Editor’s note: Several hours after this article was posted and after the Gateway Foundation made its original statement regarding the closure, the Foundation released a longer statement, which has been added to the bottom of this article.
After a little more than a year of operating inside Citygarden’s Terrace View space at 808 Chestnut St. in downtown St. Louis, Burger 809 will soon have to close its doors – and the reasoning behind it is a bit vague.
Burger 809 owner Tasha Smith received notice of early termination of her contract in the space by the Gateway Foundation, which did not specify a reason for the end of the food service agreement. Smith speculated that the venue could be turned into an art gallery.
“I love the City Garden and [am] sad to leave the space,” Smith said. “Burger 809 has been elevating the food scene [for] 10 years and [is] proud to serve the St. Louis community. Please come and experience Burger 809 for yourself; we can’t wait to serve you. I look forward to connecting with other business owners and community leaders to help bridge a gap and support shared efforts.”
While the current location is slated to close on Dec. 8, hope is not lost for the popular burger joint, which has operated in several spaces around town during the past 10 years. Smith is actively working to find a new storefront for her business. In the meantime, be sure to go support her in the current space to help her be in the best position possible to move to a new location.
Gateway Foundation commented: “Gateway Foundation values its role as steward of Citygarden, ensuring this public space remains a welcoming and well-managed destination for the community. We were proud to host Burger 809 at Terrace View and grateful for the contribution it made to the park and downtown. We wish Tasha and her team continued success as they begin their next chapter in St. Louis.”
The Foundation later released a longer statement: “Gateway Foundation was surprised and disappointed to learn of comments made by Burger 809 that mischaracterize the circumstances surrounding its impending departure from the Terrace View. Our original statement was intentionally brief and supportive out of respect for Tasha and her business. To be clear: this decision was neither sudden nor unrelated to business operations.
“In 2026, the Foundation will move forward with a new concept to be managed internally. Importantly, this decision was driven not by a desire to replace Burger 809 with a new concept. Over the course of many months, Burger 809 was asked repeatedly to address contractual issues, including maintaining required operating hours, providing timely and accurate financial reporting, and meeting other contractual obligations. These issues were not addressed.
“Since Burger 809 moved into Terrace View, the Foundation held multiple meetings, corresponded with Tasha regularly in person, by phone and email, and repeatedly offered marketing and operational support which Tasha declined. The operating agreement was concluded multiple months ago and only after these repeated efforts to resolve issues. Upon termination of the agreement, the Foundation permitted Burger 809 to remain in the space through December 2025 to allow Burger 809 a reasonable transition timeline.
“Gateway Foundation believes the Terrace View space holds tremendous potential as a public amenity, offering it to various operators since its inception at a rate well below market value, providing 24-hour security, attentive property management, and other amenities. It is one of the most beautiful, well-maintained spaces Downtown. The Foundation is confident in this decision and made it with the long-term interest of Citygarden and the Downtown and St. Louis communities at heart.
“Our original statement remains true: Gateway Foundation values its role as steward of Citygarden, ensuring this public space remains a welcoming and well-managed destination for the community. We were proud to host Burger 809 at Terrace View and grateful for the contribution it made to the park and Downtown. We wish Tasha and her team continued success as they begin their next chapter in St. Louis.”
This article appears in August 2025.