The Gravois Business Association was incorporated in 1942. Its current president is Jennifer Bess. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at Southern Commercial Bank. Membership dues are $50 per year, and $300 for parking lot privileges (must also be a member). The SLDC Commercial District Manager is Angelo Sita, phone (314)622-3400 or 351-3328.

The Gravois Business District is located on Gravois between Meramec and Christy, and on Morganford between Chippewa and Holly Hills and the surounding area. It is located within the 13th and 14th Wards.

The district is located in the heart of South St. Louis, and serves the city neighborhoods of Bevo, Boulevard Heights, Chippewa Park, Holly Hills, Newport Heights, Princeton Heights and all the residents of the City's far south side. The Bevo Mill, a restaurant specializing in hearty German fare and located in a spectacular, one-of-a-kind windmill structure standing over 60 feet high, has been the district's, as well as the surrounding neighborhood's, anchor for nearly 80 years.

The district is home to many long-standing businesses which draw customers from the entire region as well as the surrounding neighborhoods. Types of current businesses include coffee houses, bakeries, restaurants, printers, business services and supplies shops, a live theater, deli's, family-operated groceries, real estate, dentists, barber shops, law offices, art supplies, auto repair, auto supplies, florist, dollar store, a miniature museum, crafts, childrens' clothing, antique shops, bank, beauty salons, a motorcycle museum and other specialty shops and services.

While the long-standing businesses continue to form a base for the district, a new wave of businesses are moving in. These businesses are recognizing what the Gravois Business District has to offer a new and growing business: central location, stable surrounding neighborhoods with solid demographics, high traffic volume, the excellent properties available for rent or sale, the affordable real estate prices and unique, character-filled architecture.

History

In the familiar St. Louis pattern of development, the principal commercial concentrations followed the major street carrying transit routes. These activities were focused along Gravois and Morganford carrying most of the automobile and streetcar traffic in the vicinity. Further, the dominant business developments were historically centered at the major transit transfer points, which as Gravois and Morganford. At one time, the streetcar line stopped in front of the Bevo Mill, where it turned around to return to the City.

A neighborhood shopping district of considerable size began to develop around Gravois and Morganford after the opening of the Bevo Mill in 1916. It contained the Grant State Bank, the Woodland Theater, five-and-dime stores and furniture companies. Until recently, the commercial district had two anchors, the Bevo Mill and the Granada Theater. The Granada, an ornate and relatively famous theater, was built in 1927. It featured live stage entertainment as well as movies. It was recently torn down due to lack of basic maintenance, and a much-needed parking lot has taken its place.

Focus group surveys and write-in surveys were conducted to identify businesses which are especially desired in the area. The neighborhood would like to see the area developed as a "destination marketplace" -- a place where people will go for certain types of products or services. These surveys showed the neighborhood wanted to see a medium-sized grocery store, sporting goods, camera shop, religious supply, art gallery, outdoor farmers' market, veterinarian, hardware, travel agency, childrens shops, a record shop, antique shops, a sewing center, a uniform store, dry cleaners and gift shops.

Demographics

The neighborhoods surrounding the shopping area are densely populated and are highly diversified ethnically and financially. Because of this diversity and the modest nature of the surrounding neighborhoods, it is difficult for one not familiar with urban neighborhoods to recognize their potential. In order to document the potential of this market area, three-mile comparative-ring studies were researched. The Gravois location is compared demographically with two successful retail areas located in St. Louis County.

When looking at these demographics, it is important to compare the actual numbers of the people or households at a given income level or sum of income levels, not the percentages or mediums. Remember, it is people and households which make purchases, not averages and percentages.

Study Areas

Bevo Area - 3 mile radius around intersection of Gravois and Morganford

South County - 3 mile radius around intersection of Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry.

West County - 3 mile radius around intersection of Manchester and New Ballas Roads

Income

The findings are amazing!

The number of households with incomes of $30,000 or more in Bevo is 33,449, in South County - 22,995, and in West County - 25,304.

Households with incomes of $75,000 or greater in Bevo - 3,016, in South County - 3,567, and in West County - 7,117.

Education

High school graduates in Bevo - 39,248, in South County - 19,375, in West County - 8,958

1 - 3 years college in Bevo - 27,127, in South County - 15,427, in West County - 13,690

4 or more years college in Bevo - 20,083, in South County - 11,410, in West County - 19,700

Occupation

White Collar in Bevo - 54,683, in South County - 31,312, in West County - 31,747

Blue Collar in Bevo - 39,436, in South County - 10,364, and in West County - 6,190.

Amenities include fiber optics access, close to downtown, good neighborhood, reasonable rents, on major bus lines and on a major street artery. There is public parking and metered street parking. It is possible to live above your business.

The organization works with other neighborhood associations in the area. The organization sponsors promotional events including a Holiday party for members, a carnival on the parking lot, Santa sleigh rides at Christmas and Easter Bunny at Easter. There are also sidewalk sales, flea markets and an arts & crafts fair on the Gravois Businessmen's Parking Lot.