NEW: Developer plans retail complex next to St. Louis Mills

By Scott Bandle

The Cabela's store under construction at St. Louis Mills is already having an effect on retail business.

A developer recently purchased 18 acres of land next to the mall, aiming to building a retail complex that will include a hotel, several restaurants and 80,000 square feet of specialty stores.

The goal is take advantage of Cabela's drawing power, said Gene Wright of developer Dmyterko & Wright Partners of Oak Brook, Ill.

Cabela's is a national chain, selling outdoor and sporting gear.

"Our research shows that a Cabela's store annually attracts four (million) to six million people," Wright said. "We tell our investors that's like three sold-out seasons at Wrigley Field."

The planned $50 million retail complex is called Crescent Pointe at the Mills. It is located at Highway 370 and St. Louis Mills Boulevard.

If Cabela's lives up to its potential, many visitors will come from out of state and some will need to stay overnight, Wright said. The plan is for a 150- to 250-room, theme-based hotel. He declined to name any interested franchises.

The developer has met with Hazelwood officials for about a year, Wright said. Crescent Pointe is not a Tax Increment Financing project.

Hazelwood Mayor T.R. Carr declined to comment, saying the city needed to see the developer's plans. The first step is for Dmyterko and Wright Partners to appear before the Planning and Zoning board.

"However, we welcome development in that area," he said. "This shows why Cabela's is a windfall for us."

If everything goes as planned, construction will start in the summer with a 2008 opening. The Cabela's store is set to open this spring.

Reach Scott Bandle at sbandle@yourjournal.com.