ST. LOUIS — New life is coming to Delmar.
On Friday, three new restaurants opened their doors just east of the Delmar Loop.
The Maker's Locale, which is a event and dining facility, is on the stretch of Delmar called the Delmar Maker District — a district that aims to attract artists and makers.
The Fountain on Delmar, Steve's Hot Dogs and Alpha Brewing Company are ready to serve.
Danni Eickenhorst, Co-owner of the Fountain on Delmar and Steve's Hot Dogs, was drawn to the opportunity.
"I think it's going to be a huge boom to the neighborhood. Up and down Delmar, from Delmar DivINe to here you have a lot of activity," Eickenhorst added. "They intentionally sought out locally grown concepts to be a part of this. It's building up this area that's been overlooked for years."
The trio is joining Third Degree Glass Factory and MADE for Kids, created by The Magic House.
Knowing these three restaurants were opening, Ben Poremba decided to be a part of the movement.
"It felt this area was yearning for revitalization," Poremba shared.
He opened up Deli Divine down the street and would drive up and down Delmar. The vacant spaces and buildings caught his attention.
He's opened Esca and Florentin recently. Both across the street from each other.
"Restaurants in general are kind of like anchors for any community," he said. "They attract people from everywhere. People will go anywhere for good food and ambiance right?"
Poremba was intentional with his business.
"We could've gone anywhere, Chesterfield or Kirkwood but I was committed to the city," he shared. "It's important for the beating heart of the region, which is the city of St. louis, to be thriving. It's challenging because there is a bad stigma, the city is declining, so we are doing our little part."
Poremba and Eickenhorst are eager to see the district and their business blossom.
"It shows what can happen when you get people who care, behind a project," Eickenhorst added. "Look what can happen for a neighborhood!"
Felice McClendon, Executive Director of Delmar Main Street shared this statement:
"As the first Executive Director for Delmar Main Street, it’s exciting to see plans come into fruition that have been in the making for years. With critical mass and economic vitality coming to the area, Delmar is proving to be a “destination location” for tourists and locals alike, bringing a vibrant convening of art, culture, and community all in one space that’s welcoming to all. I can’t wait to eat at every location, try every menu item, and then press REPEAT to do it all over again as there is so much to explore on Delmar Main Street.
Thanks to community anchors like the Third-Degree Glass Factory, Exodus Art Gallery and Craft Alliance that helped to start this movement almost 20 years ago or restaurants like Beyond Sweet who were some of the early adapters to break ground in this new season of neighborhood revitalization, Delmar is on the map for serving St. Louis the best of what we have MADE possible with thoughtful planning and community collaboration."
A beer garden and courtyard are coming later this summer in Maker's Locale.
Poremba plans to open three more restaurants along that stretch of Delmar early next year.
Nixta will open next to Alpha Brewing in November. Elaia and Olio are coming in early 2025.