The iconic St. Louis dining establishment, Balaban’s, is returning to the Central West End.
This morning, partners Brian Underwood and Steve McIntyre announced the sale of Balaban’s to businesswoman Karen Halper, who already owns three businesses in the CWE.
Underwood and McIntyre, who moved the restaurant to Chesterfield in late 2009, said the reason for the sale was retirement. While acknowledging they had both retired once before —Underwood from heading compliance at A. G. Edwards, and McIntyre from Café Balaban when he closed the Central West End establishment in 2006 —Underwood said that he and McIntyre wished to pursue other interests. Underwood added that the Chesterfield experience had allowed him to realize his dream of owning a wine store.
“I’m proud of the many restaurant and wine ratings, awards and accolades we received in Chesterfield from large and small publications … we upheld the Balaban’s tradition and had fun doing it,” Underwood said.
Halper’s other Central West End establishments include the Mahler Ballroom (an event venue) and Enchanting Embellishments, a gift and clothing boutique within Mary Ann’s Tea Room. She also recently purchased Patty Long Catering and plans to consolidate it into the Euclid Avenue location after Jan. 1.
“As for me, I’m excited to return this iconic restaurant to its home in the Central West End. We will offer the original café menu, including Balaban’s signature dishes. Balaban’s current staff will have the opportunity to play a role in the new organization as we mesh my businesses into a larger whole and make use of the synergies between them,” Halper said.
Halper’s purchase of Balaban’s includes the Balaban’s name, furniture and fixtures of the business. She said the reopening date for Balaban’s depends on the completion of building renovations at the anticipated location of 412 Euclid Ave., literally across the street from the site of the original Café Balaban.
The deal closes Aug. 15, and will result in the iconic restaurant leaving its current location at 1772 Clarkson Road and moving back to its original neighborhood after an almost 10-year stint in Chesterfield. The Chesterfield restaurant will close at the end of service on Saturday, Aug. 10.
The original Café Balaban, owned by Herb Balaban, opened in the Central West End in 1972.
