ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis is taking steps Wednesday to try and help those who lost their jobs after the sudden closure of the Armory in Midtown.

The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) is hosting what it calls an emergency job fair Wednesday morning for displaced Armory employees. Others looking for jobs can attend as well.

Armory officials say the abrupt closure was due to a lack of funding. Jacob Miller, who created the armory STL concept, said in a statement when the closure happened that the landlord was supposed to fund the buildout of more phases of the project.


Remains of missing mother Emily Strite found in Jefferson County

But Miller says when only a fraction of the buildout was funded, they were left with an incomplete project and were drowning in debt. The large building where the Armory was located is just off Highway 40 near Grand.

The building was empty for years but then reopened in December 2022 as a multi-purpose entertainment center. Patrons could play games while ordering food and drinks. A release from SLATE called the closure sad, sudden, and unexpected.

Wednesday’s job fair will focus on opportunities in the hospitality industry. It’s from 9 a.m. until noon on the first floor of the building at 1520 Market Street.

SLATE officials say companies that will be here include Topgolf, the Double Tree, Allied Security, River City Casino and Hotel, the Marriott Grand, the Hustl Hospitality Group, and Lodging Hospitality Management, or LHM.

Those attending are encouraged to create a profile ahead of time jobs.Mo.gov. You can also call 314-589-8000 for additional information.

Armory officials say the closure of that facility is temporary and that plans to reopen are in the works.