For the month of August, we’ll visit independent businesses around St. Louis, specifically, ones that are new to us. See our archives for previous editions.
There’s been a solid amount of digital ink spent on the growth of Cherokee Street in recent months, and there’s no reason to think that The Scene That Celebrates Itself will suddenly go all press-shy. With new projects opening on a regular basis—and with the potential of some 70 empty storefronts still calling for action—there’s likely to be more headlines a’comin’.
It was interesting, then, to see the Livery Company (3211 Cherokee) make a relatively modest splash on the block in recent days, with a July 6 opening. As co-owner Emily Ebeling sees it, the Livery is “the first bar-bar” on the block, which is to say, one that isn’t tied into a larger, music-club-first notion. That said, even early on, there’s been a bit of live music, along with some karaoke and trivia. The kinds of tried-and-true things that get people into a room for the first time. And despite the fact that the surrounding blocks have brought the initial wave of patrons and regulars, newbies are still finding the spot weekly.
Running the space with co-owner Steve Lickenbrock, Ebeling came to Cherokee after owning Petra, a bar on South Grand, for about two years. When that spot closed, she isolated Cherokee as the place to be, but also wanted to wait until Alderman Craig Schmid, a noted opponent of new liquor licenses, was redistricted. That occurred, so it was time to make some quick moves. Some other elements also came into play. For example, the building she’s in turned over to new hands; soon, the landlord’s business, Red Guitar Bread, will take up the remaining two-thirds of the building. When they did take a lease on the simple, raw space, the Livery’s partnership had to have the basics built into the venue, essentials like a bar, a back bar, and a stage.
“I wanted a long bar,” Ebeling says. “It’s something that I never had at Petra. My dad built this bar, using recycled oak paneling.”
What strikes you on a first visit, or two, is that the Livery Company is pretty much lacking in any frills or artiface. There’s some locally-produced (and themed) art on the walls, but there’s not an excessive amount. Offerings include a tight beer and wine list, a straightforward selection of liquors and spirits, and a small assortment of pizzas; so even the backbar and the menu board are clean, lean, and spare. The backyard is too...but not for long. Right now, there’s not much more than a picnic table in the ample space. But, soon, that area will be given some new life.
“That’ll happen over the next couple weeks,” Ebeling figures. “We’ll build a stage back there. Mostly, we’ll have acoustic music, because we don’t want to annoy the neighbors. More seating. Probably some sort of stone firepit. Lights. Plants. Fun stuff.”
The Livery Company’s going at it slowly, methodically, organically. Almost as if taking a cue from the best practices of the block, itself.
“I always wanted to move onto Cherokee,” she says. “Everyone’s got energy and creativity. But it’s also kinda low-key, moreso than South Grand. Over time, it’s going to grow into one of the most popular districts in the City.”
When all those new people arrive, they’ll now have another place to sit.
