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Plaza Frontenac
Category: Shopping Shopping Centers Shopping Centers [Edit]
97 Plaza FrontenacSaint Louis, MO 63131
Neighborhood: Frontenac
(314) 432-6760
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 7 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Plaza Frontenac
14 reviews in English
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Review from Ben O.
12/22/2011
My wife and I enjoy shopping at Plaza Frontenac, because nobody working at this mall ever gives us the time of day until it's time to actually make a sale. Seriously. This is a good thing.
If I go to the Banana Republic or the J Crew at the Galleria, some salesperson will latch on from the instant I walk in the door and follow me around like a lost puppy dog. The'll try to upsell me, get me into a dressing room, tell me about the newest shirt line, whatever. I just wish they'd ignore me so I can pick my stuff out and leave, but they want that commission.
I don't get this at the same shops at Plaza Frontenac. I can just waltz in unnoticed, while the store staff go after the people who look like they have more money instead. It's like shopping on the internet, except I can pick things up and look at them before I buy -- it's blissful! -
Review from Mallory W.
O'Fallon, MO
11/28/2011
I am extremely torn on Plaza Frontenac.
On one hand, I have access to stores (and movies) which I would not have access to in the St Louis area if Frontenac were to cease in existence. I am able to browse through stores that I can definitely not afford (Louis Vuitton & Tiffany & Co., namely). I am never overwhelmed by crowds, but am often overwhelmed by the level of pretension and rudeness I see from patrons, which brings me to the "other hand". I have seen a number of items whose price tags are so insanely high, it almost angers me. If a person has the money to buy a $2,650 Escada sundress (that looks like something I might splurge on at a $150 price), they should be donating that money and allowing a family to eat for a year. The ridiculousness is astounding. I absolutely have the choice about going into the stores that pedal said frivolity, but sometimes it's hard not to look. I do not begrudge someone that makes a good living, or who enjoys the finer things in life, but I do have an issue with the gross display of over-indulgence, especially when so many families are really suffering in this economic crisis. Should that be a rich person's problem? No, it shouldn't, but it is still offensive.
On this *magical* Black Friday, Allison B and I wanted to see a movie. I saw a brief preview for the movie "Like Crazy" and wanted to check it out. As it is only showing at the Landmark Frontenac Plaza Theatre, we decided to take in a mid-day show.
Prior to the movie, I wanted to see if any of the stores I really like had any good deals for Black Friday. I didn't see anything particularly interesting. After an hour of quick in-and-outs of Sak's, Banana Republic, Kate Spade, J Crew, BCBG, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, and Bissingers, I looked at my watch to see that I still had an hour and a half to wait before the movie began. I went back through Sak's to wait for Allison and people watch. As per usual, I got to see some expected and some unexpected sights. I saw a father who was dressed in an identical preppy outfit to his adult son's. The blue plaid collared shirts were the same, as were the tasseled loafers and pleated khaki's. There was an attractive Asian couple walking from their car who stopped to take a picture. What was strange about the scene is that the female stopped in the middle of the parking lot to pose... with cars and asphalt as her backdrop... and not the Plaza.
After the movie (which is very good, but realistic and tear jerkingly depressing), we decided to take a little stroll. I wanted to show her Sur La Table, and we both ended up intrigued by the baking area. We both stocked up on varied cookie cutters (both, as awesome gifts for loved ones), and I found a few other little awesome goodies for myself. On the upper level in the common area outside of Sur La Table (and Neiman Marcus), Lydia's House is showing an array of Gingerbread Houses. Most were fairly elementary, but a few were pretty awe inspiring. I am excited for the house decorating event at my own home nearer to Christmas.
Though I do like a few stores, and will continue to visit to see these particular stores, I'm not a fan of the pretentiousness. If you have the money to shop at these stores, it would probably be a better experience, but please remember if you have the ability to buy a 14k Gold hair extension or diamond encrusted bustier that you certainly do not need, there are many local food kitchens or humanitarian organizations that could really benefit from a donation. -
Review from Allison B.
Saint Louis, MO
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Plaza Frontenac is my least favorite mall in St. Louis. There's practically nothing for me here.
I generally only come to this mall when I see a movie. I occasionally try roaming around because I have ladyparts and the urge to shop is just perpetually there; I rarely walk away with anything, though. A Christmas-only store? This place assaults my nose. Nieman Marcus? I've got no use for $2500 dresses. Coach? I don't give a rat's ass about handbags. Brookstone? Hasn't this place gone the Sharper Image route yet? J. Crew? My Hot Topic t-shirts would peel right off of me if I entered.
Mallory W. and I wandered around for a bit after a movie this weekend. We bought a few things from Sur La Table (Note to everyone who is freaked out by this: I bought a few cookie cutters as gifts. I am NOT going domestic on you. *shudder*), played "How Much Is This Ugly Thing?" in Nieman, harshly judged the gingerbread houses and laughed at the sequined pants in Sak's. Plaza Frontenac truly is not meant for our age or income brackets.
The mall itself is nice enough. It's well-appointed and is very clean. But it feels empty and cold. No, worse. It feels empty in the same way that a discount or outlet store feels empty and cold, but weirder since there are actually old people and soccer moms roaming about. I don't know. I think I'll just stick to the occasional movie here and leave the shopping to people who don't know who The Transplants are.Listed in: Obeying My Ladyparts
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Review from Sheryl K.
12/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Plaza Frontenac looks old and smells old. There, I said it! It's dark and cold and even the bigger department stores aren't nice. I've never been to a more depressing Saks Fifth than the one here. This mall needs a total face lift! The plus side: they almost always have parking here. Nope, never had to fight one. This is the pricier mall only because of their stores that are available. Although I wish they'd bring Zara in so I don't have to travel far. I admittingly only come around for Louis Vuitton because Karen is the best sales associate ever. Went into Neiman Marcus for jeans (I have a sick addiction), and saw a pair of Sevens that was still $240 when I bought them on sale at Nordstrom for 108. Hah! Way to crank up the price. Go to NM's clearance bins...you'll find Tory Burch and Gucci purses.
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Review from Keke M.
Saint Louis, MO
1/4/2011
I really passionately despise this mall. It is by far the snootiest place I've ever been and is full of the rudest people I've ever met. I grew up less than a mile away and no longer live in the area, but my parents do, so I'm only there when I come home for whatever reason.
On one occasion, I went into the Tiffany & Co store to pick up a piece of jewelry I had dropped off for cleaning. The woman at the counter actually refused to help me, because she only had time for "people who had money to spend there." When I told her I was there to pick up a piece I had dropped off earlier in the week, she ignored me! I finally asked her to go get the manager, who was equally as rude and didn't even apologize for the behavior of the sales associate, despite that I was a customer.
What inspired my need to write a review was what happened earlier today. I found an old Plaza Frontenac gift card I had received as a gift some time ago while cleaning out my old bedroom. Since they are too archaic to have any way to check the card balance except to go into the mall, I decided to stop by.
I approached the concierge and asked her, "I found this old gift card the other day and I was wondering if you could please tell me if there's a balance on it?" To which she replied "What do you mean you found it? Where did you find it?" I said that I had found it in a drawer in my room and I was unsure of the balance.
Her reply? "Are you sure it's yours?" She then implied that I had possibly taken it from another customer. Yes, as in I had stolen it. As someone who worked in retail for several years, that's a big no-no. So I confronted her about it, and asked if she was implying something, to which she replied "Well, it's possible."
I told her I did not appreciate her insinuations (she laughed and rolled her eyes) and simply wanted the balance on the card. She scanned it through the machine and told me it was zero, although I'm pretty sure I saw a number on the screen before she turned the monitor away from my view. She wouldn't give me the card back and insisted she would throw it away for me.
I have countless other incidents like the two above, almost every single time I have gone in there. I know I don't look like the usual Ladue clientele, but I also don't think that having a nose piercing is enough cause to think I just pick pocketed someone when I'm an actual paying customer. Correction, WAS a paying customer. I definitely wouldn't set foot in Plaza Frontenac again, even if you paid me. -
Review from Timothy G.
Saint Louis, MO
11/14/2010
I love Plaza Frontenac -- it is filled with a lot of awesome stores. That is, awesome if you enjoy designer stuff (and paying for it).
Best experience I had with their staff was when the beautiful wife and I were trying to find a store, so we walked toward the directory. As we walked by the customer service desk, I heard the gentleman there say "Excuse me sir." I turned and he said "Can I help you find a store?"
So that was super cool. And for everybody who acts like this is some sort of super snobby place, I was walking around in a hoodie, flip flops, and three days of beard.
Yes, occasionally, I check my testicles at the door and enjoy shopping with the wife. And admittedly, sometimes I look for myself.
Major plus is the underground parking -- especially when it is cold and snowy/slushy out. -
Review from Chris Z.
1/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is STL's high end mall. Some of the most well known brands have stores here... Williams Sonoma, Louis Vitton, Coach, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany's to name a few.
I've read other reviews that say they've experienced poor service here. I guess I'm lucky to have alluded that. I've always found the staff well trained, and accommodating.
The mall itself is small but very well appointed. If you don't feel like joining the GF in each store there are plenty of couches throughout the place to relax. -
Review from Steven B.
1/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I enjoy shopping, dinning and going to a movie here at Plaza Frontenac.
Typically I'm not a mall shopper, but I love the selection of stores here.
I basically shop the home stores, Bissinger's, Louis Vuitton and enjoy a cocktail or two at Cardwell's.
I have shopped here in bummy jeans and unshaven and have gotten the same quality type of service when I am dressed to the nines. -
Review from Connie G.
Saint Louis, MO
5/13/2010
I worked at Pottery Barn for 6 years here (off and on) and I have a little perspective on the snooty factor. Basically, ignore it. The people at the anchor stores with their noses in the air are the same ones rooting through PB's broken items in the trash room for "freebies." We would actually smash things up more to keep them out. Do you wonder why those employees have to carry clear plastic purses? So they don't shoplift.
I had a fantastic time working at PB, where I had a bunch of very down-to-earth, fun co-workers. But now I don't have much reason to go to Plaza Frontenac. -
Review from Lauren L.
Manhattan, NY
9/5/2009
I always enjoyed toolin around the parking lot in my beat up Ford with the duct taped driver's side mirror.... the stares alone were priceless.
Yes, it's probably the snootiest place in St. Louis. However, the mall has two redeeming qualities:
BCBG
J.Crew
I actually LIKE both of these brands, and while they are at the top of my "I guess I can afford this if I don't eat for a while...." range, they were always worth checking out.
The rest of the mall bugged the crap out of me. You're in St. Louis! Get the stick out of your ass!
I can appreciate the novelty of the Saks and the Neimann Marcus, but just how many Chicos, Ann Taylors, and Talbots does St. Louis need?Listed in: The Best 'Loos' in the 'Lou.…
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Review from Stephanie I.
Sugar Land, TX
4/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
I was surprised at the size of this place - expected it to be bigger. But it does carry all of the upscale stores, plus a few more for those who can't afford to shop at Saks on a regular basis ;)
It's decorated really nicely and parking is easy, but it's not my favorite mall, simply because there's not much to see. If you like (read: can afford) the high-end stuff, this is the place for you. -
Review from Stephanie W.
Oakland, CA
3/11/2006 1 Check-in Here
This is the high-end mall in St. Louis - with stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany's, Louis Vuitton, J. Crew, Lucky, Sur La Table, etc.
Though it is technically a mall - it doesn't feel like other malls that I've been to. It's very plush and clean inside. I like that it is rarely super crowded and it's easy to park and get around in.
There is the snooty factor to contend with, since everyone who comes here is walking around in designer duds and carrying their Gucci bags...but come on, it's St. Louis...you just have to giggle and move on.
The restaurants here are generally above average and though the selection of stores was pretty poor when I left here several years ago, they are definitely stepping it up and adding more luxury retailers, which is nice to see.
Check out my favorite store here - Ylang Ylang - a fabulous little jewelry store that has a great selection of small designers and some pretty amazing gems! -
Review from Andrea F.
Chesterfield, MO
8/22/2008
This is where I go when I want to feel very, very poor.
I usually only walk around here when I'm going to a movie at their Landmark Theater. Though I can't afford anything, it's fun to walk around Neiman Marcus, Saks and Louis Vuitton. And I just have to go to Tiffany's and dream. This is the only place in the St. Louis area to look at such stores.
It is annoying because the salespeople are pretty demeaning. They give you that stare that says, "I know that you aren't going to buy anything, so get out." You're right, I'm not going to buy anything...but I'm going to keep right on looking! -
Review from Marjie T.
11/10/2010 5 Check-ins Here
I love going to Plaza Frontenac. Yes, most of the stores are out of my price range, but I just love that it's so quiet and elegant and serene in there. If I have to do some serious shopping, this wouldn't be my first pick, but I love the Kate Spade store, Sur La Table, and the cinema (and the women's bathroom on the first floor). I also love that there's hardly ever kids here (except at Christmas time). The only negative is that they close really early.
Listed in: Born to Shop
