2008 Woodie Awards
Webster student left hanging with new city development
By: Rachael Horne
Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: News
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Poe works at Cool Beans Cafe, and for the better part of her four years at Webster, Cool Beans has been a sort of second home. She commutes from North St. Louis and said working at the Cafe has been convenient. While Poe hopes to continue to Work at Cool Beans after they re-open, she said right now it's a big transition.
"It's tough," Poe said. "I'll be out of a job for three to four months. I'm graduating and I have to start paying back loans, the timing isn't great."
Cool Beans will shut down at the end of May. They will be reopening a few months later in their new Maplewood location. Their current location is the site of a proposed renovation called Old Webster Square. The multi-use facility include plans for apartments, shops, offices and a restaurant.
Robert Camenzind of Webster Groves is proposing the development at the west end of the Old Webster business district. Camenzind is requesting zoning changes plus approval of preliminary development plans for about an acre of property at 220 West Lockwood Ave., where Cool Beans is located now, and 222 and 234 West Lockwood Ave.
The proposals were unanimously passed at the Webster Groves City Council meeting April 19.
While Poe thinks there is a lot of excitement by her co-workers about the move, she said there are also mixed feelings. She said she is excited about the move and the potential of the new space. The café will feature and extended menu and offer catering.
But there are also some hurt feelings from some of the regular customers.
"Some customers that I've talked with feel like they are losing a piece of their everyday routine," Poe said. "I think they like the idea of the cozy, friendly environment that they can't find at other shops. It's hard to let go of tradition and comfortable places we've built for ourselves."
During her time at Cool Beans Café, Poe said she probably knows 150 customers by name. She'll be sad to leave them behind but tries to stay positive.