St. Louis "Little Bosnia" (St. Peters, Lambert: neighborhoods, to live in, restaurants)

[aaronstlcards]

The major wave of Bosnian immigration to St. Louis started right after the massacres in Srebrenica in 1993, because St. Louis didn't really have ANY refugees, and it's easier to place refugees in a city without any others. The US government has a very big role in choosing where to resettle refugees, and they picked St. Louis.

Then the refugees basically networked. Family and friends found out about St. Louis and came too, and it very quickly became THE place to be for Bosnians. There are now between 30,000 and 40,000 one-time Bosnian refugees in St. Louis, many of whom are now US citizens.

The Bosnian community in St. Louis is a very strong part of the southern part of the city, and has taken over and improved a group of neighborhoods that had basically been decimated by urban decay. Bevo Mill, for example, is a 100-year-old working class neighborhood that in large part was absolute garbage in the 1980s, but is now a really neat, clean, tidy place.

[jhassler]

From South STL, and I'd agree that the Bosnian infusion has been nothing but positive...it at least gives us more interesting things to look at in local grocery stores...They've amassed a pretty interesting selection of eastern european foods, even in the larger chain stores.

[aaronstlcards]

If Chicago gets the 2016 Olympics, there could be some Olympic soccer games played at the Edward Jones Dome. Reports say that because of St. Louis' high Bosnian population, the Bosnian national team has some interest in playing a few games here.

[spudeey]

My family and I are heading down to Little Bosnia Friday. Any restaurant recommendations? Also are there any Yugoslavian/Eastern European grocery stores in the area? I am partially Croatian and love the food.

[aaronstlcards]

Well if your looking for ethnic grocery stores, south St. Louis would be your best bet. You could possibly try Grand Blvd. around Tower Grove Park. Also, I know that there is a Bosnian Cafe in south St. Louis in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood.

[Keethler]

I think that is great. I am all for ethnic groups settling in the city. Of course we dont want anyone relocated, but its great when groups can fill in the gaps. I love going to Cherokee St. for Mexican food and I will be sure to check out the Bosnia restaurants as well. If the natives are not willing to live in the city...then open the floodgates!

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by aaronstlcards

If Chicago gets the 2016 Olympics, there could be some Olympic soccer games played at the Edward Jones Dome. Reports say that because of St. Louis' high Bosnian population, the Bosnian national team has some interest in playing a few games here.

Just a heads up, it is very unlikely that St. Louis would get any of the Olympic soccer games. Besides Soldier Field, the Chicago Olympics are looking to use Ryan Field as well as NIU's Football Stadiums as venues.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

If we have the China Hub then, could some Asian teams fly directly to Lambert? Then they could train here. Chicago will be booked solid. If Chicago gets the Olympics, I would venture to guess that St. Louis would feel some effects from it. It may not be major, but we would feel some effects surely.

[skipcromer]

Absoultely, Chicago is actually using St. Louis as a selling point in regards to training grounds. I have heard this is particularly true in Swimming and Diving, as well as the long distance running events.

[aragx6]

I know that in years past they've had diving Olympic trials at the Rec Plex in St. Peters -- wouldn't be surprised if that ends up getting some use where training and trials are concerned.