For the past few years, Colonial Marketplace has been a work in progress.

Students driving to school everyday have noticed the construction site being worked on. And this school year, finishing touches are being added on.

Almost all stores have been occupied and are now open to customers.  This has  been a joy for many Clayton students. There is talk of going to Cini’s for lunch, wanting to get some pancakes at The Original Pancake House, and buying a dress from Splash have floated around the school.

“We have a group of kids that come by every Tuesday.” Says David, the General Manager at Cini’s. Cini’s, a local Italian restaurant, specializing in Italian street food, has decided to expand to Clayton after having success in their other location by St. Louis University.

Cini’s been open for 5 months in the Colonial Marketplace. At first they hadn’t been getting much business due to continued construction from the other commercial sites. Now that school has started, business is growing a little with Clayton students and staff.

Cini’s has also started a loyalty program, a fun way to earn points, acquire discounts and deals, by stopping into Cini’s often. Purchases are not even required.  Members of the point system receive a card with a scan-able code. General Manager, David hopes that the app will attract some high school students to eat here more often. Cini’s is just one example of a store trying to attract people.

Mary McGuire, a junior at Clayton High School has been enjoying the Colonial Marketplace. “They have great new restaurants and boutiques. Whenever I go now, there seems to be a new place that I want to check out.” Says McGuire.

McGuire has been a regular customer at the new boutique, Splash. They have a wide selection of homecoming dresses, swimsuits, and cute outfits

. “They have a lot of dresses to choose from that are perfect for school dances.” McGuire purchased her homecoming dress from Splash, with multiple discounts.

Splash isn’t the only place that McGuire has explored.

“I never really went to the Colonial Marketplace until freshman year. Now I love going with all of the new businesses opening up.”

Colonial Marketplace has been a welcome addition to Clayton Students.  It’s been providing open campus opportunities, late start breakfasts, and shopping. No wonder why, Colonial Marketplace has been so successful as it has in such a short period of time.