Soulard Star Directory 2025

✯ SOULARD STAR DIRECTORY | 2025 6 continued on page 8 ABOUT THE SOULARD RESTORATION GROUP The Soulard Restoration Group (SRG) is a neighborhood organization that strives to promote, preserve and enhance the historic character of the Soulard neighborhood, as well as improve the quality of life for all members of the community.The SRG, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, was established in 1975.Through hard work and determination, the SRG laid the groundwork for rebuilding Soulard, the oldest surviving residential community in St. Louis.Today, the Soulard neighborhood is one of the most successful examples of urban renaissance in the city of St. Louis and throughout the country. BOARD OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS SOULARD FARMERS MARKET By Jay Gibbs The Soulard Farmers Market is the last survivor of once-numerous public markets in St. Louis. A combination of good location, grit, and city subsidies has kept this market viable long after the others had ceased. Soulard Farmers Market was created when Julia Cerré Soulard donated two undeveloped half-blocks of her real estate to the city of St. Louis in 1841. Her instructions dictated that the donated property be used as a public marketplace in perpetuity, lest it be reclaimed by her heirs. In the mid-1920s, the city proposed an $87 million bond issue for public improvements throughout the city. One of the many proposals was for a new, cleaner, modern Soulard Market building. Any surviving original buildings and later shed pavilions were all razed to make way for the deluxe new facility. Construction began in 1928.The new building’s two-story central structure contains a loggia and a roofed open gallery with arches inspired by the 1419 Brunelleschi Foundling Hospital in Florence, Italy.A central two-story section built over 8th Street boasted an upstairs gymnasium and all-purpose hall. It was flanked by four block-long wings, two on each side.The total cost: $267,000.The impressive new facility was dedicated in May, 1929, during gala festivities attended by 20,000 people. Today, the Market is open year-round 8 am to 5 pmWednesday through Friday and 7 am to 5:30 pm on Saturdays. For more information, contact the market office at 314-622-4180. Officers President – Adriano Martinez President Elect – Amanda Ramcharan Treasurer – Neil Putz Secretary – Abby Goodson Directors Beth Bennett Joy Christensen Paula Dostal Abby Goodson Aaron Terry WadeWeistreich Alan Ziegler All residents are welcome to get involved! Contact the SRG to find out more about the organization and its activities Mail: Soulard Station,ATTN: Membership, 1911 S. 12th Street, St. Louis MO 63104 Email: membership@soulard.org Website: soulard.org Attend a monthly general membership meeting and social: Meetings are held the firstWednesday of each month at 7 pm in the Rose Room at Saints Peter & Paul Parish Hall, 816 Allen Ave.You can access the Rose Room from the outdoor stairway in the parking lot located on the east side of The Franklin of Soulard.The space