union studio By: Amy De La Hunt Photog raphy: Car men Troesser
Shopping at this Botanical Heights boutique brings customers into contact with dozens of local artists and producers through their textiles, paper g o o d s , h o u s e w a r e s a n d j e w e l r y. F r o m t h e s i m p l e s t clutch purse to gift boxes jampacked with breakfast goodies, everything is handmade and chosen with i n t e n t i o n a l i t y. A l t h o u g h t h e s p a c e i t s e l f f e e l s industrial—with a cement floor and exposed ductwork—the displays exude energy and warmth. Each excursion into the space may be a little d i f f e r e n t , d e p e n d i n g o n t h e s e a s o n a n d w h a t ’s i n s t o c k — a n d s u r p r i s e s a l w a y s a w a i t . Yo u m a y c o m e i n t o c h e c k o u t t h e n e w s e a s o n ’s c l o t h i n g l i n e f r o m Olivia Rae Designs and wind up falling in love with incense from Lunalily Botanicals, whose owner is a longtime student of plant wisdom and energetic h e a l i n g . O r, y o u m a y b e b r o w s i n g t h e F l e u r d e L i s t i e s f r o m L o n e s o m e Tr a v e l e r w h e n t h e a r o m a of soap from Rafael Adón catches your attention. Occasionally an artist will be live in the store—for a pop-up sale, for example, or maybe to teach a class. These are prime opportunities to get to know them as individuals and as fellow St. L o u i s a n s , w h i c h f i t s i n w i t h U n i o n S t u d i o ’s g o a l f o r shoppers to feel a sense of unity with the artists.
1605 TOWER GROVE AVE.
+ 16
314.771.5398
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