Amici's Closing Sparks Concerns Over Gift Cards

After numerous questions from readers, here's the situation if you purchased a gift card to the Downtown Kirkwood restaurant that closed its doors last month.

After Amici's closed its doors in Downtown Kirkwood, Patch received questions from readers who had purchased gift cards to the Downtown Kirkwood eatery asking if they could expect a refund. For now, no, those who have gift cards will not get a refund, and that's because owner Dave Pullam doesn't know if he will have the money to cover the cost, according to Kelly Jackson who handled marketing for the restaurant. Initially Pullam presented those who came to the restaurant and asked for a refund with cash, but he is waiting to see what will happen financially as he tries to sell the business and pay debtors, Jackson tells Patch. "Right now he has nothing to give back. He is not going to make good on it, if he does not have enough funds," she…

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Kirkwood Spending $40,000 for Downtown Directory Signs

The set of six signs will be used to help guide visitors to the city's various businesses, restaurants and attractions.

Kirkwood is investing $40,000 to erect new directory signs that will help guide visitors searching for businesses, restaurants and other attractions in the city’s downtown. The set of six signs will have black posts with a maroon frame surrounding a beige gold map insert. Downtown Kirkwood Executive Director Donna Poe said they are the second phase in the organization’s “wayfinding program” and predicted they will become a valuable asset. “It is something that can directly impact our businesses,” she said. “Plus, we are seeing more and more tourists and they need to find their way around.” There isn’t a solid timetable yet for when the posts will be installed. The project only recently received the go-ahead from city hall and must be put …

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Readers Mourning Loss of Amici's in Downtown Kirkwood

Patch broke the news that Amici's had closed. That made readers sad.

Patch reported last week on the closing of Amici's restaurant in downtown Kirkwood, six years after it began operating at its location on Kirkwood Road. Amici's posted a notice on Feb. 18 saying it would be closed for renovations, but sources confirmed that it was closed for good. Spokeswoman Kelly Jackson said lack of parking was one of the issues that doomed the restaurant. After the story ran, readers on Facebook and Patch commented about how much they would miss Amici's, however. "Great food, wonderful staff," wrote Robyn. "You should really consider finding another Kirkwood location with better parking! Love this place. Wherever you reopen, I'll come back!" Ron G. wrote that he thought there was plenty of parking in the area, however…

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Business Spotlight

Amici's Closes Doors in Downtown Kirkwood

Owners cite parking woes and increased competition as reasons for shutting down.

A sign posted to Amici's Feb. 18 saying "Closed for Renovations" had residents scratching their heads as they wondered if the restaurant was closed for good. The answer is yes, Amici's is no longer.  Amici's closed its doors after six years of operating in the heart of Downtown Kirkwood. The owners cite parking woes and increased competition as reasons for shutting down. "Parking was a killer for this restaurant as it is for others," Kelly Jackson who handled marketing for the restaurant since last August told Patch. According to Jackson, owner Dave Pullam said the chief complaint from his customers was the parking. Pullam owned Amici's along with Jim McInroy. "The other issue is that too many restaurants were allowed in to compete with …

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Business Spotlight

Sushi Restaurant to Open in Downtown Kirkwood

Construction is underway on Sushi Bistro.

Construction is ongoing at a new restaurant in downtown Kirkwood: Sushi Bistro. The best estimate so far for an opening date is another month or two, according to city officials. Patch has not been able to reach the owners of the new restaurant yet, but we'll keep trying. Kirkwood zoning administrator Ryan Spencer said Sushi Bistro is replacing Blue Water Grill at 343 S. Kirkwood Road. Blue Water was a staple in the community, open for about 20 years, before it closed in late 2008. Spencer said Sushi Bistro is about 75 percent complete in its renovations on the property and about a month or two away from opening.

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Business Spotlight

Commission Considers Andy's Frozen Custard Coming to Kirkwood

Andy's Frozen Custard hopes to open its first St. Louis chain in Downtown Kirkwood. Members of the Kirkwood Planning and Zoning Commission will vote on the development tonight.

Andy's Frozen Custard could take a step forward tonight as it looks to open its first St. Louis chain in Downtown Kirkwood. Members of the Kirkwood Planning and Zoning Commission will vote whether to approve the development of an Andy's store at 311 S. Kirkwood Rd. during their regular meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall.  Andy's Frozen Custard has applied for a special use exception permit to move into the old Long John Silver's restaurant. The store would include a drive thru. When Andy's first went before the city's planning commission Dec. 5, questions for the company's petitioner focused on the amount of proposed parking, landscaping around the structure and general questions about the business, including who would own the Kirkwood …

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Business Spotlight

Fashion-Forward Shoe Store Coming to Kirkwood

Sole, a store specializing in stylish comfort shoes, hopes to open by March in Downtown Kirkwood.

Tammy White, the owner of Sole and Blues in The Loop, has decided to start a new fashion endeavor in Kirkwood that will focus on comfort footwear. White hopes to open Sole, an extension of Sole and Blues, at 108 N. Kirkwood Rd. in Downtown Kirkwood by March.  "Sole is going to be more comfort driven with a fashion-forward type flare," White said, adding that shoes will feature high-fashion colors, for instance a suede wingtip shoe with a lime green sole. Inventory will be cool, funky and comfortable and the store will offer something for men, women and children.   "We're trying to stand out," White said. "I don't think a lot of people realize some brands carry really cool stuff." White will select inventory from boutique brands found on …

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Kirkwood Winter Fireworks Show in Photos

A photo gallery of Kirkwood's first winter fireworks festival.

Visitors of all ages braved the cold Saturday evening to behold Kirkwood's first winter fireworks festival. Enjoy these photos from the event. Share your thoughts about the show in the comments section below. For more photos, visit Kirkwood Patch Facebook. 

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Winter Fireworks Tomorrow in Downtown Kirkwood

Everything you need to know about the big show at city hall, including road closings and entertainment.

Entertainment Announced for Winter Fireworks Show

The Dec. 29 fireworks spectacular in Downtown Kirkwood will be preceded by performances from a Chinese dance troupe and Project 324.

The 2012 Community Winter Fireworks Festival is scheduled to be held on Saturday, Dec 29 in Downtown Kirkwood. The musical group Project 324 will perform at 5 p.m. at Station Plaza. At 6 p.m. the colorful Shaolin Lohan Pai Lion Dance Troupe will make an appearance as a large Chinese dragon accompanied by a group of Chinese drummers, meandering from Argonne Dr. to Station Plaza. Kirkwood Mayor Art McDonnell will make brief remarks and KHS student Lilly Karrer will sing the Star Spangled Banner prior to the fireworks, which will begin at 6:30 pm. The display will be launched from the parking lot at Kirkwood City Hall, located at 139 S. Kirkwood Road. “Snow date” is Sunday, Dec 30 at the same time and place. For cancellation information, …

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