The riverfront in St. Charles is synonymous with the Missouri River in most people’s minds, but there’s a segment of St. Charles bound by the mighty Mississippi awash in attention these days. Boaters have increasingly filled slips at marinas near the intersection of Missouri Highways B and C—although the recession curtailed such expensive hobbies.
“Our docks are pretty full with people staying on their boats all weekend and then going to work in St. Louis on Monday directly from their boats,” says Port Charles Harbor owner Gina Hopkins. “That has increased tremendously in the last seven years or so, until the
recession affected everything.”
Developments like nearby New Town at St. Charles and word of mouth have fueled the area’s popularity, says Andrew Alexander, manager of the Yacht Club of St. Louis. Until the recession, he had a waiting list at the 275-slip marina and social club. There are openings now, but he expects that to change as the economy gains steam. At Port Charles, Hopkins is planning to add more slips.
While the scene at Lake of the Ozarks’ Party Cove might be likened to a boozy frat scene, the action along the Mississippi in St. Charles is closer to a Disney movie—families skiing, fishing, or hanging out on that rare Midwest commodity, the beach.
“People become friends and they bring other friends, and then relatives come. We all hang out together on the weekends and on vacation,” Hopkins explains. “Our kids have grown up together. We’ve had heartaches together. We’re really like one big family.”
