A Roadside Stand on Gravois
A little roadside stand occupies the NE corner of Gravois Rd & Mackenzie Rd (map). St. Louis County property records indicate the building only occupies 702 sq ft.
These buildings all date from the early age of the automobile, when a family might have one car. Parking was just off the roadway, not the gigantic parking lots of today. By today’s standards these buildings are urban, too close to the street. Yet the relationship is poor in terms of road/sidewalk/building. The idea of how to retrofit this intersection to be more walkable is an appealing challenge.
— Steve Patterson
The entire block across the street is currently on the market. It’s the place with a corner bar where John Goodman is alleged to have hung out during his Affton years. Look for clearance and a sprawling convenience store, drug store, or gas station to take the spot.
I grew up not too far from here. Every time I pass this Dairy Queen, I’m amazed that it still stands, but they do get a good turn out in the spring/summer. I hope it’s still there for many years. There is a lot of charm/character, architecturally speaking, in the inner-burbs, that gets overlooked. Thanks for covering this spot.