Maplewood History: The Miraculous Transformation of 2628 Big Bend

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In the beginning…

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser
2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser
2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

This loading dock was on the Big Bend side.

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

This attractive addition was on the south end.  As the sign indicates, the building would soon become the home of The Saint Louis Closet Company.

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

Here is a better look at the addition without the chain link fence in the way.

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

This free standing structure was even further to the south on the property.

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

A corner detail with what look like terra cotta quoins.

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

I think this is an Art Deco version of the ancient egg-and-dart molding said to symbolize male and female, peace and war, etc.  I’ve seen this design before on a Maplewood building on Manchester.

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

There were several spots like this.  I think the architect or contractor hired to do the remodel was exploring to see what sort of brick was beneath the paint.

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

This looks like what might have been the terra cotta quoins on the left.  The brick is a type I have heard referred to as “wire cut”.

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

Wire cut meets ordinary bricks.

2628 S Big Bend Blvd, Maplewood, MO 63143 July 18, 2006 by Doug Houser

Common running bond with a course of alternating headers and stretchers visible at the upper right.

Now for the post remodel images.  Are you ready for this?

Mind blowing, isn’t it.  The complete overhaul that Jennifer and Matt Williams pulled off was so superbly handled that it is scarcely recognizable as the same building.  They tried their hand as wine merchants and in so doing created a beautiful and unique interior for their shop.  I wish I had taken pictures inside.  But I suppose the sales never rose to their expectations for they no longer sell wine.

Remember the buff colored addition on the original building?

They converted it into a first rate restaurant.  Top notch chef.  Wonderful food.  My wife and I ate there numerous times and still would be but they decided to go a different way on that as well.  Now this part of the building houses one of their other businesses, TKO-DJ’s.

Oh, well.  We still miss it.  I had an idea that I shared with them but my timing was spectacularly bad.

By the time I delivered this image to them they had already made the decision to close.  Que sera, sera.

The Williams transformed a nondescript, commercial building into one that is truly impressive.  It is a wonderful, visual gift to one of our main thoroughfares.   And that’s not all.  The utility poles were not allowed to detract from the scene.  They put them underground.  Well done, Matt and Jennifer.

Doug Houser         March 8, 2023

 

 

 

6 COMMENTS

  1. As the architect for this project, it was a challenge to transform the existing building facade facing Big Bend into a storefront. We decided on building out to the west in order to gain more space, facilitate display windows and create a more symmetrical arrangement of windows. This and Schlafly Bottleworks were my two favorite projects as they each had a major impact on the impressions people had regarding the progress Maplewood was achieving.

    • Barry, I knew you were the architect for the Bottleworks but I did not know you were also the architect on the Saint Louis Closet Company’s building. I salute you. Both are wonderful assets to the community but with the SLCC’s building – Wow! What a turn around! Many of my readers will not know that Barry Greenberg has worn a lot of hats in Maplewood. When I first met him 20+ years ago, he was the chair of our Historic Preservation Commission. Since then, for many years, he was a city councilman. The last office he held was mayor. Thank you, Barry for all you have contributed and are contributing to making Maplewood the fine place to live that it is today.

    • I am too, Mary. I remember from an old conversation with Matt Williams that he lived on Laclede Station Road as a child. He’s a Maplewood boy! So glad he and his wife Jennifer have decided to stay around.

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