Pass the Past Coffee to re-open vintage shop with a coffee bar

After more than two years, businesses will finally be moving back into the building at the southeast corner of Euclid and McPherson, which was heavily damaged by fire in the early morning hours of June 24, 2022. The building’s closure has been destructive for nearby businesses and depressing for CWEnders too, but for displaced tenants and the building’s owner, Rothschild St. Louis, it has been nothing short of a nightmare.

According to Rothschild’s Scott Sturdevant, a couple of businesses will open or re-open in September, with others following later this fall and into the new year. More on what’s happening and when will follow in another post.

Today’s news focuses on Erica and Eugene Tsimermans’ business Pass the Past—now Pass the Past Coffee—which formerly occupied 4744 McPherson next to Mission Taco.The Tsimermans’ are pushing for a late October opening for Pass the Past Coffee. The original vintage clothing operation will occupy the front half of a 1000 s.f. space at 4740 McPherson, above (a few doors east of their original location), and a “grab and go” coffee bar will be located in the back half.While they have each had interesting careers, which you can read about in an earlier post here, the Tsimermans were also collecting vintage clothing and accessories during those years.  At the suggestion of Eugene’s mother, who lives in St. Louis, they opened what would become a successful vintage business on Etsy in 2014. They opened a brick and mortar shop in May of 2021. Tragically, that closed in June of 2022 following the fire.

When Pass the Past Coffee reopens, the Tsimermans plan to offer “well-made, functional, high-quality garments and merchandise.” Erica is also sourcing gemstones and fine jewelry to add to their offerings, since she has become GIA certified since they closed.

Erica explained that during their frequent travels one of their favorite things to do was to search out mom and pop coffee shops “to see what the owners bring to their particular cup,” she said. “We didn’t realize that this was actually a learning process that would help us be prepared for this moment.” When Erica and Eugene first started dating, while living in New York, Eugene shared his dream of opening a coffee shop. He and a friend even explored the possibility. but in NY that was unattainable. “Now we are literally chasing Eugene’s dream. This is what fuels us and has kept us optimistic.”

Erica said she pours over spreadsheets every day to anticipate what they will need—the cups, the spoons, the rugs in the retail space, etc. The Tsimermans are sourcing as much as they can locally. St. Louis-based Ian Cantrell of Vapore is assisting with equipment and the workflow layout of the coffee bar. First Crack Co-Roasting Company  is working with the couple to create their own blend and customize packaging. Eugene is even designing the cups, which will change with the season. Pastries will be offered in the coffee bar too. They are presently doing an outreach to local bakeries, getting the family involved in taste-testing.

While the planning for the space has been time consuming, Erica says it has been a fun experience working with Rothschild to customize the space in a way they never could have dreamed of. “Because we have been part of the process from the beginning, we have everyone lined up so we can hit ‘go’ once the construction company has finished.”

“We see a wonderful opportunity to reopen in the Central West End, and know this business will deepen our connection with the neighborhood and nearby businesses,” Erica said. “We want to have longevity and be a great addition to the neighborhood.”

Pass the Past Coffee will be open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will not be seating inside, but there will be a few café tables and umbrellas out front, bringing welcomed life to the south side of McPherson. The hope is that people will come in, order a coffee, or non-caffeinated beverage, and pick up a gift or vintage clothing in the shop at the same time.

For more information visit the website, Instagram: coffee_passthepast, Facebook: Coffeepassthepast, or Tik Tok: coffee_passthepast.

News about what else is happening in the long-vacant building will follow soon.