Photograph by Ashley Heifner

(page 6 of 9)

Funky and Fun – The Loop

One of St. Louis’ best-loved walking districts. Park in the big lot at the west end, near St. Louis Bubble Tea [1], and maybe grab some tea before starting your adventure. If you’re a sneaker junky, your first shopping stop will be across the street at R. Sole [2]; otherwise, head for Craft Alliance’s gift shop [3]. Go on to Archetypes [4], a home-décor shop. Cross the street to Zuma Beach Bead Co. [5], St. Louis first full-service bead shop, tucked into the Market in the Loop, then walk across the courtyard to Tantrum [6], a boutique featuring West Coast casual wear (Silver, Tank-farm, Fan Club) and Meli-Melo [7], the perfect gift shop when you’re not sure whether you want an antique, a silly wind-up toy or an Art Deco necklace. East on Delmar, Phoenix Rising [8] offers gifts with a little more edge, from slang flash cards and Wash Away Your Sins lip balm to Candela rechargeable lamps and a guide for the anti-bride. Good Works [9] has brightly colored accent pieces and clean-lined furniture (a growing leather collection features Natuzzi). For a more neutral palette and refined Italian aesthetic, try Intaglia Home Collection [10].

Continue on to Blues [11], one of the few designer-denim stores in St. Louis to carry Denim Drifter, AG and 575 jeans for men and women alike. Next door at Soul [12], pick up a Hobo or Tosca handbag and a pair of shoes by Palladium, Me Too or Fly London. By now, you’re hungry, and Blueberry Hill [13] burgers are the stuff of legend. Follow up with a root-beer float from Fitz’s [14] and backtrack to Subterranean Books [15], where you can browse everything from the Mammoth Book of Pirates to The Modern Drunkard. Want global culture without a passport? Turn left and walk into Plowsharing Crafts [16], an earthy shop with a social conscience. Lighten up at Star Clipper [17] with a DIY Munny or Superman classic comic books. Head east to Fifi’s [18], which one staffer describes as “the one-stop punk and rockabilly shop,” or Runway Fashions [19], with distinctively urban designer clothing for a night out at the city’s hottest hip-hop clubs.

Seeking style on a budget? Grab a Ben & Jerry’s [20], double-dip and flip through the offer-ings at the Rag-O-Rama [21] resale shop or step into Alice’s [22], a wonderland of the vintage dresses, suits, handkerchief linen, hats, gloves and brooches. On the corner, Ziezo [23], maintains a grown-up art-school aesthetic with ultracasual clothing, trendy flats and designers such as Fornarina, Free People and Triple 5 Soul. 

Step into Sunshine Daydream [24], where Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley and Johnny Cash line the walls, then move on to what looks like the set of High Fidelity (a.k.a. Vintage Vinyl [25]), where you can find new or used music and maybe meet your favorite performer at an in-store visit. If you’re not having dinner at Riddle’s Penultimate Café & Wine Bar [26], go home with falafel from Al-Tarboush Deli [27] or Korean food from the U. City Grill [28].