Northside, Southside

Gone (last week): Empire Sandwich Shop building on Cherokee Street in south St. Louis. A vacant lot is in place.

Going: Cordes Hardware buildings on Salisbury Avenue between 11th and 14th Streets in Hyde Park on the northside. A gas station expansion is forthcoming.

Neither demolition was needed. In fact, both the Empire building and the Cordes buildings were in far better shape than many of their neighbors. One wonders what exactly is meant by a "building boom" in the city these days. The elimination of small old buildings with low rents perfect for small businesses cuts against the prevalent political rhetoric.