Local Business Spotlight- PAPERKEET!

When in need of suggestions of all sorts, I go straight to The Source-FacebookI know, I bet you are rolling your eyes right now because I called Facebook "The Source", but it is true. I make a point of includingnothing but the most diverse, informed, local and sassy people that I can find in my social network. So, yesterday when I was in need of a LOCAL, INEXPENSIVE and AWESOME stationary supplier, I posted the "Want Ad" on my Facebook Page. Within seconds, my ultra hip friend Aly suggested Paperkeet.

Paperkeet, is located on Morganford in the the Morganford Business District of Tower Grove South (that was a mouthful). I called and discussed some prices (inexpensive for custom) for thank-you cards with the owner, Tori and decided to head on over. The store was nothing short of amazing! Call me silly, but I didn't think she would have so much stuff to look at...and it was all so colorful. There were samples for cocktail parties, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries lining the walls. The designs where whimsical, classic, edgy, pretty, masculine and anything else you never thought paper could convey. Not to mention, she had stuffed owls...I LOVE OWLS, they were a HOOT!

Tori was nothing short of amazing either, not to mention she is a stunning red head (did you hear that guys?). She understood that it was essential for whatever design I picked had to represent me as a person, because in real estate, YOU are your own brand. I can't tell you what a relief that is not to have to explain to someone. If you know me, you would understand that stationary with pretty flowers on it just wasn't going to cut it. She suggested and awesome envelope color too, makes sense because it is the first impression for the message. I can't wait to see my custom designs, and start sending out my wonderful cards! If you are in need of stationary, invites, gift-tags or announcements you should consider heading over there, and supporting local business!

Paperkeet is located at 3237 Morganford Rd. Phone number is 314.773.1117

Tower Grove South- Creating Neighborhood Longevity and Stabilty by Using Diverse Local Businesses as Anchors

Hartford Coffee, where I hold all my business meetings 

Tower Grove South has seen a huge renaissance in the past decade, let's explore part of the "why?". 

Tower Grove South is bounded by Arsenal St. on the north, Chippewa St. on the south, Kingshighway Blvd. on the west, and Grand Blvd. on the east. Within these borders are several unique Mainstreet and Cornerstore destinations, holding the 'hood together like Superglue.


Historically, in this neighborhood you could command a higher price for your home the closer you were to Tower Grove Park & South Grand. Housing prices tended to severely decrease the closer you got to Morganford, due to lack of commercial development at the time. However, in about the last 2-3 years new businesses have arrived in the Morganford Business District, and housing prices in the blocks connected to it are starting to reflect that fact. 

Arsenal faces into Tower Grove Park. Tower Grove Park offers its guest beautifully diverse vegetation, a 3.3 mile strolling path, historic buildings, pavilions, statues, several elaborate gated entrances, a playground, fountains, gazing pond and so much more. Not to mention it plays host to several cultural festivals a year, a seasonal farmer's market and adult team sports leagues. 

S. Grand Business District is a destination for boutique shopping, international cuisine, electric nightlife and yummy treats!

Morganford, In my opinion is still struggling a bit to find its identity and fill its available spaces. However, it is doing much much better than a couple years ago. It now plays host to some boutique shopping, a local food market (yummy), several restaurants and some unique bars.  

Within the neighborhood, you have several delightful destinations that are popular with the locals. Just to list a few...Hartford Coffee, A Walk in the Park, Gustine Market, Black Thorn Pub & Pizza, The Civil Life , Friendly's,  Parkside Cakery and Oak Hill Hardware.

I think what is important to point out about the success of Tower Grove South, is that the neighborhood offers a little something for everyone. The types of businesses are diverse, and they include services that people residing within the neighborhood need. There is a local dog groomer, salon, barber, dry cleaners, grocery stores, gas stations (maybe too may of these), health food store, a spa offering massages, a stationary store, an optometrist...I could go on. The people of the neighborhood patronize these places, sometimes paying a bit more here and there, but the money gets pumped right back into the local economy.  

Castle Ballroom is Back on the Market at $325,000!

Built to Last in 1908: What a truly rare opportunity! Originally named Cave Hall, and now known as the Castle Ballroom this corner building was recently placed on the National Register for Historic Places. A stunning yellow brick Renaissance Revival building with many of it's original features, mainly the ballroom intact. The first story in comprised of commercial spaces and the upper 2 floors are what makes up the ballroom, stage and balconies. Once an elegant dance hall, this property can be used in many ways: event space, catering hall or an elegant office with a historical twist. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Property is eligible for historic tax credits that are transferable, restrictions do apply. Revive an important piece of Saint Louis' musical and cultural history. Priced to move, and it won't last long.Agent can provide a copy of the nomination to the National Register upon request. Serious buyers may even get a tour of the property by a local historian!

A Bit about the history of Castle Ballroom:

Nomiantion and Summary Below Provided by:

Lynn Josse
Public History Consultant
(314) 229-0793

Built in 1908 as Cave Hall, the venue was designed as a dance hall and
dancing academy. The owners, Cornelius Ahern and Herman Albers, built the hall
when their previous venue closed. Cave Hall became one of the major venues for social
dancing and dance instruction in St. Louis prior to the dawn of the Jazz Age. By the 1930s,
changing tastes in music and the nature of social dancing had transformed the city’s dancing scene into one that was driven by jazz bands rather than dance orchestras, and the renamed Castle Ballroom hosted many of the most famous acts of the 1930s and 1940s. 

Located at the edge of St.Louis’ storied Mill Creek Valley neighborhood, the Castle became one of the only traditionally“white” halls to allow black customers. As the Castle transitioned into a black venue, it became one of only a few major halls that catered to an African American clientele. Since the Mill Creek Valley neighborhood was demolished almost in its entirety beginning in 1959, the Castle is one of the few extant buildings with significant associations to that community.

Here's the link to the Castle Ballroom nomination:
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/11000024.pdf

Accidental Gal for the Job!

I am not sure how I became the Real Estate Agent who seems to get Saint Louis' "challenge" properties that just so happen to be on the National Register of Historic Places, it just seemed to fall in my lap. True, I have only really had 3 listings on the Register up until this point, and only successfully have sold one (so far). That is besides the point, kinda. My goal is to start moving more into the marketing, selling and preservation of these properties as a sub-niche is you will. After spending over a year on Sugar Loaf Mound, I think I can handle just about anything.

So here is the story:

One day, sitting at my old RE office I picked up the phone and it just so happened to be someone wanting to list their property. I was excited, I mean really excited. It is what every junior agent dreams of, getting the opportunity to list a property off of an office call. However, I don't think that I knew what I was getting myself into. The owner's daughter on the other end of the line, was wanting me to interview for selling Saint Louis' Last Remaining Prehistoric Native American Mound. How in the heck do you sell something like that? How do you come to a value? I mean, the house sitting atop the mound was probably worth $50,000. How much value did the mound itself hold? Does it's value increase because it was the last one? What made it valuable  Who would buy it? What would they do with it?

Nervous and a bit scared I took my broker with me. Truth be told, I don't think he was much up for the challenge (at the time) and was a bit puzzled himself. Not liking to say, "NO" he agreed to let me take the listing because I was chomping at the bit to dig into the history.

I allowed the owner set the price, and I went to work on Google-ing, researching and making phone calls.  I soaked up all I could from the owners, neighbors, websites, archaeologists, the people at Cahokia Mounds, Landmarks Saint Louis, the National Registry Nomination and the list goes on.

Armed with all my info I had to now discover how to market the property. I mean my previous broker was a marketing whiz, but all the knowledge he had previously shared with me was how to sell residential property, and do it well. However, who in the hell is looking to buy a MOUND on Zillow? Survey says, "They're NOT".

In cases like this one it is best to contact all the historical preservationists and press you can. People can't buy what they don't have an awareness of. The public will not help preserve what they are not aware of. Saint Louis' historical sites & properties are disappearing at an alarming rate. Luckily for me, there are TONS of people interested in a MOUND. I answered more phone calls, dealt with special interest groups, Native American Ceremony Groups, Politicians, Press, TV crews, Preservation Groups, Native American Tribes , Bloggers & New Age Groups than you could shake a stick at. The open house had close 150 people through it.

SIDE NOTE: did you know that once information about a mound goes public you have to watch the property for looters? Much like people in Egypt that dig around in tombs and steal treasures? Well, YOU DO. There are actually groups of people who do this. 

So , there is how I stumbled into this whole scene. Google Sugar Loaf Mound St. Louis. I dare you. You will see what pops up.