Study Sheds Light on Spending Habits of Loop Visitors
A study finds that a majority of people come to The Loop to walk around, and when they decide to grab a bite to eat the majority head to Blueberry Hill.
Photos
Some interesting findings in a survey that looked at the spending preferences of people who visit the Delmar Loop area.
The Loop retail study was funded by Washington University in partnership with the East and West Loop Special Business Districts.
Cheryl Adelstein, Director of Community Relations and Local Governmental Affairs for Wash U presented the preliminary findings of the study at Tuesday's meeting of the Loop Special Business District.
The survey was conducted in April. The information was garnered from 270 completed surveys. A mix of U City residents, workers, metro area residents, students and tourists were polled.
The following are the questions and responses:
What would you say is your primary purpose for visiting The Delmar Loop today? (the highest being 50 percent)
- 45 percent said they were there to walk around/enjoy the atmosphere
- 30 percent said for dining
- 20 precent said retail shopping
- 5 percent said they were there for the nightlife
- Less than 5 percent said for art and culture
Within the last year, how often would you say that you have come to The Loop? (the highest being 40 percent)
- More than 30 percent said a few times a week
- About 29 percent said a few times a month
- Nearly 15 percent said daily
- A little more than 10 percent said a few times a year
When you visit The Delmar Loop, what are the restaurants you tend to visit? (the highest being 60 percent)
- 50 percent said Blueberry Hill
- 25 percent said Fitz's American Grill
- A little more than 20 percent said St. Louis Bread Company
- 20 percent said Cicero's
- 15 percent said Subway
- 14 percent said Chipotle
- A little over 10 percent said Noodles & Co. or Starbucks.
- Respondents also noted that they visit Fro Yo, Ranoush, Qdoba, Gyros House, Pi, Market Pub House and Thai Country Cafe.
More than 50 percent of the respondents said they take a car or motorcycle when they visit The Loop, 35 percent said they walk and 10 percent said they take the bus. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 8% said the MetroLink and around 5% answered other.
When you visit The Delmar Loop, what are the recreational attractions that you tend to visit? (the highest being 40 percent)
- 30 percent said The Pageant
- more than 20 percent said Tivoli Theatre
- 15 percent said Blueberry Hill or The Pin-Up Bowl
- Nearly 10 percent said Cicero's
When you visit The Delmar Loop, what are the retail stores you tend to visit? (the highest being 40 percent)
- 30 percent said Vintage Vinyl
- 15 percent said Other
- 10 percent said Sunshine Daydream
- About the same number of respondents—5 percent—said Plowsharing Crafts, Big Shark Bicycle Company, Star Clipper, City Sprouts or Phoenix Rising.
Do you ever visit The Loop for professional services?
- No: 85 percent
- Yes: 15 percent
Do you ever visit The Loop for hair care services?
- No: 90 percent
- Yes: 4 percent
"I come to the Delmar Loop primarily for the restaurants."
- Agree: 30 percent
- Somewhat agree: 22 percent
- Neither agree nor disagree: 16 percent
- Somewhat disagree: 13 percent
- Disagree: 19 percent
Please name some other places in the St. Louis area that you feel are comparable to The Delmar Loop. (the highest being 60 percent)
- 45 percent said Central West End
- 30 percent said Other
- 20 percent said Downtown St. Louis
- Nearly 10 percent said Downtown Clayton
These findings are preliminary.
Editor's Note: The study also looked at the spending patterns of Washington University students in the Loop. U City Patch will publish those preliminary findings on Thursday.
In This article
-
Blueberry Hill Restaurant & Music Club
6504 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Fitz's American Grill
6605 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Saint Louis Bread Co.
6630 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Cicero's Restaurant
6691 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Subway Restaurant
7888 Olive Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Chipotle Mexican Grill
6310 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO
-
Starbucks Coffee
6621 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
-
Qdoba Mexican Grill
6625 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Market Pub House
6655 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO -
Thai Country Cafe
6223 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
The Pageant
6161 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Tivoli Theatre
6350 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Vintage Vinyl
6610 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Sunshine Daydream
6608 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Plowsharing Crafts
6271 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Star Clipper
6392 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
City Sprouts
6303 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO -
Phoenix Rising Inc
6331 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO
mary nani lhotak
10:00 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Very interesting....did anyone ride a bike to the Loop? My multiple visits weekly are by bike and the Loop is loaded with cyclists.
Myra Lopez
11:33 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Mary, biking was not one of the modes of transportation listed on the survey. Around 5% of the respondents answered Other. So maybe (and I'm just guessing here) bicyclists were looped in with that category.
Joe Clooney
12:11 pm on Thursday, July 14, 2011
Survey was in April,what time of day. They need to do it in the summer tourist time, I think you may get a better responce.
Myra Lopez
12:16 pm on Thursday, July 14, 2011
Joe the survey didn't specify what time of day, just that it was conducted on April 20, 2011. These are just preliminary findings, the final survey will surely have more precise information.