What Would It Cost You to Buy the Grove Deli?

The restaurant in Old Orchard is up for sale.

If you've got access to $115,000, you can get into the restaurant business in the Old Orchard neighborhood of Webster Groves. The Grove Deli is on the market and that's the selling price, according to the Riverfront Times. The RFT noted the "for sale" post on Craigslist, with the price, and contacted owner Jason Henry, who had bought the 30-year-old restaurant five years ago. The ad notes that the restaurant added the patio in the back last year, has fresh new carpeting and that "this is your opportunity to own an award-winning sandwich shop in the heart of Webster Groves." We've reached out to Henry for more information about when he hopes to be out of the business of running the Grove and why he's selling. Meanwhile, here's more from the…

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'Green' Is Gold at Old Orchard Kids' Boutique

Toys made out of recycled plastic are bestsellers at Verde Kids. The children's store explains why it's proud to be "made in the USA."

Old Orchard Children's Boutique Joins Patch Local Voices

Follow Verde Kids as the store blogs on Patch. Did you know Verde Kids will plant a tree for each book purchased from the store?

Ben Franklin Crafts Will Close Its Doors Monday

The store in Old Orchard will close with a special "grab bag" sale Oct. 29

After almost 30 years of business, Ben Franklin Crafts in Webster Groves will close Oct. 29. David Buck, speaking on Hampel's behalf, said the store would have a "grab bag" sale Monday starting at 10 a.m. Shoppers will be able to fill Ben Franklin bags with remaining store items and purchase the contents for $5, cash only.  Buck said the store will most likely be closed by noon. As Patch previously reported, store owner Gary Hampel decided not to renew the store's lease because of a "substantial, non-negotiable increase" in rent for the space, owned by Webster University. Find out in another Patch story what residents and shoppers had to say about the store closing. Webster University Chief Financial Officer Greg Gunderson had said at a …

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Closing Ben Franklin Owner Tells Story to KSDK's Art Holliday

A spokesman for Ben Franklin landlord Webster University told Channel 5 it made two offers to try and keep the store open.

The saga over the shutdown of long-time Webster Groves fixture Ben Franklin made its way to the television airwaves Wednesday night as Channel 5's Art Holliday did a report on the closing store. KSKD-Ch. 5 Reporter Art Holliday called the Old Orchard retailer a "throwback to the time of the old five-and-dime." Patch has reported on the impending shutdown of the Ben Franklin, a fixture in the neighborhood for 30 years. Store owner Gary Hampel said landlord Webster University planned to hike the rent with a substantial, non-negotiable increase. RELATED ARTICLES "It's one of the major reasons we're closing, but it's not the only one," Hampel told Patch. He repeated the message to Holliday and added that customers "remember coming here as …

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Ben Franklin, Webster U: Please Go Back to the Bargaining Table

In an email to Ben Franklin and Webster University, Webster Groves resident Dave Buck asks the two to negotiate a new lease agreement in an effort to save the beloved local crafts store.

In an effort to save the Old Orchard Ben Franklin from closing for good, a patron of the beloved craft store has asked the shop's owners and Webster University to go back to the bargaining table. Dave Buck, a Webster Groves resident, and his family have shopped at the store for years. On Thursday he sent an email to Gary Hampel, Ben Franklin's owner, and to Greg Gunderson, Webster University's vice president and CFO, asking the two entities to try to negotiate a new lease agreement to save the craft store.  The strip center in which Ben Franklin is housed is owned by Webster University. This week, Hampel told Patch one of the reasons he decided to close the store was a substantial, non-negotiable increase in rent. However, he added that …

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Ben Franklin Closure Evokes Sadness, Anger from Residents, Patrons

Some of the anger was directed at Webster University, the shop's landlord. University officials say they regret the store's decision not to renew its lease.

The Old Orchard Ben Franklin opens today with its going-out-of business sale and will remain open through mid-October — or until it sells the rest of its merchandise and fixtures. News of the closure has evoked emotions of sadness, nostalgia and anger toward the shop's landlord: Webster University owns the strip center in which Ben Franklin is housed. Patch spoke with owner Gary Hampel on Tuesday, who said one of the reasons he decided to close the store was a substantial, non-negotiable increase in rent. However, he added that the sour economy and the fact that his store sells "wants," not needed items, also contributed to the decision. Several readers expressed anger and disgust with the university in the comments sections in our stories…

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Several Factors Led to Decision to Close Ben Franklin, Owner Says

Gary Hampel said a substancial increase in rent and the poor economy were among the major reasons behind the closure of the Webster Groves craft store, which he opened 30 years ago.

News of the Old Orchard Ben Franklin closing has stirred a whirlwind of speculation on the reason behind the decision.  The strip center in which the crafts store is located is owned by Webster University. Some readers who have emailed Webster Groves Patch and who have shared comments on a previous story worry the business is closing because of the university's rent hike imposed upon Ben Franklin. See previous story: Ben Franklin in Webster Groves Closing Its Doors There are also concerns among some readers that the university is trying to overtake the strip center as part of its 2012 Master plan. Patch has a call into the university for additional information. Meanwhile, Patch spoke with Gary Hampel, who owns the craft store, this morning…

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Student Reports Being Followed by Man on Two Occasions in Old Orchard

The Webster Groves Police Department is actively investigating the suspicious activity and urging anyone with information to contact police immediately.

A student has reported being followed by a man while walking home from school on two separate occasions in the Old Orchard area, according to the Webster Groves Police Department. The student could only describe the man as being white, around 30 years old and of average build and height. The first incident occurred on Aug. 16 between 3:30 and 4 p.m. The man walked out of one of the businesses in the area of the 600 Block of East Lockwood Ave. and then followed the student for several blocks, police say. When the student turned onto a side street, the man left the area in an unknown direction. The second incident happened on Aug. 20 in the same area at the same time, according to police. The man followed the student approximately the same …

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McDonald's to Reopen Wednesday in Old Orchard

The restaurant will be offering $1 off McCafé shakes, frappes, smoothies and blended ice beverages from 2 to 5 p.m. on grand opening day.

Have you been missing the convenience of stopping by the Old Orchard McDonald’s for your Big Mac or Quarter Pounder fix? No worries! the restaurant is reopening on Wednesday. The restaurant, located at 4 S. Old Orchard, was razed in April and has been rebuilt with a cutting-edge design and is outfitted with the latest enhancements for customers. “This has been an exciting project and we can not wait to unveil this restaurant to the Webster Groves community,” said owner Michael Proctor of P&P Restaurants in a news release. “We designed this restaurant to deliver a great customer experience. Our dual drive-thru will speed up service and customers can enjoy our modern lobby and patio seating with free Wi-Fi.” The restaurant officially opens …

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