Kevin A. Roberts
FUN FITNESS
Yes Honey Studio
Jenny Hill, the entrepreneur behind Lonesome Traveler neckties, tapped into her personal-trainer experience to create what could be the most fun—and Instagrammable—fitness studio in St. Louis. At Yes Honey Studio, located in the Woodward Lofts, the workouts are high energy, the dance routines electric, and the atmosphere is just plain fun. After bopping to Megan Thee Stallion, it’s basically mandatory to snap a quick selfie in front of the giant Yes Honey necklace image on one wall. 1519 Tower Grove.
POWER OF THE POP-UP
Procure Marketplace
Small-business owners had to get crafty this past year, finding safe and socially distanced ways to get products in front of customers. To help support women-owned brands, The Women’s Creative temporarily set up Procure Marketplace events outside the Mud House, Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop, and City Foundry.
MINDFULNESS MENTOR
Tina Cummings
With her blog and podcast, the licensed therapist offers easily digestible insights about mental health and ways that followers can weave mindfulness into their everyday lives. (Her Instagram also offers dreamy photos and quotes of wisdom.) As Cummings says, it’s all about “calling you on your BS in the most empathetic way.”
Kevin A. Roberts
RETAIL HUBS
In Webster Grove’s Old Orchard neighborhood, grab coffee and pastries at The Annex after perusing eye-catching gifts at Civil Alchemy; take in the artwork of more than 120 St. Louis makers and creatives at Union Studio’s second location; and browse the sustainable goods of Dharma + Dwell’s first brick-and-mortar. Cherokee Street, known for housing such St. Louis labels as the Brandin Vaughn Collections, recently gained secondhand shop Ardently; classic streetwear brand Profield Reserve; and The Commissary, a home décor shop from chef Ben Poremba. Bonus: Assassin Vintage will soon move into Golden Gems’ Cherokee storefront after the cheeky accessories brand relocates to Locust Street this summer.
Kevin A. Roberts
WINNING SPACE
Over the past year, Series Six owner Sami Maurer produced T-shirts for local businesses impacted by the pandemic. The community returned the favor by voting for Series Six in Pop Local’s retail competition, which awarded three months of free rent at The Boulevard. Along with Series Six, STL-Style, and Arch Apparel, there are plenty of ways to wear your St. Louis pride on your sleeve.
Kevin A. Roberts
VINTAGE DIGS
When it comes to sustainability and retro clothing, St. Louis isn’t short on options, both in store and online. Through her label the Rusty Bolt, Olivia Jondle sells jackets and shirts made from fabric remnants and customers’ heirloom quilts. Alexis Giger revives and repairs damaged vintage garments through her company, Little Cliff. And the lookbook of another vintage locale, Patrick Ray Dolan, carries threads from the 1940s to the 1990s.
Alise O'Brien
MODERN RESPITE
St. Louis entrepreneurs are creating one-of-a kind vacation destinations. The owners behind Shaw boutique Bonboni Mercantile Co. recently announced they’re branching into hospitality with a rustic cabin getaway, Bonboni Room and Board. It’s the next best thing for customers who’ve told owner Lauren Thorp they’d love to live in her store. In historic St. Charles, Meghan and James Reed have restored a 180-year-old cabin that’s now reminiscent of camping lodges in the Catskills with Camp Mill Pond. And if you’re heading to wine country, consider a night at Hermann’s bed and beverage, The Schiller House.
LOCAL GEM
Collections by Joya
Life has been busy for jewelry maven Betsy Blancett-Nacrelli. Her Collections by Joya line earned a partnership with Anthropologie, she moved her operations into Midtown, and she opened a pop-up in Webster Groves during the holidays. The label’s pieces range from simple staples to fun charms. Now, Blancett-Nacrelli is looking beyond accessories. The Locust Street headquarters doubles as an event space, and she recently helped open MPWR Collaborative Workspace, an urban-chic co-working space.
Kevin A. Roberts
TIP OF THE HAT
The Normal Brand
After a year in their Ladue storefront, the brothers Jimmy, Conrad, and Lan Sansone added philanthropy to their efforts. By selling a stylish trucker-style hat in collaboration with country singer Luke Combs, the brothers raised $125,000 for Barstool Sports’ Barstool Fund, which is supporting small businesses during the pandemic. 8809 Ladue.
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