HSB Tobacconist, a tobacco shop doing business on the Delmar Loop for nearly the last half century, is now closed.
The business, located at 6362 Delmar Boulevard and owned by Jessica Bueler, was behind on rent payment, said Loop businessman and landlord Joe Edwards, and evicted.
Bueler could not be reached for comment for this story.
Edwards said the business had fallen more than $30,000 behind on rent and the two had agreed the money would be paid back by the end of January.
At the same time, the business was recovering from the financial impact of broken windows suffered during protests over the acquittal of former St. Louis police Officer Jason Stockley in September 2017 and suffered business during construction of the Loop Trolley tracks.
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“I did everything I could to giver her time and make payments to continue,” Edwards said. “But that's business. Some times old businesses go and make way for new ones.”
It's the second business to close on the Loop in the last week. Rocket Fizz, a soda and candy shop at 6372 Delmar Boulevard, announced on Facebook that it would cease operations. Edwards owns that building, too.
Edwards said discussions are taking place to review the Rocket Fizz concept under new ownership, though he declined to provide further detail.
New businesses are also moving in, Edwards pointed out, such as Guerrilla Street Food at 6120 Delmar Boulevard on the east side of the Delmar Loop and W Karaoke Lounge at 6655 Delmar Boulevard.
