urbanSTL

TheWayoftheArch_V2.0 wrote: ↑

Jan 14, 2025

Not here in STL, if that is what you are asking.  

Bad BBQ experience in Houston and fine but not awesome steak place in Pitt (near stadiums) were the nails in the coffin.  

Don't let the Texans hear you say you had bad BBQ in Houston. I was told their BBQ was never bad 

As far as Tony's in Clayton closing goes, it's unfortunate that the St. Louis region is losing a longtime family owned restaurant, but moving there didn't help them. Add in that their new location wasn't all that remarkable (sort of blended into the Centene Tower), they were doomed. They likely would've done better if they moved within Downtown STL (like, moving to Ballpark Village).

I high end Italian restaurant was originally planned at BPV

JaneJacobsGhost wrote: ↑

Jan 15, 2025

I high end Italian restaurant was originally planned at BPV

Fazolis?

“a high end” whoops. It was called Diavolo or something. I’m not sure the chain even exists anymore

TBH throw a Pasta House in or near BPV and print money

GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑

Jan 15, 2025

TBH throw a Pasta House in or near BPV and print money

All those locations for Pasta House and not a single one in the city limits. Honestly, how is that possible for a regional chain? I sometimes wonder how if restaurants and retail are going to avoid downtown, how they don’t go where there is at least the most population within a mile - gravois, grand, chippewa triangle for example, versus Creve Couer.

As for clayton, I assume it will get a sweet green eventually - seems like only a matter of time. Honestly, had the Flower Child out in Ladue with someone last summer and didn’t think it would be my type of place but I can’t lie - it was pretty good.

StL has a very low density of what I call “bowl places” compared to other cities - Noodles & Co, Chipotle, Qdoba, Sweetgreen, Cava, etc., which honestly are usually signs of a neighborhood becoming uninteresting lol. But people in my generation seem to gravitate to cities and neighborhoods where they see those restaurants

JaneJacobsGhost wrote:

SRQ2STL wrote: ↑

Jun 19, 2024

jshank83 wrote: ↑

Jun 19, 2024

How do you get an exclusivity clause to be the only one to sell coffee when you are the new business coming in?

Well...the thing is..it's not a new business. It's a re-opening business...and that term pre-existed in its former iteration as well. Basically, it's a restrictive covenant Starbucks outlines in their lease terms, for deciding to open their doors. That wards off "competition" that could infringe on their business. But it's so far reaching, even the restaurants in the same block can't literally serve coffee....it's corporate BS, up there with the sort of tactics entities like Wal-Mart try to employ. They can claim they're anchor tenant and because of their sway in the area, they deserve the exclusive right to provision that certain product. 

They do it in other places all the time too. It's not new. 

A property owner can’t unilaterally implement a restrictive covenant. How did the owner of the Starbuck’s parcel get the other owners on board? Does one person or group own all of those buildings?

Any update on the Starbucks coming back?


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The franchise operator considering the space has backed off the plans. Disputes between the franchise owner and the building owner. 

Zone.Out wrote:The franchise operator considering the space has backed off the plans. Disputes between the franchise owner and the building owner. 

Dang, hopefully they figure it out or someone else comes in. It’s such a prominent location to remain vacant for much longer.


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From a local reporter. Cant be good for the restaurant scene there

That’s an interesting take. I’m a Clayton hater and lunch time is about the only time I feel like Clayton comes alive a little. A number of places are reliably packed every day for lunch: Pastaria Deli, Crushed Red, Ivy Cafe, and Jimmy Johns.

I wonder if your reporter friend didn’t get up to the Forsyth/Central/Brentwood/Maryland area. That’s definitely the center of gravity for lunch time action in DT Clayton.

South of Forsyth is a ghost town though. It just Muggs, Peel (sp?) and Capital.

Flight Club doing huge biz. Fills a big void.

It’s also brand new and the only entertainment option in town. Let’s check in again next april

I hear they hired the best local pr firm, so not surprising its doing well.

jeff707 wrote: ↑

Apr 15, 2025

JaneJacobsGhost wrote: ↑

Apr 15, 2025

It’s also brand new and the only entertainment option in town. Let’s check in again next april

5 Iron might actually be open by then...

Been waiting on this forever it seems like

whitherSTL wrote: ↑

Apr 15, 2025

Flight Club doing huge biz. Fills a big void.

I walk by this place every other day when going to lunch and it is always dead. 

Probably does better with the dinner/happy-hour crowd. 

New coffee place going in at 8121 Maryland Avenue.

Zensia specialty Colombian coffee.
https://www.zensiacoffee.com/

The ai people drinking coffee on that website are disturbing af

GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑

Aug 25, 2025

The ai people drinking coffee on that website are disturbing af

"Just steps away from Forest Park"

The entire website is AI content and generative assets.  Gross.