ST. LOUIS — A Soulard-based law firm is preparing to move its headquarters to north St. Louis as part of a mission to bring investment and resources back to the tornado-damaged Penrose neighborhood. Attorney Mark Timmerman, who founded Timmerman Law LLC in May 2023, recently received approval from the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) to acquire four lots at the corner of Lee Avenue and North Newstead.
The site, currently a mix of grassy areas and a structure falling into disrepair, was selected by Timmerman to serve as more than just a legal office. His vision includes a commercial anchor that could eventually house a coffee shop, a barber shop, and a small business incubator.
“My hope is the kids who live there just have consistently improving living conditions, resources brought into the neighborhood,” Timmerman said. “I want to see new businesses pop up from entrepreneurs in Penrose or outside who can provide jobs.”
A Neighborhood In Recovery
The Penrose neighborhood was hit hard by the May 2025 tornado, and community leaders say the area has long suffered from divestment. John Saunders Jr., the head of the Wesley House community center located on Lee Avenue, says bringing professional services back to the block is a vital step toward restoration…