For those of who didn't make it to the last Neighborhood Association meeting there was a proposal presented to turn the old Zito's into Hillside Bistro and Market. There is an article about it in today's Southside Suburban Journal.
http://southsidejournal.stltoday.com/articles/2007/06/05/news/sj2tn20070605-0606hil_bistro.ii1.txt

If you are interested in supporting these guys, you can send a personal letter of support. Here is the email with the particulars from the Neighborhood Association President Joshua Wiese. Personally I'm all for supporting a small local business--better than a QuickTrip or fast food restaurant.

The gentlemen who would like to open the Hillside Bistro at the former Zito's site need a conditional use permit. In order to do that they need a letter of support from the Neighborhood Association (along with the Alderman) however we wont be able to give them one in time for their meeting with the Zoning Commission on June 14th at 8:30am in Room 208. I think that it is very important that we make our voices heard wether it be for or against this project and writing letters is a great way.

If you would like to write a letter of support or opposition I am including all of the information below. I gave this information out at the meeting but have had folks asking for it again. Please feel free to pass this along to your neighbors as well.

Letters can be sent to:
Sharon Cunningham
Zoning Office
Room 400, City Hall
1200 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103

The Zito's building is at 2605 Hampton (anyone writing a letter should really try to include the specific address, since the people downtown won't know Clifton Heights like we do. It will help ensure that the letter goes in the right file). : )

The hearing is for a conditional use permit; the permit is for a restaurant that will serve alcohol. The conditional use permit is necessary in part because the building has been vacant for "so long", and in part because of the change of ownership. They are requesting a permit to be able to serve alcohol, but THEY are the ones responsible for getting the signatures for that, and we've been told they have already successfully done so.

Any letters sent to them will be added to the file for that hearing.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Josh at josh@priceminer.net.
 

I got an email from Josh this afternoon stating that the Bistro folks had gotten their liquor licenses. Both the in house restaurant and the package licenses.

They still have conditional use and other  licenses to go...

I'm ready... That place has been a eye sore for years!

This is great news, now I can pick up a sandwich and a beer on the way home from my bikerides!!!

That is so exciting! Can't wait.

At the CHNA meeting tonight, A lady brought up some concerns about the package liquor at the bistro. She lived just a few doors down from the location.  I would like to see some more conversation on the topic. I lived next to Mikes place / teylanas over at Hampton and berthold  for 4 years.  When mike telayna proposed that to the neighboors he said it was a respectable establishment with high class clientele..  That lasted about 2 months then they started karaoke until 1am. then 3am..  There were lots of drunks at closing causing all sorts of noise and disturbance.

That being said i would love to see the bistro go in. anything is better then a dirty old abandon building.   If the bistro starts to go down hill does the neighborhood have any recourse? can a package liquor license be revoked?   Any other thoughts or questions?

just want to say that i lived in the house next to zito's.  yeah, great times lots of parties, however, the landlord ran of with all of our money and sold the business. neddless to say i'd love to see something happen with that house along with the business.  furthermore, the house has been vacant since i moved out in 2005.

what's the latest on the hillside bistro??  it looks like they're working hard to get it open soon, do they have a date yet?  it's exciting to see it come together and i can't wait to check it out

susie

What's new at the Hillside Bistro?  Apparently it has a new name - Off the Vine.

UPDATE - courtesy of Josh Wiese's email:

Subject: Off the Vine Opening for the neighborh :Dood Sat Dec 28th 5pm!!
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:30:58
 
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Off the Vine (formerly Hillside Bistro) will be opening its doors for a special evening of dining for the neighborhood on Saturday Dec 28th and Sunday December 29th. Doors open at 5pm. This event is open to the public but the owners wanted to make sure that all of the residents of Clifton Heights know so be sure to tell your neighbors!!  (Everyone is welcomed, even if you dont live in Clifton Heights)


Off the Vine is located at the corner of Columbia and Hampton. The building used to be the old Blue Water Grill.  Their head chef is Andy White, formerly of Harvest and Balabans.


We are very happy to have them as our new neighbors and we wish them much success on the opening of the restaurant!!


If you have any questions feel free to reply to this email or call me directly at 910-8145


Thank You
Josh Wiese
Pres. Clifton Heights Neighborhood Association