Belas Artes Latest Business in McKinley Heights
Many of you are probably familiar with the former Marty’s Baking at Russell and Mississippi in the near south side neighborhood of McKinley Heights. Like the various places before Marty’s, I felt it was too small of a space and not open enough to the sidewalk.
In place of the old Marty’s is the refreshing Belas Artes, a self-described “urban oasis.” For me it is a very pleasing and open storefront design, good beverages, an interesting lunch menu (warm Apple & Brie sandwich w/small house salad for $4.50!) and another place to sit with my Mac and work.
Of note is the new bike rack located out front. It is not my favorite design but it is certainly not the worst on the market. I appreciate the consideration for cyclists and wish more businesses would do the same.
For another take on Belas Artes check out the new healthy food blog for St. Louis called, the Curious Kitchen. The author, Lois Brady, is a close personal friend and believe me she knows healthy food. I was lucky enough to have some of her vegetarian Hoppin John last night.
Just up Mississippi from Belas Artes (@ Geyer) is another locally owned business, Four Muddy Paws. If you have a dog or cat forget about the big chain stores for your pet supplies or grooming. This store operates in another old corner storefront. Owners Matt & Jeff have done a great job with the color scheme on the exterior, the window displays and the merchandising. They are also carrying some really nifty pet journals, called My Furry Tales, written by another good friend.
Across Mississippi from Four Muddy Paws another mixed use building is being renovated. As places like Lafayette Square and Soulard become both fully occupied and higher in price we’ll begin to see other areas benefit from the interest in living an urban lifestyle. McKinley Heights is very convenient and just a short walk over I-44 to Lafayette Square.
While you are looking for a home in the neighborhood be sure to stop and support the local businesses that are making a difference.
– Steve
Why even bring up the fact that it’s not your favorite bike rack design? They have one. That should be enough for you. Were they supposed to check ahead with you on which was the best? Why do you have to piss on something, even when you’re praising it? Those are my questions for you. What a diva you are.
[REPLY – Two others have commented below but I’ll go ahead and reply. First, I’m in a no-win situation because on the few times that I’ve overlooked flaws I’ve been called out for going easy on those projects/places that I like – that I should be objective. But if I’m critical then people like you think I’m being a diva. I’d rather be objective than please the everything has to smell like roses crowd.
On to the specfics. I bring up the bike rack because while I appreciate the thought and effort I don’t want others to select this rack type. It has very little value, in my “educated opinion.” And yes, I am quite educated in the subject of bicycling, bike safety and bike parking.
The rack placed here is designed to hold seven bikes. Yet it doesn’t hold them well because it doesn’t support the bike in two places. Many commuters don’t use kickstands and the risk is that their bike will tip over. Also, if you use panniers or other on-bike storage it makes it difficult to load/unload the bike while secured in the rack if others are parked next to you. For the cost of this rack they could have purchased two of the simple but better inverted-U racks that would hold 4 bikes or more if they were to double up.
This is what I do, I offer praise where earned and criticism where earned. I’m glad they have a bike rack as most businesses don’t go to that trouble. Most often the people selecting bike racks don’t use bike racks and therefore don’t know. I hope to educate my readers on options and why, in my view, some are better choices than others.
Sorry if my sharing my views on my site pisses you off. Not sure if I can help you there. If you want the all is well in the world views tune in elsewhere. – SLP]
Another great business made possible by high residential density…
“Why even bring up the fact that it’s not your favorite bike rack design? They have one. That should be enough for you. Were they supposed to check ahead with you on which was the best? Why do you have to piss on something, even when you’re praising it? Those are my questions for you. What a diva you are. ”
He’s a critic, you bonehead. It says so on the title page. Don’t like it — get your own damn site and you can be as flowery about whatever you want. And yes, everyone should consult someone who has expertise when selecting anything. He merely pointed out there are better choices in his educated opinion. Would you prefer your doctor just give you any old antibiotic or perhaps would you like him or her to prescribe the one that is going to cure your particular infection? I mean, at least he gave you one — right?
Oh, and by the way, you have no idea how big a DIVA he really is…
What that hell is it with Dustin and “educated opinions?” This is the comments section of a blog…not a peer reviewed journal, bonehead!
Thanks for highlighting Belas Artes, Four Muddy Paws, and McKinley Heights.