Red Racks In Creve Coeur Could See Traffic Boost

The Red Racks location on Olive Boulevard in Creve Coeur could be a little busier now that the chain of thrift stores has fewer locations in the St. Louis area.

Affton-Shrewsbury Patch was first to report that the Red Racks shop there closed Thursday, taking people by suprise.

Friday, a company representative said the move to at least temporarily close in South County came as a result of declining foot traffic to the store, which opened in the spring of 2012.

Creve Coeur's location opened in May earlier this year in the former Walgreens on Olive Boulevard near Graeser Road. Store representatives said they were looking forward to dispelling characterizations of what it means to shop at thrift stores in light of criticism from some who felt the store didn't fit Creve Coeur's profile, as well as disappointment from city officials who were hoping for a tenant which would generate sales tax.

While the Affton decision was not specifically made to increase traffic to Creve Coeur and the other location in Ballwin, a spokesman acknowledged the possibility it would happen, and said that some of the Affton merchandise could also be relocated to the other stores.