Just wanted to garner feedback to pass on to the developers who are seeking ideas for retail at this location. There's 4800 sq. feet available which could be split up in two. What do you think is missing in this area? Below are some initial ideas...
- A Bank (Bank of America?)
- Coffee Shop
- Quality Fast Food (Qdoba, BreadCo, Jimmy John's)
Perhaps a supplement/vitamin store like GNC or Attilios........especially with the new McGowan gym at the Goodman bldg just being right down the street.
"Not any time soon" according to the corporate office in Dallas. They have been looking around St. Louis for a location, but the corporate office says they haven't been able to find a good location as of yet. (At least they are looking though.)
Maybe this is why it takes so long for St. Louis to land some national chains. They want the perfect location.
If you look at Fogo De Chao's website, in the U.S. they are located in high-end areas. While I would definitely root for downtown St. Louis to land it, such a restaurant would likely end up in Clayton/Galleria area, Chesterfield, or possibly the CWE until downtown gets stronger.
I would vote for a Noodle and Company, a great burger place like Big V's in the loop, Crazy Bowls and Wraps or Racanelli's. Just make sure its open late and on the weekends.
The perfect site for it would be the old Schnuck's location on Hanley/Clayton.
I am pretty sure that site is being marketed for a High Rise Condo. I don't remember the exact figure, but the price was pretty astronomical. Fogo would need to charge something $200 a person instead of the $50
well i'm sure there would be more development on that corner than just the fogo... one rest. wouldn't replace a whole grocery store. It would fit in nicely as a groundfloor retail tenant to a midrise on that plot. And I could walk to it...YYYYEEEEESSS.
It would also be a great addition to dt... Clayton/galleria has plenty of top notch rest. I wonder if it would replace the old houli's at galleria.?
As for the meridian, I think A resonably priced rest. would fit in nicely. Heck, a Pei Wei would be a nice addition to dt. (chain haters unite)
bpe235 wrote:well i'm sure there would be more development on that corner than just the fogo... one rest. wouldn't replace a whole grocery store. It would fit in nicely as a groundfloor retail tenant to a midrise on that plot. And I could walk to it...YYYYEEEEESSS.
It would also be a great addition to dt... Clayton/galleria has plenty of top notch rest. I wonder if it would replace the old houli's at galleria.?
As for the meridian, I think A resonably priced rest. would fit in nicely. Heck, a Pei Wei would be a nice addition to dt. (chain haters unite)
I definitely see a fit in the Clayton CBD. With the recent return of Ruths Cris, it would be a great fit. Is there retail at the Conrad? (Maryland @ Brnetwood)
I like the notion of a non-chain deli, something unique/local or a world news type spot would make a nice fit.
I will say, I'm not against chains and I think this would be a good location for a "quality fast food" type restaurant. Some chains that haven't saturated the area yet and/or are at least tasty, IMO include:
Jason's Deli
FlatTop Grill
Big Apple Bagels
Firehouse subs
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Smoothie King/Jamba Juice
I'd also be a big fan of Pei Wei, Qdoba, or Chipotle!
Anyone ever been to a Bonefish Grill? It would be an *awesome* addition to DT although I'm not sure this is the place…perhaps BPV.
Potbelly's would be great. I had lunch there quite a bit when I was travelling to Dallas.
I think the type of business that goes into the restaurant will need to fit the building. I would expect the deli type place to go into the Days Inn building or a similar building.
It will be interesting to see what goes in there because although it's a big space, there's only one entrance, so I don't see how it can be split into two.
I saw some people looking at it this morning... they were very excited about all of the window space.
Who knows, maybe Fogo de Chao would be possible. We're looking into it.
What about an authentic NY-style or Jewish deli? Others have mentioned it and I don't know of any such authentic delis around downtown. Anyone know of any authentic deli chain? Big Apple Bagels could be a decent idea. Or maybe a deli entrepreneur looking to start a business downtown?
The World News place could be interesting although I haven't spent much time in there. Coffee, convenience goods and papers/newstands.... Could be a nice fit.
If we could fit two, some kind of restaurant and some kind of convenience business could be nice. What do you think?
St.Louis UAB alumni wrote:Potbelly's would be great. I had lunch there quite a bit when I was travelling to Dallas.
I think the type of business that goes into the restaurant will need to fit the building. I would expect the deli type place to go into the Days Inn building or a similar building.
A good fit w/ the building is an important consideration as suggested. A deli can still look nice and add character to the area. I think a late-nite diner is pretty different from an authentic deli which downtown seems to be totally lacking... Whatcha think?
What do you guys like about Potbelly? I've never eaten there but it looks nice. How is it different from a Quiznos, Jimmy John's, etc?
aimster wrote:It will be interesting to see what goes in there because although it's a big space, there's only one entrance, so I don't see how it can be split into two.
I saw some people looking at it this morning... they were very excited about all of the window space.
It could be split into two because another entrance could be added.
innov8ion wrote:Who knows, maybe Fogo de Chao would be possible. We're looking into it.
What about an authentic NY-style or Jewish deli? Others have mentioned it and I don't know of any such authentic delis around downtown. Anyone know of any authentic deli chain? Big Apple Bagels could be a decent idea. Or maybe a deli entrepreneur looking to start a business downtown?
The World News place could be interesting although I haven't spent much time in there. Coffee, convenience goods and papers/newstands.... Could be a nice fit.
If we could fit two, some kind of restaurant and some kind of convenience business could be nice. What do you think?
Just wanted to say thanks for all your feedback!
I think a deli like Kopperman's, Pumpernickle's, etc. would be great - I'd prefer something like that to a chain place.
COMPLETELY setting aside personal preferences, what do people think would be the best option for that specific area as far as maintaining and increasing the vitality of Wash. Ave. area and downtown in general ?
In order to really think about this, we need to consider what's on the street already, and what will be coming soon.
E.g. "coming soon" -
1. St. Louis Fitness Factory Gym at 13th and Washington, (18,000 sq ft upscale gym)
2. the new Kwame residential building across the street
3. possibly a nightclub a half-block north from that intersection on Tucker (supposedly by the guys who put in Dolce)
4. movie theatre a block north on tucker.
5. days inn cheaper rental units
6. the late-night cafe in the days inn building
7. flamingo bowl in Lucas lofts (eventually)
All this stuff would be coming in about a year or so -- which is about the time it might take to finalize something with a commercial tenant for that space and let them renovate, etc.
If we think about it this way, does this change anybody's suggestions ??
Like innovation said, there's 4800 sq ft, could be either one large commercial space or split into two.
Also, what would actually draw people to the area ? I.e.- a deli would be a great idea, but I can't see people driving more than a mile or two to grab a sandwich.
Unfortunately, I'm pessimistic about Fogo -- although i'd be a great fit. They ARE looking very hard for a St. Louis location, but their Bev. Hills location is 11,000 sq ft, and their chicago is 16,000. Not sure what the others are, but Brazilian steakhouses do tend to be pretty massive.
The nice thing about Potbellys is that every one I've been to, even if they are in a new building, design it so they have a loft feel. Exposed brick, pipes, antique decorations, etc. So, they wouldn't have to try to hard for that look on Washington Ave. I just think their sandwhiches are a cut above the Quiznos lot. They are smaller, but more dense. The ingredients seem of better quality.
I really like the idea of a WorldNews type place. Of course, no one would drive downtown for that (or most of anything else we've listed), but it would serve the neighborhood well.
Maybe combo it with a small deli/market***. Add chips and a soda for $1.79 extra.
***A locally owned place that would carry things like Volpi salami and other stuff, similar to Viviano's.
