Despite criticism from some that Loop Trolley construction hurt businesses in the area, Weiss had words of praise for his landlord and the trolley's biggest advocate, businessman Joe Edwards. "Joe has a long view, and is a visionary," Weiss said. "He's been right 99 percent of the time."

Edwards said he's looking at several possibilities for Big Shark's space but doesn't have a tenant finalized.

Construction on the Loop Trolley is expected to be completed this summer and the trolley will be up and running a year from now, Edwards said. The trolley will help attract people to the Loop and Forest Park by connecting two MetroLink stops, he said. "Other cities have learned that young people and retirees really like not have a car or having two cars," Edwards said.

Big Shark is close to finalizing a deal to operate a store 1.5 miles southwest of the Loop store in St. Louis County. The store will have about 7,000 square feet of space, Weiss said, similar to the size of its existing Loop store that will close in April.

Big Shark has operated from several locations in the Delmar Loop, where the chain was founded in 1993. In addition to its Loop store, which is in the city of St. Louis, Big Shark has stores in Chesterfield and downtown St. Louis. Big Shark will soon take over management of the downtown bike commuter station at 1011 Locust Street with lockers and showers that's adjacent to the store.

Lisa Brown • 314-340-8127 @lisabrownstl on Twitter lbrown@post-dispatch.com

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