Schnucks Culinaria Downtown

ben1040 · PostApr 25, 2010#12010-04-25T17:54+00:00

The P-D examines the impact of Culinaria 8 months on:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/busine ... enDocument

The new kid on the block at the corner of Ninth and Olive streets has been shaking up downtown St. Louis.

Schnuck Markets' Culinaria is only eight months old, but it has quickly become a hit with downtown workers who flock to the experimental grocery store at lunch to pick up made-to-order sandwiches, salads and other prepared food.

"When the sun comes up at Olive and 9th, it looks a real downtown corner now," said Justin Shire, owner of Labeebee's, a nearby Lebanese restaurant that welcomes the new neighbor. "Or if you get there at 11:30 (a.m.), it's like … you're in a really busy city."

The grocery store's presence has already drawn other newcomers to downtown such as Great Clips and Clarkson Eyecare.

But the entry of such a big retailer also brought a new level of competition to a neighborhood mostly dotted with small franchises or mom-and-pop shops.

Some businesses that depended on the downtown lunch crowd have closed, unable to compete with Culinaria's low prices and selection.

Others have been slashing prices to hang on to customers. And one cafe — Bubba Tea & Cafe — is now up for sale.

"Since the Culinaria has opened, it's been a struggle," said Daniel Rhodes, co-owner of The Original SoupMan franchise on 11th Street.

Rhodes estimated he's lost 30 percent of his business to Culinaria, which offers cups of soup for about half the price. "It's very unfortunate for the little people. All of us are hurting."

juiceinkirkwood · PostApr 25, 2010#22010-04-25T19:47+00:00

Business comes and business goes, and its a shame that some businesses are meeting their maker early because of Culinaria, but overall, I think Culinaria is a very, very good thing for downtown. If 10 restaurants close but Culinaria and other important needs are met and 5,000 new residents arrive downtown over the course of the next 5 years, those 10 restaurants will be replaced with others to serve the new 5,000. We need a grocery store downtown, just like every neighborhood needs a grocery, or easy access to a grocery.

the central scrutinizer · PostApr 26, 2010#32010-04-26T01:10+00:00

I noticed this:

But a couple of businesses say Culinaria was their death knell. One of the casualties was My Bar & Pizzaria, which opened last June and sold brick-oven pizza, sandwiches and salads.

Business was steadily picking up until the second week of August, said owner Jim Emerson. That was when Culinaria opened, which also sells pizza by the slice, but for a dollar cheaper.

"Our lunch business was literally cut by over 50 percent," said Emerson, who closed up shop in November.

It's easy to blame Schnuck's, but I have to wonder about (Bubba Tea's) business plan - I never heard of the joint. Did they tell anyone they were open? Where on earth was it? This is the sort of place I would have gone to quite often, had I known it existed.

Side note: Schnuck's pizza has to be the worst I've ever had. Worst than Domino's, Little Caesar's, Imo's, etc. Not just a little worst; orders of magnitude worse. It's inedible.

Alex Ihnen · PostApr 26, 2010#42010-04-26T02:39+00:00

I would like to ask that this thread stay on topic and that everyone refrain from making personal comments.

the central scrutinizer · PostApr 26, 2010#52010-04-26T03:42+00:00

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:I noticed this:

But a couple of businesses say Culinaria was their death knell. One of the casualties was My Bar & Pizzaria, which opened last June and sold brick-oven pizza, sandwiches and salads.

Business was steadily picking up until the second week of August, said owner Jim Emerson. That was when Culinaria opened, which also sells pizza by the slice, but for a dollar cheaper.

"Our lunch business was literally cut by over 50 percent," said Emerson, who closed up shop in November.
It's easy to blame Schnuck's, but I have to wonder about (Bubba Tea's) business plan - I never heard of the joint. Did they tell anyone they were open? Where on earth was it? This is the sort of place I would have gone to quite often, had I known it existed.

Side note: Schnuck's pizza has to be the worst I've ever had. Worst than Domino's, Little Caesar's, Imo's, etc. Not just a little worst; orders of magnitude worse. It's inedible.

Someone changed my post. I was not referring to the bubble tea place. Which is why they aren't mentioned in the quote.

Alex Ihnen · PostApr 26, 2010#62010-04-26T15:29+00:00

^ If your comment was changed you likely received a PM.

kleancut · PostApr 26, 2010#72010-04-26T15:52+00:00

His original post was fine.. just stating, no wonder im a grumpy ass dude. Schnucks f'd my business.

southsidepride · PostApr 26, 2010#82010-04-26T17:49+00:00

^Dude, listing your location as "Donetown" is what is keeping me from patronizing your business. Culinaria has nothing to do with it.

lukethedrifter · PostApr 26, 2010#92010-04-26T18:00+00:00

kleancut wrote:His original post was fine.. just stating, no wonder im a grumpy ass dude. Schnucks f'd my business.

I recently had a bubble tea from the place in the Loop and I patronize downtown businesses but after reading your many posts here I have no interest in stepping in to your place.

kleancut · PostApr 26, 2010#102010-04-26T19:03+00:00

^ thats on you. I couldnt give two shits thats your getting your bubble tea at a place that smells like a chinese take out back alley. Along with old ass re-used boba.

Im not a idiot. Im sure the way i post, has effected me a little.

Does a guy with a totalled car, care if someones puts a door ding in it?

PostMay 29, 2010#112010-05-29T18:30+00:00

I was glad to see City Gourmet and Washington Post come out with their great idea of having 1.00 DVD rentals.

WHAT DO YOU KNO!? yes.. of course Schnucks has to follow suit.

Let me also throw in, im sure somewhere along the lines, they notice the popularity of Fro Yo (in the Loop). Now they will serve frozen yogurt.
No, we dont have a frozen yogurt downtown but it'll effect dessert location:
Gelateria
Chocolate Cafe place on Olive

Your next potential intelligent entrepreneur will notice this common trend going on.
And will simply laugh at the idea of opening his business downtown.

In 2020 downtown StL will be only Schnucks, bars, and lofts with less value than a modular home.

Schnucks covers your:
Coffee/Espresso
Breakfast/pastrys
Lunch
Dinner
Weekly magazines
Flowers
Desserts (ice cream, high end chocolate, Smoothies, etc)
Wine, etc

With Schnucks bullying and demolishing business' around here, what knowledgeable entrepreneur would even want to come close to opening anything around here.

Rather than sissy "e-attacks", I would be interested in legitimate responses.
The Mayor him self cant even give me one.

matguy70 · PostMay 29, 2010#122010-05-29T19:22+00:00

It's called FREE ENTERPRISE my friend.

We understand your position with Bubba Tea...
I am a business owner in STL and have competition and if they are doing it better or beating me in marketing - they will win. Small businesses are the fabric of all cities - but the big guys also call/come and call it home too.

Those who survive will be doing it best.

If you wish to piss and moan - please go back and read all the pages of this thread and also please reread our Forums Rules on posting(s).

URBAN STL FORUM MISSION:
Members should expect mostly positive news and information to be disseminated here. 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. While everyone won't necessarily share the same opinions, we hope members will at least make an attempt to use logic and verifiable information in your posts. Lively, intelligent discussion is what we're about.

the central scrutinizer · PostMay 29, 2010#132010-05-29T20:47+00:00

kleancut wrote:With Schnucks bullying and demolishing business' around here, what knowledgeable entrepreneur would even want to come close to opening anything around here.

This is the same complaint about Wal-Mart. And yet, it's not true. Wal-Mart has not put a single retailer out of business, and neither has Schnuck's. In fact, I don't know of any legal way that they could.

PostMay 29, 2010#142010-05-29T22:48+00:00

kleancut wrote:
The Central Scrutinizer wrote: This is the same complaint about Wal-Mart. And yet, it's not true. Wal-Mart has not put a single retailer out of business, and neither has Schnuck's. In fact, I don't know of any legal way that they could.
Walmart has moved into many small towns and bullied 'ma and pa' shops outta busines.

Name one. And how exactly did they "bully" them? Send Guido around and tell them they had to close?

kleancut wrote:There has been several cases where these small 'ma and pa' places attempted to sue Walmart.

Sue them for what, exactly?

kleancut · PostMay 30, 2010#152010-05-30T01:20+00:00

holyshit. nm.

the central scrutinizer · PostMay 30, 2010#162010-05-30T01:46+00:00

kleancut wrote:holyshit. nm.

I rest my case.

downtown2007 · PostMay 30, 2010#172010-05-30T17:04+00:00

kleancut wrote: Your next potential intelligent entrepreneur will notice this common trend going on.
And will simply laugh at the idea of opening his business downtown.

In 2020 downtown StL will be only Schnucks, bars, and lofts with less value than a modular home.

I doubt that will ever happen. You forget the population downtown is growing and as it continues to grow more businesses will be needed.

PostMay 30, 2010#182010-05-30T18:04+00:00

The Riverfront Times is Yellow Journalism and you are probably better off reading The Onion.

Look I dont think you understand the power of people in numbers. As the population downtown continues to increase there will be a need for businesses and services whether they are new, duplicates, or overlapping services that Schnucks already provides. Thats the way it works. On the flip side Schnucks is a postive element for attracting residents and companies. So as the population increases Schnucks will become less and less important but still a needed business.

Before you go shouting about how awful downtown is you need to look at how far it has come. In 2000 it was a shell and resembled a bombed out WWII city. I dont care how many customers come in and have negative comments or how many businesses Schnucks has put out of business. All that matters is that we are improving and momentum continues to gain. We can either squash the momentum like you are doing or build upon it like many others are doing.

the central scrutinizer · PostJun 01, 2010#192010-06-01T03:34+00:00

Good for downtown. Pretty much a no brainer.

kleancut · PostJun 01, 2010#202010-06-01T13:22+00:00

Schnucks has put out multiple business'. Yea thats a no brainer, very healthy for downtown.

2020: 1300 sqft lofts for sale at $50k, Bars, and our one stop shop.

hoorah Schnucks.

moorlander · PostJun 01, 2010#212010-06-01T13:56+00:00

Here's my take.

Culinaria is a massive boost to the downtown area. The residents, tourists and office workers can all attest to that. What is unfortunate, in the short term, is the strain it is causing some of the surrounding retail storefronts.

This is a very exciting time for downtown St. Louis. The momentum coming off the great recesion is unmatched by most any other U.S. city. Hang in there Kleancut, don't let your emotions continue to cloud your long term views of downtown.

the central scrutinizer · PostJun 01, 2010#222010-06-01T14:12+00:00

kleancut wrote:Schnucks has put out multiple business'. Yea thats a no brainer, very healthy for downtown.

Name one.

Alex Ihnen · PostJun 01, 2010#232010-06-01T14:29+00:00

Thanks all for getting/keeping the conversation on-topic and civil!

krykel · PostJun 01, 2010#242010-06-01T15:00+00:00

I would definitely argue that Culinaria is good for downtown. For example, we used to shop at the Schnucks on Arsenal. Now, we shop at Culinaria, while I'm down there, I stop at Left Bank Books, UMA, etc. Places I would not have just stopped by if I were getting my groceries elsewhere.

moorlander · PostJun 01, 2010#252010-06-01T15:22+00:00

The foot traffic generated by Culinaria should be a real positive to retail shops looking to locate downtown. Just look at all the ancillary retail that choose to locate next to the big boxes in other locations.