Another new restaurant is coming to the area. Simply Fondue will be taking up space at 17th and Locust which is in the bottom of The Printer's Lofts, Building C.



If you have not seen this spot it is absolutely perfect for a restaurant. It's a 3-sided space with big picture windows running along 17th street and then more views to the north and south. I can see a great patio area on the west side as well as a great place for valet service.



Sorry but no details on timeframe, menu, decor, etc., etc. Just know that a deal has been made.



Nice!



Did a search online and found this. http://www.simplyfondue.com/



It looks like it will be a great fit for the area.

Sounds great, looking forward to their arrival as I love fondue. Hope it's soon...their web page is really nice, too...I could almost smell the cheese!!

Website mentions Opening Soon in St. Louis. Sounds awesome though.

Fondue?!?! People have such short memories. We went through that fad in the 70's. I give them 2 years, 3 tops.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Fondue?!?! People have such short memories. We went through that fad in the 70's. I give them 2 years, 3 tops.

Not to be cynical, but I have to agree with scrutinizer. I wasn't around for the 70s fad (well, I was -- but too young to notice), but when I hear people talk about it now it strikes me as a "priveledged 25-25 year-olds who want to seem sophisticated and impress others" thing.

Let's give the place a chance before predicting it's demise. This forum should serve to promote development not add to the cynicism ...

Tysalpha wrote:

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Fondue?!?! People have such short memories. We went through that fad in the 70's. I give them 2 years, 3 tops.

Not to be cynical, but I have to agree with scrutinizer. I wasn't around for the 70s fad (well, I was -- but too young to notice), but when I hear people talk about it now it strikes me as a "priveledged 25-25 year-olds who want to seem sophisticated and impress others" thing.

Have you ever been to a fondue style restaurant? The Melting Pot is in the loop and does quite well. It's not just 25 year olds either. It is a mix of young and old, and really caters to small groups. It's actually a very fun way to dine. And I welcome just about anything to that corner as there is nothing going on there. It will be a fantastic addition to the space and really bring that corner to life. Would you have rather had another Pan-Asian style restaurant come in? I think it's a perfect fit for downtown and for that space and predict it will be a great success.

Great news. I love fondue! I can't wait until this place opens. I've been wanting to get out to The Melting Pot for years now, but have never made it. But this new place will be perfect for after work.

Fondue restaurants all around the country have found success. I think this place should be fine.



But allow me, for just a moment, to lament the loss of my easy parking spaces while going to see my cousin (who lives in that very building). If that restaurant takes up 100 spaces with stupid cones for valet parking, I'll be pissed.

trent wrote:Fondue restaurants all around the country have found success. I think this place should be fine.



But allow me, for just a moment, to lament the loss of my easy parking spaces while going to see my cousin (who lives in that very building). If that restaurant takes up 100 spaces with stupid cones for valet parking, I'll be pissed.

Just park across the street in the lot next to the film library. There is never anyone in there.

I think that this is great. My wife and I have been to the Melting Pot a number of times, and since I live on the East side I now don't have to drive as far. Besides the whole Washington Street area is just such a cool place, and with all of the lofts going in it cannot do anything but get better. I for one think that this is awesome, think that they will do well, and wish them luck.

I am one of the partners in the St. Louis Simply Fondue Location. We are very excited about all that's happening downtown!

sf-stl,



That's great. I hope you stop by often to give us updates on the progress at the location.

^Ditto.

I'll keep you posted. We went down to the Downtown Living tour today and are even more excited about what's happening down there!

Tysalpha wrote:

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Fondue?!?! People have such short memories. We went through that fad in the 70's. I give them 2 years, 3 tops.

Not to be cynical, but I have to agree with scrutinizer. I wasn't around for the 70s fad (well, I was -- but too young to notice), but when I hear people talk about it now it strikes me as a "priveledged 25-25 year-olds who want to seem sophisticated and impress others" thing.

Have you guys been to a cooking store lately? Check out Williams Sonoma, Bed, Bath & Beyond, any of them... you'll see that fondue is back in style.

aimster wrote:

Tysalpha wrote:

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Fondue?!?! People have such short memories. We went through that fad in the 70's. I give them 2 years, 3 tops.

Not to be cynical, but I have to agree with scrutinizer. I wasn't around for the 70s fad (well, I was -- but too young to notice), but when I hear people talk about it now it strikes me as a "priveledged 25-25 year-olds who want to seem sophisticated and impress others" thing.

Have you guys been to a cooking store lately? Check out Williams Sonoma, Bed, Bath & Beyond, any of them... you'll see that fondue is back in style.

I never said it wasn't.

That is a perfect space for a restaraunt/bar... Very excited to see the development heading to my neck of the woods....



Hope you put in a great bar for some after work drinks!

Tysalpha wrote:when I hear people talk about it now it strikes me as a "priveledged 25-25 year-olds who want to seem sophisticated and impress others" thing.

Naw, some of us privileged 25-35 year-olds just like cheese and chocolate.



(And god forbid we end up with people trying to impress each other in the loft district. It'd all be downhill from there. )

Great location, and it sounds like a nice alternative to The Melting Pot.



(Nothing wrong with TMP IMHO, it'll just be nice to have something different, especially something like this in downtown.)

So what is the timeline on construction/opening or this place?

They're getting it ready. They haven't started any significant work, but there have been several workers in and out of the location in the last two weeks. It's a great looking space, BTW.

There shouldn't be too much interior work to be done, should there? It's goign into the West building(correct?) and it looks like the first floor has been waiting for a tenant for a while.

It is the West Building, and there isn't a whole lot of interior work to be done, except for putting a restaurant in. The inside has been prepped, the windows are all open, and usually they cover the window to start construction. It's an awesome space though.

We are hoping to be open by October 1st. We are finalizing the plans and layout and hope to get rolling with construction soon. I'll let everyone know as things start to firm up!