All Entries in the "Revitalization" Category
My new favorite place: Grand Slam Flea Market
The former Kmart store at Chambers & 367 has been recycled into the Grand Slam Flea Market Mall, and I absolutely LOVE it!
For the first time in weeks, I had a free Saturday morning today, so I decided to do something that makes me happy: treasure hunting at thrift stores & yard sales. I happened to be wandering through Bellefontaine Neighbors when I noticed the Grand Slam Flea Market (for about the 100th time) and I thought, what the heck. I’m going in.
I AM SO GLAD I DID!!
This place is a bargain hunter’s paradise, with 100+ vendors selling everything from furniture and jewelry to organic cosmetics and vintage stereo equipment. It’s basically a storage facility with a bunch of individual units forming an indoor mall, and from the moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere could not have been more friendly and electric.
Nearly every shop owner greeted me and told me good morning. There was music playing and yummy smells wafting in the from the food court. And the eye candy, oh my! So much to look at!
Colorful clothing, ornate hats, bicycles, cell phones, artwork, CDs, vinyl records, incense, piles of junk…..you name it, it’s probably here. It’s like the old Frison Flea Market on the Rock Road, but much cleaner and way more welcoming.
Of course, many of the products are geared toward black shoppers, but many are not. Who doesn’t like freshly baked cake??
Besides all the goodies to taste, buy and look at, one vendor told me that a jazz musician from New York sometimes performs at Grand Slam. And guess what just opened up in the parking lot? A go-kart track!
I don’t know about you, but for me, that’s the recipe for a super fun Saturday morning! And best of all, when you shop at the flea market, you’re supporting dozens of local entrepreneurs who put money right back into our community.
So what are you waiting for? After you’ve bought veggies at the Ferguson Farmers Market or grabbed a burger at White Barn just up the street, check out this one-of-a-kind North County gem!
The Grand Slam Flea Market & Speed Racer Go-Kart Track are open Wednesday through Friday 11-7, Saturday 10-7, and Sunday 10-6. The address is 2505 Chambers Road, 63136.
Tickets for the go-carts are $6, except on Wednesday & Thursday from noon-3, when they’re $4.95. Admission to the flea market is free.
What would you do with this Ferguson building?
When people talk about Ferguson Citywalk, they usually think of the core section of downtown Ferguson, spanning roughly from Marley’s to the Corner Coffee House. But in truth, the business district actually runs all the way to Brotherton Lane, encompassing the license office, Ferguson Style & Spa and a handful of other establishments.
This has long been the “service business” stretch of S. Florissant Road, so you’ll find plenty of auto mechanics and used car dealers. But the city of Ferguson is hoping to breathe some new life into this area, and they’re starting with the property at #830.
The city purchased this 4,000-square-foot building (pictured above) in 2011, along with a smaller parcel next door. Now they’re asking the public: How should it be used?
On May 30, Ferguson will team with Washington University to host an “IdeaBounce,” during which 15 finalists will present their concept for the property. Finalists will be chosen based on online submissions, then a panel of judges will select three winners, each of whom will receive dinner, a special gift and business mentoring.
Ideally, anyone who submits an idea should be willing and able to implement it, so this is technically a call for businesses & developers rather than a call for general ideas. But that’s not going to stop me from floating three concepts, none of which I have any interest in exploring. I used to be the director of the Citywalk district, so I know it well, and I think three great uses for this property would be:
- a dog training/agility center with dog wash facilities and a retail pet store (similar to Pets in the City)
- a Kinko’s or other print/copy place
- a community office space for co-working, where independent professionals can rent a desk/conference room/printer/etc, and work in a collaborative space with others
The co-working movement is really taking off around the globe, probably because it allows communities to foster entrepreneurship at a reasonable cost to business owners. I think it would be a great fit for Ferguson. I also like the other two ideas because they would fill holes in our local retail market…..and generate tax revenue.
You see, Ferguson Citywalk is a TIF district, meaning that financial incentives may be available for new businesses that bring in sales tax. Downtown leaders are also striving to build an arts & entertainment destination, so a new retail store would definitely fit into the mix.
But that’s just my line of thinking. I’d love to hear what good ideas everyone else comes up with!
If you’re interested in submitting a concept, visit this website by May 16. And even if you don’t have an idea to present, you should still plan on attending the IdeaBounce on May 30. It starts at 7pm (with registration at 6) and all are welcome! Location is 830 S. Florissant Road.
By the way, I should probably tell you a little about the building…. It’s located in a high-traffic location about one mile from UMSL and Highway 70. It has tile floors, tall ceilings, a loading dock, parking in the front and rear, and green space on one end of the property. Inside, it’s basically a big open room with 4,000 square feet.
International Food Market opens in Hazelwood
With the opening of Worldwide International Food Market in Hazelwood, North County's dining choices just went global.
For quite some time, the 1970s strip mall at Dunn & Lindbergh sat mostly empty, a shadow of its former self. I remember when the old-timey K-Mart was there, the kind with a cafeteria in the back. I also remember the Walgreen’s, in the days when Walgreen’s had a Wag’s restaurant inside.
It’s not like this was some awesome mall where I couldn’t wait to go. Hardly. But still, I hated seeing it vacant all those years, nearly forgotten when Lindbergh was revamped. That’s why I was excited recently when several NOCO fans told me that a new international grocery store had moved in!
Housed in the former Walgreen’s location, Worldwide International Food Market is a full-service grocer with products from all around the globe. And WOW, is it a fun place to shop!
I went there today and was delighted to find neat little rows organized by country. There were sauces from Japan, cookies from Sweden, lavash bread from the Middle East, even whole frozen goats, ready for a Bosnian-style barbeque. There’s also produce, frozen food, a full line of bakery & dairy, and freshly made deli items, like hummus and falafel.
It’s kind of like our very own Trader Joe’s. Except that soon, this gourmet grocery store will also have an international restaurant inside!
Worldwide is open for business now and will host an official grand opening on April 2, but the manager told me that the restaurant is still a couple months down the road. He also said that if you can’t find a specific product in the store, let him know and he’ll special order it.
It’s a friendly family business here, and they truly aim to please. So when you get a chance, be sure to stop by and welcome them to NoCo….
Worldwide International Food Market, located at 7238 N. Lindbergh, 63042, is open Monday through Saturday, 8am to 10pm, and Sunday, 9am to 7pm. For more info, call (314) 731-3500.
What is your vision for Downtown Ferguson?
After gathering public input tomorrow night, the city of Ferguson is planning to implement a new forms-based approach to zoning in the downtown district.
If you want to see somebody’s eyes glaze over with boredom, start a discussion about planning & zoning. Better yet, throw in terms like “mixed-use development” and “appropriate land use” and watch how quickly the room clears. Nobody likes to talk about these things, except maybe bureaucrats and academics, but the fact is effective planning & zoning is absolutely vital in a thriving community.
The good folks at Ferguson City Hall know this. They also know that downtown Ferguson has an antiquated zoning code that restricts a whole range of desirable businesses. That’s probably why they’re forging a new plan and inviting the public to participate.
Tomorrow evening, the city staff is asking residents, business owners and anyone with a vested interest in downtown Ferguson to attend an open house, where they can seek your input on a variety of issues.
What do you think downtown Ferguson should look like in the future? What can the city do to make Florissant Road more pedestrian-friendly? What kinds of new businesses would you like to see? Those are some of the questions that need answering, and everyone’s opinion is welcome!
If you’d like to read more technical details about the new zoning approach Ferguson is taking, jump on over to the Form-Based Codes Institute. Otherwise, just show up at city hall tomorrow, March 1, at 6:30pm and be ready to share your ideas…
Ferguson City Hall is located at 110 Church Street, 63135. Light refreshments will be served.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K