New Establishments in Florissant - Developer Details
The Florissant Economic Development Department seeks to attract quality businesses of all sizes. New development, re-development, and interactions with existing local businesses remains a high priority. We intend to focus intensely on economic development in Florissant by working with commercial developers, real estate brokers, and community stakeholders throughout our city and the greater North County area, in an effort to stimulate even more economic activity to benefit our businesses and residents.
Some key aspects regarding commercial development include the sale of Cross Keys plaza recently to new owners who have been incredibly positive to partner with thus far. Cross Keys is currently 99% occupied which is incredible news for a shopping center of its size of over 300,000 square feet. Building relationships with these owners as well as others has helped create a project pipeline of over $40 million in potential development. Perhaps more importantly, there is currently over 1.1 million square feet that is occupied and thriving at our 16 largest retail centers with a citywide, gross retail revenue of over $750 million annually from 2016 to 2020. And our 2021 number was a new record of $867 million in sales!
However, if we are going to have continued economic development success, we will need to focus on key aspects of potential growth including enhancing Saint Francois Street, filling vacancies, and diversifying our business sectors. This will be accomplished through our economic development department and the implementation of the newly acquired comprehensive and strategic plan. This plan will enable our staff to move forward with enhancements regarding business growth as well as residential growth with plans for new housing as well.
Some highlights of new business establishments that have opened this year include:
Discount Tire – recently opened a new location next to Club Carwash, three other outparcels are planned for this site near the former Lowes. See the store listing.
The Peach Cobbler Factory – recently opened the first St. Louis area location in Paddock Hills. See the ribbon cutting.
Hibbett Sports – has opened a new athletic store in Cross Keys. The shopping center is now 99% leased! See the store listing.
Florissant Meadows -recently celebrated grand re-openings of most of the stores that were flooded in July 2022. See the reopening preview.
Goodwill Excel Center - opened a GED equivalency school and job training center in March in the old Lowes. See the Excel Center.
Narrow Gauge Brewery – under construction with a planned opening in April (former Pool King). See the Riverfront Times Article.
Currently under construction/planning:
IMO’s - applied for permits for their Washington location (Krones), they will then submit plans for New Halls Ferry.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet – national retailer signed a lease at Flower Valley to open in the vacancy next to Planet Fitness (former Shop n’ Save)
Take 5 Car Wash – under construction and planning to open soon. (former Denny’s)
ALDI – will begin construction soon on a new 21,000 square foot grocery store on Howdershell Road.
Clement Auto – currently under construction on an expansion of their car dealership showroom and lot with a grand opening planned for April.
Additionally, there are many exciting projects that are in the due diligence and planning phase and we are working with the developers to bring them to fruition. We can anticipate more public announcements this year and beyond!
Recent Economic Development Department Activities
The city is now contracting with Retail Strategies to begin a new retail recruitment program for Florissant. Retail Strategies is a national community development firm, who will develop and execute a tailored retail recruitment plan for Florissant. This partnership will be essential in continuing the city’s growth in retail and commercial business. Retail Strategies will perform a real estate market analysis in Florissant and identify areas of opportunity for retailers to capitalize on the traffic in specific zones. The partnership will focus on defining the retail trade area and highlight opportunities for development and business recruitment. In coordination with Mayor Lowery and the Economic Development Department they will proactively reach out to potential businesses, property owners, brokers and developers on behalf of the city. See the video.
We have recently conducted several small business visits to reintroduce the “Choose Florissant” videos as well as ribbon cuttings. Videos done between November-March include: Florissant Meadows re-openings, Peach Cobbler Factory, Florissant Valley Library, FVFPD, Ruiz, Max’s Meat and Butcher Shop, Slim Design, and Jess & Co. Real Estate.
Conducted the first meeting of a new quarterly program called “Small Business Breakfast with the Mayor” on March 2nd. The next small business breakfast is planned for June and a date will be announced soon!
Attended the National League of Cities in Kansas City in November, met with Retail Strategies and attended several informative economic development sessions. Attended the Missouri Economic Development Conference in Jefferson City in early February, and the Missouri Municipal League Legislative Conference in later February. Also represented the city at the ICSC Local STL Conference in Chesterfield on February 23rd to hear about local trends in real estate and development.
Total Florissant Retail Sales by Year:
Annual gross retail revenue in Florissant averaged $750 million from 2016 to 2020.
2021 was $867 million.