Blues officials said that suddenly becoming the city’s second-largest franchise "does expect to provide an economic boost" for the club, but it "hasn’t happened overnight and won’t happen without continuing with plans that were laid out long before" last week’s Rams news, according to a front-page piece by Jeremy Rutherford of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Blues President & CEO of Business Operations Chris Zimmerman said, “As people look at the Rams’ departure, they say, ‘Oh, this is so great for the Blues.' Well, we would expect a little bit of tailwind. We’re inviting everybody in, but let’s be clear: We have to do everything really, really well and keep getting better just to stay in the game." He added, "Are there some sponsors that now have a new opportunity to market their business? Yes. Would we hope that some small businesses might want to entertain their clients here now? Absolutely. But you have to view it like the team: You earn respect, you earn love, and we have to be at it every day. The job didn’t change.” Rutherford notes the Rams’ departure "will make available millions in sponsorships and leave thousands of season-ticket holders without a sporting venue to call home." The Blues "have been insistent on not coming across as opportunistic during what has been widely considered a loss for the city." But in the coming weeks, they will be "checking on which doors closed in the past might have a chance of reopening." Meanwhile, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay's Chief of Staff Mary Ellen Ponder said that "coming off the failed stadium bid for the Rams, the city planned to focus on several smaller issues, including Scottrade Center." She said, “We plan to meet with the Blues organization this week." Zimmerman added, "There is some opportunity for us to get there faster, and for there to be a bit more reward" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/21).
VILLAGE PEOPLE: In St. Louis, Tim Bryant notes a number of mainstays of the downtown St. Louis dining scene "are throwing in the towel." Among recent and "surprising casualties are Harry’s Restaurant & Bar and Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood, two longtime downtown establishments." Harry's co-Owner Tim Pieri said that Ballpark Village, the entertainment complex developed by Baltimore-based Cordish Co. for the Cardinals, "sapped his restaurant of 70 percent of its business and 'was the nail in the coffin.'” But other restaurateurs and downtown business people "aren’t so sure." Tony Lombardo, a partner in three downtown restaurants, said that Ballpark Village "was not the bogeyman as some portrayed it." He said that it "hurt nearby 'beer bars' but had helped his upscale restaurants" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/21).
