BUSINESS MEMO: MINI MALL OPERATION

Ujamaa Mini Mall, opening next month in north St. Louis, is a bit different from most malls in the area.

The strip mall, to open June 30, is the first in the country to be managed by public housing residents.

Ujamaa, which in Swahili means "cooperative economics," is an attempt by Cochran Gardens residents to provide jobs and services that aren't being offered in their neighborhood.

The 3,500-square-foot mall will have three businesses owned by the Cochran residents: a self-service laundry, a drop-off cleaners and a shoe-repair shop, said J. Keith Gordon, director of modernization at Cochran Gardens Tenant Management Corp.

Two other businesses -- a retail clothing store and beauty salon -- will be owned by others but will employ mostly residents, Gordon said. Overall, 15 to 20 people will be employed full time at the mall, he said.