OK, for what it's worth...I checked with the manager, and he said they're not supposed to accept tips, but he didn't seem too concerned to learn that they do.
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I think that's cool...especially when someone is assisting you and you don't have to pay to park there anyway.krykel wrote:I always tip a couple bucks.
A coworker hit there at lunch and said the place was slammed with out-of-town basketball fans in for the NCAA Mens Regionals. She said she saw people in gear from all four teams in there shopping and look around.
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FWIW - Culinaria is sure to leave a good impression on out-of-town guests.
Still have not tried Culinaria.
But City Gourmet sells beers for 2 dollars. They have a nice leather couch and chair. Good place to get a drink.
They need to configure the upstairs for later night partying. It's a great public space.
Turn down the lights, get a dj, move the furniture around, and it would be very cool.
But City Gourmet sells beers for 2 dollars. They have a nice leather couch and chair. Good place to get a drink.
They need to configure the upstairs for later night partying. It's a great public space.
Turn down the lights, get a dj, move the furniture around, and it would be very cool.
I've been at Culineria before when 30 people from some kind of seminar group (they all had badges) came in and all ordered food to go. The entire grocery store got a touch hazy from all the cooking. The subsequent line to checkout was the longest I've ever seen there, but also the fastest moving line I've ever experienced.dweebe wrote:A coworker hit there at lunch and said the place was slammed with out-of-town basketball fans in for the NCAA Mens Regionals. She said she saw people in gear from all four teams in there shopping and look around.
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Why would anybody buy take out food from Culinaria when there are so many good places for lunch nearby? It boggles the mind.
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I haven't had take out from Culinaria, but often when I travel I'll go to a Whole Foods, Shaw's or other large grocery because I know there will be a lot of variety and I can also pick up an apple, banana or maybe a granola bar or bottle of water for later. The point is that it's a safe bet and there's a lot of variety - this is especially true for out of towners.
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Exactly. You can't blame people for making a choice based on convenience every now and then.Alex Ihnen wrote:I haven't had take out from Culinaria, but often when I travel I'll go to a Whole Foods, Shaw's or other large grocery because I know there will be a lot of variety and I can also pick up an apple, banana or maybe a granola bar or bottle of water for later. The point is that it's a safe bet and there's a lot of variety - this is especially true for out of towners.
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In the mean time, I don't think I posted this before, but I had occasion last fall to meet a friend's brother-in-law who is a higher up person in the financial operations of Schnuck's. He said Culineria was exceeding all expectations and would be profitable "before long". The main difference with their other stores is that at a regular Schnuck's, the "average" purchase is approx $35, while at the Culineria, it was (IIRC) around $15, +- a $1 or $2.
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So are small businesses more or less likely to locate in an increasingly vibrant downtown that's adding residents?
I think small independent stores in specific markets, such as groceries, will risk a location or undeveloped market because it is very difficult to compete against regional or larger stores just on pricing power alone let alone other issues. Once the market develops, I think small business don't have a chance. In either case, I think it speaks well of Schnucks that they recognized an opportunity and a market developing downtown. The question that I hope is on Schnucks mind in a few years is if their downtown store is too small? If their store is to small it means they need to go to more standard supermarket format. Hopefully, City Gourment will still be present and recoup some of it niche that it lost to Schnucks/Culinaria.
As far as large retailers, I think Target will place a bet on mid town or west downtown store/development at some point in the near future that can serve SLU and Downtown. I don't think it would be a big hit on small downtown business at all. Botiques, restaraunts, etc are very different market. Instead, the question in my mind is if the market big enough for both Macy's and Target? Or will a Wallgreens on Lafayette be as busy? In other words, at what point can downtown support more then one national chain or large store at a time.
I believe the old Federal Mogul site on Forest Parkway is an ideal location for Target since their willing to build to a more urban setting, thinking Hampton Ave Target with underground parking. Especially if Metrolink places a new station nearby. However, my gut feeling is that McKee is speaking up a storm to anyone who will listen that his northside proposal for a new 22nd street interchange is an ideal box store location. Which would be in some respects, easy on off access from a busy freeway that would accomondate cheap surface pakring lots with sizeable residential and work populations nearby.
As far as large retailers, I think Target will place a bet on mid town or west downtown store/development at some point in the near future that can serve SLU and Downtown. I don't think it would be a big hit on small downtown business at all. Botiques, restaraunts, etc are very different market. Instead, the question in my mind is if the market big enough for both Macy's and Target? Or will a Wallgreens on Lafayette be as busy? In other words, at what point can downtown support more then one national chain or large store at a time.
I believe the old Federal Mogul site on Forest Parkway is an ideal location for Target since their willing to build to a more urban setting, thinking Hampton Ave Target with underground parking. Especially if Metrolink places a new station nearby. However, my gut feeling is that McKee is speaking up a storm to anyone who will listen that his northside proposal for a new 22nd street interchange is an ideal box store location. Which would be in some respects, easy on off access from a busy freeway that would accomondate cheap surface pakring lots with sizeable residential and work populations nearby.
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I've removed all posts that were personal in nature or w. If you have a question PM me.
From the forum "Rules and Tolerances":
From the forum "Rules and Tolerances":
This board is primarily meant to accentuate the positive regarding St. Louis as well as a place to exchange information. This is not a complaint board and not the place to post your rants. Serious users of this forum are interested in informed discussions.
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Culinaria has just celebrated its first birthday:
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ily44.html
It's hard to be believe a year has already passed since it opened. However, here's the most important part of the announcement
:
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ily44.html
It's hard to be believe a year has already passed since it opened. However, here's the most important part of the announcement
:The birthday celebration continues through Saturday with free food and giveaways.
KMOX had a bit on the news this morning about the 1st anniversary. They said that Culinaria is exceeding expectations and doing very good business.Hugh Ferriss wrote:Culinaria has just celebrated its first birthday:
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ily44.html
It's hard to be believe a year has already passed since it opened. However, here's the most important part of the announcement
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Obviously they underestimated the demand. I hope someone (other retailers) is looking at this and trying to understand why they were off. What numbers/metrics did the use to conclude how much they would sell? What has been different than expected?
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I wonder if Kleancut will be taking part in the festivities?dweebe wrote:KMOX had a bit on the news this morning about the 1st anniversary. They said that Culinaria is exceeding expectations and doing very good business.Hugh Ferriss wrote:Culinaria has just celebrated its first birthday:
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ily44.html
It's hard to be believe a year has already passed since it opened. However, here's the most important part of the announcement
The Twitter-verse is reporting that City Gourmet is closing and their last day is tomorrow. That's some really bad news. I was just in there for lunch yesterday and it was fairly busy.
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OUCH. I just ate there the other day too. Great burritos and stir fry. The Cupcakes were out of this world good.
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Sad times. I know a lot of people who really liked the place.
Well, they gave it a shot, but it all seemed fairly predestined with Culinaria coming in (and for the record, as a car-less Downtown resident, I wouldn't trade Culinaria for City Gourmet/any other place that closed)
Always sad to see a business closing.
This economy is NOT helping at all.
I thank City Gourmet for starting the grocery trend downtown and applaud them! That was the owners original intention (to get a larger grocers into downtown) and now downtown has flourished and has a mainstream large grocery store in the CBD.
Blame Culinaria - yes. But it is what CG's owner
stated he wanted to happen in the first place.
To be quite honest, I thought City Grocers would just cease operations after Schnucks moved into downtown - I was really surprised they tried something different with City Gourmet in the first place.
Again, thanks to the original City Grocers for giving Downtown STL the first of it's kind!
This economy is NOT helping at all.
I thank City Gourmet for starting the grocery trend downtown and applaud them! That was the owners original intention (to get a larger grocers into downtown) and now downtown has flourished and has a mainstream large grocery store in the CBD.
Blame Culinaria - yes. But it is what CG's owner
stated he wanted to happen in the first place.
To be quite honest, I thought City Grocers would just cease operations after Schnucks moved into downtown - I was really surprised they tried something different with City Gourmet in the first place.
Again, thanks to the original City Grocers for giving Downtown STL the first of it's kind!
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That is sad as City Grocer's/Gourmet was down here before anyone else dared. I will miss many of their selections as Culinaria didn't match up in certain areas. I thought I saw on the window that a restaurant would be opening in its place. Anyone know anything?