No thoroughfare in St. Louis is quirkier than Cherokee Street. In just a one-mile stretch, you’ll find the city’s most concentrated collection of antique stores, record shops, galleries, bars, music venues, vintage clothing boutiques and a diverse assortment of eateries. If you haven’t stopped by lately, you may be surprised to see that Cherokee Street […]
No thoroughfare in St. Louis is quirkier than Cherokee Street. In just a one-mile stretch, you’ll find the city’s most concentrated collection of antique stores, record shops, galleries, bars, music venues, vintage clothing boutiques and a diverse assortment of eateries.
If you haven’t stopped by lately, you may be surprised to see that Cherokee Street has seen a bit of a transformation. But even as several mainstay bars have closed (including San Loo and the B Side), new shops continue to open, even while others are still going strong after a decade’s run.
In no particular order, here are some of the most interesting stores we stopped by to browse on our most recent visit.
MONICA OBRADOVIC
Butter Love Skin
2608 Cherokee Street
La’Crassia Wilderness has been in business for nine years but it wasn’t until June that she opened a storefront for Butter Love. The skincare business has a retail space in front and Wilderness’ workspace in the back, which gives the whole place a wonderful ambrosial smell. Up front you’ll find body oils, clay masks, lip balms and more, as well as Wilderness’ goldendoodle, Lulu.
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MABEL SUEN
Dead Wax Records
2100 Cherokee Street, 314-330-2618
Music is alive at Dead Wax. Whether you’re a vinyl newbie or a long-time collector, you’ll find what you need here — and then some. The record store frequently hosts live performances. So what you may think would be a quick dip inside to search for your next spin may turn into a half-day excursion.
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MONICA OBRADOVIC
Hammond’s Books
1939 Cherokee Street, 314-323-6389
There’s a lot to discover in the two floors of Hammond’s Books. Most of the inventory consists of used books that can go from $10 to more than $100 depending on how rare they are. But Hammond’s also sells costume jewelry, old pocket watches, vintage posters and illustrations torn from old books.
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MONICA OBRADOVIC
Your Friend’s Apartment
2617 Cherokee Street
Everyone has that one stylish friend who has an immaculate closet and an equally excellent apartment. It probably looks like Your Friend’s Apartment (the store) on Cherokee. Walking into this place feels like a warm hug. Sunlight from southern-facing windows drapes over modern furniture arranged as it would be in someone’s real living space. On tables are shoes, purses, books and candles for sale. But what makes this place worth the trip are the clothes racks full of finely curated vintage items. This isn’t the type of vintage clothing store that sells grandma sweaters or purple parachute pants. Everything here culminates into a simple yet elegant style. Think Midwest boho chic. If that’s a thing.
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COURTESY VIRTUOSO COLLECTIVE
STL Virtuoso Collective2616 Cherokee Street
Last year, South Side Spaces announced it would give free rent for six months to one lucky tenant in the former Rent One building. Jessie Mees and Julianne Wise were the lucky winners. And now we’re all lucky for it. Mees’ and Wise’s business, STL Virtuoso Collective, sells the work of local artists who live around Cherokee Street. Virtuoso keeps just a small piece (10 percent) of sales to keep the gallery/shop going. Different artists man Virtuoso on a volunteer basis, so you may get to meet the creator of whatever piece you buy. Inventory generally includes ceramics, prints, jewelry, paintings and some furniture. Don’t skip on the tiny jars of hot sauce spread throughout the place — they’re fire (in all meanings of term).
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MONICA OBRADOVIC
City Mouse Vintage
2618 Cherokee Street
Sister duo Abbie Belliston and Casey Miller sift through estate sales so you don’t have to. Their storefront, City Mouse Vintage, opened near a cluster of other vintage stores in September. What sets this place apart is its admitted “silliness.” Want a vintage bowling shirt with someone else’s name stitched on the front? Or a 1980s-era windbreaker that’s so colorful and bright it could probably be spotted from space? If so, this is the place for you.
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MONICA OBRADOVIC
Retro 101/Cherry Bomb Vintage
2303 Cherokee Street, 314-769-9722
This is the platonic ideal of a vintage clothing store. There’s a pleasant mix of wacky and practical with a wide range of sizes. And unlike several other boutiques on Cherokee, Retro 101/Cherry Bomb Vintage doesn’t just keep it to the weekends. They’re open five days a week.
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SARA BANNOURA
Hop Shop
2600 Cherokee Street, 314-261-4011
Justin Harris and Ryan Griffin opened Hop Shop in 2015 and it became a go-to destination for craft brews. The shop boasts an expansive selection of ciders, lagers, ales, IPAs, stouts and more, but it’s not just a beer destination. Hop Shop is a community gathering space. During warmer months, customers take their beer of choice, which you can buy by the can, and sit at picnic tables outside. Tables and bar seating reside in Hop Shop’s large corner space at Cherokee and Jefferson streets as well.
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MONICA OBRADOVIC
13th and Canna
2731 Cherokee Street, 13thandcanna.com
Besties Sherrell Hall and Tameca Burnett opened a storefront for their e-commerce candle brand, 13th and Canna, in July. It was just in time. People are buying more weed than ever in Missouri, and those who want to keep the dankness to a minimum should head to 13th and Canna. The small store at the corner of Cherokee and Iowa streets sells odor-eliminating candles that don’t just mask smoke smells but neutralizes them.
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MONICA OBRADOVIC
Profield Reserve
2309 Cherokee Street, 314-669-9003
This homegrown apparel brand sells durable athletic and leisure wear that are made in-house in small batches. St. Louis doesn’t have many apparel brands, but this one reps us well.
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MONICA OBRADOVIC
Carrillo Western Wear
2614 Cherokee Street, 314-865-4850
You know how some people debate whether Missouri is part of the South? When you walk into Carrillo Western Wear, you’ll feel like you walked into a cowboy supplies store way out West. Cowboy hats, leather boots and Western shirts cover the walls and pack the sales floor. The place smells like leather and sounds like Latin music, which plays throughout the store.
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MONICA OBRADOVIC
Riverside Antiques
1947 Cherokee Street, 314-772-9177
Riverside Antiques caters to a very specific type of St. Louisan — the type nutty enough to buy one of the city’s neglected century-plus old houses and fix it up themselves. Antique doors, vents, lightswitch covers, stained glass windows and rosette and plinth blocks abound. Most have had several decades’ worth of paint removed and are ready for use.
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