ST. LOUIS — Turns out that Gringo Jones Imports won’t go anywhere — at least not anytime soon.
The Shaw Boulevard business went up for sale in April, bringing a cloud of uncertainty to the eccentric shop widely recognized for its storefront — where a thicket of decorative yard ornaments crowd the sidewalk, boasting an impossible-to-miss mix of dinosaurs, sasquatch, giant giraffes, multi-colored roosters, and armadillos with American-flag shells. A gaggle of friendly dogs patrol inside the shop, among stained glass, chandeliers and other artistic creations.
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But in a social media post Friday, employee Rod Nelson said the store was not closing “due to the extreme outpouring of disappointment.”
Owner Leon Jones confirmed the news Saturday.
“It sounds sort of unbelievable, but we’ve had hundreds of people come by and say, ‘You can’t close, you can’t close, you can’t close,’” he said.
Jones said that “more and more feedback” from customers bemoaning the impending loss of a beloved business sparked a change of heart; it made him realize that he didn’t want to go through with a sale.
“I like what I’m doing and we have some good clientele. It’s still fun,” said Jones, who has run the business for 25 years — or long enough to sell about 80 of the distinctive metal giraffes, he estimates.
After being put on the market for $600,000, Jones said the property attracted a couple good offers, including one from a prospective buyer who aimed to convert the space into a coffee shop. Although the building was up for sale, it was unclear what would become of the business itself because Jones said he was open to selling to someone who planned to keep the shop as is.
Ultimately, Jones chose to stay the course with his current operations. In recent days, he has taken the property off the market, and said he plans to continue running the shop for the foreseeable future.
As recently as a few months ago, Jones, 73, had expressed an urge to spend more time in Southern Illinois, where he is from and has family. But now, he says he has “no desire” to retire.
Of the many people who reached out or commented on his announced intention to sell, Jones said the list included longtime supporters who live outside the city, and who seek out the store’s oddities during trips for check-ups at nearby hospitals or stops at the Missouri Botanical Garden, just down the street.
He says he “even got a call from a lady from Scotland,” who periodically comes to St. Louis to visit family, and for whom the store is a favorite destination.
The source of the shop’s appeal and cult following was reflected in conversations with visitors to the store Saturday — whether they were wide-eyed newcomers, or returning customers looking for new surprises.
Visiting town from Indianapolis, Josephine Dunson and her daughter Jessica Dunson caught a glimpse of the store’s sidewalk menagerie on their way to the Missouri Botanical Garden, then felt compelled to stop for a closer look.
“She saw the giraffe and she just went nuts,” said Josephine Dunson, describing her daughter’s reaction to the shop, at first sight.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she added. “It’s very unique.”
The unique wares attracted Nancy Donohoo from Clayton, on a search for a Buddha sculpture to adorn her yard. She said she’d stopped at three or four garden stores earlier in the day, with no luck. Gringo Jones, however, had a variety to pick from.
Donohoo had heard that the store might be closing, but was relieved to learn Saturday that it would remain in the same hands.
“It’s such an iconic place. How do you ever replace Gringo Jones?” she said. “And I love the dogs.”
Tower Grove Heights resident Monica Buehrle was also “very excited to hear it’s not going anywhere.” She loves bringing guests to browse the interesting items out front, which she says have helped make the place into a defining symbol of the neighborhood.
“It’s a great landmark — a very beautiful landmark,” she said. “And very eclectic.”
Photos: Gringo Jones Imports to remain open
Gringo Jones to remain open

Nic Jones, an employee at Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave., carries a Buddha statue to a customer's car on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Nic Jones is the nephew of Leon Jones who owns the store. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones to remain open

Roger Hale, left, hangs out with his neighbor and friend Leon Jones, the owner of Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave., in Jones' shop in St. Louis on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Jones was thinking about selling his shop and closing his building but has now decided to keep it open and continue selling the eclectic assortment of goods the shop is known for. Jones' dogs are a fixture at the front of the shop. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones to remain open

Leon Jones, owner of Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave., prepares to move a statue for a customer who bought one from his shop in St. Louis on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Jones was thinking about selling his shop and closing his building but has now decided to keep it open and continue selling the eclectic assortment of goods the shop is known for. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones to remain open

Customers browse the good for sale in front of Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave. in St. Louis on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Jones was thinking about selling his shop and closing his building but has now decided to keep it open and continue selling the eclectic assortment of goods the shop is known for. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones to remain open

Twins Josh Clemens, left, and Chris Clemens look over the eclectic collection of items for sale at Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave. in St. Louis on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Jones was thinking about selling his shop and closing his building but has now decided to keep it open and selling the eclectic assortment of goods the shop is known for. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones to remain open

A concrete statue of Jesus with a child priced for sale in the front courtyard of Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave. on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones to remain open

Leon Jones, the owner of Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave., talks with customers at the front of his shop in St. Louis on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Jones was thinking about selling his shop and closing his building but has now decided to keep it open and sell the eclectic assortment of goods the shop is known for. Jones' dogs are a fixture at the front of the shop. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones to remain open

Concrete and metal statues fill the front courtyard of Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave. on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones to remain open

Concrete and metal statues fill the front courtyard of Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave. on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones to remain open

Leon Jones, the owner of Gringo Jones Imports on Shaw Boulevard near Vandeventer Ave., talks with customers at the front of his shop in St. Louis on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Jones was thinking about selling his shop and closing his building but has now decided to keep it open and selling the eclectic assortment of goods the shop is known for. Jones' dogs are a fixture at the the front of the shop. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Watch now: 'Gringo Jones' building is up for sale
Gringo Jones Imports owner ready to sell building, retire to southern Illinois

Gringo Jones Imports employee Miguel Brinkley clears a giant rooster out of the way as he arranges garden ornaments on Thursday, April 22, 2021. After 25 years of operation Leon Jones, 73, announced that he is selling his building. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones Imports owner ready to sell building, retire to southern Illinois

Nic Jones moves a rooster to a display rack at Gringo Jones Imports on Thursday, April 22, 2021. After 25 years of operation owner Leon Jones, 73, announced that he is selling his building and moving home to southern Illinois. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones Imports owner ready to sell building, perhaps the contents

Gringo Jones Imports owner Leon Jones carries Sam, followed by brothers Darryl and Darryl and Gunner as he walks them through his store headed for the yard for a bathroom break on Thursday, April 22, 2021. After 25 years of operation Jones, 73, is selling his building and perhaps the contents. "People have told me that I cannot close, so I tell them 'write me a big check'," he said. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Gringo Jones Imports owner ready to sell building, retire to southern Illinois

Nic Jones secures a rooster to a display rack at Gringo Jones Imports on Thursday, April 22, 2021. After 25 years of operation owner Leon Jones, 73, announced that he is selling his building and moving home to southern Illinois. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com