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Florissant Council Holds 1st Meeting of 2022
IHOP Seeks More Space, Café De LaSha Plans
New Restaurant at Florissant Oaks
By Carol Arnett
One long-time Florissant restaurant needs more space, and a family that already has two restaurants in the city wants to open a third. Both were discussed in public hearings at the first city council meeting of the new year. (Jan. 17)
The owner of the IHOP at 5 N Hwy 67 came before the council to request an amendment to allow the addition of an accessory structure for the restaurant.Haytham Aydi spoke to the council and said he would like to add a shed to the back of his property to accommodate the growing number of to-go orders. He has owned the restaurant since 2001. Councilman Jeff Caputa asked if it would be a permanent structure. Aydi said it would be permanently attached to a concrete base.
No one spoke in opposition at the hearing and the council held a first reading on the bill that would approve the project.
Next, there was a public hearing about a request for a Special Use Permit to allow a new restaurant, Café De LaSha. The sit-down, carry-out restaurant will be at 119 Florissant Oaks Shopping Center, in the space most recently occupied by Fresh Italy.
Kenny and LaSha Truong spoke to the council about the restaurant. They would like to open an American, Cajun-Creole, Southern restaurant. It would be open from 11 a.m – 10 p.m. seven days a week. They said it would take about two months for renovations. They are minimal, Kenny Truong said, because the space was previously a restaurant. Kenny Truong runs the two Rice Houses on Lindbergh Blvd. His cousin also has restaurants in Florissant.
Councilman Paul Manganelli asked if they would request a full liquor license. Kenny Truong said they would. He said they would also have one TV screen so that they could list their specials. He also said that they would not have live music. “So this is basically you’re looking to be more a restaurant than a bar,” Manganelli said. Kenny Truong agreed. “Café LaSha has existed for four years,” Kenny Truong said.
They have been at various events in the area, including the VP Fair. They have decided to open a brick and mortar store. No one spoke in opposition at the hearing and the council held a first reading on the bill that would approve the project.
In other action, the council:
- Passed a bill that will approve a ballot proposition that would consider imposing a local use tax at the same rate as the local sales tax of the city for purchased from out-of-state vendors that exceed two thousand dollars.
- Passed a bill calling an election in the city on the question of issuing General Obligation Bonds for the purpose of constructing an aquatic center.
- Postponed a request by Plush Lounge for a Full Liquor by the Drink license.
- Passed a resolution authoring the mayor to make application under the Municipal Parks grant of St. Louis County for planning services at St. Ferdinand Park for relocation and construction of a new restroom.
