Downtown Grocers: Culinaria and City Gourmet

jlblues · PostOct 10, 2008#5512008-10-10T22:19+00:00

innov8ion wrote:^^ Have you thought that economics may be dictating floor space utilization? Perhaps we couldn't be talking about a Schnuck's downtown without a greater emphasis on higher margin services.

Obviously Schnuck's will attempt to fill the store with what they believe are the most profitable goods and services in the downtown market.

As taxpayers, and potential customers, however, who will be lavishly compensating Schnuck's for having deigned to conduct commerce in our wretched, impoverished urban community, I feel we should perhaps get some small say as to the goods and services that will be offered. This is particularly true when Schnuck's is being subsidized to - apparently - offer many goods and services which will compete directly with those offered by other retailers - retailers which were the true pioneers in the downtown market - who have risked much and managed to find success downtown without a subsidy.

lamiaposta · PostOct 12, 2008#5522008-10-12T13:59+00:00

I heard they are going to have some open public meetings on this store. Can anyone tell me when and where?

watcher · PostDec 02, 2008#5532008-12-02T22:00+00:00

Is there anything going on with this project?

One would think they would want it up and running with the impending closure of I-40. An opportunity like this rarely presents itself.

dweebe · PostDec 02, 2008#5542008-12-02T22:45+00:00

Watcher wrote:Is there anything going on with this project?

One would think they would want it up and running with the impending closure of I-40. An opportunity like this rarely presents itself.

I wondered the same thing. I put my nose up against the glass this weekend and it doesn't look like anything has occured.

If the downtown Schnucks ever opens, we're probably now looking at a summer or fall opening at best. My bet is the Schnucks have changed their mind and will wait until the economy turns the corner.

shopgirl10 · PostDec 03, 2008#5552008-12-03T01:50+00:00

^

We still need groceries! I love CG but soon I will not be able to supplement with TJ's. Are we all to live on delivered pizza and tapas? What is happening? Schnucks... we need you!

jlblues · PostDec 03, 2008#5562008-12-03T02:31+00:00

shopgirl10 wrote:^I love CG but soon I will not be able to supplement with TJ's.

Why not? MetroLink will be more or less unaffected by the highway closure. As long as you don't mind lugging your Trader Joe's goodies up a muddy hill and/or along a narrow sidewalk with traffic whizzing by - and actually, with 40 and the Hanley overpass closed, traffic isn't going to be doing any whizzing anywhere around there anytime soon.

pillpusher2007 · PostDec 04, 2008#5572008-12-04T23:34+00:00

dweebe wrote:
Watcher wrote:Is there anything going on with this project?

One would think they would want it up and running with the impending closure of I-40. An opportunity like this rarely presents itself.

I wondered the same thing. I put my nose up against the glass this weekend and it doesn't look like anything has occured.

If the downtown Schnucks ever opens, we're probably now looking at a summer or fall opening at best. My bet is the Schnucks have changed their mind and will wait until the economy turns the corner.

I walked by today and looked into the window. Nothing. Hope they get to work soon. I am really tired of driving out to the Hill Schnucks, or fighting traffic on Lindell to do the majority of my grocery shopping that I cant do at the city grocer. Sorry, Im getting a bit frustrated and impatient....

the central scrutinizer · PostDec 05, 2008#5582008-12-05T02:05+00:00

pillpusher2007 wrote:
dweebe wrote:
Watcher wrote:Is there anything going on with this project?

One would think they would want it up and running with the impending closure of I-40. An opportunity like this rarely presents itself.

I wondered the same thing. I put my nose up against the glass this weekend and it doesn't look like anything has occured.

If the downtown Schnucks ever opens, we're probably now looking at a summer or fall opening at best. My bet is the Schnucks have changed their mind and will wait until the economy turns the corner.

I walked by today and looked into the window. Nothing. Hope they get to work soon. I am really tired of driving out to the Hill Schnucks, or fighting traffic on Lindell to do the majority of my grocery shopping that I cant do at the city grocer. Sorry, Im getting a bit frustrated and impatient....

I mostly go to the Schnuck's on the Hill, even though Lindell is closer. Because.....well....did Schnuck's decide to put all their dumbest people in the same store?

dweebe · PostDec 05, 2008#5592008-12-05T04:47+00:00

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:
pillpusher2007 wrote:
dweebe wrote:

I wondered the same thing. I put my nose up against the glass this weekend and it doesn't look like anything has occured.

If the downtown Schnucks ever opens, we're probably now looking at a summer or fall opening at best. My bet is the Schnucks have changed their mind and will wait until the economy turns the corner.

I walked by today and looked into the window. Nothing. Hope they get to work soon. I am really tired of driving out to the Hill Schnucks, or fighting traffic on Lindell to do the majority of my grocery shopping that I cant do at the city grocer. Sorry, Im getting a bit frustrated and impatient....

I mostly go to the Schnuck's on the Hill, even though Lindell is closer. Because.....well....did Schnuck's decide to put all their dumbest people in the same store?

No. They are also down at the Grand & Gravois store.

pillpusher2007 · PostDec 05, 2008#5602008-12-05T05:49+00:00

dweebe wrote:
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:
pillpusher2007 wrote:

I walked by today and looked into the window. Nothing. Hope they get to work soon. I am really tired of driving out to the Hill Schnucks, or fighting traffic on Lindell to do the majority of my grocery shopping that I cant do at the city grocer. Sorry, Im getting a bit frustrated and impatient....

I mostly go to the Schnuck's on the Hill, even though Lindell is closer. Because.....well....did Schnuck's decide to put all their dumbest people in the same store?

No. They are also down at the Grand & Gravois store.

I debated mentioning Lindell but didn't want someone to say"Did you know there is a store on Lindell?". Just hop on 44 towards the "Hill" Schnucks. Ive been going there for years and like it alot...but just might start going to Shop N Save off Kingshighway if Schnucks doesn't come through downtown. I need to settle down.

matguy70 · PostDec 06, 2008#5612008-12-06T21:12+00:00

In Chicago and stopped into the State Street Jewel - surprisingly it is about the same size of the new Schnucks space in downtown St. Louis CBD.

dweebe · PostDec 06, 2008#5622008-12-06T22:03+00:00

matguy70 wrote:In Chicago and stopped into the State Street Jewel - surprisingly it is about the same size of the new Schnucks space in downtown St. Louis CBD.

I've stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn right across the street from that Jewel/Osco and shopped there many times. Hopefully someone from Schnucks has seen that store and will use it as a model. Great urban grocery that carries a good product mix in a very efficient size.

jcity · PostDec 07, 2008#5632008-12-07T18:27+00:00

i heard they just sealed their latest loan or new market credits, or whatever. this is happening!

vollum · PostJan 02, 2009#5642009-01-02T17:36+00:00

There was a news piece on channel 5 this AM about construction starting later this month.

hugh ferriss · PostJan 02, 2009#5652009-01-02T17:50+00:00

Friday, January 2, 2009

Legacy to build $7 million Schnucks downtown, construction set to startSt. Louis Business Journal - by Lisa R. Brown

Legacy Building Group will build the new Schnucks grocery store downtown, with construction to start this month.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE:

There's a story about the imminent start of construction in today's SLBJ:

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... tory5.html

edited by Mod.

moorlander · PostJan 02, 2009#5662009-01-02T17:58+00:00

^

That financing enables the store to open the summer of 2009, said Schnuck Markets Chairman and CEO Scott Schnuck.

“We think it’s going to have a very strong response from downtown residents and office workers,” he said. “Downtown lacks the kinds of services a full-service grocery store has for things like a pharmacy.”

goat314 · PostJan 02, 2009#5672009-01-02T18:03+00:00

I think this a symbol to how far downtown has come and it really change many peoples perspective of the city.

I think a downtown Schnucks will also help spark even more residential and commercial growth in downtown as developers become more confident that downtown is a true residential neighborhood and not just an urban fad.

matguy70 · PostJan 02, 2009#5682009-01-02T22:16+00:00

absolutely.

I will do MOST of my shopping there!

the central scrutinizer · PostJan 02, 2009#5692009-01-02T22:22+00:00

matguy70 wrote:absolutely.

I will do MOST of my shopping there!

Likewise. Except for stuff I get on the Hill, although Schnuck's does already stock a lot of it - Volpi, etc, and they even have pretty good sausages - salsicia (sp?), etc...

matguy70 · PostJan 03, 2009#5702009-01-03T03:07+00:00

Good story on Channel 5

SEE VIDEO HERE:

http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx? ... =982978334

You can pause it and see the store layout plans which show the pharmacy, deli and grocery areas.

It also gives insight to what City Grocers around the corner plans to do.

All in all - really great news for downtown. This district is really coming alive with Roberts Tower shooting up, Left Bank Books opening, The Orpheum Theatre and many other projects and buisnesses / residences going up and planned.

Also ...

The new store will feature 20,800-square-foot of shopping area, an additional 6,306-square-foot mezzanine with a wine department, tapas bar and seating, a full service Pharmacy, Meat and Seafood Departments, Sushi Bar, floral department, bakery and Kaldi's Coffee bar.

goat314 · PostJan 03, 2009#5712009-01-03T03:52+00:00

I'm really excited about this.

tg · PostJan 03, 2009#5722009-01-03T15:18+00:00

I'll believe it when I actually see it. They have been talking about this for too long for me to all of a sudden fall for another 'it's coming soon' story.

Another reason I am not all that excited about it is that several DT residents I have talked to mentioned driving there and using the free parking they will offer??? That pretty much defeats the purpose of having a grocer downtown to help increase foot traffic.

matguy70 · PostJan 03, 2009#5732009-01-03T17:34+00:00

edited not offend poster TG on 01/03/2009 9:06 p.m.

They closed for financing on Dec. 22nd.

They choose Legacy to construct and Legacy isn't a fly by night company when it comes to good construction and relationships.

They will start construction and finish ahead or on time knowing Legacy.

With the closing of financing and Legacy securing the bid/deal... Schnucks will be up and running by summer... you can mark my words.

As for people walking to the grocers, this is going to happen!

Sure people will still drive (cold/rain etc...) but people will most likely be walking to Schnucks Downtown before driving. Many may do their shopping prior to leaving downtown after work and then drive to the burbs. City Grocers has a parking lot - Schnucks will have the garage above... regardless of how people get there - by foot, bike, or auto - who cares! Seriously.

goat314 · PostJan 03, 2009#5742009-01-03T17:41+00:00

matguy70 wrote:umm, you don't get it, do you?

They closed for financing on Dec. 22nd.

They choose Legacy to construct and Legacy isn't a fly by night company when it comes to good construction and relationships.

They will start construction and finish ahead or on time knowing Legacy.

With the closing of financing and Legacy securing the bid/deal... Schnucks will be up and running by summer... you can mark my words.

As for people walking to the grocers, this is going to happen!

Sure people will still drive (cold/rain etc...) but people will most likely be walking to Schnucks Downtown before driving. Many may do their shopping prior to leaving downtown after work and then drive to the burbs. City Grocers has a parking lot - Schnucks will have the garage above... regardless of how people get there - by foot, bike, or auto - who cares! Seriously.

I agree! We will have people driving, walking, biking etc. etc. but the point is there will be more economic activity.

Also...who knows how many more residential proposals and developments we will see when the economy bounces back as a result of this store. That will definitely improve foot traffic and ground level retail all over downtown.

matguy70 · PostJan 03, 2009#5752009-01-03T17:54+00:00

The bottom line is...

We hear about "proposals" all the time. Look at BPV or the Bottle District or even Roberts Tower. But until financing is completed and secured... it isn't going anywhere.

The financing and done deal was the news headline and now Schnucks can move ahead with construction.

Downtown Grocers: Culinaria and City Gourmet

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