4 newish shops to check out in Webster Groves’ Old Orchard

A stretch of Big Bend takes a turn for the cooler.

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1. Union Studio

Mary Beth Bussen and Sarah Kelley were drawn to the neighborhood’s community feel when searching for a location to hold Union Studio’s second storefront. “Part of the beauty of the space is seeing the work of individual artists coming together,” says Bussen. At Union Studio, shoppers will find jewelry, housewares, and fine art handmade by more than 120 local artisans. The shop’s name reflects that special union between artisans and the people who support them: “Yes, we sell beautiful work,” Bussen says, “but we also try to build community.” 8137 Big Bend

2. Dharma + Dwell

At Dharma + Dwell, “all the items are refillable, reusable, or package-free,” says owner Jordan Blackhurst, who loves helping St. Louisans make conscious decisions that guide them toward a more sustainable lifestyle. The shop’s shampoo, laundry, and dish soaps, for instance, are packaged in glass refillable bottles that cut down on the use of plastic; its Reusable Unpaper Towels are organic cotton cloths. Each Package Free Natural Deodorant puck is vegan and aluminum- and paraben-free. Blackhurst says customers tell her they’ve been waiting for a store like hers. “People want to make eco-friendly changes, but they sometimes need a little help,” she says. 8135 Big Bend

3. The Annex

It’s no accident that The Annex is sandwiched between Civil Alchemy and The Frisco Barroom. Owners John Barr and Kelley Hall-Barr opened the upscale coffee bar and grocery as a means of merging Frisco, their restaurant, with Civil Alchemy, their modern general store. At The Annex, customers can grab a breakfast burrito or a slice of quiche, a chai latte or Irish coffee prepared by Frisco’s kitchen staff, and take it to go, enjoy it outside on the heated patio, or sit in the limited-seating indoor dining room. Some of Civil Alchemy’s most popular pantry staples, including Southern Illinois–made Rendelman Orchards’ Apple Butter and Apple Sauce, are also for sale in The Annex. 8122 Big Bend

4. Civil Alchemy

As one Yelp reviewer puts it, Civil Alchemy is “one of the best places in St. Louis to buy, honestly, just about anything.” Though not new to the area, the modern general store Civil Alchemy carries apparel, jewelry, outdoor items, leather goods, specialty foods, wine and spirits—including a gin by Truly Floral Spirits, a joint venture by Civil Alchemy owner Kelley Hall-Barr and her son Ian VanDam. “Having a general store allows us to go any direction we’re inspired,” says Hall-Barr. 8154 Big Bend

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