Salt + Smoke is branching out from its St. Louis roots and scheduled to open its first Illinois location in Edwardsville, marking a significant expansion for the barbecue brand. The restaurant will occupy a unique space that once served as the city's old fire station at 410 N. Main Street. Fox2Now reports the site is part of a larger development project in Edwardsville, which includes a new four-story office building and thirty luxury apartments, aiming to rejuvenate the downtown area.
Announced to be the chain's eighth establishment, Salt + Smoke's entry into the Metro East area is anticipated as part of the $20 million Station on Main mixed-use development. According to KSDK, the prospective 5,000-square-foot restaurant will take residence in a structure rich with history, which served as Edwardsville’s City Hall and also housed other municipal occupants, including the police and fire departments before they moved to a new Public Safety Building in 2017.
The addition of Salt + Smoke to the neighborhood is looking to be more than just a dining experience for the Edwardsville community. In a statement obtained by FirstAlert4, Tom Schmidt, the founder and owner, expressed enthusiasm for joining the local food scene, “We’ve been fortunate to grow alongside our amazing community, and we’re thrilled to cross the river and bring Salt + Smoke to the Metro East,” he said. “This town has such a vibrant food scene and welcoming energy. We can’t wait to be a part of it.”
The development is not only expected to bring famed barbecue to the area but also to act as a magnet for both residents and visitors, contributing to the reviving of the city's core. Looking forward to later this year, the imminent opening of Salt + Smoke in Edwardsville promises to provide a new culinary destination in the expanding St. Louis area, as reported by Fox2Now.
