I've been on Morganford only a couple of times. What I saw looked well kept but kinda marginal. What's fueling the opening of a retail business in this location, do you think? Simply the lure of a lower rent, or something less obvious?

Just wondering. Thanks.

[Posted by Dan Icolari on Thu., Apr 21, 2005 at 3:55 PM]

This is yet another untapped urban area that has the potential to explode into a viable and desireable neighborhood commerce center. If you aren't familiar with the surrounding neighborhood, you might not notice all the rehab and revitalization going on. There is no reason why we shouldn't have shopping options like this in the Tower Grove area, I wish there were more people like the owners of Grove Furnishings - the market is there.

[Posted by Sara on Mon., Apr 25, 2005 at 6:09 PM]

Hi Dan:

That's a good question. Actually, I'm the owner of Grove Furnishings and the building it is in. So yes, I have low rent. However, the reason I chose to open a retail store there is that it is time for someone to do something about the state of affairs on Morgan Ford. It has great potential, but for years, nothing has been done. I live a couple of blocks from there and if you want something done, you have to do it yourself. Come in and see us sometime so I can pay my rent to myself.

Bill

[Posted by Bill on Tue., Apr 26, 2005 at 3:13 PM]

In addition to Grove Furnishings (love it!), there are several newer eating establishments in that area namely The Tin Can and The Morgan Ford. Both places have great food, great service, and are clean. I would encourage everyone to check out these local businesses-you will be pleasantly surprised. I think Morgan Ford, and soon Virginia Avenue (Iron Barley-YUM!!!!!), are really making a come-back. Those neighborhoods are committed to making it happen.

[Posted by Julie on Fri., Aug 26, 2005 at 3:41 PM]

Recent article about Morgan Ford and Manchester areas-sorry it's so long but I couldn't get the link to work:

Churches’ revitalization on roll in south city area

by Joseph Kenny, Review Staff Writer

An effort by a group of South St. Louis churches to revitalize their neighborhoods has targeted two main thoroughfares.

The churches point to the need to support new businesses along Morganford Road such as the popular Tin Can restaurant/pub and similar successes and struggles of businesses along Manchester Avenue.

The church group, Churches Committed to Community Concerns, or C4, has played a key role in other local development projects such as Gravois Plaza, the Keystone development at the former Sears site on South Grand, the Southtown site at Kingshighway and Chippewa and the preservation of South Side National Bank.

A meeting was held Aug. 18 with elected officials, owners of properties and residents. More than 300 people attended to report on progress that has been made and to share ideas.

Tom Sanger of St. Pius V Parish noted that the group has been meeting for several months with city representatives and business owners and has surveyed neighborhood residents to learn of their concerns.

"We want to take on projects that will help revitalize the city, make it a better place, a safer place, and help our neighborhoods improve," Sanger told the Review.

The improvements will "put a dent into what we see as a big problem of urban sprawl — people leaving the city to go out to the suburbs," he said.

City neighborhoods are revitalizing, he said. "You can be close to all the things here in the city and not have to drive miles and miles. We have many things in the city that are attractive."

Neighborhood stabilization will help the churches, including many historic Catholic parishes that have been anchors in the area for years, he said.

"There were a lot of closings this year, and we were very upset about that. A lot of people got hurt by that process. We would like to think that our work is going to prevent that from happening" in the future, he said.

"Our actions and activities, along with the work of other people, will make our neighborhoods stronger, attract families and help churches," Sanger said.

He reported that several businesses are forming the Tower Grove South Business Association.

The alderman from the area, Joseph Vollmer, D-10th Ward, reported on funding for facade improvements and sidewalk enhancements, Sanger noted.

The targeted area is Manchester from Vandeventer to Kingshighway and Morganford from Arsenal Street to Utah Place.

Twelve churches of various denominations are members of C4, including Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Cecilia, St. Cronan, St. Pius V, St. Stephen Protomartyr and Sts. Peter and Paul. Immaculate Conception-St. Henry, which recently merged with another parish, was a member.

The Catholic presence in South St. Louis has been important historically, and "it’s even more important now with so many churches closing," said Patricia Curtis of St. Cronan Parish. That presence includes the Church’s support of low-income residents, she noted.

The Church’s role was evident at the Aug. 18 meeting, she added. "This community depends on us as a strong element of stability." Her neighborhood, along Manchester, hit its bottom point five to 10 years ago, Curtis said.

The businesses that stayed adopted a "fortress mentality to protect their property," she said. Neighborhood residents had a broader vision of a thriving community — a concept shared by the new merchants.

These retail businesses have a more open, inviting look. By banding together they can promote a welcoming, rather than decaying look, she noted.

"Some things are starting to take off beyond our wildest dreams, but there’s still a long way to go. "

Joe Moramarco, also a St. Cronan parishioner, said a vibrant and viable commercial area improves security and adds to property values. Manchester and Morganford are two similar streets with once-thriving businesses starting to come back but not quite fast enough, he said.

"We don’t want to see this go the other way again," Moramarco said. "We realize these commercial strips can be the hub of the neighborhood. So we focused on what we can do to get some political focus on these areas."

Key business leaders are rallying others, he said.

Moramarco cited work with a business owner, Ed Shalabi, to improve his neighborhood grocery, Manchester Market, and efforts to add parking. Alderman Joseph Roddy, has pledged to help with the parking.

"We’re trying to get things accelerated on Manchester, to get off the slow, sluggish starts," Moramarco said.

A St. Pius member contacted Operation Brightside, which then did a cleanup along Morganford. C4 members targeted a former tavern building on the street that now is being rehabbed as a private residence.

Restaurant/pubs along Morganford that have been promoted by the church group include The Tin Can, Ron’s Mighty Pub, Tower Pub, Verona Coffee Bar and Restaurant and The Morganford. Grove Furnishings is another new business that has helped stabilize the area.

"When people see businesses flourishing and have convenient shopping it’s a huge benefit to the neighborhood," Moramarco said.

[Posted by Susan on Fri., Aug 26, 2005 at 3:59 PM]

I don't know if anyone has noticed but the Morgan Ford Smokehouse is under new ownership that is spending considerable time and money in renovating this facility inside and out. It is a new eating establishment and bar called Stella Blues. It has been completely remodeled along with the addition of new restrooms with handicap accessability. New exterior windows and doors to bring back the original look of the building. They will be opening the second week of July and offer a great menu to choose from. Please stop in and let us know what you think. We think the Tower Grove South area is a great place to have a business and look forward to a bright future. visit the web site at stellabluesstl.com

[Posted by Jim on Sat., Jun 17, 2006 at 11:20 AM]