For Crestwood businesses that are living hand to mouth this would be the straw that breaks the camel's back..they would not weather the storm of the new Mall.
There would be very few crumbs falling from that table for them to live on.
Excessive sales tax would be another problem they would face (for people who read their register receipts) 10%?. There are stil a great many people who avoid Crestwood businesses due to the BOA handling of personnel mattters.
What will happen? after all the posturing Centrum will get the money they want to build the Mall..some existing businesses will fail ..the New Mall will prosper for a while...and then decline as people find over venues to go to.

John, that's a depressing analysis. It certainly will take some "out of the box" thinking to develop an appealing mix of businesses. The problem is one of past over-development combined with current economic hard times, surely to get worse under Obama. Better to continue discussions than rush into a bad idea just to "do something". In addition to Crestwood Court, we have empty boxes (Barnes and Noble) on the north side of Watson as well. We need to move away from permitting the box concept as when the original tenant leaves it is very difficult to fill that "box". Maybe getting back to more traditional businesses, especially offices of some sort, would establish the working population to spend money daily at new restaurants. Smaller scale, traditional architecture. Look at Sunset Hills that has gone mad for box strip malls -- somewhat upscale bookstores like Borders have been replaced by "Steinmart"....I'm sure Dollar Stores and other things like that are coming, often attracting the wrong crowds.

To answer your question, Karlie, NO. If executed properly the District will be targeting different demographics that are not frequenting most of the Crestwood businesses that the opposition says are hanging by a thread already. For example, the proposed bowling alley is believed to be competition that will put the nail in Crestwood Bowl's coffin. When, most likely, they'll be nothing alike. The proposed bowling establishment is supposed to be focused on entertainment, food, drinking, and arcade aspects, almost like a Dave and Busters, not actual bowling. Centrum has indicated that it may even have as few as 5 lanes. It will not be hosting leagues. Instead it will be aimed at attracting the business persons happy hour and singles going out crowds. That demo doesn't even have Crestwood Bowl on their radar. But, a Lucky Strike or Ten Pin Alley probably would. Just one more big example cited by the opposition is the impact a Whole Foods may have on Shop N Save or Schnucks. Once again, completely different demographic. Whole Paycheck and Shop N Save are on completely different ends of the spectrum. Why not give shoppers from Crestwood, Sunset Hills, SoCo, Kirkwood, and Webster a closer Whole Foods? They definitely are driving to Brentwood and Town and Country to get theif Whole Foods fix. And, research shows that they still stop by Schnucks to grab additional groceries.

Karlie, another important question to ask is: Do you think it's fair to use public funding to bring in businesses that might potentially "cannibalize" existing businesses?

And I don't think they're talking about Whole Foods. They are thinking of bringing in a Walmart Neighborhood Grocery. So, do you think it's fair to have Walmart come in here (and you know they'll only do it with a TIF) and take business away from Schnucks or Shop n Save?
Centrum might be saying they're talking to a couple of grocers (implying that they have a couple of options). The city may want a high-end grocery store. But at the end of the day, the landlord (Centrum) will take the tenant who will sign the lease. And I have a feeling it's not going to be Whole Foods.

If I owned a retail business or restaurant in Crestwood I would be clamoring to have that mall redeveloped. Right now a business in Crestwood pretty much relies on Crestwood residents since there is no longer a draw to the area. Twenty years ago (when the mall was at its prime) there were not nearly the number of vacant spaces on Watson as there are now. Businesses received the residual traffic the mall received. Sure, the economy was better, but that is not an excuse when there are other areas in the STL county that continue to redevelop and thrive. I'm not saying Crestwood should be desperate and take any deal they are offered, but I also think Crestwood is not in the position to get picky, and overly concerned about what few existing businesses worried about some competition. The sales tax revenue that would be brought into the area is much needed. Revenue from outside Crestwood too... Right now, I personally only spend money for groceries and one restaurant in Crestwood...and I live here.

I run a restaurant very near the old mall. I can tell you that going back to 2002 and up till present we have seen a steady decline in business year after year. It is no coincidence that the decline of the mall has had a direct effect on the revenues of businesses in the Watson Rd. corridor. It is a matter of location folks. We are dependent upon the residents of the immediate area in Crestwood and east to visit our establishment as there is no reason for folks in areas north, west, and south to come our way unless they are specifically coming to eat at our place. Crestwood continues to play isolationist and do nothing as other communities (Kirkwood, Sunset Hills, Webster Groves, Fenton) put down the welcome mat. It is getting its rear kicked by the surrounding communities in the all important game of attracting business. I can assure you that if Crestwood does not get its act together my business will eventually close and you will see another empty building occupying the graveyard on Watson! Get your heads out of your bottoms Alderman of Crestwood! Your sales tax revenue is shrinking by the day and you may as well put "Crestwood - Home of the Best Bedroom Community To Raise Children" on your banners in the city starting tomorrow. That is what you are creating unless something happens soon with the empty mall (within the next year or two). Residents get ready for a tax increase to keep your services or just fall on the sword and become unincorporated!