urbanSTL

Went to Katie’s Pizza at BPV for brunch today and if you’re curious how they’re doing on a day with no sports or anything going on, it opened at 10:00 and by 11:00 there was about 60-70 people there

Btw on a busy cardinals game they do about 1500-2000 tickets. At $50 a ticket (very easy to run up at that place, they can do $100,000 in a single day)

His hi pointe on the city-county line also keeps getting broken into. Poor dude. Has a good attitude. Also a good example that stuff like that happens, everywhere not just downtown St. Louis

This is a small thing but it’s a positive thing that national chains are coming back to downtown.

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

Apr 29, 2024

This is a small thing but it’s a positive thing that national chains are coming back to downtown.

A few chains can help an area seem “safer” to outsiders and more “stable” to businesses. I think downtown is already safe but people and safety is all about their perception (they see familiar places) so I agree things like this help. I like the idea I’ve seen for the downtown development groups going out and enticing the regional chains and St. Louis staples to open up downtown locations. Would give tourists a “taste of St. Louis” and entice people regionally to stick around downtown or come for their favorites. Those restaurants of this type always seem busy on any day downtown (Hi pointe, Rooster, Katie’s, Sugarfire, Snarfs, Sauce on the Side, Salt n Smoke). I don’t think we promote our food scene as well as other cities (many people outside of St. Louis act surprised when I say we are always ranked #2 for bbq bc they’ve never thought to come try it).

Who I would go to: Ted Drewes (this would be a home run and they would kill it). Steve’s Hot Dogs. Fitzs (tourists and families love this one). Nudo House. Dewey’s (surprised this isn’t there considering who owns it). One of the 1000 breweries to open a tap room in the central downtown core (we are nationally known for beer yet no brewery type spaces in “Downtown” designated neighborhood-Urban Chestnut or Rockwell probably most realistic). Gioias. Balkan Treat Box (regularly gets national pub).

Those all seem realistic due to their financial stability and proven track record of opening secondary locations. Pulling another location of even just 5 more of those type restaurants would make downtown a much more viable place. That seems like the best model for restaurant development down there. The diversity will come with more foot traffic that places like those will create.

Gioias had a downtown location for awhile, it is now closed. That was a disappointing loss

New restaurant coming to the Sliced Pint space.

Word on the street is that the old Gather space at Russell and Mississippi is going to become another Union Loafers concept. This would be amazing, I'm going to try and walk over and confirm with the workers this week.

I don't know where these new places are going to find staff. From what I've been told it's difficult to find enough people to fully staff places. Seems like a lot of places just do 5-930 or 10 on weekends.

^ I don’t think that’s been an issue in the last year or so. It definitely was in 2021 and 2022

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

May 02, 2024

This was suppose to have a hearing today but got pulled for lack of signatures.   It’s at the NW corner of city park

That is too bad.  I hope it is just the case of locating the correct property owners and not general lack of support.  I have been through this process and finding property owners can be tough with LLC's and non resident owners.  I thought that process was being reviewed?

Hmmm.  Three story building with residential on top two floors doesn't compute for a dance hall.  Not much residential around the building, however.  I'd think it would be somewhat easier to gain the needed signatures.  Dancehall with windows on street level also not a great choice for sound containment.  Sounds like a much needed concept in the wrong building.

Single story building.

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

May 02, 2024

Single story building.

I though it was the building just west.  The building is actually perfect for a dancehall.  Are 3am licenses still available in StL?

Original Crusoe's leaving Dutchtown for 4944 Christy Blvd. in Bevo.

Never been, but what a downgrade in terms of building location. 

^^ I presume this is both Crusoe's and the bar in back?

Correct. 

Sounds like the new place at 4944 Christy Blvd. is going to be called Crusoe's Legacy. 

They're downsizing from 13,000 square feet to 3,500 square feet. 

I’m still sad that Byrd and Barrel is gone. Every time I come back to St. Louis, I wish it was still there. Was nice.

Drake-Backed Dave's Hot Chicken Is Making a Big Push into St. Louis

A hot chicken joint backed by Drake is set to land in St. Louis. LA-based Dave's Hot Chicken will bring seven locations in the area, with the first opening up sometime this year.

The fast-casual restaurants specialize in sliders and tenders, with a variety of firey spice levels that end in "Reaper." (As in Carolina Reaper or, perhaps, death?) Dave's Hot Chicken also serves slaws, mac and cheeses and fries. No word yet on where the exact locations will be found.

Locally, Dave's Hot Chicken will be operated by Raj Patel and his company, the Hari Group. Patel currently operates more than 100 franchise locations including McAlister's Deli and Dunkin'. “Our expansion into Missouri marks another milestone in our ambitious growth trajectory. We’re aiming to open seven Dave’s Hot Chicken units in the area over the next 4 years, we are well on our way to achieving the next big goal of expanding to over 20 units," Patel said in a statement. "This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to bring something truly special to the St. Louis community."

https://www.riverfronttimes.com/food-drink/drake-backed-daves-hot-chicken-is-making-a-big-push-into-st-louis-42510599

I think the proliferation of cookie cutter drive thru raising cane's and chick-fil-as has been a net negative for the St. Louis area and our built environment. Not excited about another fried chicken chain entering our market.