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Officially open with more to come: City Foundry STL is helping build community in St. Louis

Note: Originally published as print-only in The CWE Griffin Newspaper. Photos by author.

Susie Bonwich, Rob Soete with Head Chef of Chicken Scratch Nate Hereford and an employee at one of the newest editions to the Food Hall.

The City Foundry officially opened its doors to the public on Aug. 11. Previously used as a manufacturing site for the City Electric Company and then left vacant for nine years, the 15-acre site is now being completely reimagined as a versatile social hub for the St. Louis community.

Located in Midtown off of Forest Park Avenue, City Foundry STL offers a place in the heart of the city to gather, eat, work and play. The highly-anticipated attraction recently added two new food stalls to the growing list of choices for tasty treats: Chicken Scratch and Sureste Méxican.

“There’s so many options that you know you’re going to find something that you’ll like here,” Asset Manager Susie Bonwich said. “And, it’s also just a really fun, open space.”

Each food stall is a local St. Louis business that focuses on a specific food staple. From popsicles and waffles to Hawaiian poke bowls and Asian-Mexican fusion dishes, chefs have the unique ability to experiment and be creative with their menus. The Foundry will have 20 total food stalls upon completion, including pizza, burgers and other core staples that push the boundaries in innovative ways.

“A great thing about them specializing in one thing is that they can complement each other. We’re already seeing chefs talk to each other about how to collaborate, which I think is an awesome way of building community,” Bonwich said.

Another way City Foundry is helping to provide community and personality to Midtown St. Louis is through connections with the Student Involvement Center at Saint Louis University (SLU). With a mission to get SLU students better incorporated and connected to their surroundings, the Involvement Center is collaborating with City Foundry to create regular SLU at the Foundry nights for midterm breaks and other events.

“I think we’re very intentional about being inclusive and creating a space where everyone is welcome,” Commercial Leasing Manager Rob Soete said.

The second phase of the Foundry project is underway to include 280 apartments and even more office spaces for rent. It was also announced that a tech-inspired mini-golf course will open in 2022, and the new grocery store Fresh Thyme Market at City Foundry is set to open on Nov. 10 of this year.

With mini golf courses, local groceries, a potential movie theater, countless food options, and the ability to rent apartments and offices, City Foundry STL is continuously growing and expanding.

“There’s always going to be something new here, or you’re going to notice something new you might not have noticed,” Soete said. Even if you’ve already taken a peek at the new St. Louis attraction, there is guaranteed to be something new to taste, discover or learn at City Foundry STL.

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