April 2, 2001

 

An Open Letter to Our Customers Regarding the
Expansion and Remodeling of Our South Grand Bakery-Cafe:

 

Dear South Grand Customers:

 

Saint Louis Bread Co. has been a member of the South Grand community since we opened our bakery-cafe in 1992.  We have done our best to provide good food and a place where people would feel welcome and comfortable.  We also have been proud to play some small part in the reinvestment and economic stability of your business and residential community.

 

As you may be aware, our landlord recently has presented us with an opportunity to expand our South Grand Boulevard bakery-cafe.  We believe that expanding and remodeling will provide you with a far more attractive and comfortable bakery-cafe.  We will not only be able to accommodate more customers more comfortably during lunch, but we will also be able to create a far more attractive and inviting place to meet with friends or business colleagues, or just to relax.  We also believe that expanding and remodeling the bakery-cafe will be a visible sign of Saint Louis Bread Co.’s continued commitment to the South Grand community and another statement that South Grand is a good place to live, to work and to do business.

 

In order to serve our customers, the expansion will require additional parking immediately adjacent to the bakery-cafe.  Because our landlord currently proposes to provide that parking through the demolition of two houses, we have heard from some neighborhood residents who are opposed to the expansion.  But, because we serve many customers from throughout the South Grand area, we know that there also is support for the investment that we propose to make.  In addition, we also know that our landlord has solicited and received formal support from the area’s alderman, neighborhood association and business association, and informal and unsolicited support from neighborhood residents and businesses.

 

We know the importance of improving and reinvesting in our older bakery-cafes and we hope we will be able to do so at South Grand.  Based upon our experience in other locations, we are concerned that if we do not expand and invest in our South Grand bakery-cafe, its economic vitality and viability will ultimately be eroded.  But before the landlord may proceed with the demolition and the creation of additional parking that he has proposed, we understand that he must receive certain necessary public approvals that may only be granted or denied after public hearings.  While we feel that it is important that our South Grand bakery-cafe be improved through the proposed expansion and renovation, we will await the outcome of that public process before proceeding with any re-investment.  Once the public approval process is complete, we will be respectful of that decision and continue to support the neighborhood through our bakery-cafe in the best way we can.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

Archie Karel

St. Louis Director of Operations

Saint Louis Bread Co.