Entrepreneur Archive:
Lee J.

Lee J.—St. Louis, MO
Assisted by:
St. Louis Regional SBDC; Aldis Jakubovskis and Kevin Wilson, counselors

The Explore St. Louis website describes Lee J.'s as offering "the finest men's and women's clothing, shoes and accessories. Three blocks west of America's Center. Fashions from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Paris."

Established by Lethorne Johnson in 1999, Lee J. originally opened in the central west end of St. Louis. Johnson eventually sought to open a second location in the Washington Ave. revitalization district in the city. With the help of Aldis Jakubovskis and Kevin Wilson, business development counselors with the St. Louis Regional SBDC, Johnson was able to finalize plans for his new store, which includes a café/bar.

Based on the financial projections completed with Jakubovskis, Johnson was able to work with Wilson in approaching the St. Louis Development Corporation and the St. Louis Empowerment Zone for funding.

Downtown St. Louis is home to nearly 9,000 people living in houses, condominiums, lofts and apartments. In addition to the existing traditional housing, there are more than 14 housing developments underway in the area. Clearly the population was there to support a new business such as Johnson's.

With Wilson's help, not only did the SLDC and Empowerment Zone assist, the Downtown St. Louis partnership and the Minority Business Council also saw the benefit of the business. The intricate financing structure worked, and Lee J. is now open on Washington Ave.

In recognition of Johnson's contributions to the community and the opening of a highly successful business, St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay presented the Mayor's Spirit of St. Louis Award to Johnson in May of this year. In presenting the award, Mayor Slay said, "The Spirit of St. Louis award is reserved for members of the St. Louis business community who have the vision to recognize the enormous potential of our city and the dedication required to make that vision a reality."

Lee J.
1000 Washington Ave.
Merchandise Mart
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 241-0440

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