Looks like Cherokee’s loss is South Jefferson’s gain. Kakao Chocolate, formerly at 2837 Cherokee, has just reopened its doors at 2301 South Jefferson. Read more

A couple of months back, I posted about a mixed-use property in the South St. Louis neighborhood of Fox Park at 2001 South Jefferson that was about to meet its doom. I am happy to report that ten weeks later it is still standing Read more

It’s no secret that far too many quality buildings in the City of St. Louis fall victim to the wrecking ball. With some buildings, only the most die-hard preservationists take notice and offense. But every once in a while something is torn down that raises the “What were they thinking?” flag. Read more

The Union Club, a project being developed by St. Louis-based Gilded Age at Lafayette and Jefferson looks like it is being finished up. The commercial space appears be idle, but their is a banner on the side of the property advertising that leasing will be available this spring. No word on whether this was a planned move for the development or a revision due to slow sales. Either way, it will be nice to see the building fill up. Check out the final exterior pictures below or click here to see detailed info on the units.

It’s still hard for me to believe that it has taken more time to rebuild this bridge that it has to finish Phase 1 of the Highway 40 (I-64) project, but the Jefferson Bridge is almost finished. The Post Dispatch is reporting that two lanes of the bridge will be opened on December 15th with the rest to follow so thereafter. Read more

Today I finally got a chance to take another look this morning at the inside of Foam, the upcoming coffeehouse/nightlife destination coming to 3359 Jefferson. Things are starting to come together and the place should hopefully be open sometime in January. Read more

I just got word from Foam owner, Mike Glodeck, that they have passed their rough mechanical inspections and are now moving on to insulation, drywall and flooring. Now that they have jumped through most of the hoops put in place by the city, progress should pick up. I’m going to pay another visit later in the month to check out how the inside is looking, but I did get a few new photos of the exterior. Looks like the glass is now in on the storefronts and they have been experimenting with paint colors. I think its going to look pretty great when they’re finished. What a change from what was there before.

The South Side Journal just posted a story about “No left turn” signs that I found interesting. I understand the need to prevent left turns at many intersections, but there are a few that are just ridiculous. I just moved near the intersection of Gravois and Jefferson and it drives me crazy that I can’t turn left on these streets. It might seem like I’m nitpicking, but I really think the prohibition negatively effects businesses in the area and deters people from moving in. Am I alone in this?

I’ve been dropping tidbits about this project for months so I figured it was about time I produced some more details. Especially since this Benton Park West microbrewery will finally be open soon.  I managed to meet up with owner Mike Glodeck yesterday and finally got a chance to take a look inside. Read more

The side of Park West Grille (2917 Jefferson Ave) just got a face lift. Check out this great looking mural that now advertises the site as you drive along the burgeoning South Jefferson Commerical District. It adds a nice touch to the strip, don’t you think.

I always love unexpected developments. If you have been following the death of the Fleur de Lis project at Jefferson & Arsenal, you will understand why the lack of activity at the site is so upsetting. I have really started to get used the fact the the lot might sit there for years. And then I drove by site this afternoon. The new home of a large sign displaying a new upcoming project: the Hydraulic Brick Lofts. Read more

A couple of months ago I posted about a pair of upcoming microbreweries opening this June in the Benton Park neighborhood of South St. Louis. I happy to say the the first of the pair, Mattingly Brewing Co, finally opened last week. I had a chance to take a look at the finished product and sample some of the food this afternoon. From what I have seen so far, things are looking promising. Read more

They say that good things come in pairs. I’ve always been rather fond of microbreweries, so I guess in stands to reason that they would hold to this rule. If everything goes as planned, the Benton Park Neighborhood of South St. Louis, will be home to two such establishments by the end of 2008: Mattingly Brewing Company and The Stable. Read more