Chef Ben Poremba originally selected this Cherokee Street storefront as a commissary kitchen for his acclaimed restaurants, including Olio and Elaia. But the COVID-19 pandemic changed nearly everything about operating the dining industry in St. Louis, and he had to rethink what this empty space could become. After settling on a retail store, Poremba looked at his own collection of home goods, furniture, dishware, and pre-loved décor to fill it. Step inside The Commissary, 2744 Cherokee, and discover the origin story of each find.
Pendant industrial lighting fixture
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“I have been buying a lot of these through the years, and you can see them all over all of my restaurants,” says Poremba. This particular one came from the Czech Republic; Poremba plucked it from eBay. $375.
Self-portrait
“You could say this is very personal or sentimental. This is a self-portrait that I did 20-plus years ago. I am no artist, but it is a neat-looking piece,” Poremba says. “Though I don’t know if anyone wants me in their living room.” $1,000.
Animal hide
Poremba is not exactly sure what animal this one came from but guesses it was a mountain lion: “I drove one day on Highway 55 and saw a sign, ‘Hides for Sale,’ and I bought all these crazy-looking hides.” $225.
Vintage tin
“It’s the coolest thing,” Poremba says, beaming. “I don’t even want to sell it, to be honest with you.” Once used as a turkey roaster, this large pan is complete with a lid that is locked on by the handles. It used to sit behind the bar at Olio. $75.
Reclaimed coffee table
Poremba commissioned this one-of-a-kind piece from St. Louis craftsman and former Junque owner Regan Young: “He took an old cart and built a box and put a piece of glass on top of it, and it’s got the beautiful wheels and everything.” $275.
Locally made pottery
Maggie Robertson “makes beautiful pieces that are very thin ceramics,” Poremba says. This set is stamped with old coins. Poremba marvels at the work’s timelessness: “They look like they are a thousand years old.” Prices vary.
Modern barstool
This handcrafted dark wood barstool was produced by design company Ton and, among others like it, used in Poremba’s now-closed Italian restaurant, Parigi. “They are extremely beautiful and modern,” he says. $500 apiece.
Stanley thermos
“When I had Old Standard, the fried chicken place, when someone ordered coffee, I served it in a Stanley thermos,” Poremba says. “Some were designed 100 years ago, but they were made to last. And it’s just pretty.” $28.
