The Chesterfield Historic and Landmark Preservation Committee reviewed and approved exterior modifications to the Old House at Hog Hallow. (Source: City of Chesterfield)
The Old House at Hog Hollow is requesting extended operating hours and permission to offer outdoor dining on the patio.
Present city regulations permit retail operations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, while restaurant service is limited to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Owners Scott and Shelley Ririe have requested to extend both retail and restaurant hours until 7 p.m. and to permit the use of the deck and patio for outdoor dining.
The Chesterfield Planning Commission voted 4-2 in March to recommend approval for extended hours but rejected the outdoor dining proposal. The motion failed because a five-vote majority was required.
The Riries appealed the decision to the Planning and Public Works Committee, which denied their request in a 3-1 vote.
The matter now goes before the city council as a proposed bill.
During the council’s June 15 meeting, various residents spoke both in support of and in opposition to the proposal.
The strongest opposition comes from residents of The Mansions at Spyglass Summit, a nearby neighborhood located north of Olive Boulevard and east of Spyglass Summit Drive.
This marks the second time the Riries have appealed a decision to the council. In 2023, they sought to rezone the property from non-urban to planned commercial district with an historic overlay, which was denied.
“You can only beat a dead horse so many times,” Terri Wynn, president of the homeowner’s association, stated. “What appears to be a minor adjustment has renewed frustrations among the residents near Spyglass.”
According to Wynn, neighbors believe that relaxing restrictions on hours of operation and permitting outdoor food and beverage service would harm the peaceful, quiet environment they have established in their community.
“The Riries claim that current hours aren’t financially viable, yet without a full commercial kitchen and with extended hours, they would be selling more alcohol,” she added. “Is this truly the best way to improve their finances?”
Lynne Strasser noted that St. Louis County approved the location for retail and restaurant use in 1984, and Chesterfield extended retail hours to 6 p.m. in 1993.
“7 p.m. should not be problematic for a neighborhood where the community pool stays open until 8 p.m.,” she commented.
Strasser pointed out that the Riries invested substantially in the property without receiving any financial incentives. She did acknowledge, however, that they did not obtain approval before making renovations to the building.
“How much longer should the Riries face consequences for making a single error?” she questioned. “The city should have established guidelines for historic properties. The truth is that the modifications were approved, though retroactively, within the current zoning framework.”
Elizabeth Mathis expressed that she and her husband appreciate having local dining options where they can enjoy family meals. However, she noted that the 4 p.m. closing time makes it extremely difficult for working families to visit.
“The owners have dedicated considerable effort and resources to safeguarding this historic part of Chesterfield,” she remarked. “Extending hours to 7 p.m. would enable more residents to experience and support this preservation effort. This change would also make the venue more financially viable as a valued community asset.”
Scott Ririe outlined the project’s history, explaining that he and his wife purchased the property in June 2021 without fully understanding the necessary repairs. He noted he obtained proper permits for window replacement.
In early 2022, they began installing a sprinkler system on the two-acre parcel.
“While doing this work, the septic system collapsed,” he explained. “It could not be repaired.”
They obtained MSD permits to connect to the sewer line in Spyglass, requiring a large tree removal. This involved excavating a 12-foot trench from the back of the house to the street.
“The undertaking was expensive and time-consuming,” Scott Ririe noted.
After removing the septic tank, the Riries decided to construct a flagstone patio instead of the sprinkler system, selecting a design that matched the house’s historical period.
An artist commissioned to paint the front sign suggested adding a mural to the back of the house, which was subsequently completed.
The former Chesterfield Historic and Landmark Preservation Committee (CHLCP) had approved the renovations and granted a Certificate of Appropriateness, but the committee was dissolved in 2024.
According to Ririe, they first received a copy of the city’s addendum regarding time limitations and outdoor events in March 2023, of which they were previously unaware.
“No one provided us with any guidelines about maintaining a historic property,” he stated.
Since then, they have adhered to all regulations with one exception: they hosted an outdoor wedding for a 92- and 88-year-old couple, for which they paid a penalty.
The council held a first reading of the hours extension bill during its June 15 meeting.
