Genesis Social House Offers A Casual Business Gathering Place Downtown
After noticing a lack of business-friendly daytime hangouts in downtown St. Louis, Christopher Davis made it his retirement mission to solve the problem. Situated in the space that previously housed Simply Delicious, Genesis Social House (1115 Pine) is his first official foray into hospitality, but he’s already doubling down on the venture by partnering with his brother and sons to open Bowl and Leaf next door.
Genesis Social House’s soft opening will be Monday, April 7, with initial hours from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Here’s what to know before you go.
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The Menu
Genesis Social House’s mission is to offer a relaxing place for working and for small business meeting opportunities during the day and into the evening, and its beverage menu will reflect that. For now, Davis offers a selection of soft drinks, tea, and water as he determines other offerings.
The liquor license process is in progress, and he plans to eventually sell a curated selection of beers, wines, and craft cocktails, while still maintaining a business environment, rather than transitioning into a nightlife venue during evenings. He’s currently seeking a craft bartender to assist with establishing the beverage program once the liquor license application is approved.
Next door, Bowl and Leaf will offer takeout orders, which customers can eat at Genesis Social House. Davis explains that his brother and sons have experience in the restaurant industry, so they’ll be handling operations and overseeing the menu of bowls and salads. The location, which formerly housed Good Buddy’s Tasty Soups and Sandwiches, will offer freshly made dishes for takeout or dining in at the limited counter seating.
The Atmosphere
Davis jokes that he has no interior design experience and sourced ideas on Pinterest, but the interior is expertly arranged, with small groupings of comfortable seating, as well as a central bar and a poker table in a back corner. The shades of gray and brown have a calming effect, with pops of color from paintings, photos, and a collection of cigar boxes on the walls.
Although the establishment is a social house and event space, rather than a bar, Davis emphasizes that he plans to eventually serve alcohol. He also emphasizes that the venue is not a cigar lounge—the décor notwithstanding. Since it is an event space that will cater to a variety of clients, however, he has installed a high-quality air filtration system as an amenity just in case.
Davis’ flexibility and resourcefulness are evident in some of the more playful touches, such as a portrait of a frog wearing glasses. He says he selected it years ago for a partnership venture that didn’t pan out, and it makes him smile to finally have it up on the wall of his own establishment.
The Backstory
After 18½ years at AT&T, Davis was transferred to the downtown St. Louis office. He previously worked stints in North County and St. Charles County, rarely traveling to St. Louis’ inner core except for Cardinals baseball games and dinner.
Davis describes the move as a culture shock. Never one to be confined to an office, he walked around the blocks closest to AT&T, hoping to find coffee shops or other establishments where he could work, conduct small meetings, and gather with colleagues. He was also struck by the neighborhood’s abundance of fried and salty food options at lunchtime.
As the company’s 911 coordinator for Washington D.C., Missouri, and Texas, Davis was the liaison between AT&T and any government entity operating an emergency call system. “In a small degree, that is hospitality,” he explains. “You would call me and I would figure out how to resolve the issue. I made sure the customer got what they needed.” Before that, he was a supervisor for field technicians, leading crews and solving different types of problems.
When AT&T moved his position to its headquarters in Dallas, Davis decided to stay behind. He always had the idea of a restaurant in the back of his mind—even exploring an opportunity in Clayton a few years ago with friends—so he decided the time was right to move forward with opening Genesis Social House. “I used to park across the street from this space,” Davis says, “and when the opportunity came about, the location was small enough that I knew I could manage it, learning as I go.
“The whole process has been fun,” Davis adds. “We’ve started with so much enthusiasm, and the neighbors have been great.”
Genesis Social House
📍1115 Pine
📞 314-370-3487
⏰ Soft opening hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. daily
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