If you ever drove down Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis on a Sunday afternoon back in the day, you knew the vibe. The line for Sweetie Pie’s Upper Crust wasn't just a line; it was a neighborhood event. You had people in their church best, tourists with cameras, and locals who just wanted that legendary mac and cheese.
But honestly, if you head to 3643 Delmar Blvd today, you won't find the steam tables or the smell of fried chicken. The building is gone. The business is closed. And the story of why sweetie pies delmar st louis mo vanished is way more complicated than just a restaurant going out of business. It’s a mix of a massive government expansion, a family tragedy that felt like a Shakespearean play, and a legacy that still haunts the North Grand area.
The Rise of the Upper Crust on Delmar
Miss Robbie Montgomery is a force of nature. Before she was the queen of St. Louis soul food, she was an Ikette, singing backup for Ike and Tina Turner. When her lungs gave out and she couldn't tour anymore, she took her mother’s recipes and turned them into a mini-empire.
The Delmar location, officially called Sweetie Pie’s Upper Crust, was the crown jewel.
It wasn't just a cafeteria. It was the primary filming location for the OWN network’s Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s. For nine seasons, we watched the family drama unfold right there near Grand Center. It became a pilgrimage site. People didn't just go for the "Ike & Tina" wings; they went hoping to see Miss Robbie or her son, Tim Norman, in the flesh.
The Upper Crust was huge. It had high ceilings, a massive dining area, and even a stage. It felt like the big leagues of soul food. At its peak, it was easily one of the most famous black-owned businesses in the entire Midwest.
Why Sweetie Pies Delmar St Louis MO Actually Closed
A lot of people think the restaurant closed because of the scandal. That’s not technically true, though the timing was eerie.
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In September 2022, Sweetie Pie’s Upper Crust served its last plate of yams. The official reason? The John Cochran VA Medical Center expansion. The federal government needed that land. They used eminent domain to clear the way for a $1 billion project to serve veterans.
- The Date: September 25, 2022.
- The Reason: Hospital expansion (V.A. Medical Center).
- The Result: The building was demolished.
Basically, the restaurant was standing in the way of progress—at least, the kind of progress the government wanted. Miss Robbie posted a heartfelt goodbye on Instagram, thanking everyone for 25 years of support across her various locations. It felt like the end of an era because, frankly, it was.
The Dark Cloud Over the Kitchen
You can't talk about the Delmar location without talking about the trial. Just days before the restaurant closed for good, a jury found Tim Norman guilty in a horrific murder-for-hire plot.
The details were like something out of a true-crime podcast. Tim was convicted of orchestrating the 2016 murder of his own nephew, Andre Montgomery Jr. (who was also a regular on the show). The motive? A $450,000 fraudulent life insurance policy.
It was devastating. Andre was only 21.
While Miss Robbie maintained that the closure was strictly due to the hospital expansion, the community couldn't help but see the connection. The brand was tarnished. The family was broken. It’s hard to sell "home-cooked comfort" when the family behind the recipes is embroiled in a federal murder case. Tim was eventually sentenced to life in prison in early 2023.
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Is Sweetie Pie’s Coming Back to St. Louis?
For a while, it looked like the story was over. But Miss Robbie doesn't quit.
In 2023, news broke that she was planning a "2nd Act." She submitted plans to the city for a new spot called Sweetie Pie’s 2nd Act, located in North St. Louis near the Urban League. It’s a $3.7 million investment meant to revitalize the area across from the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
People are skeptical. Some think the magic is gone. Others are just hungry for that specific style of cornbread and cabbage.
As of right now, if you want that authentic Sweetie Pie’s fix, your best bet is actually in Jackson, Mississippi. That’s the only location that remained fully operational after the St. Louis collapse.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Legacy
People often think Sweetie Pie’s was "just" a TV show gimmick. It wasn't.
Before Oprah ever showed up, Miss Robbie was serving soul food in Dellwood and The Grove. She built a following through word of mouth and sheer talent in the kitchen. The Delmar location was supposed to be the pinnacle of that hard work.
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It’s also important to remember that the restaurant's closure left a hole in the Grand Center Arts District. It provided jobs and a gathering space in a part of the city that really needed it. The VA hospital expansion is great for veterans, sure, but the loss of a black-owned landmark on Delmar is still felt by the people who live there.
The Realities of Visiting the Site Today
If you go to Delmar today, you'll see construction crews and fences. There is no plaque. No monument. Just the future of the VA hospital.
If you’re looking for a similar vibe in St. Louis, you have to look elsewhere.
- Gourmet Soul on Jefferson is a solid alternative.
- Sister’s Sandwich Shop (though different) captures some of that community spirit.
- Mother’s Fish remains a staple for the fried cravings.
Practical Insights for the Future
Honestly, the Sweetie Pie’s saga is a lesson in how fast things can change. One minute you’re the star of a national TV show, the next, the government is tearing down your walls and your family is in the news for all the wrong reasons.
If you are following the "2nd Act" reopening:
- Check Social Media: Miss Robbie is most active on Instagram (@msrobbiesweetiepies). Don't trust Google Maps; it still lists old locations as "permanently closed."
- Support Local: If you miss the Delmar spot, find other North City eateries. They need the foot traffic that Sweetie Pie's used to bring to the area.
- Manage Expectations: Even if the new location opens, it likely won't have the "buffet style" grandeur of the Upper Crust. The plans suggest a more streamlined, modern approach.
The era of the Delmar soul food lines is over. But the impact that Sweetie Pie’s had on the St. Louis food scene? That’s going to be talked about for decades.