something needs to be done soon...the only think I can think is that they are trying to get rid of their leases to do a major overhaul...but that doesnt explain the new sports bar/club with the cheap looking sign...I'm sure the Hyatt is real excited about that development
I was talking an employee of the Brookstone at the Galleria about the closing of the Union Station store. He said the old lease was good because it was a small flat rate and then a % of sales. But then the Union Station management changed their mind and jacked the rent way up. That's why that store closed.
It's sad to see how the place has declined in the last few years.
-the quick opening and closing of Kriegers
-the quick opening and closing of KC Masterpiece
-the closing of Hooters
-the closing of Brookstone
-the closing of Claires
-the closing of DRPY
-the closing of The Teddybear Shop
-the closing of the trinkets place
-the closing of Route 66 microbrewery
It's sad to see how the place has declined in the last few years.
-the quick opening and closing of Kriegers
-the quick opening and closing of KC Masterpiece
-the closing of Hooters
-the closing of Brookstone
-the closing of Claires
-the closing of DRPY
-the closing of The Teddybear Shop
-the closing of the trinkets place
-the closing of Route 66 microbrewery
Still though, I am somewhat amazed how all of those places are interested in a Union Station location, but not downtown street. I consider the Hooters move a plus overall. But I don't see why Kriegers or KC Masterpiece could be so interested in a Union Station location but not a downtown street location near the ballpark.
I can almost guarantee that the cardinals store will not last much longer...I would imagine they will relocate to Ballpark Villiage
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I think its great their doing live music and stuff. Just like the old days.
With the blues back on track they should see an upswing in patronage.
It doesn't make sense that they jack up the rate on a place like brookstone.
Gotta hope theres an ace up the sleeve.
With the blues back on track they should see an upswing in patronage.
It doesn't make sense that they jack up the rate on a place like brookstone.
Gotta hope theres an ace up the sleeve.
- 10K
I agree that things aren't looking too rosy at Union Station, but I wouldn't use KC Masterpiece as an indication of Union Station's poor health - KC Masterpiece (the restaurant chain, at least) has had MAJOR financial problems. I think all of their restaurants are now closed - they're totally screwed.
Krieger's, on the other hand, might be a better example.
Krieger's, on the other hand, might be a better example.
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dweebe wrote:I was talking an employee of the Brookstone at the Galleria about the closing of the Union Station store. He said the old lease was good because it was a small flat rate and then a % of sales. But then the Union Station management changed their mind and jacked the rent way up. That's why that store closed.
They jacked the rent up on one of their more respectable stores? Unbelievable. And clueless. No wonder the place is dying.
Krieger's is not my cup of tea, but I'm surprised the one in Union Station didn't stick around very long. I figured it'd do quite well with Blues fans heading into and out of Scottrade Center.
With all of the other good news around town, I keep hoping against hope that sooner or later we'll see a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the retail portion of Union Station. I'm not sure that anything less will do at this point. And unfortunately, I don't foresee any major changes anytime soon.
the problem with kriegers is tha thtey opened there during the strike/lockout season...
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^ You're right. My bad. Actually, it's my memory that's bad.
Frankly, this season was the first time I've even thought about professional hockey in St. Louis since the lockout. And I still didn't think about it all that much compared to the good ol' days (at least relatively speaking!) of the 1990s.
Frankly, this season was the first time I've even thought about professional hockey in St. Louis since the lockout. And I still didn't think about it all that much compared to the good ol' days (at least relatively speaking!) of the 1990s.
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DeBaliviere wrote:I agree that things aren't looking too rosy at Union Station, but I wouldn't use KC Masterpiece as an indication of Union Station's poor health - KC Masterpiece (the restaurant chain, at least) has had MAJOR financial problems. I think all of their restaurants are now closed - they're totally screwed.
Same for the Route 66 Brewery, I think.
And I wouldn't count Hooter's either, since they took advantage of an opportunity to move to a much better location.
I just walked down to Union Station over lunch. TKO looks like it is close to being open. There were workers inside and a bunch of TVs on the floor. There was a menu in the window which looked very limited with your standard sport bar food like wings, burgers, chicken fingers etc. I cannot find an official web site only this ad.
http://www.riverfronttimes.com/adindex/ ... d_id=72780
http://www.riverfronttimes.com/adindex/ ... d_id=72780
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DeBaliviere wrote:^
Sounds very unique.
Yeah, I'm not familiar with this "Ladies Night" thing. It sounds very cutting edge!
6 months would be longer than Kriegers and KC Masterpiece lasted...Union Station is just depressing these days...
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DeBaliviere wrote:I give it six months tops.
I'm assuming this place is at the corner of Market & 20th across from Maggie O'brien's? There's probably been at least 8-10 bars in there in the last 20 years.
I'm assuming this place is at the corner of Market & 20th across from Maggie O'brien's? There's probably been at least 8-10 bars in there in the last 20 years.
No that was Plush nightclub (they coincidentally shutdown at the end of last year after a shooting). This place is a little further east where Route 66 used to be.
mophipsi wrote:6 months would be longer than Kriegers and KC Masterpiece lasted...Union Station is just depressing these days...
I think the KC Masterpiece closing was due to internal company struggles. I read an article in Business Week or the Wall Street Journal about the founder his (now) ex-wife and a couple of step children wrestling for control of the comany. Scorched earth type stuff where each party was trying to screw the others over. They're now down to just the one location in suburban KC.
bpe235 wrote:^ and dierbergs off eager
BZZZZZZ wrong. That was a Super Smokers.
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dweebe wrote:mophipsi wrote:6 months would be longer than Kriegers and KC Masterpiece lasted...Union Station is just depressing these days...
I think the KC Masterpiece closing was due to internal company struggles. I read an article in Business Week or the Wall Street Journal about the founder his (now) ex-wife and a couple of step children wrestling for control of the comany. Scorched earth type stuff where each party was trying to screw the others over. They're now down to just the one location in suburban KC.
amazing how that little empire fell...nobody really thinks of going to kc masterpiece in kc for "good bbq..."
i didnt know that the union station kc masterpiece was history...
i never realized how "big time" the stl union station was...a bit AMAZING that the city never made it a priority to remake part of it into a multi-modal like Denver, kind of KC, etc...(store/ restaurant profits HELLO).
^Yeah, I thought that was a major mistake not to make it multi-modal too, but the developers didn't want that. So, what I think Union Station needs now is lots of residential near it, especially all those parking lots to the west need to filled with mid rise (at least) residential. I bet it would be a goldmine, if done right.
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Marmar wrote:So, what I think Union Station needs now is lots of residential near it, especially all those parking lots to the west need to filled with mid rise (at least) residential. I bet it would be a goldmine, if done right.
I think that's the key to Union Station's future success. I wish we could attract a developer that shares that belief. Maybe someday, but I fear that Union Station's decline will be slow and painful, not unlike that of Saint Louis Centre.
Oh, and I think DeBaliviere's on the money with TKO. I wouldn't give it more than six months either.
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When the AIA had their charette in 2005 on the Gateway Mall I suggested we revisit the 22nd interchange which is on MoDot's list. By reconstructing the 40/64 exit you can reclaim a huge amount of land both south & north of Market.
Just like others suggested here, residential around Union Station is the key. Both the parking lots and the reclaimed land can be residential. Given that a bunch of the land is already dug out it would be ideal for the buildings to have underground parking. You could get a couple of levels of underground parking built and then backfill around the structure. Union Station could then become a center piece.
For a class assignment this semester I proposed building over the MetroLink line between roughly 15th and 18th. These could be a mix of unit types but I was thinking smaller, more affordable units without dedicated parking. Have a Flexcar or two in the area for those who need it at times and otherwise let them use MetroLink or walk to services in Union Station.
Just like others suggested here, residential around Union Station is the key. Both the parking lots and the reclaimed land can be residential. Given that a bunch of the land is already dug out it would be ideal for the buildings to have underground parking. You could get a couple of levels of underground parking built and then backfill around the structure. Union Station could then become a center piece.
For a class assignment this semester I proposed building over the MetroLink line between roughly 15th and 18th. These could be a mix of unit types but I was thinking smaller, more affordable units without dedicated parking. Have a Flexcar or two in the area for those who need it at times and otherwise let them use MetroLink or walk to services in Union Station.