:: adgruntie :: Arnold St. Louis no more

+ Arnold Worldwide closes St. Louis shop and is moving all those accounts to the Boston office.

"It's a loss of prestige and a loss of a creative opportunity in the community," said Tim Rodgers, founder and partner of Rodgers Townsend. One of the region's largest agencies, Rodgers Townsend handles similar national brand advertising for AT&T, the former SBC Communications.

Arnold's St. Louis employees learned of the decision in late February, days after the agency moved to the second floor of the Fashion Square Building at 1307 Washington Ave. Arnold signed a five-year lease to be the lead tenant in the building, which McGowan Brothers Development spent $25 million renovating. Swanson said the timing of the decision to close its St. Louis office is unfortunate. Arnold selected the new space 16 months ago because its lease was due to expire in the Gateway One building downtown.

Ouch!