Anecdotedly I’m aware of 11 people in my very extended social circle moving or who have recently moved to Denver from STL. A few years ago everybody was going to Texas
Were you're friends originally from STL ?
I go to Denver to see relatives. I’ve learned that spring-summer-fall is at least 2 months shorter than in St Louis. Found sleet in early May. It’s becoming the new Chicago with mountains instead of a lake.
The parking lot was pretty darn full last night after the Blues game. I wonder if some people are parking for free, pre partying at the Armory and then taking Metro 1 or 2 stops to the arena?
I'm hoping continued development in Midtown makes St. Louis more "sticky" for recent college grads. I remember when I went to Florida State how many people were still there 5-10 years after I graduated. I think one of the areas SLU and to a lesser extent Wash U failed is creating environments around the campus that were genuinely attractive to younger people and recent college graduates. I'm glad in the last couple of years, somebody most have gotten the memo. Much of the success of places like Austin, Nashville, etc. was keeping their young people stuck right out of college, which creates a young and vibrant vibe around the universities and creates demqnd for more housing, services, etc. I hope our major corporations and civic leaders are taking notes.
I have family that went to FSU and have now lived in Tally for over 20 years. It was the warm(ish) winters which attracted them to the school and they never left. But their kids, both about to graduate from FSU, hate the town and want out. One is even looking here in STL, he's a bioengineer major. And they have nothing like what's about to come to Midtown.
I've been looking at the pictures that Chris took and I was wondering how it works with respect to food and tables. From what I understand, there's one food 'court' then tables are spread throughout the main floor? Are all of those table open or are you seated? For those who have been, would it be difficult to show up with 7-8 people and expect to get seats on a weekend?
I'm hoping continued development in Midtown makes St. Louis more "sticky" for recent college grads. I remember when I went to Florida State how many people were still there 5-10 years after I graduated. I think one of the areas SLU and to a lesser extent Wash U failed is creating environments around the campus that were genuinely attractive to younger people and recent college graduates. I'm glad in the last couple of years, somebody most have gotten the memo. Much of the success of places like Austin, Nashville, etc. was keeping their young people stuck right out of college, which creates a young and vibrant vibe around the universities and creates demqnd for more housing, services, etc. I hope our major corporations and civic leaders are taking notes.
I have family that went to FSU and have now lived in Tally for over 20 years. It was the warm(ish) winters which attracted them to the school and they never left. But their kids, both about to graduate from FSU, hate the town and want out. One is even looking here in STL, he's a bioengineer major. And they have nothing like what's about to come to Midtown.
I've been looking at the pictures that Chris took and I was wondering how it works with respect to food and tables. From what I understand, there's one food 'court' then tables are spread throughout the main floor? Are all of those table open or are you seated? For those who have been, would it be difficult to show up with 7-8 people and expect to get seats on a weekend?
I feel like Florida produces a lot of stories like that: parents who move there for whatever reason and love it immediately followed by their kids anxious to leave as soon as they can.
To answer your question PDM, the food stall is really overused. They should’ve put another one or two in the place. The line from it went from the corner all the way past the wall dividing the elevator and stairs from the east entrance and info desk. It was very long, and there were people in line saying “this line is crazy“. Once you do get your food, if you decide to wait, you can sit at any table.
Most of the bars you could get a drink within a few minutes though. But I wouldn’t expect people to go to the Armory to get food. If you go, I imagine you’re just gonna go there to drink or to play some games or socialize.
Also last night, my friends and I started the evening out at City Foundry. The Food Hall was packed with Sandbox VR and Puttshack having decent crowds at each. It almost felt like the Food Hall was too small now for the amount of people there. Seemed to be more crowded than when it first opened. We left our car there and walked to the Armory via Forest Park, Grand, and the MetroLink stairs. That walk felt safer than walking under the highway and along Market. The need for a pedestrian bridge is clear now because we weren’t the only ones who were walking to the Armory from the Foundry.
Was there last night as well and blown away by how cool it was. Arrived at 7PM. We grabbed the very last parking spot at the very end of the lot and felt lucky that we were able to even snag that one. Big crowds, staff was great, lots of fun. Highly recommend to everyone - without kids.
it's not anywhere I'd want to watch a game at. They don't have the audio on (they play music) and whatever graphics card is supplying video to the big screen in underpowered. Like it's running at 18 or 20 frames a second. It looks like crap.
the bartenders looked un-enthused, undertrained and under supported. Lots of tables left with trash, cans, glasses etc. They also move at the speed of DMV workers. Plus lots of looking at at menus to make drinks then more puzzled looks at the POS terminals while ringing.
whoever priced drinks requiring pennies, nickels and dimes should be fired. Clearly someone who hasn't managed F&B recently (if ever). The poor bartenders are trying to give change back for a drink that ends up costing (for example) $7.38. Drinks should all be priced so that they end in .25, .50 or .00 increments and the only silver they have in their drawer are quarters.
You could tell they'd been hit hard as half the beer taps were covered.
Looks like they sold their soul to Lohr/A-B as that's all the taps they had. Other brands required bottle or can.
Not sure how long the active things like the swinging chairs are going to last. I saw full grown adults bashing in to each other like it was bumper cars. They need to respace them further out.
Not all negative as I was glad to see lots of people having fun in the city on what should be a pretty slack day. I was also impressed with the demographic mix.
I do think they will need to revisit the 6pm cutoff for under 21 as they probably sent 1/3 of the customers out the door. My only thought was maybe 7 or 8pm on weekends.
it's not anywhere I'd want to watch a game at. They don't have the audio on (they play music) and whatever graphics card is supplying video to the big screen in underpowered. Like it's running at 18 or 20 frames a second. It looks like crap.
the bartenders looked un-enthused, undertrained and under supported. Lots of tables left with trash, cans, glasses etc. They also move at the speed of DMV workers. Plus lots of looking at at menus to make drinks then more puzzled looks at the POS terminals while ringing.
whoever priced drinks requiring pennies, nickels and dimes should be fired. Clearly someone who hasn't managed F&B recently (if ever). The poor bartenders are trying to give change back for a drink that ends up costing (for example) $7.38. Drinks should all be priced so that they end in .25, .50 or .00 increments and the only silver they have in their drawer are quarters.
You could tell they'd been hit hard as half the beer taps were covered.
Looks like they sold their soul to Lohr/A-B as that's all the taps they had. Other brands required bottle or can.
Not sure how long the active things like the swinging chairs are going to last. I saw full grown adults bashing in to each other like it was bumper cars. They need to respace them further out.
Not all negative as I was glad to see lots of people having fun in the city on what should be a pretty slack day. I was also impressed with the demographic mix.
I do think they will need to revisit the 6pm cutoff for under 21 as they probably sent 1/3 of the customers out the door. My only thought was maybe 7 or 8pm on weekends.
Many hotels also slap taxes on a drink price which ends in .00, .25, .50 or .75. Means they are collecting the entire drink price and not giving up the taxes. Also gives the appearance of a slightly cheaper drink (taxes not included). So much of today's biz is on plastic. Cash percentages have dropped at 5% a year for the last 10 years and now only account for about 1/3 (or less) of transactions. Bars can also raise their prices on specific drinks easier on the POS systems (add another quarter or whatever) and the taxes adjust accordingly. While this is a pain for cash customers and severs/bartenders, this is the new norm in corporate venues. Unfortunately speed is sacrificed across the board. Not just individual cash transactions, but closing so many tabs at the end of the night. Last call and music off happens earlier than the past. Chops 10 minutes off the actual party if the crowd/tabs are heavy.
The bartender we had when we asked about some local taphandle was only able to describe it as an unnamed ale, a common happening at AB-dominated bars.
As for pricing, I thought everybody stopped including tax in listed prices, save for a few dives and/or places known for cheap drinks.
Busch, Chaifetz and CityPark all don't include taxes in their drink prices, so they're all odd totals, but cash is mostly not accepted at those venues after it began as a COVID safety measure.
I get why businesses don’t want to include sales tax in listed price (psychological you’re seeing a cheaper price) but I never thought twice about buying something in Croatia with sales tax already included and the sales tax there is 25%!
The bartender we had when we asked about some local taphandle was only able to describe it as an unnamed ale, a common happening at AB-dominated bars.
As for pricing, I thought everybody stopped including tax in listed prices, save for a few dives and/or places known for cheap drinks.
Busch, Chaifetz and CityPark all don't include taxes in their drink prices, so they're all odd totals, but cash is mostly not accepted at those venues after it began as a COVID safety measure.
Back before COVID Busch, Chafitz, Enterprise etc took both cash and credit. But they set their prices so that after tax it rounded to .25. I only remember because my old work's expense system sucked and I had to manually enter the sales tax from the receipts I had to get. I want to say a bottle beer at Scottrade/Enterprise back then was $8.03 plus 47 cents tax and ended up being $8.50.
(I still think Cat's Meow is genius for being cash only then pricing most stuff $1.25, $2.25, $3.25. Then they give you back the bills plus one quarter and one 50 cent piece.)
Any thoughts, or insight out there on Amory Phase II residential happening?
Would be a nice 2023 to see both Armory phase II and Crescent Site to break ground in addition to Foundry residential tower topping off. Just in time for Foundry to announce their hotel/send out renderings.
I didn’t have any issue with the drink prices. I got two gin and tonics for like $13.
My point is the .01, .05, .10 is extra work for bartenders and contributes to slower service when people pay cash.
I agree, that is annoying and would slow things down. The beers I purchased there were $8.75 but clearly I got something different than you. I did find it a bit odd that the tip suggestions were $3, $6, $9 or custom instead of either $1/$2 or the more standard 15/20/25%.
From the article: "When not booked for events, The Smith will be open with its collection of European motorcycles on display for the public, the release said".
Went with my friends the night before NYE and it was a fantastic time. Reminds me of an upscale Recess (RIP)
The parking situation is a disaster but hopefully people will learn to change their behaviors somewhat and take ubers or transit in the future. I know I will. Once again the bridge across 64 connecting to the Foundry would come in handy here.
Apparently there is also overflow parking and a shuttle in the Ikea parking lot
It wouldn't be St. Louis without a lack of sidewalks or blocked sidewalks. There was another spot at Market and Spring where you're forced to walk in the street due to sidewalk construction.
As with the new soccer stadium and its closed sidewalks in every direction, it'd be nice to get pedestrian access completed before venues open.
