urbanSTL

The Original Soup Man is on the endangered list. They are for sale but because they cannot afford the cost associated with a broker they are FSBO.

While many of you are correct - many places that sucked closed others are also correct that Schnucks has taken business away from some. While I think Bubba Tea is acting like a big baby - he does have a good product and the service in his place has always been very good - it is a shame that is not reflected in his posts.

Every food service establishment Downtown has felt the impact of Schnucks - even as far away as The London Tea Room. I know we would all like to thing that quality drives sales but in reality many people are simply looking for convenience even if that means an inferior product.

I for one try to give my prepared food purchases to the small mom and pops and shop at Culinaria for my grocery purchases - I encourage you to do the same - that way everyone wins.

As far as the comment - people come Downtown to see Culinaria and think how great it would be to live Downtown - please send them my way, I have a bridge for sale.

People seem to enjoy brands. Brands offer the safe, the familiar, the comfortable.

This has to be the reason people are flocking to Culinaria for the food. Honestly, I haven't tried the prepared food, although I have shopped there. The food doesn't look appealing.

But Schnuck's itself isn't the problem. The problem is the herd mentality of most consumers, which causes people to gravitate to identifiable brands, irrespective of whether the actual product offered matches the perception.

I'm honestly sorry you went out of business, kleancut. But Schnuck's isn't to blame, it just isn't. Blame the consumer, if you want, or blame the cult of brands, but Schnuck's qua Schnuck's isn't the "bad guy."

As to the Soup Man: for warmed over soup, it's pretty good, if overpriced. I think their location is partly the problem. How many people know they're there?

steve wrote: I'm honestly sorry you went out of business, kleancut.

woah woah now. I'm still standing.
I dont plan on shutting door, i have more integrity than that.

BUT how long do i want to stay stationary in my progressing life.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:

steve wrote:As to the Soup Man: for warmed over soup, it's pretty good, if overpriced. I think their location is partly the problem. How many people know they're there?

I haven't been there in a while. The soup is good. Very good. But like others have said, pricey. I think they would do better if they upgraded their sandwiches. The last time I was there, it was basically a small hunk of bread, with a slice or two of turkey and a lump of cheese. Plus, the location is not the greatest. Anyone walking up that street is already going there or the Peruvian place.

I agree completely on Soup Man. I've really enjoyed all of the soups I've had from there, but it is expensive. And I would think upgrading the sandwiches would be very helpful - sometimes you want a half a sandwich and a cup of soup instead of just soup. It's too bad they couldn't have moved into the space in the Bee Hat building where Paper Dolls used to be. It would definitely help with foot traffic. I will say that the crowds have been pretty decent every time I've been in there though.

There is no true answer to this question. In many ways Culinaria is a good thing for the neighborhood. In some ways it is very detrimental to the existing busineses (at least for the short term). The issue I have is that they are not being a good neighbor to the downtown area. They have not and will not contribute to any of the events downtown. They offer no support to the local area in terms of any events outside of their store. How about throwing some of that money they are making into say a parties on the plaza sponsorship? How about donating some beverages or food for the next lucas park clean up? They reach out in many of the other neighborhoods they enter. Their name is on NONE of the downtown events this summer.

STL63101 wrote:There is no true answer to this question. In many ways Culinaria is a good thing for the neighborhood. In some ways it is very detrimental to the existing busineses (at least for the short term). The issue I have is that they are not being a good neighbor to the downtown area. They have not and will not contribute to any of the events downtown. They offer no support to the local area in terms of any events outside of their store. How about throwing some of that money they are making into say a parties on the plaza sponsorship? How about donating some beverages or food for the next lucas park clean up? They reach out in many of the other neighborhoods they enter. Their name is on NONE of the downtown events this summer.

I have to say, i walked by the back dock a couple times, noticing folks tossing, bread, cup cakes, pastries, cake, kool-laid (lol) and other random unhealthy crap into the back of a St Patrick Center van.
Im assuming those sweets arent as experiable as something more healthy; fruit, milk. etc.

Better than throwing it away, i guess?

kleancut wrote:

STL63101 wrote:There is no true answer to this question. In many ways Culinaria is a good thing for the neighborhood. In some ways it is very detrimental to the existing busineses (at least for the short term). The issue I have is that they are not being a good neighbor to the downtown area. They have not and will not contribute to any of the events downtown. They offer no support to the local area in terms of any events outside of their store. How about throwing some of that money they are making into say a parties on the plaza sponsorship? How about donating some beverages or food for the next lucas park clean up? They reach out in many of the other neighborhoods they enter. Their name is on NONE of the downtown events this summer.

I have to say, i walked by the back dock a couple times, noticing folks tossing, bread, cup cakes, pastries, cake, kool-laid (lol) and other random unhealthy crap into the back of a St Patrick Center van.
Im assuming those sweets arent as experiable as something more healthy; fruit, milk. etc.

Better than throwing it away, i guess?

They sell the old fruit, milk etc at the store at N Grand and Lee and I'm only sort of kidding.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:I agree. Well done.

Kleancut has been banned for at least one month for violating forum rules. Specifically, repeatedly attacking forum members and uttering homosexual slurs. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated here.

Your childish provocations haven't exactly helped matters, CS. This is a warning. Cool it...

^

And to think they do it voluntarily!

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Looks like Kleancut is now posting on the PD forums instead of here:

kleancut said on: July 20, 2010, 6:34 am

Im reading of alot of shootings downtown. Why does stupid urbanstl.com attempt to draw a picture as if downtown is so safe and no crime. idiots. im staying in the county. the city is one big FAIL.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metr ... e=comments

Timmy Superhero said on: July 20, 2010, 1:49 pm
@kleancut: Has your stupid bubble tea store failed yet?


Timmy?

I read Kleancut's comments on STL Today too. Here's an idea, maybe your business isn't failing because of Culinaria--but becuase you act like a 7 yr. old!

Just a thought.