Crestwood Mall Developers Want Trader Joe’s (Or Something Like It), Too
Developers for the proposed District at Crestwood said they’ve reached out to specialty chains like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods to counteract a recent loss in South County grocery retailers. Do you think it’s the right spot for a new store?
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Despite a “not now” response from Trader Joe’s, one Affton woman is still heading a community effort to bring the specialty grocer to South St. Louis County.
“I am sort of a the-cup-is-half-full kind of person, and I see this letter as a positive response, a sort of an introduction that we are coming,” Carol Boss writes in an open letter to residents, urging them to sign her petition. She’s gathered more than 1,800 signatures so far and plans to send the petition to the company’s headquarters next week.
But she’s not the only one gunning for them. The developers attempting to revive Crestwood Court said earlier this week they’ve reached out to companies like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods to anchor the retail spaces at the proposed District at Crestwood.
South County could use it. The Sappington Farmers' Market shut down in August. Once Johnny’s Market closes on Oct. 13, the area will have lost approximately 60,000 sq. ft. of grocery shopping space in the past few months, according to commercial realtor John Beckman III, of Sierra U.S. Commercial Real Estate. The realty company is leasing the The District at Crestwood spaces on behalf of Centrum Properties.
The new grocery store could help cushion a potential loss of $20-30 million in annual grocery sales for the area, he said. Brinkman explained they've considered “three genres of grocery, from a discount model to a higher end, local model, then to a national, kind of niche organic concept,” but have not yet secured a tenant. A Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market is also being considered for the space.
Is the location right?
“I would love, love, love a Trader Joe’s there… It is such a different store than Shop N Save, and Aldi,” Sunset Hills-Crestwood Facebook fan Susan Briggs Merz said.
Others, however, think it might be overkill at that particular location, situated near the intersection of Watson and South Sappington roads.
“I love the idea of a Trader Joe’s in South County,” said Laura Main DeWeese, “but do we really need another grocery store right there near Shop & Save and Schnucks and Aldi? With the closing of Johnny’s, that leaves Sunset Hills without any grocery stores at all, doesn’t it?”
But developers believe the elements they've pitched for the new project bring fresh options to the community. (Their proposal would include a more modern bowling alley than Crestwood Bowl, for example.)
“What we feel, what the experts feel, is that competition is good for everyone,” a Centrum rep said during a town hall Q&A on the proposed development Tuesday night.
Boss's online petition asks Trader Joe's to consider a space in the General Grant Shopping Center in Marlborough. Where would you like to see a new grocery store in South County?
Related articles:
- Letter to SunCrest: Help Me Bring Trader Joe's to South County
- Trader Joe’s Rep Says No to Another St. Louis County Location for Now
- Trader Joe's in South County: One Woman's Quest Latest Crestwood Court Proposal Keeps Entertainment Focus
- Local Harvest Aims for October Opening in Kirkwood
- UPDATED: Sappington's Johnny's Market Closing in October
- Sappington Farmers' Market Hopes for Short Goodbye
- Let Patch Give You a Hand with Your Groceries
In This article
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Shop 'n Save
301 Watson Plz, Saint Louis, MO -
Schnucks Markets
9540 Watson Rd, Saint Louis, MO -
Crestwood Bowl
9822 Watson Rd, Saint Louis, MO -
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John Dough
7:14 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Given the recent Boycott of Crestwood Businesses...I think Other Municipalities are more deserving.
Reasonable Person
10:44 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
I think you're the only person boycotting Crestwood business.
Patricia A Christy
10:29 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
I sorely disagree with you, sir.
Patricia A Christy
10:32 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
That is, to John Dough, who doesn't have the nerve to give his real name. Whatever boycott you're talking about is totally without good reason. Even Chesterfield is seeing a decline in businesses. I agree with "reasonable person"...you are in the minority of those who boycott Crestwood businesses.
Stephen D
9:29 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Shop and Save and Aldi appeal to completely different sorts of clientele than does Trader Joes or Whole Foods. Where should a Trader Joe's go? That's up to Trader Joe's, should they wish to add a store. They know their business model. As for Crestwood Court, what is this obsession with a "more modern bowling alley" than Crestwood Bowl? The place just got a grant to restore their sign. Can't these developers and bureaucrats come up with another idea for Crestwood Court or do they lack imagination?
Patricia A Christy
10:34 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Totally in agreement! Why would we want to put Crestwood Bowl at risk for business??? They have been faithful to Crestwood...why should we allow this in the new development. I think it is absurd.
Reasonable Person
10:47 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Wouldn't just trying to fill the mall back up with store be a "lack of imagination?" Have you seen the drawings and ideas for The District at Crestwood? Did you attend the Town Hall Meeting where they explained the concept and addressed many of your concerns?
Stephen D
10:57 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
I was speaking specifically about the bowling alley if you bothered to read the comment. From your tone, I doubt you are reasonable in any way. The fact that thousands of dollars have been given to restore the classic Crestwood Bowl sign while at the same time putting them out of business makes a lot of sense. But I guess a bowling alley is the ONLY possible activity for the Court.
Carlos Restrepo
12:31 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
It's worth noting that, speaking in trust terms, Aldi actually owns Trader Joe's. http://www.freakonomics.com/2009/02/19/do-you-know-who-owns-trader-joes/
Stephen D
10:54 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Not exactly, Carlos. "Trader Joe's was founded by Joe Coulombe and has been owned since 1979 by a family trust set up by the late German businessman Theo Albrecht, one of the two brothers behind the German discount supermarket chain Aldi.[6] The chain has offices in Monrovia, California and Boston, Massachusetts".
Hence, the Albrecht family trust owns Trader Joe's, which also happens to own Aldi's. It's not as if Aldi's runs Trader Joe's. The two chains have completely different management.
Reasonable Person
2:59 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Okay, so specifically in regard to the bowling alley. The proposed development is not intended to compete with Crestwood Bowl. The developer said that it may feature as few as 5 lanes and will not be hosting leagues. It will be geared toward the corporate happy hour crowd as well as families with a focus on the entertainment aspect of a bowling/billiards/arcade venue. Also, the recent money given to restore Crestwood Bowl's sign was a grant from a Route 66 Preservation Assoc, not the city. I think many people would agree that if Crestwood Bowl sinks, the new mall development won't be the main reason.
Patricia A Christy
10:37 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Ok, so who is running the show here in Crestwood??? WE need some new ideas and careful guidance in the way of establishing "new" businesses here. But I'm telling you, if Trader Joe's would consider Crestwood for one of their future homes, we should be honored! It's a "win-win" situation!!!
Patricia A Christy
10:39 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Please, isn't there someone here who can stand up and take the lead in the direction of business and the future of Crestwood? We definitely need the revenue! Let's all put our heads together and come up with a good plan!
Patricia A Christy
10:41 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
What we need here in this community is solidarity! And commitment to improving the economical status of Crestwood city! We were at one time a smashing success! Let's do it again!!!
Patricia A Christy
10:53 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
We need to make Crestwood a place of interest for businesses! We need to do something to make it financially promising for new businesses to come to this district.
If our property rent is too high, or taxes too high on property, we need to do something about that...and now! It is critical. We will never see new businesses come to Crestwood with things the way they are, especially in this present economy. If we are need of resources, or revenue, we will NEVER accomplish that by raising taxes on property rental...that is a promise! (I had a small business in Crestwood Court Mall, so I have palpable experience). WE need to do whatever we can to make Crestwood an enticing municipality for small businesses! Even if we have to suffer a bit in the beginning financially, the results will be promising. I promise you, NO BUSINESS will ever come here unless we can make it financially possible for these small businesses. WE would even attract the larger monopoly businesses if our prices are good. WE are committing suicide by increasing taxes and increasing certain bylaws for city ordinances in regards to small businesses.
Patricia A Christy
10:54 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Is anyone listening out there???
Stephen D
10:58 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Patricia, while I agree with you on what Crestwood needs to do, we are all suffering under a stagnant to downward-moving economy, real incomes are not rising and Obama is about to kill off any new enterprises with an anvil of taxes and government control. Citizens are simply not loaded with bundles of discretionary money these days. Look what moves into the former bookstores -- Stein Mart into Borders and some sort of Dollar Store into Barnes and Noble. Says a lot. Perhaps moving slowly with the Crestwood Mall property is a smart thing to do right now.