Is Culpeppers Central West End Closure Another Sign of the Death of ‘Main Street?’

Update at 10 a.m. – The World Chess Hall of Fame located on Maryland Avenue has confirmed that it is expanding to include spaces occupied by Brennan’s, Culpeppers and FroYo. Details of the expansion will be released at a later date.

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Just days after Brennan’s announced its closure from its current location on Maryland Avenue in the Central West End, Culpeppers Grill and Bar shut its doors permanently on Wednesday night.

The question is – what is really going on? Is the death of America’s “Main Street” once again hitting St. Louis? Are charming historic storefronts and bars filled with decades-long memories and laughter disappearing? That appears to be the case, as closure after closure of neighborhood staples are announced.

One cannot help but assume that there is a major redevelopment project going on near the corner of Maryland Avenue that is yet to be announced. There is speculation that the World Chess Hall of Fame is expanding, and if that is true, is it worth the death of the Central West End’s Main Street? Is it worth losing the charm of what is arguably the hippest district in the region?

All we can do is sit back and watch the skyscrapers go up along Kingshighway Boulevard, and with optimism, hope that Euclid Avenue will stay as untouched as possible. It is Christmas after all – a time when we can all dream a little and hope for a lot.