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Ferguson Moves Forward
Story and photos By Tom Anselm
The second Saturday of August was a bit unlike most second Saturday’s in August in the St. Louis area. The high was 82 degrees, slight breezes, humidity moderate. But the events of that day in Ferguson following the fatal shooting of a black 18-year-old by a white police officer were about to cause the region to heat. And for several weeks, it seemed like things would never settle down as national news agencies poured into town to cover the events as politicians and law enforcement officials made speeches and declared emergencies.
Things calmed down but for the next three months, a cloud of tension still permeated the neighborhoods. It seemed like some normalcy was returning. Finally, three days before Thanksgiving came the announcement of the results of the grand jury investigation into the shooting. And it all started up again. Then, again, it quieted down, but this time with a legacy of burned-out businesses, questionable political decisions and hard feelings.
But what is Ferguson today, over a month after that night of terror?
“Things have settled down considerably. The boards are coming down from storefronts, businesses are seeing people return to their stores. We are taking down the board ” said Brian Fletcher, chairman of I Love Ferguson and former Ferguson mayor . And evidence of a return to normalcy is evident. Many stores across the South Florissant corridor have removed the plywood that had become street art. A new yoga center opened up next to Cork Wine Bar. There are plans for a cigar bar next to that, and a Papa John’s. The owner of Cathy’s Kitchen is putting a blues and barbecue venue in the old Thyme Table site.
“We continue to get generous contributions and sales for our products. We gave the North County Incorporated fund $50,000 on December 23, and plan on another gift this month,” said Fletcher. He is still concerned about the Department of Justice investigation, and is still wondering why Governor Jay Nixon has not sought out the leaders of Ferguson.
West Florissant Update
“You know, Dellwood got a great deal of damage to their businesses, and that still is an area that is under investigation for arson. So things have a long way to go to get back to normal, if we can ever get to that. But I think the area will rebound stronger.”
Charles Davis, owner of the Ferguson Burger Bar at 9120 West Florissant, has managed to stay in business despite having opened just one day prior to the shooting of Michael Brown about a mile away from his store. He was in the center of the first demonstrations, and then was closed down for a week due to the extensive fire damage along West Florissant after the grand jury decision.
“It has been rough. We are way down on business,” said Davis. “It’s starting to come back, little by little. We are getting people from Emerson and patronage from all cultures who have come in to support us, but come back for the good food. But volume is down.” Davis, formerly in real estate, had no prior restaurant experience before he and his wife Kizzie decided to go into the business. In the face of the difficulties, they decided to sponsor 150 families with food baskets, clothes, diapers and other items.
“We mostly used our own money. We got a lot of donations from people and were happy for that. We wanted to give back to the community,” he said.
Davis said that, to date, he has received any other city or federal government assistance. He did receive some help after the first wave of protests from North County Incorporated, for which he was grateful. He was asked if there will come a point where he will just have to close up, he said “I look to God as my provider.”
South Florissant Update
Along the South Florissant side of Ferguson, a new yoga studio has taken up residence. Angie Carron, whose original Om Turtle Yoga studio opened in Florissant in October of 2013, says she had planned all along to consider Ferguson.
“Things were going well for me in Florissant, and I looked for a location to expand. Ferguson looked good. Then August 9th happened and that turned the corner for me. It seemed like the right thing to do.” She said many questioned her decision, but “I couldn’t be happier with Ferguson. The Mayor and City Hall and inspectors… it’s just a very welcoming and supportive community.”
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles is encouraged that business is picking up in the city. But he acknowledges that there are segments of the city that are still in dire need of recovery.
“We are still assessing things in many places. There are insurance concerns, arson investigations, procedures to remove damaged building… just a lot to be done. Some of the utility companies have been working with those who were burned out. We are encouraging people to come to Ferguson to shop and dine to revive all our businesses. The city staff and I have been working with attorneys for the damaged businesses,” he said.
“We are doing our best to move forward, reviving the Farmer’s Market, expanding our Ferguson Community Center to include a reception venue.” He noted that they have taken steps to reform some of the court fees and fines, putting in an amnesty program and payment plans. Knowles acknowleged that he has not talked to Gov. Jay Nixon since September.
“One of the meetings was held at the Community Center, and we were asked to introduce the commission. But then we were told to stay away,” he said. There are signs of positive change in the area. Plywood boarding is coming down. “ “It has been exhausting, but we look forward to renewal.”
“A positive thing is that there is an group called “One Ferguson” that has come to be, made up of a diverse of Ferguson residents, some representing groups, some as individuals. There are 22 members of a steering committee, and we are working to bring about understanding and action to change the community for the better,” said Felicia Pulliam, a member of the Ferguson Commission and Development Director of Focus St. Louis. “We have found that there are a lot of Ferguson residents who want to do something positive. The membership is vested in this community for the long haul.”
