All Entries in the "Revitalization" Category
Women’s Clothing Boutique opens in Ferguson
After years of working for other retailers, NyQuesha Thomas dreamed of running her own boutique. So earlier this month, with the help of her fiance, Charles Butler, she opened the Fitting Room, a women’s clothing store with a fun, youthful vibe. Located in downtown Ferguson, right next to Cose Dolci bakery, the boutique doesn’t have [...]
Three national retailers opening stores in Florissant
The former Value City building on N. Lindbergh will soon have three new tenants – all major national retailers! As announced by the city of Florissant last week, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Best Buy will both be opening new locations there. Petco, which currently has one storefront in Florissant, will also be relocating to the [...]
Ferguson launches Plaza at 501 with Friday concert
In 2005, when members of Ferguson’s downtown business district took my humble advice and adopted the name Ferguson Citywalk, the idea was to promote walkability and a greater sense of vibrancy along Florissant Road. Rather than just serving as a drive-by locale on a busy thoroughfare, Citywalk, it was hoped, could become a prime destination [...]
At long last, NoCo’s First Microbrewery opens April 15
Joe Lonero is often called “Ferguson’s Joe Edwards,” referencing the entrepreneur/developer behind the rise of the U. City Loop, but I have to say, I think the comparison is a bit off. For one, Edwards opened Blueberry Hill in 1972 and didn’t tackle his next big project – the renovation of the Tivoli building – [...]
Ferguson hosting Home Improvement Fair this Saturday
No matter what kind of updates you’re looking to make to your home, chances are you’ll find someone who can help you at Ferguson’s Home Improvement Fair this Saturday. More than thirty vendors and contractors will be on hand at this free event to share information and offer advice, including plumbers, painters, waterproofing experts, window [...]
Ferguson hosting Home Renovation Workshop on Saturday
Owning an older home can be a great adventure and a rich learning experience. But as I’ve discovered with my own 108-year-old dwelling, it can also be quite a challenge, both to your time and to your bank account. That’s why I’m pleased to let all the historic house owners out there know: Help is [...]
Ferguson’s CVS Developer Forum makes the news
In case you missed the CVS developer’s public forum last night at the Savoy, both FOX 2 and KPLR 11 reported live from the event, interviewing residents Ann Chisholm, Susan Donnell and Nick Kasoff. The video is pretty similar from both (since they run out of the same station), but here’s the FOX 2 segment [...]
Citizens & CVS clash over proposed Ferguson development
I created NOCO as a forum for positive news and information, never intending to delve into controversy. But the proposed development of a CVS Pharmacy in Ferguson and the confusion and angst it has created in the community have led me to try and present a balanced view of the issue, weighing all sides of [...]
Hundreds gather to support revitalization of Northwest Plaza
Nearly 300 concerned citizens gathered today at Northwest Plaza, aiming to spur interest in its revitalization. The mall-walk and unofficial rally was organized by St. Ann resident Steve Erdelen, who grew up hanging out at the plaza’s Grand Court Fountain in the 1960s and 70s and recently launched a popular Facebook group called “I hung [...]
Mall-Walkers Aim to Rejuvenate Northwest Plaza
Though Northwest Plaza was once touted as the “largest mall in the world,” boasting nearly 200 retailers, today you can walk its massive, lifeless corridors and barely find a store or another shopper in sight. Following foreclosure in 2009 and the recent news that anchor Macy’s is closing, the mall’s future definitely hangs in question. [...]
My NoCo Christmas Wish: a unique music & movie venue
For nearly 30 years beginning in the 1970s, the historic neighborhoods of northeast Portland, Oregon, showed all the tell-tale signs of a community in decline. Housing values dropped, businesses got seedier, and the local grade school – a community landmark since 1915 – closed its doors and eventually was abandoned, causing many families to move [...]
Airport & Express Scripts green-light new NoCo development
It has been a very good month for commercial real estate development in North County. First, Express Scripts ended a cross-country battle for its proposed distribution facility by deciding that NoCo, not suburban Philadelphia, would be the site of its new plant. Then today, Lambert Airport announced that it will soon sign a deal with [...]
Ferguson: officially a Hip Hood!
I’ve spent years pitching Ferguson stories to the local media, trying to convince them that something special was happening here, and finally, somebody got it! St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Diane Toroian Keaggy has done an absolutely awesome job of capturing Joe Lonero, Mike Lonero and the many other people (characters one and all) who make [...]
Take the Jamestown Mall survey
The St. Louis County Economic Council wants to know: What do YOU want to see at a redeveloped Jamestown Mall site? Take their survey today. And please, don’t say more Title Max locations. Or dollar stores. Or beauty supply places. I think it’s time we get creative and demand something better.
Ferguson’s new fountain flows toward the past
For years, the fountain at the intersection of Church St and Florissant Rd has been a bit wonky. I remember walking by a few years ago and the water was alternating between a tiny dribble and a massive, geyser-like burst reaching 30 feet in the air. Clearly the plumbing was due for an update. And [...]
Jamestown Mall Reborn
I grew up right next door to Jamestown Mall. My first job was there (at York Steak House). Most of my friends worked there. I even had my first “rock star” experience there, when I saw Rick Springfield sing “Jesse’s Girl” to mobs of screaming fans. Like many NoCo residents, Jamestown holds a lot of [...]
Locations in Florissant,
Chesterfield & West Port
Sept 4 "R" Pizza Farm Grilled Pizza Demo 10am, Buy a Bag For the Hungry Day 8am - 12pm, to benefit Operation Food Search, a St. Louis food bank that distributes food to poor & hungry. While you're shopping, buy an extra bag for this worthy cause. Live Music - Dixie Rhythm Kings 9-11am. ALSO 45+ vendors!
Saturdays 8am-2pm in the 2500 block of Woodson Road