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Photograph by Pat Eby
A shot of the carousel horses above the bar at The Livery.
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Photograph by Pat Eby
The pool table, ready for action, at The Livery.
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Photograph by Pat Eby
The 1940s veneer bar, cleaned and updated, has a great vintage look and feel.
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Photograph by Pat Eby
Three of the four owners at the Livery, left to right, Mike Lasater, Emily Ebeling and James McDonnell.
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Photograph by Pat Eby
The sign still reads Slo-Toms, but behind this brick and green glazed brick facade is The Livery Company.
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via The Livery's Facebook Page
A long shot of the interior of The Livery.
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Photograph by Pat Eby
An exterior shot of the newest performance space, The Sinkhole.
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via The Sinkhole's Facebook Page
Interior shot of The Sinkhole.
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via The Sinkhole's Facebook Page
A performance shot from opening night at The Sinkhole.
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Photograph by Pat Eby
Overtime Studios books time for artists and bands by appointment at the studio.
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via Overtime Studio's Facebook Page
Inside Overtime Studios.
Maybe it’s something in the water of the mighty Mississippi rolling nearby, or in the lived history of houses built from the late 18th century forward. Or in the residual power of abandoned industrial buildings brought back to usefulness, like the old Coca-Cola bottling factory that houses Perennial Artisan Ales and loft-loving residents, but Carondelet is looking like the wave of the future, a neighborhood on the move, a hot spot in the making. Its newest business owners come on strong and hopeful, jazzed about possibilities and that’s good for this south side neighborhood.
Artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, restaurants and bar owners are drawn by less expensive rents and affordable purchase prices on interesting buildings, not to mention the neat scene of restaurants, bars, art galleries and artists’ studios that dot the area. While it lacks the close density of businesses that stitch areas like Cherokee Street and Maplewood together, there’s plenty of parking, the drive between spots is short. The reward? An interesting evening in a neighborhood you might not have visited—yet.
Here’s three of the newest faces worth checking out in Carondelet:
The Livery Company, 6728 South Broadway
Fans of The Livery Company will be glad to know the carousel horses made the move from Cherokee to South Broadway, and are already flying over the original 1940s inlaid-wood veneered bar. The vibe is neighborhood dive, welcoming to all, excluding no one (unless he or she gets boorish). From its green glazed tile entry to the green sweep of the billiard table, The Livery speaks of good times and goodwill. Good prices on beers and drinks, too.
Check their Facebook page for information on music, specials and more.
- The popular music-and-drinks bar that got its start in 2012 on Cherokee Street now operates in the former Slo-Tom’s Lounge at 6728 South Broadway.
- Owners Emily Ebeling, Brandon Barnes, Mike Lasater and James McDonnell opened the doors October 1 and sure enough, people found them. Current hours are Monday through Saturday, 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
- The owners will be adding simple food to the mix soon. They plan to open at 6 a.m. in the near future, like the shift bars of old that opened to cater to the overnight workers who headed to the bar first thing after work.
Reasons to love Carondelet: “Owning a neighborhood business—a corner bar—has been a long-time dream of mine,” Ebeling says. “We will be able to afford to buy a building here.” Facebook
The Sinkhole, 7423 South Broadway
Three ambitious music mavens cleaned, painted, and refreshed an interesting 1200-square foot single-story building at 7423 South Broadway in record time, opening in early October. “We’re a music venue first and foremost, open three days a week, with a recording studio in the back,” owner Matt Stuttler says. “We feature local and touring bands—national and international.” Their up-to-date Facebook page lists all shows.
All three owners boast impressive DIY music credentials:
- Stuttler, who plays with the band Shitstorm, has been a very busy booker in town for shows at Foam, The Heavy Anchor, The Firebird, and the now-shuttered Plush. He’s already filled the calendar at The Sinkhole; he operates the venue with two partners, Mitch Kirkwood and Ben Hinn.
- Mitch Kirkwood of the band Cave Lizard found the space on Broadway. He had worked the building’s owner, furniture designer Richard Higby, who appreciates emerging neighborhoods on the rise.
- Landlord Richard Higby is no stranger to up-and-coming areas. He moved into the Flatiron Arts Building in Wicker Park in Chicago when he was beginning his artistic career.
- Ben Hinn, formerly with Troubadour Dali, brings his expertise at the soundboard. He will be moving his fully outfitted, soundproofed recording studio, Mound Sound, into the Sinkhole space in mid-November.
- The Sinkhole serves drinks during performances from a bar they built from repurposed materials.
- The music calendar features an interesting mix of guitar-based bands and spans a wide range of genres including rock, folk, punk and experimental groups.
Reasons to love Carondelet: DIY music outsiders who have changed the way music is bought, sold, distributed and booked enjoy performing in neighborhoods with an edge. Facebook
Overtime Studio, My City My Music Radio and Lockhead Clothing
Justin Pickett (aka as Justin Kickett) and Drique McIntyre moved Overtime Studio and My City My Music Radio to 7116 South Broadway in March of 2016 from a spot in the Lemp Brewery. The two run a recording studio for artists, primarily in hip-hop and rap, and a digital radio station with a lively line-up of bands, call-in guests, and recording artists. “We’re primarily in rap, but we don’t discriminate,” owner Pickett says. “If the music’s good, we play it.”
- Overtime offers studio time and production services for recording artists, by appointment, as well as marketing and promotion, including flyers, T-shirts and more.
- Need a DJ? Overtime can help you out.
- MCMM produces seven radio shows through their website. “We’ve do call-in shows with artists. In October we were on the phone with Jamaican artist Karian Sang. She’s rhythm and blues, pop and hip hop musician with a strong following.”
- McIntyre showcases and sells Lockhead, his urban clothing line, at the studio as well; you don’t have to wear dreads to wear Lockhead fashions.
- The station hosts live audiences at the studio on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Reasons to love Carondelet: “By moving here, we were able to afford to both leave my basement and move into a storefront with visibility and access from the street. At Lemp, people walked up several flights to get to us,” Pickett says. Facebook; My City Music website
Disclaimer here: I’ve been a firm believer in the Carondelet neighborhood since the mid-1980s when my business partner, Ann Paidrick and I moved our design business into a supremely affordable space. Ann nicknamed our new neighborhood “Carondelet: Wave of the Future.” Thirty years later, the same architecture, history and quirky neighborhood character that charmed us seems to have worked its mojo on a whole group of young creatives and entrepreneurs, who are now moving in.
Here are more spots to visit in Carondelet. Check websites and Facebook pages for hours, amenities, and menus:
The Brewery:
Restaurants and Diners:
River des Peres Deli and Sandwich Shop
The Stellar Hog (Super’s Bungalow)
Artists:
Stalwart Neighborhood Bars:
Kicker’s Corner (6201 South Broadway. No website, no Facebook page.)
