ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A beer garden will be coming to a popular park in south St. Louis after it was approved by City Hall on Thursday. Some neighbors have tried to stop it from happening with worries about what may come with it.
The St. Louis Excise Division approved the plan for St. Louis-based brewery Rockwell Beer Co. to open a second location in Francis Park. The walk-up food counter, concession stand and outdoor dining/gathering space will be located next to the tennis courts using the reimagined 1929 “comfort center” building.
Some neighbors of the park, located at Eichelberger Street and Tamm Avenue, say it will be like the fall of Rome, with hooliganism, public drunkenness and urination. They also believe it violates the original charter when the land was given to the city. They say it stipulates nothing commercial can be put in the park.
There were also some nearby residents who say they like the idea of a beer garden in the neighborhood. The city says it will be part of moderate drinking, families coming together and will have non-alcoholic menu items like muffins and coffee.
Related
Rockwell announced the coming addition back in May, saying the addition would "respect the neighborhood and history of the park." The company expected the beer garden to open "later this summer following extensive renovations and upgrades to the facility and will operate on a seasonal basis."
The Rockwell Beer Co. brewery and tasting room opened in 2018 near Forest Park.
© 2021 KMOX (Audacy). All rights reserved
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Follow KMOX
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram