Historical Fall 2001 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Changes are coming to Delmar; some can be readily seen and others can be found in architectural renderings.
The median stretching from the Wabash Station to DeBaliviere will be finished imminently. Next spring, plantings will enliven the streetscape. Be sure to see the insert in this paper regarding the streetscape planned for Delmar west of the station. Infrastructure changes were planned to make the street more attractive to commerce.
The decorated path leading from the MetroLink parking lot to the Pageant will be completed in a few months. Called the “Delmar Community Pathway”, it will include some interesting artwork. Once again, Bi-State’s Arts in Transit has played a huge role in improving our streetscape. Joe Edwards has certainly done his share to enliven Delmar.
The Pageant draws many customers to its concerts. But, Joe has not stopped there.
He has purchased the Olive Baptist Church, whose congregation wanted a larger home. Edwards hopes that this church building (originally a Jewish synagogue) will become home to nonprofit theater groups.
To the east of the church are two parking lots.
They surround a small historic structure that has fallen into disrepair. Joe has acquired the Cheatum building, pictured here, and was pleased to announce that the Del Pietro family (Portabella, Shitake, Del Pietro’s) plan to open a restaurant in this building after it has been rehabbed. Neal Shapiro has purchased the former liquor store building adjacent to his Original Cast Lighting Company on Delmar near Rosedale. Shapiro is working with architect Tom Cohen on a plan for retail space, possibly a restaurant. At Hamilton, we note that the Skinker-DeBaliviere Housing Corporation has purchased the building which houses Marion’s Cafe’, among other businesses, at 5888 Delmar. And a little further east, there are signs of activity at the old McDonald’s.
It looks like Big Jake’s barbecue will be open soon.
It is 12 years since the Commercial Committee was formed and set its sights on improving Delmar. Thanks to Aldermen McGuire, Clay, and Krewson, thanks to the committee and its business owner representatives, thanks to Sarah Smith and Arts in Transit, thanks to the SDCC, what once seemed an impossible dream is fast becoming a reality.
Original photograph caption
6154 Delmar, boarded nearly twenty years, proposed for Del Pietro’s Restaurant in 2002. Adjacent parking planned for restaurant and nonprofit theater groups. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Fall 2001.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2001_09.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
