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December 17, 2008

Downtown Literati

Enfin! The new downtown outpost of Left Bank Books opened its doors last week, and the space itself (home, in recent memory, to a modern furnishings shop, then the Independent Art Market, and for a long time, nothing) is beautifully suited to the task, all open space and walls of windows and new bookshelves. 321 N. 10th St., and weekday opening hours are 10 am-6 pm; will have to check again on the weekends.

Those bookshelves are, say, 30% full at the moment, but the store manager promises full stockage by mid-January; looks like there will be a small selection of used titles here, too (upstairs), plus magazines, cards and whatnot. Nice kids' section, a nod to the increasing number of European strollers on downtown streets?

April 17, 2008

Welcome to the Blogosphere!

Guess what, kids? Our favorite local foods grocery (and soon to be expanded into a café side, as well) is blogging! Local Harvest Grocery co-owner Maddie Earnest has a few entries up...new blogs sprouting for spring!

Also, check out this cool-sounding conference noted there: I hadn't heard anything else about it yet.

April 11, 2008

Health Food Downtown

In the shadow of the hulking Syndicate project (and soon to be in the shadow of Roberts Brothers Go Greenapalooza), there's a small health food market called "La Buena Salud" that's been open for a few weeks now, by my count. It's a still-growing inventory that includes: supplements/vitamins/potions galore, some of those wacky health books favored by such shops, a small selection of grocery items (including local stuff from Black Bear Bakery, Local Harvest Grocery and a few others), organic bath/body/beauty products and tea. Lots of tea. Oh, and a little bulk section, too.

All in all, an interesting addition to Locust, at 917-A. Here's hoping the market finds them.

March 12, 2008

18 and Counting

We've long been fans of the fresh stylings of STL expat artist Stan Chisholm; now you can sport some of his designs on your very own "18 and Counting" tee. (And, we'll note, for an expat, the boy gets home fairly often; find him next at SCOSAG's Wall Ball.)

Obligatory MySpace, for those playing along in the younger generation.

March 06, 2008

That Faint Tinkling You Hear

might just be the finger-cymbals of the last gypsy fairy leaving Soulard. A true oddity of a shop, La Belle Histoire, will close at the end of the month, leaving the city without a gypsy boutique that we know of. Until the doors shut for the last time, belly-dance costumes, handbags and almost everything else is 50% off until it's gone.

February 24, 2008

Want Justin Timberlake All Up On You?

Well, then, you're in luck: fashion-forward Daisy Clover is now carrying JT's William Rast denim line, in Stella for the ladies. Owner Natalie admits there may be some jean afterglow because so many chicks want him as their boyfriend...but it must be said the man makes a nice jean. Even smarter? The Stella cut runs a little big, so you can slip down a size. Good boy, Justin.

February 11, 2008

Mezzanine Online

Would-be fashionistas who (a) don't leave the house or (b) don't live in town now have no excuses: Central West End boutique Mezzanine now has a fully functional online shopping presence, right here. It looks to be pretty comprehensive.

Although really, dear, how are you going to be a well-known fashionista if you don't get out there and squeeze the fabric for yourself?

February 07, 2008

Two years of green

A favorite city haunt of Miss Cherry & friends is Home Eco, St. Louis' first (and to our knowledge, still only) green general store, located at 4611 Macklind in the charming Southampton 'hood. As of tomorrow, the venture is two years old—if you haven't stopped by lately to chat with co-owners Terry Winkelmann and Phil Judd, you'll have a great opportunity to do so later this month. On Feb. 20, they're throwing themselves an anniversary party and White Sale, giving away a rain barrel and free gifts with purchases.

Do stop by.

December 19, 2007

The Shop Closes

No, really, it's just called "The Shop," and unless you are a southsider, you may not've had much chance to hear of it...which could be part of the vicious cycle of its closure. Anyhoo, the mostly Tower-Grove-neighborhood-artist-stocked store, at Spring & Wyoming, will lock the doors December 29. Until then, everything in the store is 20% off.

December 04, 2007

OMG, We Make a Hip List!

Delighted to see the well deserving Rock 'n' Roll Craft Show get mentioned in this very tightly edited list of cool, DIY fairs around the country. Make room on your calendar this weekend for shopping on Saturday (noon-9) or Sunday (noon-6) at Mad Art Gallery.

Smaller but just as mighty, we'd be remiss in not mentioning Friday night's shop opp, too: Independent Art Market. Some fine, handcrafted uniquities, where Miss Cherry has bought plenty a gift in past years.

November 14, 2007

Shopping Season Arrives

There's no denying that special, holiday-inspired retail frenzy in the air...if you must shop (it could be what separates us from the animals), we think a great place to start is on Washington Ave., for this Saturday's "Women on Washington" sale. Six boutiques — The Time, MacroSun, Charm, City Chic, Masulla and Paper Dolls — have joined forces for a day of shopping, from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. It starts with 20% off regularly priced merch at all stores, and a bonus program if you spend more than $50 at each of four or more of the shops. Refreshments and other goodies are available, and there's the promise of an "inclement weather shuttle" if November arrives in force. A great reason to check out some of downtown's best retail!

October 30, 2007

Perchance to Knit

Fans of the needle arts may already have the day blocked off on their calendars, but the rest of you should know that this weekend marks the debut of another chic yarn shop in the Lou: Knitty Couture opens the doors at 6148 Delmar (right near the Pageant) this Saturday from 11-6. Brands promised in the new space include Louet, Manos, Jamieson Shetland, Fleece Artist and much more. Also intriguing? The website's promise of "local, handmade pastries." (Maybe that's to keep the non-knitters all sugared up and happy?)

October 15, 2007

Sail On By

Word is that furniture/accessories/décor store The Home Port will shutter its Central West End location, leaving only the home office in Union to carry on a largely Internet-based biz. Maybe there'll be a big sale on teak-wood tables and such? And we'll miss that sweet shop dog.

September 12, 2007

Last Whirl for Blend

Blend, the collection of home décor eclectica on the revived Locust block near 11th Street, is closing its doors on Oct. 6. Partners Marlene Wilson and John Beck have made a splash with their shop, not least because of the striking concrete and steel pieces (kitchen islands, outdoor seating and the like) Beck's been creating and selling there under his "John Beck Paper & Steel" moniker.

So, Beck's business will continue, at his new workshop at 3021 Locust.

And until closing day, just about everything in the store is 50-80% off. So, go get a deal to assuage your sorrow.

July 19, 2007

Daily Candy Shops the Lou!

Well, sort of....I mean, it's not like they're admitting anything exists here in flyover country, but today's Weekend Guide includes a product from downtown décor depot UMA! Yay for Mike and Co.; (remember who loved you before you were big.)

June 28, 2007

No More Stopping at Level 1

We're told that CWE men's shop Level 1 -- one of the first in a handful of clothing boutiques that catered to hip, young men -- will be shutting its doors near the end of July. Sister store Mezzanine Wearables, right next door, keeps on truckin'. Is it that men just don't want to shop as much we think they do?

Anyway, for those who *do* enjoying squeezing the fabric, the store's on clearance til the doors close, at 387 N. Euclid.

June 01, 2007

Ooh, It's Finally The Time!

Sisters in arms: hie thee to The (New) Time! The innovative boutique is pushing the envelope again, linking arms with a salon, Studio DJP, to offer one-stop shopping/primping/beautifying, all together at their new downtown location, 922 Washington (where Niche formerly held court).

The schedule:
tonight (Friday), 5-9 p.m.: DJs, meet new designers, cocktails, apps
Saturday, 11-6: fashion and film, with some fashion-oriented flicks screening in the background, and a Time-sponsored fashion show at the Locust Ave. Film Fest
Sunday, 11-4: hangover/beauty brunch! Call 974-TIME to book some fabulous treatments like makeovers, manicures, facials, etc., and enjoy with champagne brunch. (Hell, what's *not* to enjoy with enough champagne? Hair of the dog and so on...)

Plenty of good shopping and people-watching to be had.

May 09, 2007

Hometown Cashmere for the Left Coast

Big ups to local designer Jen Sertl, whose dreamy line of repurposed vintage cashmere, Angelina Accoutrements, was given major play this week on the popular L.A. blog Serafina. We love Sertl's products, her philosphy and the fact that she's representin' the Lou.

May 07, 2007

I Don't Think You Ready for This Jelly

Yeah, kids, despite the warnings, jelly shoes are back (like many other things '80s, from Morrissey to microminis): spotted today, the "classic" jelly by Rampage (at Macy's) and an ankle-strapped, closed-toe flat version at Aldo. Eek.

April 03, 2007

Head East, Young Fashionistas

With the opening of Paper Dolls and Masulla downtown, maybe they just decided it was The Time: the popular, fashion-forward boutique that held down a stylish corner of Maplewood (at 7298 Manchester) closes its doors there April 14, in preparation for a spring move to swankier digs on Wash Ave. We hear there are plenty of new designer lines to accompany the new location, too.

March 17, 2007

Sweet Cherry Dresses and Country Club Dreams

*That's* what little girls are made of! In today's New York Times, a fascinating story-behind-the-story of the smocked cherry dresses made (since time immemorial, evidently) for the Woman's Exchange, along with a social history of such exchanges and their specialties and functions in American urban lore (The New York exchange "made a specialty of smock dresses, bittersweet chocolate cakes and cod balls. (The exchange fell victim in 2003 to soaring real estate prices.) The Baltimore exchange became renowned for sock monkeys. St. Louis had the cherry dress.") Writer Guy Trebay also makes note of the Lou's "unusually robust country club scene," though Miss Cherry should note that she herself is quite fond of lunch now and again at the Exchange...and knows of no country club in this town that would have her.

February 27, 2007

Blush is One

And by God, no one-year-old's ever done more to shake up the shopping scene in Kirkwood, of all places: Blush Boutique starts a week of celebrations today (the actual anniversary), with deals every day through Saturday. For example: today is 20% off accessories, Wednesday is $20 off regular-priced jeans, Thursday is new swimwear preview day (and a free beach bag with swimwear purchase) and so on. Thursday night is the big bash, from 5-9 p.m., with 15% off your whole purchase, champagne and snacks. Stop by 151 W. Jefferson, or give 'em a call at 314-965-4411 for the skinny.

See Ya, Syms

Were there just not enough educated consumers? Whatever the reasons, Manchester mainstay (8750) Sym's closes its doors at the end of the month, so make tracks now for ridiculous deals on whatever remains on the well-picked-over (as of last week) shelves...

Do Animals Have Soles?

Ponder that question, however poorly punned, while you shop for a good cause on Saturday, March 10: the folks behind the new Animal House are advocating for high fashion and big benefits for the homeless animals they serve. Bronx-Diba shoes, located right here (well, just west of "right here") in River City, is opening up its local showroom for the footloose among you, and offering 25% off shoes purchased from noon-4 that day (3630 Corporate Trail Dr. in Earth City), while 10% of the net take goes to Animal House, to build a state-of-the-art animal facility for the city of St. Louis. Snacks and beverages are included in the deal: score!

Not for fashion-forward chicks only, the men are most welcome, as well.

February 16, 2007

Driving Business, Part Deux: Need Your Goat Upholstered?

Sure, the kids can enjoy their new technologies (like scrolling, electronic license plate signs to promote their magick business), but even the old-school can be eye-catching. To wit: a burgundy van spotted last weekend in north St. Louis, with simple white lettering advertising
"Hayden's Reupholstery: We cover everything from a steam boat to a billy goat. (314) 621-6438."

So now you know.

February 12, 2007

Now That's Driving Business

Whilst tooling eastward on Highway 40 this afternoon, my eyes were drawn to the teeny-tiny reader-sign-style scrollbar seemingly affixed (or cut into?) the license plate on the car ahead of me. No mere Mazda 6, this: it's also a rolling (and scrolling) billboard for "Lunar Magick," and the changing display promises "incense, candles and magick supplies." There's even a website listed!

So, the next time you need magick accouterments, shop local. But keep your eyes on the road.

February 02, 2007

Wandering on Down the Road

We got word this morning that Vagabonds, the boutique in a somewhat unlikely location along busy Manchester Road in Rock Hill, will be closing its doors soon. Until that time, there's a big sale on the dresses, denim, handbags and other accessories that made the spot a popular one.

January 03, 2007

Left Bank Competes with the Big Box

Even though you may know all the arguments for shopping local independents, sometimes the lure of the loss-leader discounted titles at the megalomart overtake you. We understand. Still, St. Louis' literary treasure Left Bank Books has inaugurated a first-ever 20% off everything sale Jan. 8-14...and that's a reason to run from the Border(s).

December 14, 2006

Denim Dream Date

Take a look at the bottom halves around you, and we're sure you'll agree that denim has won the war. Jeans—from the discount-store variety to the super-luxe—are the wardrobe workhorse of seemingly 75% of the country on any given day.

For those looking to dress up their denim wardrobe, one of our fave boutiques, Daisy Clover, has a private party with a twist to offer: Daisy's Denim Package. For between $175 and $200, you and 4 of your closest gal pals can head to the shop (at 8146 Big Bend in Webster Groves) and try on pair after pair after pair, but all under the approving eye of a private wardrobe/fit advisor. Once your butt has been made to look its best, the guest of honor takes home that pair (including any required alterations), and her friends all get 10% any denim purchase, too. Throw in champagne and snacks and you've got yourself a party! Call 314-962-4477 to set up your soirée.

December 07, 2006

Bargain Blessing Baskets

If you're a fan of Blessing Baskets (quick primer for the uninitiated: local woman keeps tokens of support during a rough time in a basket in her home, calling it her "Blessing Basket," and eventually hits upon idea of paying it forward by providing sustainable employment for impoverished workers in third-world countries, and selling their wares in the U.S....whew!), you'll be a happy buyer this weekend: the operation's opening up their warehouse for the first time ever, hosting a Warehouse Sale on Saturday, December 9, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

What you'll find here are the slightly damaged, the apprentice-woven (kinda like a student haircut at the cosmetology school) and so on: but still, beautiful baskets at bargain prices, and still doing their main work of touching lives here and abroad.

The sale takes place at 1201 West First St., at the River's Edge Complex in Granite City. See, how can somewhere like that be the worst place to live? Sheesh. Check the website for more info.

November 23, 2006

Forget Black Friday: Indy Shopping Roundup

If Miss Cherry gets one more emailed press release about "Black Friday" (and its sibling bane, "Cyber Monday"), Miss Cherry might lose her trademark cool and who knows what might happen then?

The only thing that calms her down, besides referring to herself in the queenly third person, is looking at the following impressive list of non-corporatized holiday-related shopping opportunities. If you know of others, please add 'em in the comments!

• Saturday, November 25/Sunday, November 26: Rock N Roll Craft Show, at Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th St., noon-9 Sat./noon-6 Sun., www.rocknrollcraftshow.com (bonus fun: watch the hilarious and slightly ribald Sock Monkey video)
  
  
• Thanksgiving to January 31, 2007: Artisan Space @ Subterranean Books, 6275 Delmar, www.subbooks.com (local craftisans stock the shop, from skull soaps to, curiously, handmade sock monkeys, with a grand opening celebration on Dec. 2)
  
  
• Saturday, December 2: Urban Knitters Benefit Sale (with Big Small Town Designs), at Hartford Coffee Company, 3974 Hartford, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Chicks with sticks vend groovy scarves, tons of baby/toddler/grownup hats and much more, with 100% of proceeds going to the good work of Women's Support and Community Services; joined by their pal Bill Michalski, rockin' the Lou with his new Big Small Town cards)
  
  
• Saturday, December 2: Mother to Mother Holiday Boutique, at McKnight Road Church of Christ, 2515 S. McKnight Rd., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Local jewelry, handbags, gourmet tasties, gift baskets and more, supporting the work of this local pregnancy/post-partum support group)
  
  
• Friday, December 8 - Sunday, December 10: Independent Art Market at Shaw's Gallery, 4065 Shaw Ave., 6 p.m.-midnight Fri./noon-midnight Sat./noon-6 p.m. Sun., www.independentartmarket.org (where everyone who's anyone will either be selling -- we're looking at you, Lull, Firecracker Press, Kung Fu Chicken, Marie Oberkirsch and the rest of ya -- or buying; this year, tons of entertainment sweetens the deal. See the schedule for more info.)
  
  
• Saturday, December 9: Home Eco Gift Wrap-In, at 4611 Macklind Ave., call 314-351-2000 for times (What else would you expect from the green patrol? Bring in your present pile, and in exchange for a donation to one of the admirable nonprofits on-site, folks like Shining Rivers School, Clowder House and the like, a volunteer will wrap 'em up in recycled paper with pretty baubles and notions. You, in the meantime, can enjoy cookies and organic milk. Yum!)
  
  

UPDATE, 11/29:
I've also just been informed about the "Find Your Inner Santa" Holiday Art Sale, Saturday, Dec. 2, at Jefferson Underground Gallery (one block north of Gravois) at 2400 S. Jefferson, from 9 am-5 pm, featuring more than 20 area artists selling everything from paintings to jewelry.

November 08, 2006

Celebrate 2 Years at Kni-Kni-Knitorious

Yarn whores, delight: Sandy Kulash and the gang at southside yarnery Knitorious are celebrating their second year of business (albeit at their second location!) on Sunday, Nov. 12, with a gangbuster event just in time for holiday knitting and gift-giving, from noon-5 p.m. Deals include free stuff with every purchase, a drawing for a gift certificate to the store, 15-30% off the premium lines like Rowan and Louisa Harding, big sales on scarf kits and lots more fun. If you are a knitter or know one, this should be the sale of the year you don't miss. New location (which finally got an identifying awning) is at 3628 Watson, at its corner with Bradley.

October 25, 2006

Halloween Along Morganford

Boo! Has anyone else noticed that the strip of Morganford from Arsenal down to Utah has become a lot less scary of late? I mean, decent restaurants, bars, and now even cute shops are really filling in. You can celebrate on this Friday night, October 27, when Grove Furnishings and the Vintage Haberdashery throw themselves a lil' Halloween bash, complete with tarot card readings, refreshments, trick-or-treating and a sweet 15% discount if you arrive in costume. That's worth throwing an eyes-cut-out sheet over your head, don't you think?

September 19, 2006

Design, Divine

For your Thursday dance card (if it's not already full!):
Wine reception and "exhibit," after a fashion, called "Craft and Design: Blurring the Line." The deal is, Marcia Smith (of the eponymous design firm) has curated a selection of contemporary art objects, which are then presented in the context of the modern furniture sold by Design Within Reach. You get to circle, view, enjoy...and drink, the good stuff from Chaumette Vineyards and Winery.

9/21, 5:30-8 p.m.
DWR, 44 Maryland Plaza, 314-361-1701

September 15, 2006

What's Gonna Be New at Subterranean Books?

Well....everything! The store celebrates its 6th anniversary in business at the beginning of next month, and to stave off that 7-year-itch, owners Javier Parada and Kelly von Plonski are having a fire sale on all the used/rare stuff in its stock, to make way for a new focus exclusively on new books.

Sub Books is a great, great shopping experience (with a nice little art gallery up top in the loft area, to boot), which must be part of why they've been the RFT's "Best Book Store" for five years running.

Drop in at 6275 Delmar or at their blog.

September 13, 2006

The Time Remains Ahead of Its Time

Cool, new stuff from that fashion-forwardest of Maplewood boutiques, The Time: a catalog, yes, but that's just the beginning.

Owner Jen Gray has trotted out several new programs that should interest fashionistas: "Fashion Alert" is a private shopping party (in-store or at-home) that sends a percentage of total sales towards the hostess' chosen charity; "Rumor Has It" is a refer-a-friend-and-you-both-save-type deal; and "Dress Me Up" and "Fashion Access" put Gray's skills as a personal shopper to work for you, as she'll keep her eyes peeled for your style at boutiques and designer previews worldwide.

Now there's no excuse for being Styleless in St. Louis.

Loop for Less

Still in the back-to-school shopping mode? Crank up the credit cards and head to The Loop this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, to be exact) for the "Loop on Sale" event, wherein nearly 20 of the businesses along Delmar will have merch and services marked down up to 50%, making the stroll from, say, Screenz Computer Center to Donnaland (Missouri girls gone shoppin'!) a veritable bargain trail. Find out more at the website.

August 17, 2006

Yes, Amiga, We Could Get Into This

Maybe if it starts in the retail sector in the Lou, all of us will eventually be able to benefit from such a schedule: Washington Avenue boutique Paper Dolls has announced its new "siesta" hours store schedule. Open Tu-F 11 am-4 pm, and then again from 7-10 pm. (Sa noon-10).

Leaving the all-important "Oprah" and "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" slots wiiiiiide open...

July 26, 2006

Shopabilly Saturday

Kids, do you like the greaser lifestyle? If so, or if you're just a sucker for any excuse to shop it up, check out this Saturday's "Shake and Shop" event along the eastern portion of the Delmar Loop: Fifi's, Donnaland's Vintage, V Vegaz, Big Shark Cycling, Alice's Vintage, TNT, Mirasol and Chinese Noodle Cafe will host a live music/sidewalk sale extravaganza. Why all this? Well, it's International D.J. Al Swacker Day, dontchaknow? At noon, come see the KDHX King of Rockabilly crowned at Fifi's, and stick around for a 4 p.m. personal appearance by the one, the only, Clownvis Presley. There's good rockin' today!

July 18, 2006

What's Under There?

Heh. Made you say "underwear."

While you're thinking about it, why not spruce up the unmentionables drawer with some new drawers from Wash Ave's newest additions, Boxers and Beverly's Hill? The physical storefronts (all decked out at 1309 Washington Avenue) are a slick addition to the street, and home to an enormous Internet business in, well, undies. Who knew so many people wanted to order this stuff online? For the ladies (what I was most interested in, after all), Beverly's Hill is the exclusive home in St. Louis for Punto Blanco, Ginch Gonch and more, plus carries popular items like Spanx and Hollywood Fashion Tape, two must-haves for avoiding wardrobe malfunctions.

Buh-Bye, Botanicals

Longtime South Grand stalwart Botanicals on the Park is shuttering, and in the time until then, selling off everything in the store at 50% savings. Chesterfield location remains open.

June 20, 2006

Vintage Re-Haberdashery

Oh, how I wish I could claim that clever label as my own: alas, you'll find it spray-painted on the plywood over the "coming soon" location of the erstwhile Vintage Haberdashery, (which gave way on South Grand to an expanded Mangia Italiano), located at 3181 Morganford. Interesting things happening, in fits and starts, on that strip...

June 05, 2006

Melanie's Steps It Up

With its relocation a bit west, to a larger, more elegant space, that stalwart of "ladies who lunch" shopping, Melanie's, has also expanded its inventory to include a bit more selection on the higher end. The shop (formerly next door to the Woman's Exchange, where said ladies lunch) has always been known for its vast selection of inexpensive, trendy accessories, long before popular import shops like ABC Trading and Gems'n'Trends arrived, but now has some swankier additions, as well. On a recent trip, I spotted Grace Chuang reversible silk jackets and embellished skinny tanks, as well as exquisite linens and silk loungewear from Bella Notte. Mary P Mosaics, out of Los Angeles, was represented by a gorgeous mosaic jewelry box with a whimsical shoe on top, for $220.

Check out the new location at 10277 Clayton Rd., in the same shopping center as Schnucks.

April 28, 2006

DWR Within Reach. for Real!

Modernophiles, rejoice: in another sign the STL is emerging as a shopping destination, Design Within Reach opens tomorrow morning at 10 am in their shiny, new Central West End location. The next nearest DWR studio is in Chicago, so this is big news for high-design freaks. Home and office designs from the likes of Eames and Mies van der Rohe, formerly available only by catalog or visit to another city, can now be snapped up at the new location at 42 Maryland Plaza, which is a great re-use of the long-ago department store space.

You can reach the store at 314-361-1701

April 26, 2006

Gringos Expand to Grand

Rod Nelson, of Gringo Jones fame, is bringing his act a little bit southeast, with plans to open Grand Digs later this summer, in the Pho Grand block of Grand South Grand (31XX). It's billed as "accessories for the non-conformist home and lifestyle," which past experience leads us to believe may mean oddball tchotkes, naked fat lady paintings and other groovy home décor. Find out more at (314) 776-2220.

April 19, 2006

Wish Shoe May, Wish Shoe Might

Have the shoes you wish, tonight!

For all you shoe addicts out there, don't miss the newest addition to the Ladue Market Place, Wish. It's an arty boutique devoted to the best in women's shoes, names like Hollywould, Olivia Morris and Alexandra Neel. The store only carries one size in each style—great if you're afraid of who else might show up in your pump at the charity benefit, not so great if, you know, you want that shoe!! Damn that size 6 heifer who got here first!

Anyway, check 'em out at 9765 Clayton Rd. (314-432-0800). We advise this Friday night, April 21, when cocktails and the new spring line are both available from 5-8 p.m.

March 28, 2006

UMA Scoots, Circles Lands

A move earlier this month put downtown purveyor of the fun and sleek, UMA, in its new, expanded digs at the corner of 11th and Locust, neatly vacating the former space (at 313 N. 11th) for impending occupation by Circles, Etc., a women's boutiquery (clothes, accessories, some artwork and whatnot) that's headed east from DeMun.

March 09, 2006

Serious White Sale

If you've not yet discovered Le Blanc Boutique, well, there's no time like this weekend: Saturday, March 11, is the date of their big 1st Anniversary sale. This is a cozy, out-of-the-way sorta shop, where everything is pristine white. We're talking luscious pajamas, waffle spa robes, heavenly scented candles, all manner of bath and body products, crisp linen shirts, picot-edged camis and much more. (Okay, they've bent a little for the season, and current inventory includes some "winter white"...)

The sale means this: $10 off purchases over $50, $15 off purchases over $75. It's a super-friendly shopping experience, there's complimentary gift-wrapping and you will feel so in-the-know.

7647 Delmar, @ North & South Rd., 314-863-4155
Su-F 10-5, Sa 10-3

March 06, 2006

Casting On, and Binding Off

Fans of the needle arts (that's crocheting, hooking and knitting, not, say, tattooing) have a lot of scene changes to keep up with:

*In Kirkwood, the beautiful Knit & Hook opened right after Thanksgiving, and has a good selection of supplies for knitters and rug hookers, including yarns by Reynolds, Schaffer, Plymouth and Fiesta, Namaste cases, needles by Lantern Moon and lots of affordable, pre-printed hooking patterns. Find them at 249 N. Kirkwood Rd., next to Sunset 44 restaurant.

*But two bow out: both the oddball Eye of the Needlecrafts (to my knowledge, the only combination needle-arts store and optician office anywhere) in downtown's Chemical Building, and the Beaded Fiber Patch, across the river in O'Fallon, IL, are shuttering soon. Rumor has it that the BFP will reopen in some form at the owner's home.

March 02, 2006

Hipster Tears for Rock Star Rags

"Where will the kids get their ironic t-shirts?"

That's the first thing we wondered when we heard that low-life favorite (and we mean that in a good way) Rock Star Rags, home of the thrift-clothes-by-the-pound concept in a nondescript warehouse in north city, will be shuttering in June. The building's being sold, and about the only twin silver linings on this retail cloud are:
a) there will be some kick-ass bag sales before then (get on the list by requesting so from rockstarrags at sbcglobal dot net)
b) we hear manager Deb Johnson may be spinning some of that schlock stock into her own vintage business.

We'll keep you posted if we hear more, and see you at St. Vincent de Paul in the meantime...

February 21, 2006

While You Were Babysitting...

Dream Caffeine, the cheeky line of duds and accessories for babies and toddlers designed by local hip mama Jen Halski, had its small-screen debut on today's "Show Me St. Louis." If you know some parents who aren't going to be all about the cutesy and the matchy-matchy, check out the goods online or at The Porch, City Sprouts and beyond.

February 14, 2006

Look Spiffy, Skiffy

Get a peek inside the wild minds of the creators at Skif, the St. Louis knittery/design house that's created costuming for Hollywood stars and Midwestern fashionistas alike, when they host a runway show downtown at St. Louis Centre on February 17. The show, part of an Art Dimensions evening, is free, and you'll be able to get up close to see the latest and greatest in unstructured and artfully deconstructed clothing. The show's on from 9-10 p.m., with music provided by Gingko Biloba (featuring the stylings of Tim Duggan and the percussive Ali Soltanshahi, among others). Can't make it that night? Browse the shelves and racks the rest of the time at the Skif showroom, 2008 Marconi on The Hill.

January 19, 2006

Identi-tees

Somehow a little less smarmy than those "Everybody [Hearts] a Nerinx Girl" and similar shirts that Splash and Laurie Solet were selling like hotcakes are the darling "St. Louis Girl" and "Midwestern Girl" long-sleeve tees by Festa back on the racks at Lusso.

And while you're there, it can't hurt to look quickly at the big ole 50% clearance section. Whatever's still there by the 28th of Jan. moves on to 75% off...

January 06, 2006

Well Shod

Early birds get the best selection of the bounteous new display at the revamped Shoe Stop in Brentwood, across the street from the old location, and occupying a hut-type building that was most recently one of those golf discount places. Now, ladies out there will know what I mean when I say you really cannot afford *not* to shop Shoe Stop: enormous selection, good brand names (Nine West, Santana for the flashy, Enzo, Via Spiaga, etc.), and their new location shows it all off to great advantage. Finally! The Brentwood location compares favorably to the other stores, instead of seeming like the red-headed stepchild*.

Of course, the best part of shopping at Shoe Stop is a near-guaranteed encounter with some smooth reggae sounds on the stereo, and the possibility of being rung up by the one and only Professor Skank himself, co-owner of the store. Sweet, mon.

*(no actual offense intended to blended families or the titian-haired....)

January 05, 2006

Do You Faru?

If so, you better hurry; and if not, you'd better hurry, too! Faru, the delightful importer of home and personal ornament (carved wooden boxes from Poland, masks from South America and Africa, textiles and candles and jewelry from all over), is moving its act way east at the end of April. Owner Helen Fabbri will be packing up for a move to Charlotte, North Carolina, closer to her home, and plans to open up shop somewhere in her new/old hometown. In the meantime, you should peruse her wares, because there's always lots to like inside.

December 06, 2005

Bloom Not Yet Off the Rose

Though the former franchise owner has left, a trail of petals behind him, word is that the Kabloom! floral shop at the corner of Grand and Arsenal is not ready to fade away: signs say that the shop will reopen in mid-December, in time for all those holiday centerpiece needs. We hear that the Kirkwood Kabloom! operator is taking over and hopes to make a more successful go of it.

November 11, 2005

Mavrik Times Two

Mavrik (and we might as well say right here up front that it's pronounced like "mav-RIQUE," as in chic) jewelry, whose colorful and fun Israeli-designed baubles and home décor items have livened up a storefront in Clayton for a good while now, has opened a second location. Mavrik Romantika, the new spot, is a bit different in its merchandise, featuring more fine jewelry, bridal sets, diamonds, gold and men's jewelry. It's located at 200 S. Kirkwood Rd., in that newfangled Kirkwood Station Plaza thingie. Grand opening party is slated for Nov. 30.

November 02, 2005

Have You The Time?

Farewell, Annata!, we hardly knew ye....

But now Jen Gray and the gang behind the former vintage shop are giving themselves an extreme makeover, and The Time debuts this weekend, featuring limited-run lines from "small-batch" designers, currently mostly from the U.S., although we hear they're in negotiations with some European couturiers, as well. The official rebranding launch is Friday night, Nov. 4, 8 p.m. at the corner of Manchester and Marshall in happening Maplewood. Info at (314) 644-2055.

Caffeine addicts, do not become agitated: Java Java Java remains in place.

September 13, 2005

DIY or Die

If you're looking for a little bit of an underground shopping alternative—the holidays, kids, are not as far off as they seem, and you can always find things you need just for you, too!—we recommend marking October 22 in your calendar (also, can we plug the Urban Almanac? Love it, love it, love it).

That's the date for the "Rock'n'Roll Craft Show," at Junk Junkie, and flyers promise jewelry, scarves, journals, hats, zines, towels, wallets and much more.

RNR! It's like DIY that you don't actually have to do *your*self.

September 08, 2005

A Cheap Yarn

It will come as no surprise to those who know me that I heart "The Dollar Spot" at Target. Lots of it is junk I don't need, but I'll note that today, the offerings have expanded to include numerous skeins of yarn of the "fun fur" and "ladder" varieties (albeit generic versions), along with some very frail-looking bamboo needles and small instructional booklets. You know the Knit Revolution has arrived when even the Dollar Spot's hip to it.

As someone who knits constantly, I'm pretty excited to give these varieties a whirl. At a buck a skein, there's no chance of stash-builder's remorse.

August 08, 2005

All Hail the Queen

Baby bumps are the new Birkin bag: so freakin' chic that all the glam girls covet one! No surprise, then, at the arrival of Clayton's Queen Bee maternity boutique, chock full of the fancy, frilly stuff that a certain kind of mama wants -- super-soft Michael Stars maternity tees, the multi-piece Belly Basics kit (remember Multiples? like that, but for the pg), saucy tees from 2 Chix and the fanciest bags ever to be graced by poopy diapers. A grand opening charity event is expected (ha! we crack ourselves up) soon.

July 29, 2005

Back to School Cool

If you have or know a kid headed off to college this fall, outfit them from head to toe in the gear of their chosen alma mater at Steve & Barry's University Sportswear, a national chain with its local outpost at the oddly fascinating Northwest Plaza. (I say "oddly fascinating" because its mix of stores is unfathomable to me, and apparently getting weirder this fall, with the addition of "Seniortown" and "Hip Hop Café"...)

Anyhoo, here's the deal: Steve & Barry's has licensed logowear like tees (short- and long-sleeved), athletic shorts, sweats and more from pretty much any college or university you can think of. Well, except Columbia University. Did I mention that? Don't go there if you are looking for gear from Columbia University. Their book tells them it's a school they carry, but the manager had to break the bad news that Columbia gear won't be in 'til late fall...and then it will probably just be one t-shirt.

In addition to all that jazz, they carry jeans, khakis, lots of what I would consider hoochie mama wear (but I'm probably just jealous 'cause I'd never wear it), and here's the kicker: right now, every single thing in the store is $5.98 or less.

Seriously.

July 14, 2005

Declaration of Independents?

Tucked into my most recent purchase at Left Bank Books was a red leaflet, with the following text:

"Congratulations! By purchasing this book you have supported:
*A locally-owned (sic) progressive bookstore & its 15 employees including: 3 artists, 3 poets, 2 writers, 1 dancer, 2 single moms, 4 queer people, 1 labor activist -- we could go on.
*A gay-owned printing company.
*A locally-owned (sic again) environmentally responsible office supply company.
*Several dozen activist & cultural organizations to which this bookstore contributes regularly.
The taxes paid by you or this bookstore support the predominantly black St. Louis school system, our roads, sewers, fire & police protection. If you had made this purchase on Amazon, you would have supported...Jeff Bezos."

Aside from a minor quibble -- there are, in fact, probably a few folks working at/supported by your expenditures at Amazon, until they figure out how to replace them all with bookbots -- it's nice to see some gutsy truth in marketing.

We suspect the rabble-rousing influence of BUILD St. Louis.

June 20, 2005

Growing a City Child

Now, granted, Miss Cherry herself has not grown a child, in the "in my body" sense, but she is known far and wide as the spoiling-est Auntie (actual and metaphorical) there is, so imagine her delight...

Okay, the third person gets too difficult. Imagine my delight when the doors FINALLY opened at City Sprouts (6354 Delmar), the newest retail addition to The Loop. Helmed by the gals across the street at Phoenix Rising (another of my top-5 gift shops), City Sprouts carries all the coolest baby/toddler things any mom, dad or kid could want, from fancy-schmancy Dwell bedding (in themes from sumo wrestler to happy sheep), the cute clothes and accessories that stars are snapping up in every issue of Us Weekly and best of all, great urban-themed kids' stuff, including books and puzzles with city-friendly themes: "Bus Stops," "What Can You See in the City?" and "Noisy City Day" are among the titles, and then there're the sushi board books...

Just sayin', if we're going to raise a new generation of urbanites, let's start with some subversive literature.

One In, One Out in the CWE

Longtime purveyor of the printed word (and, it must be noted, the occasional porn mag) Daily Planet has shuttered in the Central West End, an end that was perhaps deemed inevitable after it reduced its size to half its former space a few years back. On the sunny side of the street, and just across the way at 234 N. Euclid, a great home décor store called The Home Port has been open for about a week now, and purveys (is that a word?) great-looking Javanese furniture, cool lighting, unique tabletop stuff and a lot more. It's a very soothing stop on a hot summer afternoon, with soft music and a very inviting-looking platform bed. But probably you shouldn't try to nap on it...at least 'til it's in your own home. The Home Port, CWE version, is the second store in the empire, with the first evidently doing well in Union, MO. Sa-LUTE, as they used to say on Hee-Haw!

June 01, 2005

Even Animals Can Be Jingoistic

Egad. As proof that we can always embarrass ourselves a little more with overboard patriotism, this product sighting on the shelves of Petsmart: a doormat emblazoned with a folk-art kitty and country stars, stripes and hearts, reading "Proud to be an American Cat!"

Hey, I've got nothing against pets and their personalities (got a passel of 'em at home myself), but I seriously doubt whether my cat is aware he's an American, or that he should be proud.

May 18, 2005

The Lead is Still Red

Not to worry, fans of the crafty emporium Red Lead; though the sign along the strip-mall awning has changed (and now reads "Paperworks/Rubber Stamps"), we are assured by the owners that it's still good ole Red Lead, but they wanted to better project what it is they sell, for those passing by who aren't in the know.

Of course, if you are in the know, you're probably already reading their blog.

May 15, 2005

Just for Men

The rumors are true . . . a St. Louis clothing store for men will be opening in a few short weeks in the CWE. Look for Level 1 at 314 N. Euclid Ave. in June and shop contemporary designers for denim, blazers, tees and pants.

Level 1 is the brainchild of Paul and Anna Spector, owners of Mezzanine, a CWE boutique for women. (Get it? Mezzanine for women, Level 1 for men?)

April 21, 2005

My Queendom for a High-Shine Lip Treatment!

I've got the demand; where's the supply? After being clued in to the wonderfulness of The Body Shop's new "High-Shine Lip Treatment," I bopped on over to my nearest location (the dread Galleria) to pick up one for myself and one for a friend who needed a pick-her-up. (New babies + hormonal surges + no sleep = sudden episodes of pathos, but that's a topic for another time.)

One for her, in Bronze Beam, no problem. But where was my own Mauve Dream? The salesgirl thought that afternoon's shipment would include some; later, she called to tell me it had not.

A few days later, on a trip to NYC, I remembered my quest as I strolled by a Manhattan Body Shop. "Perfect!" I thought; something I already wanted could be my shopping souvenir! Imagine my disappointment when that trip turned up fruitless, as well. A second New York Body Shop stop yielded similar results. Someone tried to sell me on Pink Cream, but I don't want Pink Cream, dammit -- I want Mauve Dream!!

And somewhere, someone is wearing it...

March 30, 2005

Drinking the organic, free-range, non-pasteurized, all-natural, bulk Trader Joe's Kool-Aid

Has anyone else noticed how insanely perky and into their jobs the folks at Trader Joe's are? I mean, these people love TJ's to a point of cultish devotion. Don't get me wrong: I'm a big fan! I love me the Trader Giotto's whole wheat pizza dough, the delish flavored pita chips, the Nearly-Three-Buck Chuck and all the rest of it...but I think any random cashier at Trader Joe's would throw himself in front of a car if Joe asked.

It's a little creepy.

March 27, 2005

A Sign of Things to Come?

Our retail scout on the scene in the South, where they're a few years ahead of us in the Macy's buyout experience, reports that a few weekends ago saw the official changing of all the hybridized names (Lazarus-Macy's and Goldsmith's-Macy's, two of the formerly family-owned stores) to just plain "Macy's." The company sent in some of its famous Thanksgiving Parade balloons to help the medicine go down and in general the corporate-enforced tone was one of celebration.

So, we may have "Famous-Barr-Macy's" for a while, but when a giant Garfield comes to town, heads may roll...

March 10, 2005

But On the Indy Furniture Front...

We were delighted -- delighted, we tell you! -- to run into Tower Grove South mover and shaker Bill Waggoner and hear that he and some business partners have launched Grove Furnishings on the so-much-potential-it-hurts strip of Morganford near Arsenal...3169 Morganford, to be exact. The shop has received its first delivery of wooden, cottage-chic furniture (painted and lightly distressed) and will be open any second now. We were promised affordable price points, too.

Go! Furnish!

March 04, 2005

Furniture Row

Dueling it out on the Promenade parking lot, both the Thomasville and Lane furniture showrooms are now open, in the former Gateway Country and Sports Authority stores.

This puts me in mind of the strategy that Home Depot and Lowe's seem intent to employ, of locating within spittin' distance of each other. Anyone have good answers as to the thinking behind this? If frustrated customers can't find it at one, they'll immediately hit the other?

February 24, 2005

For Bitches Who Stitch

Late word arrives that Debbie Stoller -- the girrrl power behind both "Bust" magazine and the Stitch & Bitch phenom -- will make an appearance in the Lou tomorrow evening (Friday, February 25) at the city's newest yarn shop, Knitorious. (Is it just us, or do you feel compelled to belt out, "Kni, Kni, Kni-TOR-ious!" every time you hear that? Way too much Duran Duran in middle school, we're guessing...)

Doors open at 6:30, Stoller speaks at 7, and her books are both 20% off during the event. Knit on!

February 03, 2005

Half Carts @ Whole Foods

Random praise o' the week: let's hear it for the new mini-push carts at the Brentwood Whole Foods ! Perfect for when you're picking up, say, two bottles of wine, some green chiles, onion and a lunch salad (for example), and feel wasteful pushing a whole cart...but don't like that my-arm's-breaking-off feeling of the plastic basket. Hip, hip!

January 05, 2005

For the Sportos

Rumor has it Galyan's (West County Mall) will be dropping casual wear from the store over the next month or so. Hurry in to snap up deals on closeout khakis and sweaters.

If you never knew they had anything but ski, board and bike gear to begin with, do drop by and check the astounding shoe department. All athletic and casual shoes, of course but a great selection of brands and styles.

January 04, 2005

Pet Shop Boys (and Girls)

A proliferation of new stops for tchotckes/food/snacks/fluff for your favorite four-legged friend: Pets in the City packs a wallop in a cozy Soulard space, including a gourmet baked goods counter and chaotically fun rescue adoption events every Saturday; Four Muddy Paws Self-Service Dog Wash and Healthy Pet Market (near Lafayette Square) stocks all the essentials for those intrepid souls who are willing to scrub down their own dog, but don't necessarily want to heave them into the claw-foot tub; and Wolfgang's Pet Stop, in the Central West End, features bagged food, baked treats and grooming.