I really liked the Pitted Olive on Hampton. No existing thread on this restaurant so I'll start this one, a bit late to do much good.



I heard this is their last weekend open, which I guess would make today their last day as they are closed on Sundays. Guess we will know for sure on Tuesday.

I've eaten there at least a dozen times...very good food, and hard-working husband-wife owners. Every time I was there I saw other diners (and sometimes had a short wait). I sure hope this isn't true, unless (selfishly) they're closing to move closer to me.

http://www.thepittedolivedeli.com/

It is with great sadness that we announce the close of The Pitted Olive. November 29th was our last day of business.



Due to the failing economy our sales have slowly been declining for many months now. With no end in sight we cannot afford to continue to operate in these very uncertain times.



Michael and I want to thank you so very much for your support of the restaurant for the past 2 ¾ years - December 8th would have been our 3 year anniversary.



Please continue to support the other local restaurants in our area.



Michael and Melissa Holmes

NOOOOOOOOOO. The eggplant lasagna, the Thai noodles, the portabello and mozzarella sandwiches, this is a major loss to South City.

If only the city had let them hang their olive sign.

^ Is it too late for them to extend an olive branch? This is the pits!

Oh no!!!!



I used to live two blocks away from the Pitted Olive, and I was thrilled when it opened. Their portabella sandwich was absolutely delightful, and the owners always were happy to chat about how they made dishes or what went into their breads. So cozy!



I haven't been down there in a little under a year, though, so I had no idea they were closing. It makes me sad. Good people.

This is bad. The south side needs places like this around, instead of more chains. I loved that they would grow some of their own food out back. Will be missing the Thai noodles a lot. I always wondered if maybe their prices were a little high and portions small but didn't care myself because it was so fresh. Sad for this area, b/c just down the street, the Busy Bee Cabinetry shop is also closed and empty. At least the goat cheese chicken sandwich will live on in my house. So tasty.

lukethedrifter wrote:If only the city had let them hang their olive sign.

I have to believe that had some impact. I heard about the place through reviews and word-of-mouth, and I think we may have discussed it on this forum after it opened in 2006, although I couldn't find the thread. Otherwise I may not have ever known about it. It's been some time since I've been there, but like others here I'll miss the portabella and goat cheese chicken sandwiches. The owners were nice as well- hopefully this won't be their last South Side dining establishment.



Why exactly was the olive sign rejected anyway? It isn't like our city government is usually concerned about aesthetics, based on many of the decisions they've made in recent years at least.

ThreeOneFour wrote:Why exactly was the olive sign rejected anyway? It isn't like our city government is usually concerned about aesthetics, based on many of the decisions they've made in recent years at least.

Every once in a while they have to reject something to make it look like they actually do something besides rubberstamp well-connected developers' plans, and thus justify their budget. Unfortunately for them, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes apparently don't meet that necessary qualification.

I have no idea why it was rejected I just know that Mike told me he had the sign in storage awaiting approval. That was 2 years ago.

jlblues wrote:Every once in a while they have to reject something to make it look like they actually do something besides rubberstamp well-connected developers' plans, and thus justify their budget.

That's no joke. We're talking about a city that wantonly demolishes buildings because they don't meet earthquake standards (which would apply to roughly 90% of buildings inside city limits) and/or because someone might build something on the site someday. The city has built its share of gaudy parking garages, and it has no problem with even gaudier signage on them. In most neighborhoods, where there's no comprehensive architectural review, some of the schlock that gets approved for construction is absolutely dreadful. And finally, while Hampton Avenue isn't blighted by any means, it isn't one of the city's most attractive or well-preserved thoroughfares either. What harm would this sign have done on a street that has more than its share of signs, some of which were never attractive in the first place?



Wasn't the city supposed to become more business friendly? Based on this example, when can we expect that to happen?



While I certainly realize the demise of The Pitted Olive is likely attributable to several factors beyond mere signage, I also believe visibility is especially important on a busy thoroughfare with a posted 35mph speed limit that most motorists easily exceed. And based on the quality of the business itself, I'm sure the sign was fine.

The Good Pie was also forced to appeal its initial application for signage. I don't know what the outcome was.

I bet The Roberts Pitted Olive or The Roberts Good Pie would've sailed through the approval process at City Hall.

I'm in the process of trying to get some signage for The U., I will know tomorrow if it goes through the first time or has to go up for appeal but I was told by a pretty reliable source that almost every sign is denied automatically. It is just surprising though when you look at drive-through fast food type places where the whole building is almost one giant sign and that seems to be ok. I know when I was at Jazz at the Bistro, the city made them take down the lit up "The Bistro" sign when they installed the big neon sax.

How could anyone not approve an olive shaped sign? Anywhere?

Kustramo, I hope everything goes okay for you in that case.



I cannot believe the city rejects signage automatically when there are so many examples of unattractive signage throughout the city, but I cannot also help but feel that the city holds small business owners to a different standard than the chains and well-connected developers.



Even if that isn't always the case, it seems like independently-owned businesses typically go through a runaround while chains only scale back or modify their signage for aesthetic concerns if enough residents and/or neighboring businesses complain. Otherwise, I'm sure some of the recent fast food restaurants and banks constructed in the city would have 50-ft. tall pole signs in the front.

lukethedrifter wrote:How could anyone not approve an olive shaped sign? Anywhere?

Or operable windows in a storefront?



http://www.urbanstl.com/viewtopic.php?t ... sc&start=0

What entity is responsible and who is in charge? There must be a governance model and guidelines for decisionmaking?

lukethedrifter wrote:How could anyone not approve an olive shaped sign? Anywhere?

How big was this olive anyway?

innov8ion wrote:What entity is responsible and who is in charge? There must be a governance model and guidelines for decisionmaking?

Well, this isn't in an historic district as far as I know, and the building certainly ain't no landmark, so the only guidelines to which a sign at this location would be subject would be the exterior design standards for commercial storefronts in the code, therefore the Zoning Section of the Building Division would review it.

I liked the Pitted Olive when I've been there. Too bad about the sign, my question is: How could they approve that monstrocity on I-70 for the casino, but not a sign for a mom and pop joint?



I'm sure I know the answer, but won't like it.