Historical February 1994 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Progress to be reported this month includes news about development both East and West on Delmar.
On the west side, at the highly visible intersection of Delmar and Skinker, there are handsome new awnings, definitely tying in the businesses to the east with those of the successful Loop to the west.
The awnings were partially funded with a matching grant through the Southwestern Bell Growth Grant awarded to the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council and its Commercial Development Committee last year.
To date, awnings and windows have been installed on more than twelve buildings, including: • Radiant Products • Delmar/Skinker Building • Shoe Repair Building • Colonial Rug • Art Directions • Robertson’s Furniture • Palomino Lounge • Pawnmasters • Gingiss Formalwear • Boulevard Cleaners Building • 6135 Delmar (an interesting display of classic cars) • Royal Hookup–barber shop • Happy Taco In addition to providing matching funds for improvements to these buildings, the Southwestern Bell Growth Grant, and other funds from the Commercial District Program of the St. Louis Development Corporation, have assisted with trees, banners, and the soon to arrive lighting along Des Peres from the Metro Link Station south into the residential part of the neighborhood.
As improvements are made to existing business locations on “our” part of Delmar, there is also news of a significant business expansion. Robertson’s Furniture has recently received approval to build a new furniture store on the vacant lot east of its current location.
With space of nearly 3,000 sq. ft., Robertson’s will be able to display more selections than ever. Definitely a “survivor”, Robertson’s has been serving customers on Delmar for more than twenty-five years. Gary Robertson, whose parents began the business there, is optimistic about the store’s future on Delmar, stating, “We feel very upbeat about the future. More and more people are choosing to live in this neighborhood.
The convenience of the Metro Link Stations is going to be more important as time goes by, and we want to continue to be a part of Delmar’s progress.” Robertson also serves as President of the newly formed Delmar Businessmen’s Association. Together with his executive committee, he is busy formulating plans for working together to make other improvements on Delmar.
In other news, Alderman Irv Clay and Alderman Dan McGuire have announced that the Redevelopment Plan, partially drafted by the Skinker-DeBaliviere Commercial District Committee, and covered in detail in The Times in previous issues, will be introduced this year as an ordinance.
A public meeting will be held prior to its introduction.
Original photograph caption
New awnings at Delmar and Skinker. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1994.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1994_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
