FLORISSANT, Mo. — In less than a week, the new Sugarfire Smokehouse in Florissant has made a splash.
On Sunday afternoon, the barbeque joint's line and dining room were packed as people made their way to experience the familiar cuisine.
"This is day five ... it's been very crazy. We've been really busy trying to stay in stock with food," said Montana Patterson, operations manager and co-owner.
Patterson noted that she and her fellow Sugarfire owners have already begun to connect inside and outside of the kitchen.
"We really try to embrace the more personal side of things than what you're going to get at a lot of fast food and chain restaurants and I think that's what Florissant has been missing a little bit," she added.
That "small business" journey is the charm people Yolanda Warren wants and depends on.
"It helps out a lot because we don't have to leave our neighborhood and put money in other people's neighborhoods," said Warren, who has lived in north county for over 10 years. "We have seen an increase of a lot of different restaurants and other small businesses too."
Stores like Bath and Body Works and Ollies have filled vacancies in smaller shopping plazas which means more workers and shoppers.
To add to that, about 100 new single-family homes will soon pop up near Koch Park.
"Not just restaurants but other businesses they have. Hobby Lobby. Fresh Thyme," Warren said when asked what else she would like to see in the area.
The business owners are just as eager to serve their customers and help each other.
"We are really looking forward to getting those partnerships and figuring out how to give back to this community more in the ways that they need," Patterson said.
Mayor Tim Lowery and the City of Florissant in a statement said were "excited about the new businesses moving into Florissant and North County and the Florissant Economic Development Department will continue to be aggressive in attracting more retail and jobs while also working with our longtime existing businesses to help them succeed."
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