The History of Soulard Spice Shop: The Spice Shop has been a permanent fixture within the Soulard neighborhood, with the business opening in 1914. My grandfather came to this country in 1904, and began selling spices, roasting coffee and making sausage from his old world recipe. This store was located a half a block from Soulard Market. My father, Mike Schmitz, who was born above this first location, took over this shop at the age of 13 so the business could be expanded. In 1929, when the Grand Hall for Soulard Farmers Market was built, my grandfather was the first lessee.