"I am optimistic about the future of Soulard," explains Lillie "Babe" Suggs, a 60-year plus resident of Soulard. Retired now, she adds that "there are lots of opportunities for people in the neighborhood." She owns a home in the 900 block of Allen Ave. Babe has mixed considerable volunteer work with her regular jobs. Her work history includes fifteen years at the Soulard Market.

"Soulard keeps going up and up," Babe notes. "I like that," she says.

Dave Lewis, a long time Soulard resident and restorationist, places a towel bar in a bathroom wall tiled with salvaged Vitrolite. Always ready with counseling and advice, Dave is a neighborhood asset. (People Productions photo by Clark Rowley)

Dave Lewis, a homeowner in the 900 block of Lami, reflects a similar optimism. "I like Soulard's old buildings, the physical setting and the similarities Soulard has with old cities in Europe," Dave comments. He was raised in Kirkwood and was introduced to Soulard as a volunteer under the University Year for Action program in l973.

"The styling and workmanship, along with the communal nature of the village setting, are very interesting to me," he explains. Dave purchased a three-story shell in l974, and he has been working on it ever since. He works in maintenance at Savvis Center and his knowledge of maintenance issues and resources has been very helpful to many people in Soulard and elsewhere.

Larry Giles, owner of St. Louis Architectural Art Co., a Soulard business located in the 2400 block of Menard in an old livery stable, holds a similar view. He came to Soulard in l971 following service in Vietnam and his discharge after four years in the Marines. "The potential of Soulard was obvious. The neighborhood was a treasure trove of old buildings," he says, describing Soulard when he arrived. "Also, it was inexpensive," he adds. Larry is a St. Louis native.

Montana born Mary Linden, who came to Soulard in l974 and who bought her house on South 11th Street in l977, has a slightly different perspective. She admires the architecture, but she likes best "the sense of community and knowing my neighbors."

She observes that "over the years, Soulard has become a real community. From a situation where little or nothing was being done, Soulard has grown into a community with many things being done. The community includes businesses, churches with congregations, children and lots of neighbors, plus sale prices that are really astounding." Mary recently retired from the county school system, where she was a counselor. She is hunting around for a new career direction. "I am rather startled that Soulard has come this far," she says.

Larry Giles has salvaged a stunning collection of architectural artifacts from the St. Louis area.

Linda Hoffman, who lives with her husband, Terry, and two daughters, Emme, 9, and Kaylen, 12, in the 2300 block of South 12th Street, also values the social context.

"I thought many times of leaving Soulard because there were no playmates for my children," Linda admits. She and her husband moved to the neighborhood in l982, purchasing a stone front which was inhabitable but unrestored. It is their first house.

"Now the reason why I want to stay in Soulard is because I believe that living here has contributed to making my children better people," she says. "There are so many stories from suburban neighborhoods about children having too much and expecting too much. I also hear about drugs and alcohol. And there is just too much emphasis on stuff, on what you have," she adds.

Her children are attending a Catholic school in the Shaw neighborhood. Fellow students represent a spectrum of backgrounds, including Bosnian, Russian, Hispanic, Asian and African. "The kids, as well as the parents, are less competitive and more accepting of all kinds of people," she believes.

"I do not see the competitiveness for things. My children see all kinds of people, and they are not examining what that person has, but what that person is," Linda notes. Linda and Terry were both born and raised in the Chicago area. Terry is director of sales and micro-marketing at Anheuser-Busch. Linda teaches part time.

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