Almost Maplewood butcher answers a few questions

The Maplewood building informally known as the Black Cat building (for the Black Cat Theatre, which occupied the center and north end of the building) is busy these days, mostly being rehabbed by owner David Schlafly.

For one thing, Schlafly offered $200 for the winning entry to officially name the building. He hasn’t announced the winner yet.

At the south end, The Sierra Club has moved into what was originally Harper’s Pharmacy. Bridges Community Support Services and a community art studio are set to soon move into the two spaces next to that.

See also: Sierra Club moves into new office on Sutton

Eventually Bridges will move all its offices to the building’s second floor, where new windows were recently installed. Bridges is currently at 3114 Sutton.

So far the large center space is unleased.

A coffee shop called The Living Room, which will roast and serve Art House Coffee is at the north end, at the back. Art House Coffee helps support the goal of Bridges to employ people with disabilities, “and to make great coffee,” Chris Phillips, Art House director of coffee, said recently at the Schlafly Farmers Market.

The front of the north end has been leased to Chris Bolyard for his Bolyard’s Meat & Provisions.

See also: Lease signed for Maplewood butcher shop

The Riverfront Times recently asked Bolyard some food-related questions and a few others. Here’s a sampling:

• What is the most positive trend in food, wine or cocktails that you’ve noticed in St. Louis over the past year? 
I feel like small, craft-focused shops are popping up all over, and I love it! So many coffee roasters and bread bakers and Max [Crask]’s new ice cream shop Ices Plain & Fancy. I absolutely love when people find their skill and passion and really hone in on it.
• Who’s the one person to watch right now in the St. Louis dining scene?
 The guys and gals at Strange Donuts — they’re always up to something aren’t they? They’re fun, approachable and have a stellar product.
• What daily ritual is non-negotiable for you? 
A morning run. I’m a goal-oriented person and I am usually in training for a race. Right now it’s a 50-mile trail race in September.

Read the full article in the Riverfront Times.