In 2018, the Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC purchased a long-time nuisance property at 3800-02 Gravois in our continued attempt to stabilize the southern part of Tower Grove South, known as The Wedge. The property is our first mixed-use (commercial/residential) building. We invested a lot into the property because this corner is important to the stabilization and growth of the neighborhood.
Completed in late 2019, the upstairs residential units were rented to amazing tenants. The pandemic set our plans back a bit, so the commercial spaces waited for the perfect tenants. Our goal for the commercial spaces was to add value to the residents of the area. We knew the importance of finding the perfect tenants (non-profit organizations/local businesses) versus just getting the spaces filled. It was a long road, but we are happy to announce that both spaces have been filled!
3800 Gravios, the larger of the two spaces, will become a consignment furniture store run by a local non-profit organization. The James Jackson Group Home for Pregnant Teens provides services to help pregnant teens develop skills necessary to independence and life as healthy productive adults, as well as responsible and capable parents. The store will benefit an amazing cause, and an affordable furniture store in an area with a high amount of affordable rentals will benefit the neighborhood as well.
3802 Gravois is the first retail storefront for a great, local, family-owned business. The Popcorn Bar STL will bring healthy snacks and jobs into the area. After running a successful business at Soulard Market, the PopCorn Bar STL is expanding into Tower Grove South.
We are excited to welcome both of these businesses to the Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC family! We can’t wait for them to open up over the next couple of months.
A huge thank you to ArtScope and the neighborhood kids for creating a great mural for 3800 Gravois as well. A little art makes a big difference in communities!
To see more projects like this completed, please donate to Tower Grove Neighborhoods!
