Photograph by Neil Thorne | sxc.hu
Airway Drive-In
The Airway Drive-In was torn down in 1986, but its ’50s-style neon majorette with a twirling baton still stands tall at St. Ann’s Airway Centre.
Brownie’s
Kids from Glendale might remember buying sweets (even, we hear, candy cigarettes) at Brownie’s. After many reincarnations—a kitchen shop, an antiques store, an ice-cream parlor—it’s now the Recycled Rose, an antiques and gift store.
Corky the Clown
Clif St. James was known for decades as Corky the Clown, host of Corky’s Colorama. Today, the energetic 84-year-old lives in Webster Groves with his wife and fellow entertainment personality, Nance. After many years in local media, including the couple’s “Clif and Nance” show on KSD-FM, the Webster Groves Arts Commission honored the two with its Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award last year. Nowadays, St. James spends his downtime with family, in the garden, and walking the dog. “I still manage to keep pretty busy,” he says.
Noah’s Ark
Noah’s Ark Restaurant sailed away in 2000, followed by the hotel two years later—but the abandoned ark and its animals remained a roadside attraction until the building was demolished in 2007. Now Cullinan Properties is planning a project nearly as ambitious as an ark: The Streets of St. Charles, a 26-acre mixed-use development slated to open next summer.
Wet Willy’s Waterslide
After Wet Willy’s closed years ago, the concrete slide became a destination for skateboarders, street lugers, and graffiti artists—that is, before it was demolished earlier this year.
Spicer’s 5 & 10
Remember perusing the racks at Spicer’s 5 & 10 and picking out those little doodads that seemed like treasure? When the store closed its doors in February 2005, many locals were heartbroken. Fortunately, the classic store found new life when it reopened as Spicer’s of Ladue several years later. You can still find many longtime favorites: small toys, penny candy, ribbons, and games.
Tilt
After years of decline at Northwest Plaza, it was game over in early 2007 for the once-popular arcade in the mall’s basement. Today much of the mall’s retail space remains empty during a time when arcades appear to be replaced by the Xbox and Wii.
