ST. LOUIS — Business is booming at UKRAFT. So much so that owner Matt Ratz said their restaurant is moving to a bigger space within Peabody Plaza in downtown St. Louis.
It's expanding from 2,000 square feet to 6,000 square feet.
"We are getting ready to expand into a brand-new location hopefully next week," Ratz said. "Very excited, we love the big windows."
A feature he loves now needs a fix. Plywood stands in place of shattered glass.
Their window, along with multiple others in the building, was hit by gunfire on Fourth of July. 5 On Your Side counted at least nine windows broken at Peabody Plaza. On Friday following the Fourth of July, there were bullet holes in the windows.
Seven people were shot that night, with more than 300 teens taking over downtown following the fireworks. Ratz wants more police presence, especially around the holidays with big events.
Ratz points to the Fourth of July chaos last year.
"Inexcusable, it's to the point we need action. We got all this talk and no action behind it. We had events a year ago that were very similar," Ratz said.
Before even opening up their doors, Ratz already picks up the pieces.
"It can be up to a few thousand dollars, that's just monetary. There is perception that hurts more. We're in this fight right now to get people to come downtown to eat with us. They see this, why would they?" Ratz pointed out.
Long-time bar owner Kevin Liese with Jack Patrick's also cares about the crime.
"We finally got past the pandemic, and then, we have a whole new set of problems with crime, it's out of control," Liese added.
He knows the impact of what it can do.
"I love being close to hockey and baseball, Battlehawks, concerts, that stuff is fun but every time we have an event, we can't have a meltdown afterwards or it affects business," Liese shared.
Both business owners are invested.
Liese has stuck by the neighborhood's side for 25 years.
"I love the neighborhood, I love the bar, it’s a family bar. It's near and dear to my heart for sure," Liese shared. "I re-signed a lease for a couple of years, I am really torn right now."
Ratz signed a 10-year lease. He's determined to see a thriving downtown.
"We still have faith in downtown. I'm not going to let one incident ruin what we started and what we are going to become," Ratz said.