SLDC Celebrates St. Louis Success Story Freddie Lee’s Gourmet Sauces in a Big Way

As Black Business Month continues, SLDC celebrates another St. Louis Success Story, Freddie Lee’s Gourmet Sauces, by featuring the company’s owners — husband and wife Freddie and Deborah James — on a billboard prominently placed at the 14th Street exit off I-64.

A true success story, earlier this year the James celebrated the grand opening of a new production facility in St. Louis. Freddie and Deborah started out selling their sauces and giving samples at small stores, farmers markets and various events around the St. Louis region. As demand grew, they began searching for funding to expand operations.

Thanks to the St. Louis Local Development Company, staffed by SLDC, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) and the St. Louis Community Credit Union Freddie Lee’s received two loans totaling $650,000. The company used the funding to purchase property at 1900-1926 Carr Street in the Carr Square neighborhood along with equipment to help increase and improve their sauce making capabilities.

To learn more about how Freddie Lee’s became a St. Louis success — and where to purchase their sauces, click here.