St. Louis restaurants we wish would come back

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The Lettuce Leaf

Some St. Louisans say that the Lettuce Leaf was a brilliant idea, but just ahead of its time.

Founded in 1976 in Clayton, the Lettuce Leaf was the creation of SLU professor William Saigh and his wife, Christine.

Salads as entrees was a new idea to St. Louis, but the business worked and they opened three more St. Louis area stores and one in Kansas City. In 1991, the Saighs sold the business to some employees.

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The Parkmoor

Before the Parkmoor closed for good in 1999, regulars and some newcomers descended on the Clayton Road and Big Bend Boulevard landmark one last time.

They dined on Kingburgers and onion rings and dreamed of the day the restaurant might be rejuvenated, as owner Lou Ellen McGinley talked about.

Alas, it didn’t happen. And now, the site of the old Parkmoor is just another Walgreens.

 

Content aggregated from here.

Caleres… What happened to Brown Shoe Company?

If you have driven down Maryland Avenue in Clayton recently you may have noticed some construction happening and the disappearance of the “Brown Shoe” name. After also doing a google search I found the video above. The CEO, Diane Sullivan explains the change in brand name to Caleres. Keeping their 136 years of success in mind, all the while adapting to the new marketplace.

When I stopped by I also noticed a fantastic new sculpture by architecht Saunders Schultz.

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Click here to read more about the rebranding! 

Development Planned for Vacant Hanley-Clayton Road Site

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Finally!

“Vacant for nearly two decades, the prominent corner of Clayton and Hanley Roads may finally be redeveloped. Planned is more than 500Ksf of retail, including a grocer, more than 40Ksf of office space, and as many as 291 residential units.”

I remember hearing of a proposal for something similar back in 2009. Unfortunately, nothing ever came of it. I think it would be a great way to fill the vacant site and bring new amenities to the area. From what I have been hearing this time around, I think that it will become a reality. 

Some people are saying that Clayton could become the new “Downtown” of St Louis, what is your take on this? (Link to original article discussing this in depth)

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