UKRAFT to Expand in Downtown St. Louis; Credits New Incentive Program
Date Posted: April 30, 2024
Posted In: News,
From First Alert: Just two weeks after a new incentive program launched to get more businesses in downtown St. Louis, business leaders report dozens of businesses applying to open or expand their brick-and-mortar footprint.
One business hoping to get grant dollars awarded is UKRAFT. The breakfast/lunch spot commonly has a line to the door inside their Peabody building location off Market Street.
Bob and Heidi Sheehan are from Michigan and are in town. The husband in this out-of-town-couple said the food scene in St. Louis has impressed, and the city’s crime narrative is an injustice to the city and the vibrancy of its people.
“This is great to see,” Sheehan shared. “Homegrown business like this that has sizzle. That’s great!”
That praise lands well with the Co-owner of UKRAFT, Matt Ratz.
“It’s awesome,” Ratz explained. We went in there in the heat of the pandemic, and slowly, when the pandemic went out and business workers came back, we’ve seen our sales grow with it. ”
Ratz talked with First Alert 4 inside his Chesterfield store, which he and his brother opened in 2022. There, they offer a hybrid breakfast and lunch menu, serving up bowls, wraps, sandwiches, and salads.
“I can still be healthy and eat some really good food,” First-time customer Sarah Hogan said.
“It’s delicious, I’ll be back for sure,” Customer Jane Peer said.
The first store in the city of St. Louis opened in 2021. It’s the success of the newer location in the county catching the attention of Greater St. Louis Inc. to expand the original store’s footprint off Market.
“This is to leverage other investment,” Senior Vice President and Chief Downtown Officer for Greater St. Louis Inc. Kurt Weigle said.
Weigle said “Greater STL” and partner St. Louis Development Corporation is aggressive in getting new business ideas into downtown. Two weeks ago, the two entities announced the application process for the Downtown St. Louis Retail Incentive Program was open to the public. Since then, Weigle said more than 40 legitimate applications have been received, and businesses could open their doors by mid-summer.