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Life MemberLife Member
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PostOct 08, 2009#26

Interesting closure.



I always wondered whether a restaurant would make it long term in the OPO. The building was not designed for street level retail (nor would anyone want to mar the building to make it so). Such "grab and go" locations work best when people can move quickly from the sidewalk into the restaurant and back out, which this location didn't offer. Also, its location inside the OPO was not highly visable (far less noticable than most other street level resturants).



I wonder whether because of the reduced visibility and accessibility of its location, it was harder hit by the opening of Schnucks?



I wonder what percentage of downtown residents, visitors and workers never knew there was a restaurant inside?
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AdministratorAdministrator
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PostOct 08, 2009#27

^

I think they did a pretty good job from an exposure standpoint, all things considered. They had a glass door and a sign out on the sidewalk, both of which were helpful. They also had the outdoor seating area, which always seemed to be full of people.



Every time I've eaten there, they've always had a decent crowd, and I was just there a couple of weeks ago.



It would be nice if One City Centre was filled with office workers once again. Having workers and residents in the Alexa, Arcade, Railway Exchange and St. Louis Centre would be helpful to OPO businesses as well.
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Super ModeratorSuper Moderator
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PostOct 08, 2009#28

According to the marshal/guard at the desk on the first floor, the space will be used by either the Secretary of State or the AG's office. He wasn't sure which.



I was a little surprised too about the closing. Seemed like the did a decent business.



And I've often wondered myself how Culinaria's prepared food business cut into other restaurants in the area. And I agree, it's not really that good. But in an ironic twist to a thread discussing a closed chain store, I think Culinaria's success at prepared foods illustrates the power of chains and brands.
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AdministratorAdministrator
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PostOct 08, 2009#29

steve wrote:According to the marshal/guard at the desk on the first floor, the space will be used by either the Secretary of State or the AG's office.



I was a little surprised too about the closing. Seemed like the did a decent business.


This makes me think that maybe the restaurant was doing fine, but the space was needed by the entities you mentioned.



Maybe Pasta House Express could find another location downtown.
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Super ModeratorSuper Moderator
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PostOct 08, 2009#30

For what it's worth, having interned with the AG, I know they wanted more space.
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