Grand South Grand Neighborhood Fact Sheet

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	Grand South Grand Neighborhood DESCRIPTION: The Grand South Grand area, a commercial district along Grand Boulevard between Arsenal and Utah, is part of a collection of smaller neighborhoods known as the Grand neighborhoods. They include, among others, Tower Grove East, Tower Grove South and Tower Grove Heights. The commercial area along Grand Boulevard features a collection of ethnic restaurants and eclectic shops. Grand South Grand and the surrounding residential areas have come to be known as St. Louis’ international district as many of St. Louis’ newest immigrants make their homes here. SLOGAN: Internationally American, Uniquely St. Louis. ADDRESS: 3203A South Grand Boulevard, Suite A, St. Louis, MO 63118 LOCATION: South St. Louis. The commercial area runs along Grand Boulevard from just north of Arsenal to Utah. PHONE NUMBER: 314-772-5750 GETTING THERE: From downtown, take I-64/40 or I-44 West to the Grand Boulevard exit. Go south on Grand to Arsenal, the northern edge of the South Grand commercial district. The shops and restaurants line the next few blocks. BEST KNOWN FOR: The Grand South Grand neighborhood is known for its international flavor. Located in the neighborhood are many ethnic restaurants and global markets. HIGHLIGHTS: The Grand South Grand neighborhood has a vibrant commercial area. Known for its variety of ethnic restaurants, the South Grand neighborhood boasts Thai, French, Persian, Vietnamese, Italian, Chinese and Afghani restaurants. South City Diner, another South Grand restaurant, is known for its blue plate specials, traditional breakfasts and 1950’s atmosphere. Mokabe’s Coffee House is a popular hangout for the younger crowd in the South Grand area. South Grand Coffee Company is another popular coffee shop and cyber café. The six-story Dickmann Building, an unusual art deco, ceramic-faced building built in 1926, houses shops on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors. Tower Grove Park, adjacent to South Grand Boulevard, is an unusual Victorian walking park that is popular attraction for locals and visitors alike. Established by Henry Shaw, founder of the Missouri Botanical Garden, the 289-acre Park is punctuated with 10 whimsical pavilions, lily ponds, statuary, fountains and mock classical “ruins.” At the other end of Tower Grove Park is the Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the top three botanical gardens in the world. Renowned for its research, education and display, the Garden is a 79-acre urban oasis of indoor and outdoor display gardens. It houses the largest traditional Japanese garden outside of Japan. The Climatron, located on the Garden grounds, is one of the first geodesic dome conservatories built in the U.S. and the first ever to be used as a greenhouse. HISTORY: When Henry Shaw established his botanical garden and created Tower Grove Park in the mid-1800’s, the surrounding area was countryside. During the 19th century, the area now known as Tower Grove South was called Prairie des Noyers, part of the common fields of early St. Louis. As the land was being sold, a family named Russell bought a great portion of it and built their family estate known as Oak Hill, now the name of an adjacent neighborhood. Soon after the family bought the land, coal was discovered under it and the Parker-Russell Mining Company was formed to extract it. The community grew as people came to work in the mine. The 1849 cholera epidemic that decimated St. Louis’ population virtually brought mining in the area to a halt. About the same time, the mining company realized the coal supply in the ground was limited, and it moved its focus to quarrying fire clay which was used in the production of bricks in St. Louis. At about the same time, a potato famine hit Germany, and many people fled to the U. S. A number of German immigrants to America settled in St. Louis, and the Tower Grove area saw a great influx of them. The new residents built churches, schools and businesses creating a thriving suburb of sorts. The city limits of St. Louis were expanded to include Tower Grove South in 1876. Until the 1970’s, the Grand neighborhoods were vibrant with a thriving commercial district along Grand Boulevard. But as time went on, more and more people moved to the suburbs, and the area began to decline. Then a new wave of immigrants discovered the Tower Grove neighborhoods and, like their German predecessors, began moving in. They rehabbed homes in the area and established restaurants and other businesses. Today, the South Grand and the surrounding neighborhoods are the most ethnically diverse in St. Louis. FESTIVALS AND OTHER EVENTS: Each year on the weekend before Easter, the Grand South Grand neighborhood holds a house tour. Every June, the International Institute of St. Louis holds an International Festival in nearby Tower Grove Park. St. Louis’ international communities share their foods, dances, music and customs at the event. During the festival, a Huge, international parade is held on Grand Boulevard. Also each spring, Pridefest, a gay and lesbian fair, is held in Tower Grove Park and another dynamic parade takes place on Grand Boulevard. The Grand South Grand area hosts four summer parties featuring live music, beer, wine and for-sale art displays by local craftsmen. In December, the neighborhood offers “A Grand Family Photo,” an opportunity for families and their pets to have their photo taken with the Grinch. DINING: There are many ethnic restaurants in the Grand South Grand neighborhood. Among them are Persian, Italian, Vietnamese, Thai, Ethiopian, and Afghani restaurants. SHOPPING: There are several interesting stores and import shops in the Grand Boulevard commercial area. NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Nearby are Tower Grove Park, a rare Victorian walking park, and the Missouri Botanical Garden. A few miles to the north visitors will find the Central West End and Forest Park with all of its cultural institutions. PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Rachel Witt, Executive Director, South Grand Community Improvement District, 314-772-5750, rachel@southgrand.org Updated: August 17, 2007
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