Jennifer Bess This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. STLtoday - News - St. Louis City / County

   www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/31/2004   Last Visited: 6/1/2004

   But Jennifer Bess, president of the Gravois Business Association, said the Bosnian contributions have continued "a long tradition of positive European influence to this area." About 45 Bosnian-owned or -operated businesses are in the area, and she credits them with helping to revitalize Bevo Mill, a working-class neighborhood that got its name partly from a 60-foot windmill that houses a restaurant by the same name.
   
   Bess said her organization supports the Bosnian Collaborative's effort to publicize the Bosnian contributions to the area.
   
   "They clearly demonstrated their desire to invest in and improve the neighborhood by purchasing and rehabbing properties in a tasteful and attractive manner," she said. "The people of the Bevo area are fortunate that the Bosnian immigrants have become integral and contributing members of our communities."
   
   Beriz Nukic, owner of the newest Gravois business, Berix Coffee and Deli, smiled when he heard about the effort.
   
   "Good idea. Very nice for this area," said Nukic, who also owns Berix Coffee Co. on Morganford. He disagreed with the notion that Americans are not welcome in his store. Sure, most of his customers are Bosnians, he said, but he also sees many Bulgarians, Albanians and Poles, as well as Americans.
   
   "I know 90 percent of all customers. I know what they eat - small sausage, big sausage," he said.