The Cobblestone STL, a new market, deli and café, has opened its doors at 701 N. First St. in Laclede’s Landing.

The new concept, located in a 6,000-square-foot space on the lower level of the Peper Lofts building, last week opened its grocery market, which followed the launch of its café and deli in late June. The Cobblestone’s day-to-day operations are led by owner-operator Camille Jackson and owner and General Manager Chris McMenomy.

expand

Dilip Vishwanat | SLBJ

In addition to Camille Jackson and McMenomy, the Cobblestone’s ownership group includes Luke Jackson; Tim Meinecke, co-owner of Café Piazza in Benton Park; Andy Roesch, co-owner of Felix’s Pizza Pub and Sunny’s Cantina in Dogtown; and Kyle McEvoy.

The Cobblestone from Monday to Saturday offers a breakfast menu, with burritos and sandwiches, from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The lunch menu includes salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups and bakery items. The Cobblestone includes coffee from Brew Tulum, a specialty coffeehouse and Mexican eatery that plans to open its own restaurant in the coming months at 700 N. Second St. in the Landing.

Jackson said initial conversations about the Cobblestone started about two years ago when meeting with Gretchen and Brian Minges, owners of Advantes Group, the firm that has redeveloped several buildings on the Landing including the Peper Lofts, which it owns.

Jackson said she initially had skepticism about operating on the Landing but became “sold” on the vision and future of the neighborhood through that meeting with Gretchen and Brian Minges. The Landing, with the significant redevelopment activity aimed at adding residents, has largely transitioned away from a nightlife-oriented past.

The decision to have the Cobblestone include a deli, café and market, which includes grocery items, developed through market research and focus groups with residents, Jackson said.

“There was a big need for a market of some sort here on the Landing. This is a food desert,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the two words that define the Cobblestone are accessibility and community, with a desire for the new concept to make quality food accessible to the Landing and downtown community. The community aspect of the business also includes a goal of having the business in 10 years be 70% locally sustained through local vendors. Jackson said the market currently has some products from local vendors and that it’s in discussions regarding partnerships to feature and highlight local brands and products on its shelves and in its deli items. Jackson said she hopes the Cobblestone can give emerging startup food brands a place to sell their products.

McMenomy said customers of the deli so far have included a mix of residents and employees from the Landing as well as individuals from the broader downtown neighborhood. He said popular menu items have included its roast beef and turkey club sandwiches.

The Cobblestone also hopes to be an outlet for individuals visiting the nearby Gateway Arch, with plans this fall to begin selling picnic and charcuterie products that customers can bring with them to the Arch grounds.

The Cobblestone’s operations so far have involved a methodical approach, highlighted by the decision to open the deli followed by the market, Jackson said.

“We want to make sure we are doing it right by the community,” she said.

Cobbleston currently has four employees, a figure that includes Jackson and McMenomy.

The restaurant’s lease terms weren’t disclosed. Cobblestone’s launch was aided by tenant improvement assistance from Advantes, Gretchen Minges said. Jackson and McMenomy declined to share investment costs to launch the new market, deli and café.