Inside Out Sidewalk Cafe Incentives

$5,000 grants available for small businesses
Sidewalk café concepts designed by STLMade TAO + LEE architects

The INSIDE OUT SIDEWALK CAFE INCENTIVE PROGRAM is an initiative of Greater St. Louis, Inc., with support from the St. Louis Development Corporation. The program seeks to enhance the street-level experience, support brick-and-mortar businesses, draw additional customers to Downtown St. Louis and:

Create an atmosphere to increase foot traffic;
Provide opportunities for current businesses to expand;
Increase street vibrancy, safety, and economic health.

REIMBURSABLE GRANT EXPENSES (ALL OUTDOORS)

Seating, tables, railings, canopies, and fabric shading
Fold-out/pop-up retail kiosks
Lighting, plants
Traffic calming planters
Signage, transparent storefronts, facade restoration and cleaning

HOW TO QUALIFY

These incentives can be used strategically in key corridors and retail nodes in Downtown St. Louis to implement the recommendations of the Design Downtown STL Plan. Exceptions may be considered for high-impact projects and strategic priorities outside of the target areas.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Creativity and uniqueness of proposed concept
Relevant experience to the proposed concept
Credibility of business plan and budget
Compatibility and synergy of proposed concept with neighboring businesses
Experience managing a project of the proposed scale and budget
Potential for the large foot traffic impact
Activation of the storefront at night

PLEASE NOTE: CITY OF ST. LOUIS APPROVAL REQUIRED Use of publicly owned space requires approval from the City of St. Louis. If you are expanding onto a public sidewalk, contact the Board of Public Service (314-622-4627) to start the Sidewalk Café Application process and complete the application form.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested retailers and entrepreneurs should send an introductory email to Clayton Geenen at Greater St. Louis, Inc. (clayton@greaterstlinc.com) to begin the application process. If available, please include: