The new Mercantile Exchange (mxstl.com) is not only a smorgasbord of options, but also a symbolic rebirth of St. Louis Centre. “They’ve basically taken what had been a mall and turned it inside out,” says MX spokesperson Mack Bradley. “Instead of the energy focused inward into the mall, it’s focused outward onto the streets and pedestrians.”
1. Going Green: The Creative Exchange Lab—a nonprofit incubator for the creative sector—staged a green building exhibit this summer at the MX called “Buildings = Energy.” The MX also encourages green living via downtown’s first electric-vehicle charging stations, as well as the adjacent Laurel Apartments’ solar-supported, LEED-registered building.
2. A Full Menu: Look for the second outposts of Robust and Snarf’s, plus Takaya New Asian, a fusion restaurant from the folks behind Clayton’s Tani Sushi Bistro. And Pi’s new downtown location already serves up the Ballpark Pizza, a hot dog–inspired pie.
3. Reciprocal Retail: The Collective gathers upscale fashions from local retailers—Blush Boutique, Byrd Style Lounge, and Vintage Highway—and offers them in a 4,000-square-foot co-op, directed by former SLM style editor Nicole Benoist.
4. Silver Screens: The MX Movies cinema, scheduled to open this fall, will have three high-def theaters, all with in-seat ordering.
5. Minding the Music: The future National Blues Museum hopes to draw visitors from around the world and convey the richness of what B.B. King called “the mother of American music.”
