As if trapped inside an exasperating game of Pac-Man, St. Louisans must search for new ways to work this month as Highway 40 enters its second phase of construction, closing from I-170 to Kingshighway. We asked MoDOT’s Linda Wilson which alternate routes she expects will see more traffic. Her prediction? While Forest Park Parkway and Manchester will help with east-west traffic, there aren’t many wide city streets that run north and south in the central corridor—meaning you’ll likely spend time driving along less-traveled, north-south streets. So we recently set out to explore these routes. Here are eight pleasant discoveries along the way.
Hanley Road:
• Café Manhattan (505 S. Hanley, 314-863-4703) This ’50s-style diner is chock-full of authentic memorabilia, including red-and-white booths, Elvis figurines and a jukebox. Best bets: thin-crust pizza, homemade soups and pasta, and anything from the old-fashioned soda fountain.
• FitPro Bicycles (516 S. Hanley, 314-863-6455) Sitting in traffic, you might see this store and be tempted to ditch your gas-guzzler. Before you do, know that FitPro isn’t made for beginner browsing—it’s a by-appointment-only shop where serious cyclists take their game to the next level.
Big Bend Boulevard:
• Hi/Tec Copy Center (375 N. Big Bend, 314-863-4111) When MetroLink was under construction several years ago, this just-off-campus Wash. U. favorite weathered the storm. Now good karma could come around, as east-west cross-street Forest Park Parkway bursts with businesspeople.
• Mr. Wizard’s Frozen Custard (2101 S. Big Bend, 314-781-7566) Making comparisons to a certain other custard shop would be sacrilege to many St. Louisans, but Mr. Wizard’s concretes, soft-serve ice cream, shakes and floats are—dare we say—magically delicious.
Skinker Boulevard/McCausland Avenue:
• Discount Vac (1601 McCausland, 314-645-3250) The late Stan Kann would be proud. This gem’s still going strong after 50 years, offering vacuum repair, service and carpet cleaning. Incidentally, a sign at the front of the McCausland emporium proudly proclaims, “Business sucks.”
• Tyler (282 N. Skinker, 314-727-6249) Located next to Kayak’s Coffee, this quirky home-furnishings store contains everything from vintage Swatch watches to homemade soaps named after celebs. Be warned: This odd store—run by cartoon characters, according to the owners—keeps odd hours.
Vandeventer Avenue:
• The Billy Goat Restaurant and Bar (1449 S. Vandeventer, 314-371-4628) Not to be confused with a certain Chicago tavern made famous by John Belushi, this corner restaurant serves homemade “cheeps” and has a 1–3 p.m. happy hour. Add to that live music and buckets of beer ... Just pull over already. [Editor's Note: This closed!]
• “Demo Man,” Bellon Wrecking & Salvage (900 S. Vandeventer, 314-531-1979) Mechanic Bud Knobeloch’s 20-foot-tall sculpture—inspired by Bellon Wrecking & Salvage demo man Don Bellon’s smaller statue of a man swinging a sledgehammer—is the most wonderfully weird landmark on Vandeventer.
Sidebar: Transitional Transit
When considering your new route to work, don’t discount other alternatives:
• Metro | metrostlouis.org
Opt for mass transit with MetroLink, MetroBus or Metro Call-A-Ride.
• RideFinders | ridefinders.org
Free service encourages carpooling by matching commuters with fellow drivers.
• Citizens for Modern Transit | cmt-stl.org
Guaranteed Ride Home program gives bikers and commuters a lift in emergencies.
• St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation | stlbikefed.org
Biking organization offers maps of roads and trails, as well as safety and repair tips.
• Madison County Transit | mct.org
Express bus service provides trips between downtown St. Louis and Madison County, Ill.
