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Trops' future home in The Grove.
After getting pushed out of Soulard by unhappy neighbors, Tropical Liqueurs is moving to a neighborhood it hopes will be more receptive to its boozy frozen slushy concept—The Grove.
But even in its new location, Tropical Liqueurs still won’t allow patrons to take their frosty drinks to-go.
The three siblings who own St. Louis’ Tropical Liqueurs, popularly known as Trops, announced Wednesday that they’re finalizing the lease for a new location at 4104 Manchester Road, putting them in the heart of the popular late-night drinking and dining district. The owners are working on securing a new liquor license and hope to announce an opening date before August 1.
See also: Tropical Liqueurs Looks for New Location After Losing Liquor License for Soulard Spot
“The Grove really embraces the diversity of our city, and we’re excited to be a part of the neighborhood,” says Billy Thompson, who owns the St. Louis Tropical Liqueurs along with his sister Connie Vaughn and brother Bradlee Thompson. “The neighbors we have met with have been very welcoming.”
Welcoming neighbors will be important for Trops after running into problems in their first St. Louis location. A year after signing a lease in Soulard, Trops lost its liquor license in a battle with neighbors who accused patrons of littering, drug use, noise, and other disturbances. A St. Louis City Circuit Court judge later ruled the bar could keep its liquor license while looking for a new home.
Sarah Kloepple
Trops' former home in Soulard.
Owners are planning extensive improvements to their new location, a vacant, 8,000-square-foot space, including a courtyard and a partnership with a local restaurant.
“When we first opened, the response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, and we quickly outgrew our original building. This new space is nearly double the size and will better accommodate local Trops fans,” says Billy Thompson.
Trops will continue its policy of hiring a doorman and security for its new Grove location, and the former Soulard space will either be sublet or used as a business office until the lease runs out.
Contact Lindsay Toler by email at LToler@stlmag.com or on Twitter @StLouisLindsay. For more from St. Louis Magazine, subscribe or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
