destination shopping experience. It's a grocery store. I do not believe that people are driving past other Schnuck's stores to shop here. However, I know many people who drive past the Lindell Schnuck's to shop at TJ's, Dierbergs, Walmart, you-name-it.

Grover wrote:

Arch City wrote:In order to increase the appeal or attractiveness of downtown to businesses, residents and visitors, there should as many exclusive retail, boutiques and stores as possible - mixed in with regular stores, of course. Culinaria is exclusive. A second Culinaria in the region would only help to zap the life (or appeal) out of the downtown location. Why go downtown, if there is a similar store is in my own backyard?



There should not be another Culinaria - at least not in the near future - anywhere in the region.



All Schnucks has to do is upgrade its so-called "ghetto" Lindell store by enhancing its appearance, security, cleanliness (inside and outside). And to hell with SLU students, if a second Culinaria were to be built there, you would still get the same local residents shopping there regardless.



SLU could build or hire a chain to build a mini-market on or near its campus.

I see what you're saying, but you're wrong. Culinaria is not a destination shopping experience. It's a grocery store. I do not believe that people are driving past other Schnuck's stores to shop here. However, I know many people who drive past the Lindell Schnuck's to shop at TJ's, Dierbergs, Walmart, you-name-it.

I think part of the reason the Richmond Heights Schnucks is the busiest one in the chain and usually a madhouse is that a number of people who live closer to the Lindell store skip it.



IMHO the eastern end of the Delmar loop would be a prime location for a second Culinaria.

if i'm not mistaken, didn't the schnucks on olive in university city close? would they take another chance in an area that close so soon? i would like to think they will. judging by the apparent success of the downtown store.

quincunx wrote:

dweebe wrote:
IMHO the eastern end of the Delmar loop would be a prime location for a second Culinaria.

Hamilton and Delmar please. Or a Walgreen's, or something useful there. The OCL Lighting Co building would be great too. I can imagine a lot of produce out in front of there. There was a mention of the owners considering a grocery store there in a PD article a few months ago.



Are the features that have been added to the Richmond Heights Schnucks similar to those offered at Culinaria? Might a similar renovation of the Lindell location make a big difference?

About the same. The RH store has a lot more space so there's a huge cheese island and a shrimp bar added that seem to be unique. (Maybe Des Peres also got those.)



But like the Culinaria the RH Schnucks got a Kaldis, the grill, expanded deli with Boars Head meat and a few other things.

Grover wrote:I see what you're saying, but you're wrong. Culinaria is not a destination shopping experience. It's a grocery store. I do not believe that people are driving past other Schnuck's stores to shop here. However, I know many people who drive past the Lindell Schnuck's to shop at TJ's, Dierbergs, Walmart, you-name-it.

First Grover, I didn't suggest that Culinaria was a "destination shopping experience". I said it was exclusive (ie special, different) - meaning - there are no other Schnucks stores like it throughout the whole chain. There are no other locations in St. Louis with the "Culinaria" brand. The brand on it signifies a "mystique" that has a great potential to attract customers.



Personally, I think a wish list for a Culinaria on Lindell while displacing/upgrading the so-called "ghetto" Schnucks reeks a little bit of elitism, but I do understand. However, Straubs is right down the road.



For the record, I don't care where I shop for groceries (store or location) as long as I can find competitive prices. With the exception of high-priced @ss Dierbergs, I shop where I am closest too in the moment. If I happen to be near a store (Schnucks, Shop N Save, Wal-Mart) on Big Bend, Clayton Road, Olive in UCity or the Godforsaken "ghetto" store on Lindell I will shop my ass off, as long as I can buy what I need and it's fresh. I don't give a damn. I know many people who shop on Lindell because they don't want to go on Clayton Road even when they have the means to get there.



Not to rain on Matt Drops The H idea, my apologies, but I just happen to believe that Schnucks needs to be cautious before they take a broader approach to the concept. Let the downtown store (thus downtown) soak up the limelight for a long time before making the concept ho-hum or ordinary in the CWE, Chesterfield and west hell O'Fallon, Missouri.