Edition: Favorite 30 Restaurants
Hunting for Hidden Gems
Author: Anne T. Makeever
You'll find many treasures and pleasures in these unique shops.
Shopping is a treasure hunt. It feels like quite a coup to stumble upon a boutique tucked away, or a little soap and lotion store someplace you'd never expect. Big cities such as St. Louis are filled with such finds, but they can be hard to uncover. Let us do the work for you.
Blues & Soul
Most of us buy our clothes in a mall and there's surely nothing wrong with that. But isn't it fun to find something a little funkier? Sister shops Blues (6301 Delmar Blvd., 314-863-2121) and Soul (6301 Delmar Blvd., 314-863-3600) in the University City Loop neighborhood fit the bill. Soul caters to men and women with a foot fetish. You'll find Kenneth Cole shoes on the shelves, along with Sesto Meucci and more, plus cutting edge handbags and belts. Need something to go with those hip new shoes? Walk through to Blues, a clothing store with an emphasis on very cool denim. No Gap jeans in sight.
The Alpine Shop
If you're more of a mind to climb a mountain than shop for the latest fashions, head to Kirkwood, just south and west of downtown St. Louis and visit The Alpine Shop (440 N. Kirkwood, 314-962-7715). The folks behind the counter and selling on the floor have almost certainly done whatever adventure you're contemplating, whether it be kayaking on your favorite river or hiking the Rockies. There's top-brand gear and clothing here for virtually every outdoorsy activity. And even though winter is still a bit away, they can also help you pick out your next snowboard or pair of skies.
First Capitol Trading Post
It's possible to consider all of St. Charles's historic Main Street one giant gift shop and you should take the time to visit as many as you can. But if you've only time for one or two stops, we recommend First Capitol Trading Post (207 S. Main St., 636-946-2883). This shop caters to the collector in all of us, offering a fine collection of Hummel figures, as well as Lladro, Precious Moments, and others.
Imagination Toys
If you've someone of the shorter set with you, or need to take home a gift for a daughter or the neighbor kid who's watering you lawn, a visit to Imagination Toys (9797 Clayton Rd., 314-993-6288) is in order. What you won't find here are spin-off toys from Disney. What you will find are toys selected for their potential to amuse, inspire, challenge and please: dolls, knights, books, games, manipulatives, dress-up stuff. If you don't know what on earth to get, ask the staff. They've always got great ideas.
Brilliant Antiques
Avid antiquers will want to stop in at Brilliant Antiques (8107 Maryland Ave., 314-725-2526), in Clayton. The proprietor makes frequent trips to England in order to stock her shop with the finest in Majolica, sterling silver (from boxes to wine buckets to letter openers) and other beautiful home accessories. The quality here is, well, brilliant.
Penzey's Spices
Not every city has a Penzey's Spices (7338 Manchester Rd., 314-781-7177) - in fact only about a dozen do. The one in Maplewood has pine floors and original tin ceilings. Spices - first rate and fresh - are stacked in wooden packing crates. Take your time, lift the lids off the glass jars and sniff. You'll be able to tell the difference between Vietnamese and Ceylon cinnamon. Learn more about curries, peppers, basil, and oregano. And don't forget to pick up the recipes posted around the store, perfect for inspirarion.
