A Collision Shakes the Grove: Business on the Brink of Reopening Suffers Damage
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A dramatic incident unfolded in the Grove Wednesday morning as an SUV collided with a garbage truck, leading to extensive damage to the Sanctuaria Wild Tapas Bar—a restaurant eagerly preparing for its grand reopening.
Setbacks for a Promising Restaurant
Located at the bustling intersection of Manchester and Boyle, Sanctuaria had been closed for renovations for several months and was on the cusp of reclaiming its place in the community. Owner Steve Law expressed his disappointment: “We were getting ready to reopen on the first of June, and now we can’t do that. I guess we’ll do the best we can.”
The crash wreaked havoc not only on the restaurant’s front window but also on the dining room and flooring. Law is now anxiously awaiting feedback from a building inspector to assess the impact on the structure’s integrity. “We managed to put some of the wall back so we could secure it,” he said, as workers hastily boarded up the entrance.
The Grove: A Flourishing District
The Grove business district has been on an upward trajectory since the pandemic, demonstrating resilience and growth. Abdul Abdullah, president of Park Central Development, noted that nearly all storefronts within the Community Improvement District have active or pending leases. With over 6,000 vehicles passing through Manchester daily, businesses are projected to generate a whopping $40 million in sales by 2025.
Community Efforts Towards Improvement
Park Central Development has been instrumental in boosting the local economy. They are collaborating with the City of St. Louis to eradicate blight in the neighborhood, currently focusing on demolishing a collection of condemned buildings near Kingshighway.
“For the safety and security of the neighborhood, we’re ultimately going to get those torn down,” Abdullah explained, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a vibrant community.
Addressing Traffic Safety Concerns
As the area continues to thrive, safety remains a priority. Local alderman Michael Browning has been proactive in seeking solutions to mitigate reckless driving along Manchester, where a series of similar accidents have occurred in recent years. In collaboration with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT), Browning aims to implement pedestrian-friendly upgrades as part of an upcoming resurfacing project for the Hwy. 100 corridor.
“We’re going to work closely with MODOT to ensure that these upgrades address this problem,” Browning stated. “The police department is also on board to bring back red light cameras and speed cameras.”
The Road Ahead for Sanctuaria
Despite the setbacks, the future remains bright for both Sanctuaria Wild Tapas Bar and the Grove community at large. As Law and his team regroup post-crash, there is hope that the restaurant will soon welcome back eager diners, revitalizing its snug corner of the Grove.
In a community riding the wave of recovery and growth, it’s stories like these that remind us of the challenges local businesses face—and their remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.
Copyright 2025 KMOV. All rights reserved.
