urbanSTL

sc4mayor wrote: ↑

Aug 03, 2021

Schnuck Markets debuts 'fresh' concept with small stores in small communities
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... Ms5Y9Yh0Pk

I can think of some not so rural areas for a couple of these stores…

I wonder what a 143,000sf Schnuck's is like?    I'm having a hard time even imagining that...

Not sure if this is right thread to post this kind of speculation but I heard an interesting rumor that the old Schnucks (having been before that Shop 'n Save, Kroger, Schnucks again and I think National at various points) on Watson/Chippewa at the City Limits/Shrewsbury is going to become a Trader Joe's. Not sure how much stock to put in this rumor but I have been curious as Schnucks' lease is up in November (they vacated early) but there has never been a For Lease sign on the property. It's also definitely been thoroughly cleaned out as if in anticipation of another tenant taking over the space. One thing that makes me doubt this is the sheer size of this location, but I definitely think a Trader Joe's would do well in the general area, especially given how many people in South City and in the Inner ring of South County must drive up to nightmarish one in Brentwood.

Also from talking to my parents apparently the site didn't use to be mostly empty parking lot! There was a big slide and batting cages, among other things. And Value City Furniture used to be something called Grandpa Pigeon's. Recalling the list of failed grocery stores in this location, I can't help but suspect their primary issue is oversaturation in this area (worse since Walmart/Aldi went in just up the hill) along with being totally cut off from the surrounding neighborhoods.

StlToday - Citing labor shortage, Schnucks to close most stores an hour earlier

https://www.stltoday.com/business/local ... b99b0.html

Ebsy wrote: ↑

Oct 05, 2021

Not sure if this is right thread to post this kind of speculation but I heard an interesting rumor that the old Schnucks (having been before that Shop 'n Save, Kroger, Schnucks again and I think National at various points) on Watson/Chippewa at the City Limits/Shrewsbury is going to become a Trader Joe's. Not sure how much stock to put in this rumor but I have been curious as Schnucks' lease is up in November (they vacated early) but there has never been a For Lease sign on the property. It's also definitely been thoroughly cleaned out as if in anticipation of another tenant taking over the space. One thing that makes me doubt this is the sheer size of this location, but I definitely think a Trader Joe's would do well in the general area, especially given how many people in South City and in the Inner ring of South County must drive up to nightmarish one in Brentwood.

Like you note, tough to see this space turned into a Trader's Joe unless their a plan in the works to tear down and start from skratch.  A big piece of property near a major intersection but somewhat bad attempt in making Des Peres Parkway into some kind of Freeway.  

Ran past many of times on the River Des Peres trail when we lived in Shrewsbury and couldn't help but think that this an ideal location to start over with a fair sized mixed use development that offers an easy 5 minute walk to Shrewsbury metrolink station and some decent bus stops.   At the same time a rather easy commute to downtown or Clayton CBD.    That has been 11 years now but not surprised nothing has really changed.     Heck, do an at grade intersection, reconfigure the frontage street and you go plenty of room for Mixed Use development with a Trader Joes to anchor

Ebsy wrote: ↑

Oct 05, 2021

Not sure if this is right thread to post this kind of speculation but I heard an interesting rumor that the old Schnucks (having been before that Shop 'n Save, Kroger, Schnucks again and I think National at various points) on Watson/Chippewa at the City Limits/Shrewsbury is going to become a Trader Joe's. Not sure how much stock to put in this rumor but I have been curious as Schnucks' lease is up in November (they vacated early) but there has never been a For Lease sign on the property. It's also definitely been thoroughly cleaned out as if in anticipation of another tenant taking over the space. One thing that makes me doubt this is the sheer size of this location, but I definitely think a Trader Joe's would do well in the general area, especially given how many people in South City and in the Inner ring of South County must drive up to nightmarish one in Brentwood.

Also from talking to my parents apparently the site didn't use to be mostly empty parking lot! There was a big slide and batting cages, among other things. And Value City Furniture used to be something called Grandpa Pigeon's. Recalling the list of failed grocery stores in this location, I can't help but suspect their primary issue is oversaturation in this area (worse since Walmart/Aldi went in just up the hill) along with being totally cut off from the surrounding neighborhoods.

There was a post on Nextdoor about it back in August as a "good rumor to start":

Trader Joe’s.
Here’s a good rumor to start! True or not it would be great. Trader Joe’s is rumored to be moving in where Schnucks on Watson Closed. Who knows!

Posted in
General
to Anyone

But I'd hardly call that concrete evidence.  Somebody reached out to "two aldermen" who said no:

I corresponded with two aldermen on this, there is no evidence at all that Trader Joe's is showing interest in the vacated Schnucks building. Right now this one is just rumor or pipe dream. (And yes, I go to TJ's in Brentwood, would love one closer to home.)

Have you heard anything more concrete?

-RBB

A former Shop 'n Save in Twin Oaks is becoming an Aldi and Ace Hardware.

KSDK - Westlake Ace Hardware to open new store in former grocery space in St. Louis County

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local ... 1962699f6a

Ebsy wrote: ↑

Oct 05, 2021

And Value City Furniture used to be something called Grandpa Pigeon's. 

Stop trying to make me feel old. 

^I spent much of my high school days hanging out at Highland's Miniature Golf (in the arcade). That's where the giant slide used to be.  

STL Style sells (or used to, at least) t-shirts with the Grandpa Pigeon's logo. they have/had a whole nostalgia series. i bought one with the Venture logo a while back.

dredger wrote: ↑

Oct 05, 2021

Ran past many of times on the River Des Peres trail when we lived in Shrewsbury and couldn't help but think that this an ideal location to start over with a fair sized mixed use development that offers an easy 5 minute walk to Shrewsbury metrolink station and some decent bus stops.   At the same time a rather easy commute to downtown or Clayton CBD.    That has been 11 years now but not surprised nothing has really changed.     Heck, do an at grade intersection, reconfigure the frontage street and you go plenty of room for Mixed Use development with a Trader Joes to anchor

As I think you're aware from previous discussions: the ex Shop n Save property is split between the City and Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury at least has always given it little attention because any tax revenue is divided roughly 50/50 and there have been plenty of empty parcels fully within the city limits to concentrate on.  It poses a challenge for redevelopment because (a) neither city is particularly interested in taking the lead on seeking out development and (b) two entities are involved in permitting and taxation.

As much as I'd like to see something more 'successful' there, my guess is any rumors are just wishful thinking.

^ Agree, pretty much anything there is wishfull thinking.    Forget that the City/Shrewsbury was literally down the middle of the property.  Shrewsbury leadership long ago took on the mentality like most county muni's of the only good development is a box store that generates sales tax dollars for the city.    

Their would probably enough room for a mixed use/trader joe's type development if city somehow got the River Des Peres Parkway & Gravois to be an at grade intersection and shift the frontage road to the east/city line so it matches up with entrance to former Shop-n-Save/Value City.   But as you noted, city has plenty of empty lots that can be redeveloped with less hassle and certainly at a lot less cost in redoing a major intersection.    But the whole notion of the city attempting and Shrewsbury being shell shocked into seeing what can be done is a good thought as I feel the whole strip of property between BNSF & the River Des Peres could be envisioned into something a lot better if County, Shrewsbury with City would be willing to go down that road, type of development with a final metrolink expansion route already decided on.

In meantime, will settle for rumors and the fact that getting to Traders Joes across from Target in Brentwood was a pretty quick trip from our old house in Shrewsbury so have a time seeing it being anything other than a rumor

Still, I would like to know what the plan is for this property as there still is no For Lease sign up. Most mysterious.

^The parking lot was looking pretty unkempt today. Lots of broken glass and more than a little litter. It's not a good look for what was once a thriving commercial corridor. Of course . . . that was half a lifetime ago now.

The Shrewsbury BOA agenda includes the following note on the former Schnucks space on Chippewa and RdP:

I continue to communicate with Development Dynamics, the broker for the ownership group of the
closed Schnucks location. We have been told that they are looking into retail development options that
include tenants “that the City will very much like”. It is our understanding that further information
cannot be provided to us at this point, but we will soon plan another meeting with this team to move the
ball forward.

quincunx wrote: ↑

Oct 05, 2021

StlToday - Citing labor shortage, Schnucks to close most stores an hour earlier

https://www.stltoday.com/business/local ... b99b0.html

Apparently none of the Schnucks that I use most often will be changing their hours - Loughborough Commons, Hampton Village, Richmond Heights, and Ladue Crossing will all continue being open until 10pm.

I guess it's safe to say that none of the stores will return to 24 hours anytime soon.

Sent from my LM-V600 using Tapatalk

There has been quite a bit of work going on at the recently closed Schnucks on Watson at the City Limits with Shrewsbury. Can't imagine they would be doing so much if they didn't have a tenant lined up, and there has been no For Lease sign since Schnucks closed. Any of the little sleuths on this forum heard anything?

Ebsy wrote: ↑

Nov 30, 2021

There has been quite a bit of work going on at the recently closed Schnucks on Watson at the City Limits with Shrewsbury. Can't imagine they would be doing so much if they didn't have a tenant lined up, and there has been no For Lease sign since Schnucks closed. Any of the little sleuths on this forum heard anything?

I recall seeing on the property owner's website (don't have time to find it right now) that they planned to build a new out-building and add on to the Schnucks building. I don't recall any tenants being listed though. So, it seems like some of the large parking lot will disappear, but not too much..

Save A Lot is closing its store on the Hill. Never went to it, but I hope it doesn't stay empty for too long. https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local ... 34f5182eaf

Sent from my LM-V600 using Tapatalk

Isn’t that store the location Schlafly Bottleworks originally wanted before ending up in Maplewood?