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PostAug 24, 2021#1326

kipfilet wrote:
Aug 24, 2021
I'm sure the USDA knows what they're doing...... It's a shame that they had to cannibalize the food court with so much empty office space downtown. 
I'm looking for this specific evidence. It makes no sense to me either.

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PostAug 24, 2021#1327

I too read the USDA was taking that space in the local press, I also believe it was a BJ article.  Definitely not a rumor.

Edit:  Took me about 3 seconds to find it online:
The USDA's office search sparked inquiries from several city office buildings, including the vacant former AT&T building downtown. But some commercial real estate brokers were surprised at the selection of One Met Square, given its lack of contiguous space — available square footage, either on the same floor or multiple floors, that can be linked together to meet a tenant's needs.

To overcome those space constraints, USDA will occupy parts of six different floors, with an option for another. According to the lease, it will occupy all of the eighth, ninth, 11th, 12th and 39th floors of the building, with an option to occupy the 15th floor, if needed. It will also use part of the ground floor, including the space once occupied by a food hall, The Eatery, prior to its recent closing.
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... lease.html

Edit 2: Article on the Eatery’s closing:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to occupy the Eatery's space on the ground floor as part of its 20-year lease for 163,604 square feet, JLL's spokeswoman said. It's not clear when the USDA will move in.
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... quare.html

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PostAug 24, 2021#1328

As I said above I think it’s because of their need to kitchen/lab inspection space

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PostAug 24, 2021#1329

I was only able to partake in that food court a few times, but I thought it was a nice addition to downtown and I agree with others that say they wish it could have lasted. 

I don't think every neighborhood in the central corridor needs a food hall like we have at Foundry, but a smaller downtown hall just makes a lot of sense to me.

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PostAug 25, 2021#1330

^The couple of times I went it didn't seem to have great signage.  Kinda, you know or don't.  At any rate, it was a much more nimble food hall concept.  Something I wish could emerge elsewhere in Downtown.

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PostAug 25, 2021#1331

Not just that but also the quality of the stalls themselves. Those were not (mostly) the crappy chains that you see in most food halls but rather seemed to be owner-operated smaller businesses. 

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PostAug 25, 2021#1332

Agreed. The food there was really good.

Downtown needs something like it, though preferably a little larger. Like five stalls instead of three.

Maybe it could be part of Ballpark Village Phase III? Or maybe Phase IV if it includes office space?

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PostAug 25, 2021#1333

Dreaming big, it'd be nice if 909 Chestnut ever got new life and could have one in its base.

Alternatively, the first floor of the garage across from the MX could be converted and is within 2 blocks of a lot of offices (Met Square, the federal reserve, Stifel, US Bank tower) and the convention crowd (if/when) that recovers).

Based on people's observations of the former Met food court, it seems like there's demand to build a new one, be nice if it could improve one of these under-used spaces.

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PostAug 25, 2021#1334

Regardless of whether it was COVID-induced or not, RIP that food court. As I said, it was one of the best options for lunch in that part of Downtown and seemed to always be fairly busy (we actually started avoiding it on certain days of the week due to long lines). Wish it could be replicated somewhere nearby.
Here, here...  

Few and far between in terms of remaining options, though UKraft has been a nice addition.

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PostAug 26, 2021#1335

Not to keep dragging this topic along, but the most glaring thing was the lack of street activation and presence.  It was like walking into a partial basement.  A location like the old Lab 1500 space on Wash would be a perfect sized spot (reference Parlor in KC).  1711 Locust with soaring ceilings would be incredible (shocked this still hasn't had any reimagining).

I personally don't want to go to a food court in a corporate office tower.  Although, I know Met and AT&T both drip in aesthetic. :-)

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PostAug 26, 2021#1336

^Agreed. You could walk past it and never know it was there. Still, it was always crowded so people def knew about it. 

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PostSep 01, 2021#1337


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PostSep 01, 2021#1338

dbInSouthCity wrote:
Do you know if any retail is coming like an Adidas, Nike or Foot Locker? Or clothing? I was looking for shoes and sport clothing this pat Saturday and there’s nothing!


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PostSep 01, 2021#1339

It looks like some work is being done inside 1116 Olive, the place with the "Something Tasty" signage that's been closed for a very long time.

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PostSep 02, 2021#1340

dbInSouthCity wrote:
Sep 01, 2021
Ironic brand name across from that parking garage.

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PostSep 02, 2021#1341

JJ Rivera wrote:
Sep 01, 2021
dbInSouthCity wrote:
Do you know if any retail is coming like an Adidas, Nike or Foot Locker? Or clothing? I was looking for shoes and sport clothing this pat Saturday and there’s nothing!


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No, there’s nothing currently planned for retailers like you’ve listed coming to downtown. Best case scenario is some retail will eventually be part of City Foundry or the former Iron Hill site.

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PostSep 02, 2021#1342

Laife Fulk wrote:
JJ Rivera wrote:
Sep 01, 2021
dbInSouthCity wrote:
Do you know if any retail is coming like an Adidas, Nike or Foot Locker? Or clothing? I was looking for shoes and sport clothing this pat Saturday and there’s nothing!


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No, there’s nothing currently planned for retailers like you’ve listed coming to downtown. Best case scenario is some retail will eventually be part of City Foundry or the former Iron Hill site.
Thanks!! DT needs it ASAP. Even though Foundry is not far I want walking distance stores lol…


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PostSep 02, 2021#1343

Laife Fulk wrote:
JJ Rivera wrote:
Sep 01, 2021
dbInSouthCity wrote:
Do you know if any retail is coming like an Adidas, Nike or Foot Locker? Or clothing? I was looking for shoes and sport clothing this pat Saturday and there’s nothing!


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No, there’s nothing currently planned for retailers like you’ve listed coming to downtown. Best case scenario is some retail will eventually be part of City Foundry or the former Iron Hill site.
At this point, Grand Center/CWE do seem to be much more likely to get major chain retailers than Downtown.


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PostSep 02, 2021#1344

I think a CVS/Walgreens would be a good idea around BPV.  With the numerous hotels, gameday crowds, and tourists around this location, some sort of name brand convenience store would be a homerun on ROI.  

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PostSep 02, 2021#1345

pappysoulard wrote:
Sep 02, 2021
I think a CVS/Walgreens would be a good idea around BPV.  With the numerous hotels, gameday crowds, and tourists around this location, some sort of name brand convenience store would be a homerun on ROI.  
I completely agree, I seem to utilize those more often than not while travelling in urban areas large and small. 

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PostSep 02, 2021#1346

kipfilet wrote:
Aug 23, 2021
- Thai restaurant on N7th closed down, apparently replaced by a different Thai restaurant with a different name, haven't tried it yet
Aubergine Cafe. I think it's by the same owner/operator; they just wanted to try a slightly different concept. They recently reopened for weekday lunch hours. I've been there a couple times over the past few weeks and the food is great, but unfortunately there wasn't anybody else there. I hope they survive... it's kind of in an out of the way spot.

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PostSep 02, 2021#1347

uiscebeatha wrote:
Sep 02, 2021
kipfilet wrote:
Aug 23, 2021
- Thai restaurant on N7th closed down, apparently replaced by a different Thai restaurant with a different name, haven't tried it yet
Aubergine Cafe. I think it's by the same owner/operator; they just wanted to try a slightly different concept. They recently reopened for weekday lunch hours. I've been there a couple times over the past few weeks and the food is great, but unfortunately there wasn't anybody else there. I hope they survive... it's kind of in an out of the way spot.
Didn't know about that, haven't had the chance to try it yet but will definitely do so next week.

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PostSep 05, 2021#1348

uiscebeatha wrote:
Sep 02, 2021
kipfilet wrote:
Aug 23, 2021
- Thai restaurant on N7th closed down, apparently replaced by a different Thai restaurant with a different name, haven't tried it yet
Aubergine Cafe. I think it's by the same owner/operator; they just wanted to try a slightly different concept. They recently reopened for weekday lunch hours. I've been there a couple times over the past few weeks and the food is great, but unfortunately there wasn't anybody else there. I hope they survive... it's kind of in an out of the way spot.
I just took a pic of the menu while leaving the bank next door and sent it to my wife on Thursday. We hope to check it out soon.

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PostSep 05, 2021#1349

Just came back home to Chicago for the weekend! And they opened a new Urban Aldi in our community (Logan Square). I think an urban Aldi Downtown would be a hit. If small communities have them I don’t see why can’t Downtown STL have one and they’re popping everywhere here in Chicago.


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PostSep 05, 2021#1350

It blows my mind that there isn't a CVS or Walgreens anywhere in downtown. TBH downtown could probably support one in the historic core north of market and another south near BPV. Perhaps one in downtown west as that area continues to explode.

Seriously though, just one would be amazing.

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