Panorama 314 Issue by Ladue Publications

“The

Photo by Vincent Hsiao

Illustration by Arti Jain & Kelly Zhang

Photo courtesy of St. Louis CITY SC

Photo by Ella Bender

Photo by Lilly Jacks

Editors’ Note

In 1947, to decide what monument to build alongside the Mississippi River, the city of St. Louis sent out a submission contest for ideas. 172 ideas were submitted. Five of them were chosen as finalists, two of which were from father and son Eliel and Eero Saarinen. Eero, the young architect, had his design chosen, but the city accidentally sent the acceptance telegram to his father, Eliel. After realizing the mistake, the city apologized. Eliel’s joy was now shared with his son. This was the birth of our beloved Arch. However, this issue is no mistake, and we have no apologies. You’re reading this for a reason. St. Louis, often referred to as a “flyover” destination, holds some of the most incredible destinations and some of the most interesting history the United States has to offer. From the first American Olympics being held 15 minutes down the street from where we produced this very magazine, to the music and food scene distinguishable to none other, St. Louis is what we like to call, “slept on.”

While we hail from “da ‘Lou,” Panorama should not be slept on. Thanks to our generous sponsors, this issue is chalk-full of stories you won’t find anywhere else. We “bled blue” for this one, so we hope you enjoy.

Will Kodner

CREDITS: Editors’ photo by Vincent Hsiao. Front cover photo illustration by Lathan Levy and Lilly Jacks. Back cover design by Emily Liu.

Scan to view Ladue

Publications’ Editorial Policy

Panorama Staf

EXECUTIVE EDITOR IN CHIEF

Arti Jain

MANAGING EDITOR IN CHIEF

Lathan Levy

DESIGN EDITOR IN CHIEF

Emily Liu

COPY EDITORS IN CHIEF

Katie Myckatyn

Will Kodner

ART EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kelly Zhang

PHOTO EDITOR IN CHIEF

Vincent Hsiao

DO EDITORS

Marie Demkovitch

Sara Rohatgi

EAT EDITORS

Ella Bender

Cindy Liu

INFOGRAPHIC EDITOR

Josh Devine

IN-DEPTH EDITORS

Alzhraa Mahmoud

Celina Zhou

LIVE EDITORS

Grace Huewe

Ira Rodrigues

PLAY EDITORS

Madeline Awad

Mason Eastman

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Jay Heintz

STAFF MANAGER

Nyla Weathersby

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

LIAISON

Ishaan Pandey

DO STAFF

Frank Chen

Annabelle Reagan

Jane Schefel

EAT STAFF

Medha Chode

Madeline Fong

Tiya Kaul

Amelie Lock

Isaac Zelinske

INFOGRAPHIC STAFF

Max Karsh

IN-DEPTH STAFF

Loukya Gillella

Adela Gingrich

Grace Kweon

LIVE STAFF

Kaichen Chou

Sylvia Hanes

Nathan King

Emily Pan

PLAY STAFF

Meg Myckatyn

Josie Stout

ARTISTS

Fiona Van Allen

Nina Ye

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lilly Jacks

Isak Taylor

ID EDITORS IN CHIEF

Ella Braig

Maya Mathew

ID STAFF

Victoria Derdoy

Katie Jansen

Aaron Lin

Ryan Snyder

WEBSITE EDITORS IN CHIEF

Madeline Awad

Josh Devine

WEBSITE STAFF

Nora Brunnquell

Nina Ye

Michael Zegel

ADVISERS

Abigail Eisenberg

Sarah Kirksey

Emily Liu Arti Jain Lathan Levy Katie Myckatyn Will Kodner

Around the ‘Lou

Activities to do in neighborhoods and areas in St. Louis

By Marie Demkovitch

Do

Editor

1. Downtown

If you want to experience the nitty gritty of St. Louis, Downtown is the place to go. From Gateway Arch National Park to the City Museum, Downtown is the best place to see what St. Louis is all about. Downtown hosts the St. Louis sports teams, the Blues at the Enterprise center, the Cardinals at Busch stadium, St. Louis CITY Soccer Club at Energizer Park and the St. Louis Battlehawks at the Dome at America’s Center. Downtown St. Louis also includes parks such as Serra Sculpture Park, where you can enjoy works including the “Twain” sculpture.

2.

Tower Grove Park

If you are looking for a neighborhood with a thriving park community, Tower Grove may be the one. Tower Grove Park is a large park notable for its community events such as art exhibits and concerts. Featuring a blend of historic architecture and new developments, Tower Grove boasts a vibrant scene of restaurants and hip vibes. To the northwest of Tower Grove Park you can fnd the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Missouri Botanical Garden is a great place to go with friends to enjoy scenic nature, feed koi fsh and see spring fowers come to life.

3.

Webster Groves Built to surround Webster University, Webster Groves has unique college town vibes. The campus itself features many historic buildings including the Thompson Music Building, giving the neighborhood an antique feel. If you want to learn about the history of Webster Groves, the Historic Webster Walk is a good place to start. You can also experience the charm of Old Webster, where there is a street flled with cute boutiques and restaurants dating back to 1915. If you are looking to explore the arts, the Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Repertory Imaginary Theatre Company are both great options. Priding itself on its title of the “City of Arts,” Webster Groves also ofers galleries and festivals, such as the Webster Art fair in the frst weekend of June.

4. Central West End

Located on the east edge of Forest Park, the Central West End boasts many diferent attractions and amenities. The walkable nature of the Central West End makes it easy for visitors to enjoy cofee shops, bookstores and boutiques. This neighborhood is home to Saint Louis Chess Club, where you can participate in multiple programs such as beginner classes and group lessons. You can also take a photo with the world’s largest chess piece, which is 14 ft tall and stands in front of the World Chess Hall of Fame. While the overall vibe of the Central West End is young and cozy, the historic architecture adds to the aesthetics of the neighborhood. The Central West End began developing in 1904 gearing up for the World Fair, and many of those businesses remain today.

5. Kirkwood

Kirkwood’s downtown features a street of boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The strip of Kirkwood Road is centered around Kirkwood Station, where trains pass through as visitors shop at the farmers market and eat shaved ice from Tropical Moose. Kirkwood Performing Arts Center also hosts a variety of events, including stage productions from the Saint Louis Ballet in Kirkwood.

6. Lafayette Square

A great place to admire the nature of St. Louis is Lafayette Square. Located in the center is Lafayette Park, which is a must to visit, even for a St. Louis native. Lafayette Park features great scenery with a bridge, waterfalls and rentable gazebos. The neighborhood outside of the park is very charming, including the restored, vibrantly colored Victorian mansions, also known as the “Painted Ladies.” Lafayette Square is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

7. Midtown

From the Fabulous Fox Theatre to City Foundry, a visit to Midtown can’t go wrong. The Fabulous Fox Theatre holds many events year round, including “Ain’t Too Proud” from May 9 to 11 and “& Juliet” from May 20 to June 1. If the stage doesn’t tickle your fancy, Union Station boasts an aquarium, carousel and ferris wheel. Finally, City Foundry STL is the frst public food hall in St. Louis, with 22 restaurants along with events. The City Foundry also includes a Museum of Illusions, Sandbox VR and Puttshack.

Photo by Marie Demkovitch

Photo by Vincent Hsiao

Photo by Sara Rohatgi

Photo by Marie Demkovitch

Photo by Lilly Jacks

Hidden

St. Louis boasts a vibrant art scene, whether it’s in a museum or on the side of a building. Street art is all over, but you can fnd a large stretch of colorful grafti on the west bank of the Mississippi river, just south of the Arch. The mural was commissioned during the Paint Louis festival in order to bring more legal art to St. Louis streets. The festival started in 1997 and occurs annually on Labor Day weekend. Artists from all over the country come to join in on the painting of the foodwall. During this activity-packed weekend, experienced painters teach kids the basics of art through the Paint Littles program. (Photo by Vincent Hsaio)

Annabelle

Reagan

Gems

discusses underrated spots in St. Louis

While Creve Coeur Lake is a popular spot, there are many special features that are lesser known. The 320-acre lake is a great spot to rent kayaks, paddleboards, or canoes for a fun day in the sun. The Dripping Springs waterfall is tucked along the lake trail loop and is a great stop along the walk. During the winter, the water freezes over and creates a spectacular ice formation that is unmatched. By far the best part of the lake is the breathtaking sunsets, where you can spend your evening watching boats on the water against a colorful kaleidoscope backdrop. Creve Coeur Lake is a beautiful place all year round.

Art Of the Canvas

A brief history of street art in St. Louis

1990s

Informal “grafti jams” grow in popularity.

2001

Inauthorized artworks cause Paint Louis to be suspended.

1997

First annual Paint Louis community festival begins.

2013

Paint Louis is revived, reestablishing St. Louis as a street art hub.

2022

Located in downtown Clayton, Shaw Park is a great spot for hanging out with family, friends, or enjoying a quiet moment alone. From a pavillion with a scenic view of the waterfall to sand volleyball courts, this 30-acre park has something for everyone. With lots of shady spots, this park is excellent for escaping the usmmer heat. One of the best features is all of the amazing spots for a picnic, like under the trees watching ducks swim in the pond. If you’re looking for a place to take a nice stroll, the paths in this park are perfect for a quick walk. This is a relaxing spot for spending some time in fresh air without a long commute.

Paint Louis passes its 25th anniversary.

INTERESTED?

Scan here to see an interactive map of street art locations across St. Louis

Mural Mile

Creve Coeur Lake

Shaw Park

Photo by Vincent Hsiao

Photo by Annabelle Reagan

Staf

By Annabelle Reagan

Wacky Wonders

Photos by Frank Chen

By Frank Chen

Columnist

Frank Chen reviews strange tourist attractions in St. Louis

Citygarden Sculpture Park

Right by the arch, Citygarden Park is a quaint little space flled with a variety of sculptures sprinkled throughout the plant life. These include a giant Pinocchio, a dodecahedron riding a horse and my personal favorite, the Eros Bendatos. Created in 1999 by Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj, the sculpture depicts the head of Eros, the Greek god of love, with his eyes and mouth bound, representing the suppression of desires and ideas. On that note, the park also has its very own burger place.

Turtle Playground

Driving down I-64 towards St. Louis, you might notice a strange sight lurking beside you. Turtle Playground is flled with massive concrete reptiles, including several kinds of turtles and one giant snake. Created by St. Louis native Bob Cassilly in the late 90s, Turtle Playground even provides themed seating; if you’re ever tired, you can take a rest on little hatchlings. Parts of the playground were almost destroyed for a proposed overpass renovation in 2007. That did not happen. The turtles are safe.

City Museum

What’s Your Favorite St. Louis Hidden Gem?

“I like West County Mall because it’s a fun place to hang out with my friends.”

Alex Loynd (9)

One of St. Louis’s primary tourist attractions, the City Museum is also one of Bob Cassilly’s creations. Occupying a defunct shoe factory, the City Museum is flled with architectural and industrial relics repurposed into a massive, 10-story jungle gym. Its amenities include airplane fuselages, the façades of old buildings and the largest pencil on Earth. It also has a food court, a station where you can try to break various world records and a slide that descends all 10 stories.

Lemp Mansion

Standing tall 160 years after it was frst constructed, the Lemp mansion was home to one of St. Louis’s richest and most tragic families. In the 19th century, the Lemp Brewery’s authentic German lagers became the frst beer in the United States with a nationwide reach. However, the death of a notable member and the onset of Prohibition placed enormous strain on the family, with several suicides in the mansion throughout the years. The mansion is a restaurant today and is reportedly haunted.

“I love to visit Queeny Park because it has a lot of nice trails to walk on.”

Mary Workineh (11)

“My favorite hidden gem is Coma Cofee because I like to study there.”

Lucy Chen (12)

In with the Old, Out with the New

Anabella Acosta brings new life to thrifted clothes

Anabella Acosta (10)

Stale air fills her lungs as she pushes the door open. Racks of clothes crowd her vision as she enters the store. While she sifts through the clothes, she knows she will spend the next few hours happily sorting at the thrift store. Anabella Acosta (10) shares her journey with thrifting in St. Louis.

“[Thrifting is] really eco-friendly and a cheap way to buy clothes,” Acosta said. “I kind of like the idea of having something from someone else.”

Acosta will continue to thrift in the future and find ways to sustainably buy clothes. Last year, she thrifted to save money on the purchase of a pantsuit. Usually, these types of clothes are only worn a few times and can be expensive. She used the pantsuit for Mock Trial and HOSA competitions.

“I liked thinking about the person before me who might have been a lawyer,” Acosta said. “Now I’m wearing [the pantsuit] and [I’m my] professional self and can carry myself to a higher standard.” P

Finders, Keepers

Jane Schefel ranks three St. Louis thrift stores

By Jane Schefel

Staf

1. Found by the Pound

The door swings open to Found by the Pound, a large warehouse overfowing with racks and bins of clothes. Found by the Pound located in Berkeley, Missouri is the best place to thrift. The store is flled with large sections of clothing, from prom dresses to jeans. While the variety and amount of clothes is great, be prepared to dig for the perfect outft. Your time will be well-spent when you uncover some great pieces and pay for your haul by weight. Found by the Pound has the best pieces for the best prices. This is the place to thrift if you are in St. Louis.

Avalon Exchange

Located in the Delmar Loop, Avalon Exchange is full of unique pieces of clothing. Circle racks fll the store and are stufed to capacity with cool clothes. In the center of the store lies a huge rack full of new and vintage t-shirts. The store is organized well, so it’s easy to fnd what you want and this creates a clean, higher end feel. But, be prepared to spend more money then other local thrift stores because there is a large selection of high end brands. Bright colors and loud clothes create a fun experience and the overall vibes at Avalon Exchange are unmatched.

3. Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Society of St. Vincent de Paul ofers more than just clothes. It’s full of furniture, decorations and everything you could want for an apartment or college dorm. As you enter, you immediately see racks of clothes and footwear. However, time might be better spent skipping those and getting to the far side of the store. This side holds diferent kitchen essentials. Make sure you head to the back wall to fnd collections of old vinyls, CDs, cassette tapes and movie videos. The clothing selection is a bit limited, but this is the most afordable of the local thrift stores. Society of St. Vincent de Paul is worth a stop if you’re looking for treasure beyond clothing.

Photo by Nyla Weathersby

1. Craft Alliance

In their new location in between the Delmar Loop and the Central West End, Craft Alliance is the perfect place to start your crafting journey as it ofers a wide variety of classes to take, ranging from glass, ceramics, fbers and more. Craft Alliance is one of the pillar organizations that makes up the Delmar Maker District and acts as an inclusive place for both budding artists and talented professionals looking to refne their skills. Craft Alliance brings the community together to experience the pleasure of the arts boasting several community programs such as Free Family Saturdays, Third Friday at Craft Alliance and ArtSmarts for Schools. In addition to all of their programs, classes and workshops, Craft Alliance also has a store flled with one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces from local and national artists. Craft Alliance has everything for your crafting needs from learning the craft to buying it.

Made in St. Louis

Ways to get involved into the St. Louis craft scene

CREATIVE?

Scan here for more about The Candle Fusion Studio

The

By Nyla Weathersby

Staf

Manager

2.

Candle Fusion Studio

Founded in 2016 with a mission of giving St.Louis a fresh, creative twist, The Candle Fusion Studio ofers more than 100 crafted scents, spanning from oven-baked fragrances to fresh and clean aromas, allowing visitors to explore and fnd their perfect scent. The Candle Fusion Studio has clean burning, eco-friendly and premium room sprays, body mists, spa salts, wax tarts, and of course soy candles. With locations in St. Charles and The Foundry, The Candle Fusion Studio is the perfect place for a fun excursion with friends or a solo adventure. They ofer walk-ins, reservations and private events, making The Candle Fusion Studio ideal for every occasion and need. With helpful, kind staf members, The Candle Fusion Studio can be a very calm and enjoyable place to be while also having a product you or another could use and experience.

3.

Saint Louis Artists’ Guild

A cornerstone of the local arts community, the St. Louis Artist Guild (STLAG) provides a space for artists of all ages and backgrounds to showcase their work, refne their craft, and engage with fellow artists. The STLAG has a gallery in Clayton that is free and open to the public, hosting rotating exhibitions. In addition to its gallery, the STLAG ofers classes and workshops for all ages along with Free Family Saturdays to celebrate the arts, fostering community while learning about painting, drawing, mixed media and printmaking. The STLAG has a membership option with the cheapest being for Students for $25. Their membership gives patrons discounts for both exhibit entry fees and art classes and workshops, in addition to 10% of purchases at Blick Art Materials and 10% of purchases at the STLAG ArtShop. STLAG is a home for many local artists.

St. Louis Staples

Cindy Liu and Madeline Fong rate popular St. Louis originated foods

1. Toasted Ravioli

2. Gooey Butter Cake

Dating back to the 1930s when a St. Louis baker used the wrong measurements for butter and four, gooey butter cake is one of the best accidental creations. Purchased from Gooey Louie, the top was brittle and provided a slight crunch to the melty-soft texture of the cake. The evenly-sprinkled powdered sugar brought out the perfect amount of sweetness. Despite the edges of the cake being sticky, this treat was one of the better desserts either of us had ever indulged in. There is no reason why this cake shouldn’t replace basic birthday cakes.

These crunchy appetizers from Imo’s Pizza are popular for a reason. The faky crust is light and perfectly fried. Enjoying fresh toasted ravioli has the same efects as drinking hot cocoa on a chilly winter day — both experiences should be universal. The ravioli were favorful on their own, but the subtly sweet meat sauce was the perfect counterpart to the savory ravioli beef flling. There is no better appetizer than these toasted pillows; they’re a perfect start to any meal. Toasted raviolis are truly the jewels of St. Louis.

3. Thin-Crust Pizza

Topped with Provel cheese — a blend of cheddar, Swiss and provolone — this St. Louis special from Imo’s Pizza is a topic of hot debate. We ordered the 10-inch “Cheese Only Pizza” and at frst glance, the pizza looked unsuspecting and underwhelming. However, we were pleasantly surprised after taking a bite of the sacred square slice. Provel cheese has a low melting point, resulting in a delightfully creamy texture and buttery taste. The light dusting of herbs balanced out the sweet favor of the sauce. However, the pizza did start to get bland after a few slices. Overall, St. Louisstyle pizza doesn’t deserve the hate it gets.

What is Your Favorite St. Louis Food?

“I like Imo’s

because it has good pizza and the favoring has Italian vibes.”

Niyumi Rajapaksha

“Toasted ravioli because they are crispy and taste really good.”

Zoey Brinker (12)

“Imo’s Pizza because I really like the thin crust of the pizza.”

Essey Belay (11)

“My favorite St. Louis food is gooey butter cake because I love desserts.”

Claire Zhang (10)

Pizza

(9)

Pano Picks

Liu’s Favorite I didn’t have high expectations of gooey butter cake since I’d received many warnings that it was overwhelmingly sweet and unenjoyable. After I cautiously tried a small piece, I dismissed all of these warnings. Everything about gooey butter cake is perfect, especially the sweetness. The unappetizing brownish-yellow color threw me of a bit, but the gooey butter cake is the best example of why people should never judge a book by its cover.

4. Ted Drewes

With a gift shop next to the Ted Drewes stand, the extensive menu had some winners, but nothing worth buying merch over. Still, Ted Drewes can hit the spot if you know what to order. The Lemon Crumb Concrete was tangy with a hint of bitterness that was just right. The graham crackers added to the perfect texture trifecta — creamy, smooth and crunchy. On the contrary, the Cardinal Sin, a sundae covered with hot fudge and tart cherries, solidly brings down the rating. The sundae became infested with the taste of extremely sour cherries. The lack of hot fudge alongside the overbearing cherry favor fooded our taste buds with dissatisfaction.

Fong’s Favorite

I generally try to avoid fried foods, but toasted ravioli might be the exception. The ratio of airiness to meat allowed for a perfect crunch. Not only that, but the pockets of air made it easy to scoop generous amounts of sauce into it, which concocted the perfect combination. The crispy breading paired with the soft beef stufng come together in a way that defnes harmony itself. Whoever dropped the frst ravioli into a fryer is a genius.

5. Sugarfre Smokehouse

6. Fitz’s Root Beer

The frst sip of this popular St. Louis beverage was like a root beer on steroids. We imagine a bottle of pure vanilla extract would taste the same as the overly creamy favor of vanilla in the drink. The real punch was when the aftertaste of herbs hit through, which made the drink unpleasant in a matter of seconds. The soda was overwhelmingly sweet and rooty at the same time, resulting in a medicine-like combination. Instead of being crisp and carbonated, we found the root beer to be quite fat. At least the packaging was nice.

Sugarfre has been coined as having the best St. Louis barbecue by the Travel Channel, St. Louis Magazine and many loyal customers, but we failed to see the appeal. The four-ounce brisket was the most tolerable dish with its smooth texture and smoky taste. However, the extreme amount of grease and fat made it a struggle to fnish the small portion. The half-rack ribs were signifcantly dry and lacked favor. The potato salad was a confusing and unbearable experience to consume — a better potato side would ranking fries, this salt-lacking item would come dead last. Ultimately, this meal was enjoyable at frst but

A Melting Pot

St. Louis’ food scene exemplifes the rich and diverse culture of the city

Balkan Treat Box — Webster Groves

The Balkan Treat Box, an informal take out or grab and sitdown restaurant serving traditional Balkan dishes such as pide, lahmacun, döner and ćevapi, opened its doors, or windows, Dec. 2016. The restaurant began as a food truck, but gained such popularity around the area that it found its permanent home in Webster Groves in 2019. The Balkan Treat Box has established itself as one of the only Balkan-themed eateries in St. Louis.

Protzel’s Deli — Clayton

Located in central Clayton, Bob and Evelyn Protzel opened Protzel’s Delicatessen Oct. 1, 1954 to make ends meet. Now, the Deli, serving traditional Jewish dishes along with its famed corned beef, is seen as a St. Louis landmark and a tradition for many families. While the family-owned Deli once served only to-go items, they now have added seating so that customers can dine in, as well as the option to cater for large events or parties.

Mai Lee Restaurant — Brentwood

Mai Lee is widely recognized as the frst Vietnamese cuisine restaurant to open in the St. Louis area. After escaping a warriddled Vietnam in 1978 with her husband and young son and working at multiple Chinese restaurants in St. Louis, founder Lee Tran opened Mai Lee in 1985 as a Chinese restaurant. Eventually, she began to added traditional Vietnamese dishes, expanding into a family-run Vietnamese restaurant.

Blueberry Hill — Delmar Loop

Blueberry Hill, located in the Delmar Loop of St. Louis, has a rich history of music and nightlife. The restaurant is flled with cases of pop culture memorabilia and opened in 1972 when the Loop had “seen better days,” according to the restaurant’s website. Today, the restaurant’s downstairs performance area, the Duck Room, has served as a venue to renowned music guests such as Chuck Berry, Ed Sheeran and Nelly and is seen as a St. Louis hub for live music.

Lombardo — Midtown

Lombardo’s Trattoria, situated next to Union Station in downtown St. Louis, is known for being the frst restaurant to specialize in St. Louis’s edible claim to fame: toasted ravioli. The now-restaurant was initially opened as a fower stand by Angelo Lombardo, an Italian immigrant.

Venice Cafe — South City

Renowned for its eclectic atmosphere and mosaic covered walls, Venice Cafe is unlike any other restaurant in St. Louis. Located in South City, the bar began as owner Jef Lockheed’s home in 1978, which he eventually converted into a public, cashonly bar by popular demand.

Crown Candy — North City

Known for its milkshakes and hamburgers, Crown Candy Kitchen found its home in Old North St. Louis in 1913. It remains a generational family business, still upholding its “5 Malt Challenge” tradition, in which the participant must drink fve malts or shakes in 30 minutes to get them free.

Gioia’s Deli — The Hill

Gioia’s Deli, which frst opened its doors as a grocery store in 1918, is widely known as one of the frst Italian food establishments in St. Louis’s historic Italian neighborhood, the Hill. It was initially opened by Italian immigrant Charlie Gioia, but was sold to the Donley family, who still run it, in 1980.

Anheuser-Busch — Downtown

Anheuser-Busch brewery, founded in 1850, is integrated into most pieces of St. Louis history. Since its founding, the company has expanded to over 19,000 employees and 120 facilities nationwide. The company has been a major factor in pivotal decisions that have afected the city of St. Louis.

New Face in Town

Americanization has removed many historical and cultural St. Louis restaurants Staf

SBy Amelie Lock

t. Louis, like many cities, is renowned for its cultural synthesis of food options. From the Italian cuisines on The Hill to the diverse options lining the Delmar Loop, there is something for everyone. While most of these restaurants and areas have authentic roots, the Americanization of food in St. Louis has watered down their menus to appeal to American tastes.

Today, when the average person drives around Olive Boulevard, industrial apartments, fast food restaurants and even a Costco can be found all within a mile of each other. What many of those people are unaware of, however, is that this strip near highway 170 was once home to countless Asian-owned restaurants and businesses, fondly referred to as the “Olive Link.” This formerly culture-rich area has since been replaced by popular American fast food chains. Despite being a small section of St. Louis, this act reflects a larger development that is occurring throughout the city.

The Grove, located in downtown St. Louis, offers another vivid example. The neighborhood has a rich history of African American culture, and was once home to many locally-owned restaurants specializing in soul food. Today, this food has faced appropriation, with traditional dishes appearing on the menus of higher-priced, new restaurants aimed at tourists.

While this cultural erasure has affected many areas in the greater St. Louis area, establishments have worked to maintain their roots. Cherokee Street, known for its Mexican and Central American food, has maintained its immigrant-owned businesses. Americanization in St. Louis sparks a broader conversation about who should profit from a neighborhood’s identity.

One-Stop Shop

Despite the prices, Straub’s ofers basic grocery options to shoppers

In 1901, William Straub opened his very first grocery store in Webster Groves, Missouri. This evolved into one of St. Louis’ most renowned markets: Straub’s.

Filled with the sweet aroma of freshly-baked desserts, I was greeted by a pleasant scent as I first entered the illustrious St. Louis grocery store. After taking a moment to appreciate the delectable smell, I noticed the unusual layout of the store. Instead of the produce or flowers being right by the door, I faced a plethora of baked goods, including muffins, danishes and pies. The bakery had a checkered wallpaper that felt like it would embellish the walls of a quaint and cozy café.

Next up was produce, which had a strange placement at the back of the store. This was reminiscent of Schnucks, with the checkout and bakery near the entrance and the produce and the rest of the aisles towards the back of the store. The produce was fresh, and the store

This mufn was vanilla with raindrop shaped chocolate chips distributed evenly throughout. It was fufy and not too sweet, but had an eggy favor which I wasn’t a fan of. Nevertheless, it was still a great snack to munch on when I was craving a sweet treat.

offered plenty of organic options for fruits and vegetables, which appeared quite fresh.

In the very back of the store laid the meat and seafood department, which offers a variety of prepared foods and raw meats. Although I just skimmed the area, I was impressed by the vast amount of meat. The aisles were next on my list to visit, with chips, chocolate and plenty of other snacks adorning the shelves. My favorite part was definitely the ice cream aisle, which included a full freezer of discontinued flavors of Jeni’s Ice Cream such as “Genmaicha & Marshmallow.” I was surprised, since I haven’t seen any other grocery store that offered this selection.

However, the set up of the aisles disappointed me, as it all felt very cluttered. Regardless, the staff were welcoming and were there to tend to my every need when beckoned.

Overall, shopping at Straub’s was a pleasant experience with plenty of options. However, if you aren’t a fan of expensive and messy grocery stores, which I’d think you wouldn’t be, I would recommend you skip this one.

This cake looked appetizing until I bit into it. I only tasted one thing: sugar. If diabetes was a cake, it would be this. The banana favor was minimal and overwhelming artifcial. I’ve never had bananas foster, but if there’s one thing I know, it defnitely does not taste like this cake.

Tiya Kaul reviews two popular desserts from the Straub’s bakery

Chocolate Chip Mufn

Bananas Foster Cake

Staf

By Tiya Kaul

Photos by Tiya Kaul

Illustration by Tiya Kaul

ABOVE: Straub’s sells a variety of products, from fresh produce to jams and drinks. Straub’s in Town & Country has been in business since 1966, and has prospered in St. Louis since then. (Photos by Tiya Kaul)

Refuel with

FAR LEFT: Manager and co-owner Nazia Afzal displays freshly made samosas, spring rolls, and chicken. The food is made by Afzal at the station when it runs out. “My food is really good, and very cheap,” Afzal said. “I have a limited menu, but whatever I have are cheaper priced.”

TOP LEFT: Olivette Station’s gaming area has a place to sit and eat. Afzal converted what was an auto shop into a dining area. “[The dining area] is well decorated and has a nice atmosphere,” Camilla Chen (10) said.

BOTTOM LEFT: The exterior of Olivette Station April 6. In 2023, Afzal renovated the outside of the station. “The outside is green and cheery,” Chen said. “It matches well with how quaint the inside is.”

(Photos by Vincent Hsiao)

Flavor

Olivette Station sells both standard gas station items and Pakistani food

By Medha Chode

Staf

The door swings open as the smell of fried food wafts out the door. This is no ordinary gas station; at Olivette Station manager and co-owner Nazia Afzal sells Pakistani food.

In Pakistan, Afzal was a teacher, but when she tried teaching high school in the United States, she found high schoolers to be very different than she was used to. She quit teaching and instead began running the station.

“I like it [at the station], because whatever I do, I am my own self,” Afzal said. “People like [my food], they come [and] they talk with me. I stay happy. That’s why, because I’m happy [and] we can’t do anything if we aren’t happy.”

Although they do not have much advertising, word of mouth goes far. This is the case for Camilla Chen (10), who first heard of it through her friend.

“[My first impression was that] I was surprised to see, even though it was small, there was a really sophisticated cooking section behind the cashier,” Chen said. “I was surprised by how many tools they had for cooking the food.”

Afzal and her brother, Qamar Zaman, bought the gas station in 2021 after moving to St. Louis from Louisiana. However, when they first bought the gas station, part of it was an auto shop, which they could no longer run.

“One day, my cashier was working here, and my mechanic, he took all the equipment and put it in the truck, and he went away,” Afzal said. “I had to close the auto shop because [the mechanic] stole all the equipment. I didn’t know anything about it, so I was just out of business.”

In addition, Afzal also had difficulty obtaining a tobacco license. Tobacco products are an important source of income at gas sta-

tions. These two things combined led Afzal to start selling food.

“I had only gas, that’s it,” Afzal said. “My mortgage was due, all the things were due. I was out of business. I thought, ‘What should I do?’ I should do what I know how to do. I knew how to cook, so I just started.”

Afzal makes the food at Olivette Station by hand, including the seasonings, or masala. Her most popular foods are the potato samosas and chicken spring rolls.

“I boil potatoes here, I cut it, I make masala and then I put in the samosa,” Afzal said. “The chicken spring rolls are the same. [I] make it like the home cooks, just a simple food, salt, pepper. I don’t use any artificial masalas.”

Olivette Station is a convenient place where you can buy a meal and fill up your car.

Illustration by Medha Chode P

“I would [recommend it],” Chen said. “It’s small, but I think it’s really nice and they have really good food.”

Close to

Panera Bread’s evolution and expansion out of St. Louis

1987

Ken and Linda Rosenthal open the frst St. Louis Bread Company location in Kirkwood, Mo., using a sourdough starter from San Francisco.

1991

Panera becomes a publicly traded company with shares costing $13.25 each.

2008

Panera expands to Canada.

2010

Panera moves its headquarters to Sunset Hills, Mo.

Panera operates in 48 states, D.C. and Canada.

1993

Au Bon Pain purchases St. Louis Bread Company for $23 million.

2000

Panera moves its headquarters to Richmond Heights, Mo.

2014

Panera unveils “Panera 2.0,” featuring tablet kiosks in restaurants and in-app ordering.

2021

Panera merges with Caribou Cofee and Einstein Bros. Bagels to create Panera Brands.

2018

1997

Au Bon Pain changes St. Louis Bread Company’s name to Panera, which has roots in the Latin word for “breadbasket.”

2016

Panera opens its 2,000th location in Elyria, Ohio.

Panera forms a consulting business to help other restaurants stop using artifcial ingredients.

Q: When was the frst time you studied at Panera?

2017

JAB Holding Company acquires Panera for $7.16 billion.

A: The frst time I studied at Panera was probably early junior year.

Q: Why did you decide to start studying at Panera?

A: It was just a good study environment. Some of my friends were going there. I could eat, study [and] also talk.

Q: How often do you study at Panera?

A: I used to go three to fve times a week.

Q: How would you describe the environment of Panera?

A: Since there was a good amount of people there, if you had any questions, there was always somebody from school that could help you. Just lots of support.

Q: What is your go-to menu item at Panera?

A: The cinnamon sugar bagel with a hot tea. It’s a quick snack, and then if I’m really hungry, I can get two. And the tea, the cafeine wakes me up a little bit.

Panera uses the same starter today.

St. Louis locations still use Panera’s old name.

Illustrations by Ella Bender

Pick and Choose

Students share their favorite foods from Panera Bread

“My favorite food from Panera is the Toasted Garden Caprese. It’s a light sandwich, an easy eat. The bread is pretty good and I like what’s inside.”

Charles Randall (12)

“My favorite food at Bread Co. would be the large grilled cheese with mac and cheese. That combination is fantastical.”

Preston Jewell (11)

“I like mac and cheese because the mac and cheese at Panera is very creamy and I think it’s a staple of Panera.”

Netra Saravana Balaji (10)

“[I like] the Chipotle Chicken Avocado Sandwich. It’s not too spicy, but it’s defnitely not bland.”

Cami Welsh (9)

I appreciate the attempt to combine various textures in this sandwich, but I was not impressed with the result. The bacon was tough. The tomato was sopping wet. The hefty layer of deli turkey was unsettlingly soft. However, Panera’s Signature Bravo Sauce was the silver lining, bringing favor to every bite. I’m a sucker for any variation of a Thousand Island dressing. The sauce does make this sandwich messy, so grab extra napkins before you dig in.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup has a sky-high cheddar to broccoli ratio, but the mention of a vegetable in the name of this dish allows me to almost convince myself that it’s healthy. The superior method for consuming this meal is tearing of a piece of the side baguette and drenching it in soup. Panera is known for their bread, after all. The airy, fresh baguette absorbs the thick soup perfectly, creating a balanced bite. Though, once the bread is gone, the vegetable chunks become much more prominent. Consider ordering an extra side of bread if you’re vegetable-averse like I am.

If I could describe this mac and cheese in one word, it would be “rich.” It consists of shell pasta drowned in a blend of creamy cheeses. The pasta was perfectly soft and the shell shape ensured that a pocket of cheese graced every bite of this dish. Don’t expect to fnish an entire mac and cheese bread bowl on your own unless you’re particularly ravenous. Leftovers are a likely possibility with this meal, and they’re sure to be enjoyed.

Freshly Baked

I’ve tried countless chocolate chip cookies — and frankly, Panera disappointed me. The cookie was both hard and chewy. I’m not sure how they managed that. I can’t complain about the volume of chocolate chunks, though. Every bite was thoroughly chocolate-flled, but the chocolate did not make this cookie worth $2.99.

Ella Bender reviews popular foods from Panera Bread

Bacon Turkey Bravo

Chocolate Chipper Cookie

Mac and Cheese Bread Bowl

Photos by Ella Bender

St. Louis,

Surveyed

Students experience St. Louis city

Panorama surveyed 90 students April 3

Illustration by Josh Devine and Max Karsh

Map not usable for direction purposes

Have you been on the Metro?

9 out of 10 students knew the Zoo is free. Less than once a year

How often do you go to the zoo?

St. Louis Zoo

100% of students have been to the St. Louis Zoo.

Louis Union Station has been around since 1800.

Have you been to the St. Louis Aquarium?

81% of students attend the zoo more than once a year. of students have been to a City soccer game. of students have season tickets to City soccer.

ST LOUIS UNION STATION

The Fabulous Fox Theatre hosts over 200 shows each year.

Percent of the city population that falls under the poverty line:

68% of students have been to a show at the Fabulous Fox.

13% of students have been to Dogtown St. Patrick’s Day.

250,000+ people attended the St. Patrick’s day parade in 2025.

The Arch

The Arch and surrounding land has been a National Park for seven years.

Have you been to Soulard Mardi Gras?

8 students have caught a baseball.

17% of students Uber to Busch Stadium.

97% of students have visited the Arch.

86% of students have gone up the Arch

Sources: National Census Bureau, St. Louis City, St. Louis Metro Network, The Atlantic, The Economist

Sound

Illustration by Loukya Gillella

Photo by Vincent Hsiao

Louis and other Midwestern cities. These migration patterns and blending of different racial and ethnic groups turned St. Louis into a melting pot of various cultures and traditions, specifically in music.

“St. Louis is a bit of a crossroads, culturally and therefore musically,” social studies teacher

Zachary Garrison said. “St. Louis has a mix of Delta Blues from Louisiana and Mississippi; it also has a mix of European traditional folk plays out of Appalachia; also a pretty solid immigrant base in the 19th century of German, Jewish, Irish and Italian groups that have brought their own style. So in that way, St Louis has a unique blend of cultures and traditions.”

The city’s diverse population provided it with its own rich musical journey across decades of history. Dating all the way back to the beginning of the 20th century, St. Louis emerged as a pivotal center of ragtime and blues. These styles of music were deeply rooted in African American folk music and were precursors to jazz. As the roaring twenties brought forth the jazz era, St. Louis became a

hub for artists to foster talent in hub for artists to foster talent in local riverboats, or steamboats on the water which showcased local jazz artists.

“During the Great Migration, folks came to St. Louis and they would perform on river boats. They were a chance for new artists to showcase themselves.”

David Forbes Social studies teacher

St. Louis’ musical history was largely influenced by the work of Black artists, who blended their culture into American music and gave birth to genres like ragtime and blues. Not only did they transform the national music industry, but they broke existing racial barriers and fostered their own cultural identity through music.

“If you’re a musician in the 1910s and ‘20s, the expectation

JAZZ GENRES

Bossa nova, meaning “new wave” in Portuguese, is a Brazillian music genre from the 1950s to 1960s blending samba and jazz.

Swing is a type of jazz from the 1930s characterized by danceable rhythms and a feeling of forward momentum.

Blues is a music genre from the 1860s, known for its melancholic themes, a 12-bar form and African musical traditions.

is that you’re going to play a certain style of music,” Garrison said. “But if you’re a Black musician, you have this freedom to say, ‘Well, we don’t have to play white-style music because we’re not even really allowed in white spaces, so we’re going to create our own take on music that allows us to escape.’”

Despite their huge success in the music industry, Black artists still faced challenges that limited their opportunities in music, such as segregation and discrimination. Even to this day, while there are many Black musicians that can be found in the history books, many still don’t receive the credit and honor for their roles in the music industry.

“I think of Big Mama Thorton as one of the forgotten pioneers in rock and roll,” Forbes said. “She did her rendition of Hound Dog before Elvis did. She had a single of it; but nobody knows anything about her. That’s the case for a lot of Black artists as they succeed within go through and their own circles. They’re pioneers in pushing music forward, but they’re often discriminated against.”

“We’re always here every

[Everyone] is always welcome

FAR LEFT: Bassist Bob Deboo opens up the Wednesday night Jazz jam in The Dark Room at The Grandel. Deboo began the night playing standards with the house band before opening up the stage to any players wanting to participate.

Wednesday.

back,” Deboo said.

LEFT: Benny Benack plays the tune, “Speak Low.” He stopped by St. Louis for a bit while on tour. “Half the tunes I learned, I learned in jazz jams,” Benack said. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

St. Louis on

Stage

Blue Strawberry

Playing

Jazz doesn’t exist as a bygone relic in St. Louis’s history. Numerous clubs and organizations throughout the city from Jazz St. Louis to The Dark Room act as hubs for jazz musicians of all levels. Jacob Barnes (12), 2025 Missouri All-State Jazz Band guitarist, has been playing guitar for nine years.

“The thing [that’s great] about jazz is you’re constrained, but you can kind of do whatever you want. Then there’s also a lot of interplay and interaction.”

Jacob Barnes (12)

“I remember the

Stifel Theatre

The general structure of a jazz tune consists of the “head,” the main melody or theme, along with improvised solos based on the tune’s chord progression and key, the “constraints.” However, with the evolution of the genre, especially during the 1970s with the rise of free jazz, which allowed for improvisation beyond traditional chords, defining the genre has become increasingly complex.

“A lot of people are calling music that isn’t jazz, jazz,” Barnes said. “People love doing that because there’s an aesthetic tied to it as something really complex and dif-

ficult to understand. Words do matter but you’re not gonna find scientific criteria for what jazz is.”

There have been marked attempts by prominent musicians to define jazz. Notably trumpeter Wynton Marsalis advocates for a purist understanding of jazz as a genre that broke the rules of European convention and created its own specific rules (having to incorporate improvisation, swing and the blues). For Marsalis and other purists, the perpetuation of jazz as being a completely open/rule-less genre implies a sort of mocking simplicity and allows for people to piggyback off jazz’s reputation.

“Everyone has a problem calling things jazz, because I think jazz actually is kind of deep, historically,” Barnes said. “It takes a lot of knowledge to really recognize that something’s jazz. [Something] can be ‘jazzy’ for sure. A lot of people think that’s gatekeeping, [but] It’s not.”

Laufey, a Chinese-Scandinavian musician has been credited with “saving” jazz from its position as a dead genre but many critics argue that this fails to recognize the jazz musicians that have, and still continue to work.

“I understand that [some people] want the popular heyday of jazz to return, but that’s never going to happen,” Band director Aaron Lehde said. “Jazz is fine - there will always be people playing and listening to that music because it is an expression of who we are as Americans.”

The Pageant Enterprise Center

LEFT: Wednesday Night Jazz Jam at The Dark Room STL, Jacob Barnes (12) solos over the tune, “Speak Low.” Barnes began playing guitar in fourth grade and started playing jazz in eighth grade.

frst three times I went to The Dark Room, I brought my guitar, but I was too scared to play,” Barnes said. “Just try new things. Go to The Dark Room and play because no one really cares at all.” (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

Popular music venues in St. Louis

Jazz St. Louis

Illustration by Loukya Gillella

Beyond the opinion that jazz is “dead,” other myths and misconceptions afflict the musician and jazz community.

“I hate the idea that working musicians are either all inspiration and magical or anti-social creatures that practice 8 hours a day,” Lehde said. “My experience is closer to that of a craftsman - I have a specialized skill that I’ve honed over 30 years. It’s not magic.”

Teaching

Strong foundations in music education and outreach contribute to the city’s unique music culture. While funding restraints and lack of support within public school districts can be a restricting factor in music education, the impact of individual educators can be underestimated.

“When I took the Kirkwood job, they wanted somebody to build the program,” Webster University Community Music School Young People’s Symphony Orchestra conductor Patrick Jackson said. “I knew it was bad. I didn’t know it was that bad. I had a total of 38 kids, from middle school to high school. I just kept building and motivating the kids and it ended up being a really good program. It was like one of the top programs in the country. Many kids left there and went to all the major conservatories. And kids kept coming into the program.”

Teachers also play a role in passing down the unique education culture that St. Louis can provide for its students.

“By the end of my freshman year in high school, I knew that I was going to make a life in music,” Lehde said. “I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant; I wanted to play as well as I could, and I also loved teaching. I saw my band director, Terry Waffler, work magic with our high school band and I real-

Music Sucks, Here’s Why

Modern music has become commodifed and it’s impairing the creative process

FBy Grace Kweon

Staf

rom a cultural revival of the Harlem Renaissance to hippie rock songs of the counterculture movement, music has challenged oppressive systems, empowered the disempowered and united individuals under a common ground.

Nowadays, pop music largely revolves around romance, making up many of the songs we listen to. It’s not that there are less problems in society to sing about, it’s that there’s become a deprecating shift in focus to commercial success and mass appeal.

Although love songs can be easy to listen to and understand, they have paved the way for mainstream music to become safe, agreeable and palatable. It’s fabricated a creation process that is formulaic and inauthentic and often companies often adopt cultural facets for artist branding .

The amount of times I’ve seen K-Pop idols saying the N-word and mocking Black culture is diabolical. Their music might have a huge influence on a group’s style or culture, yet some still manage to be ignorant of the communities behind them.

Additionally, K-Pop songs are often churned out by a group of manufacturers, all with choreo and a designated amount of time to promote their music. After the promotional period is over, the songs fade away into the background — forgotten and replaced by a newer album.

No matter how manufactured or culturally insensitive, if the song sounds good and is socially conventional, the companies who manage these artists and music producers ultimately reap the most rewards.

There’s also been a shift to prioritizing visuals over talent and musical integrity. The baseline is that if you’re not pretty, you’re not cut out to be a famous artist. The K-Pop industry, especially, uses visual aesthetics as a crutch. It’s created a culture where artists are not assessed by the value of their work, but how much money they can make.

Despite this trend, there are still relevant modern artists like Penelope Scott and Jack Stauber who create addicting music addressing societal issues beyond what is easily marketable.

Liking art that looks or sounds good is normal. But meaning must be held to a higher regard than visuals or money. It’s time to get loud and tackle societal issues. P

Conductor Patrick Jackson directs the Webster University YPSO during a dress rehearsal in preparation for their performance at Carnegie Hall. The ensemble was accepted to festival at Carnegie Hall after their fall 2024 concert. “We’re featuring every section on this concert,” Jackson said.” (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

wanted to be able to do that sort of thing with kids as well.”

In addition to school districts and individual educators, organizations like Community Music School offer affordable music lessons with the help of volunteer faculty, as well as access to playing opportunities in its Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra and Young People’s Concert Orchestra. Other institutions like Jazz St. Louis’s JazzU program offer free opportunities to learn from experienced musicians and perform with peers.

“There’s a lot of people [at JazzU], and they’re very welcoming,” Barnes said. “They like young mu-

sicians that are passionate about jazz, and they want to share their passion with you, and it’s so easy to hear them play, which inspires you to want to be like them.”

Jazz, in particular, requires a unique approach to teaching.

“Jazz improvisation is very similar to teaching another language,” Lehde said. “So it requires an immersion in the language you’re trying to teach, in other words, you have to immerse yourself in jazz. Concert band is more like acting out a scene; you’re bringing to life a text that someone else wrote. In jazz, you’re having a conversation with others in the group.”

St. Louis Legends

72% of students think local music is not appreciated enough compared to mainstream music.

32% of students listen to local artists.

Panorama surveyed 90 students April 3.

Jazz communities provide unique opportunities for new jazz musicians to learn the art.

“The best jazz lesson I’ve had was from Walter Blanding, this tenor saxophonist with the Lincoln Center Orchestra,” Barnes said. “He kept stressing that the only thing that matters is now, which I think is all jazz is about. With poetry, you rearrange words to appreciate the craft of words themself. With jazz, it’s like a combination of both music and your individual choice and actions within a dynamic context. All that is about being present in the moment and wanting to be creative in the moment.”

St. Louis musicians who have had a signifcant impact on the music industry

Peter Martin is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, educator and attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York. He began studying violin and piano at the age of 3. His work included a blend of jazz and R&B music. He has performed at the White House for a state dinner hosted by President Obama and later performed at the Governor’s Dinner. He also appeared in George Clooney’s 2005 flm “Good Night, and Good Luck” while also being the pianist and arranger on the Grammy-winning soundtrack. He now performs and teaches around the country, most notably through his jazz education community, Open Studio Jazz.

Clark Terry is an American trumpeter and jazz musician who attended Vashon High School. His interest for music began at a young age when he created his frst “instrument“ and he quickly rose to become a jazz trumpet giant. Before and during his time in the Navy, he played with local bands and many musicians. After World War II, he returned to St. Louis and played with multiple famous musicians. One of them included Duke Ellington, who gave him the chance to participate in the famous 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. He later toured Europe and became the frst African American member of the Tonight Show band. He also educated young people in music.

Solána Imani Rowe, also known as SZA, is an American singer-songwriter born in St. Louis. SZA holds great signifcance in contemporary R&B music, combining rhythm, blues, hiphop and soul, starting from her frst hit album, “Ctrl” in 2017. She then released two more critically acclaimed R&B albums and several songs amassing over 100 million streams on Spotify. Since an early age, she was surrounded by music of diferent genres from her family and artists like the Grammy winning R&B artist Ashanti, winning fve Grammy awards of her own. SZA’s biggest hit, “Kill Bill,” reached number one on music charts globally.

Illustration by Fiona Van Allen

Panorama Perspective

Illustration by Nina Ye

With so much to ofer, St. Louis should be fully appreciated by its residents

24 OUT OF 27 LADUE PUBLICATIONS EDITORS AGREE

The Saint Louis Zoo boasts its status as the largest free zoo in the United States. The City Museum dangles a retired school bus a whopping 10-stories above Delmar Boulevard. The Gateway Arch stretches 630 feet above ground in an upside-down, steel smile.

While St. Louis isn’t exactly the most coveted vacation destination in the world, it’s not half bad. That being said, according to the U.S. Census, 2023 saw St. Louis with the second-largest population drop across all U.S. metro areas. That year, there was a net loss of over 3,000 people. While it’s natural for people to move on and explore new opportunities in new places, one must note that while so many are leaving St. Louis at increasingly high rates, the amount of arrivals fails to keep up with this exodus.

So, the question is: why? St. Louis is no stranger to controversial politics and gentrification. But, even amid these serious challenges, St. Louisans know that our home is much more than a fly-over city; our community has much to offer. Our sports teams, for one, with successes that mirror the fluctuations of the weather; 75 degrees and a championship win only days after freezing rain and a lastplace ranking — just ask the 2019 St. Louis Blues. The city and metro area is home to some of the highest-performing public school districts in the nation, with the Ladue and Clayton districts often finding themselves on the high end of the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Believe it or not, the ex-

citing and multicultural food scene in St. Louis is enough to sway even the pickiest of eaters. Growing up immersed in the diversity of St. Louis generates unique characteristics for all who experience it.

Many students preach that once they graduate they are never coming back to the city. However, this sentiment isn’t unique to St. Louis adolescents. The tedium of daily routine can cast a monochrome lens onto one’s appreciation for their home, and according to NPR, four out of every 10 adolescents pursuing college education leave their hometowns to do so. People aren’t expected to stay in St. Louis for the rest of their lives — what’s life without adventure? However, one must try to find the adventure around them before they seek it elsewhere. A person can go 18 years in this city and barely scratch the surface of all it has to offer. Beyond the obvious, there is so much to do and so many experiences to be had; you’ve gotta give St. Louis a chance before you break her heart. Don’t abandon St. Louis until you’ve gorged yourself on toasted ravioli, tried every restaurant on The Hill, cried over a show at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, fed the koi at the Botanical Gardens and sweat in the Butterfly House; don’t leave until you’ve gotten stuck at the top of the ferris wheel at Union Station, stained your shirt with Ted Drewes on a humid summer night, seen Roman Burki take his shirt off after a St. Louis City match, cheered for the home run fireworks at Busch Stadium and raced to make the first tracks on Art Hill after snowfall. After all, you may not always see the Arch as you take the highway into town. P

Editorial Note: Each editorial, Panorama selects an issue that the staf thinks is important to address and expresses a view that belongs to the majority of the staf. Panorama welcomes the opinions of its readers and encourages letters to the editors. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions for length as long as original intent remains unaltered.

SOMETHING TO ADD?

Scan here for more on letters to the editor, guest essays, submitting corrections and the full editorial policy

Nowhere Like Here

English teacher Jon Frank refects on the diversity of Skinker DeBaliviere

By Kaichen Chou

Out five minutes in one direction, the air carries a distinct medley of Thai and Mexican cuisine — compliments of Fork & Stix and Amigo Sole — two restaurants located in the buzzing Delmar Loop. Out ﬁve minutes in the other direction, a casual neighborhood stroll quickly turns into traversing the ins and outs of Forest Park.

Skinker DeBaliviere is a historic, residential neighborhood located in the west-end of St. Louis and was primarily developed around the time of the 1904 World’s Fair in Forest Park. It’s also home for English teacher Jon Frank, who moved here eight years ago.

“[Skinker DeBaliviere] is one of the most diverse and integrated residential neighborhoods in the St. Louis area,” Frank said. “When neighborhoods began to desegregate in the 1950s, Skinker DeBaliviere was one of the neighborhoods where that integration of diﬀerent racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups really mixed.”

For Frank, the eﬀects of such progressive measures can be seen in the very culture of Skinker DeBaliviere, upholding its reputation as a local melting pot.

“Our next-door neighbors are

English,” Frank said. “We have white families; we have Black families. We are by WashU so we actually have a lot of students living in the neighborhood. You’ve got a mix of diﬀerent age groups and socioeconomic groups.”

The diversity extends architecturally, evidenced by the neighborhood’s abundance of charming brick ﬂats and homes.

"[Skinker DeBaliviere] is unique in that it doesn’t have cookie cutter style houses. Every house has its own distinct character."

Jon Frank English teacher

Despite many of those buildings being over a century old, the district remains devoted to maintaining its characteristic features.

“There are a lot of regulations and rules about preserving the integrity of the architecture,” Frank said. “For example, we just add-

HISTORY OF SKINKER DEBALIVIERE

Louise

ed on to our house, [and] we had to have the plans for the addition to our house approved before we could proceed with our project.”

Frank’s partner, Courtney Barrret, lives alongside him in their Skinker DeBaliviere home. Though not a Missouri native — she was born in Kansas and lived in Italy, Illinois and Michigan — this area stands out just the same.

“I love being in a historic district and being a part of a loving and supportive community of diﬀerent types of people,” Barret said.

Recognition The

As a way to uphold these values, the Skinker DeBaliviere district hosts Community Council meetings every month to continuously improve the community.

“I occasionally go to the Community Council meetings, and they’re always talking about ways to help people stay in the neighborhood as they age and not get priced out,” Frank said.

Skinker DeBaliviere became recognized as a historic district in 1978.

Illustration by Kaichen Chou

Overall, Frank is proud to call this neighborhood home.

“It’s the ﬁrst home that I’ve owned,” Frank said. “I think that my [favorite] memory is of time with my family, building a home with my family and setting down roots in that neighborhood.”

Land Grant World Fair

1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis spurred the rapid development of the neighborhood.

Marie

Chouteau Papin recieves a land grant encompassing Skinker DeBaliviere in 1796.

English teacher Jon Frank takes a seat on the porch steps of his house in Skinker DeBaliviere. He moved to this house nearly a decade ago. “I love that it’s a quiet, residential neighborhood without a lot of commercial properties in it,” Frank said. (Photo by Lilly Jacks)

Staf

Gentrifcation in St. Louis

Chinatown: Many Chinese immigrants began to move to St. Louis in 1857, and by 1869, they had established a Chinatown colloquially referred to as “Hop Alley.” The increasing xenophobia on the West Coast, combined with opportunities for industrial work in the Midwest, led to a greater infux of migrants, making Hop Alley a haven for Chinese Americans. However, after over a century of fourishing, the city seized the land, building Busch Stadium directly over the history and culture of Chinese populations within St. Louis in 1963.

Delmar Divide: Urban renewal projects like the creation of Interstate 64 and the expansion of St. Louis University forced Black and other minority residents to move to areas north of Delmar Boulevard. Poorly funded public housing projects and urban blight enshrined the divide, creating an ever widening north-south split. Living in and around St. Louis, especially Ladue, means accepting the history that has created a city where populations are inherently divided over invisible red lines, street signs and new urban developments.

Community to Commodity

An

overview of gentrifcation’s impact on marginalized communities in St. Louis

An uncomfortable truth underlies vast swaths of the urban development in St. Louis. That truth is found in everyday life, from the woman that quickly clutches her purse as she walks by the man that has a diﬀerent skin color, to the hushed, guilty tones that spawn from a questioning of why an individual decided to move to an area that happened to feel more “civilized.”

That truth is gentrification — the process where part of a city changes from being a poor area to a richer one, where people from higher social classes live. Gentrification continues to occur extensively in areas throughout St. Louis. For example, in the West End, early signs of gentrification have begun to show. Outside investors have begun to buy up large tracts of property, beginning a process which results in longtime residents being priced out as new, wealthier families move in.

By Nathan King

Staf

a 170% increase in white, middle-class residents ultimately displacing minority populations.

More recently, the definition of gentrification has expanded to include “commercial gentrification,” in which traditional facets — businesses, churches and other services — are supplanted with businesses that tend to be more profitable for the locality.

This type of commercial gentriﬁcation is extremely visible in St. Louis. Take, for example, the recent development of a new shopping district anchored by Costco on Olive Boulevard and Highway 170, a decision that resulted in several minority-owned small businesses being bulldozed, including the only Korean Catholic church in the St. Louis area.

Whether it be through people moving or making new buildings, St. Louis has a history of replacement, where the need for progress often overtakes the needs of its people. Despite any argued positive eﬀects like increasing property values, gentriﬁcation often results in residents being priced out of areas, cultural erasure and destruction of an area’s history — all while the sacrosanct march of progress continues on. P Illustration by Kelly Zhang

Consensus on metrics or examples of gentrification are mixed, but many examples predate occurrences of gentrification happening today. The Botanical Heights neighborhood serves as a clearer example of gentrification, seeing extreme redevelopment with

Ryan Rzeszutko, math teacher

Polish American

“It’s harder to fnd the foods that I was used to growing up. But Tower Grove does an international fest, and they had little [Polish] booths with pierogi and that sort of thing.”

Pierogi is a traditional Polish food that Rzeszutko often had as a child.

Aalaa Mahmoud (11)

Egyptian American

“There are a lot of mosques, masjids and Muslim-centered areas in St. Louis that incorporate that community. St. Louis is open to new ideas and new people.”

Teo Lee (10)

Korean American

“The Korean community [is] a cultural window into Korea, an opportunity to try the food, the culture and see what has gotten popular.”

Kurtuma fnds community in the Serbian churches, festivals and restaurants present in St. Louis.

Tamara Kurtuma (12)

Serbian American

“[St. Louis] is a really big Balkan city, and there’s restaurants or things to do that revolve around that culture.”

Arianna Motti (12) Italian

“I’m staying with an Italian family. We eat Italian [cuisine] and celebrate.”

Pizza is a staple of Italian cusine, which Motti views as an integral part of her culture.

Glen Widjaja (11)

Indonesian American

“I feel fairly connected [to my culture]. I like our cuisine, food and our history is rich.”

City of Many Faces

Faces

Students and staf share how they honor their heritage in St. Louis

Franco Van Well (9)

Mexican American

“I see stores that have authentic Mexican items [and] see holidays like Day of the Dead. That’s pretty decent representation.”

Haydee Taylor-Arnold, Spanish teacher

Panamanian

“The richness in diferent cultures in St. Louis is amazing. We celebrate [when] we have [an] opportunity.”

Urmil Patel (11) Indian American

“I feel connected to my culture. The big Indian community keeps me rooted.”

Zolochevskyi, who came to St. Louis from Ukraine three years ago, fnds community in the churches.

Nethmi Amarakone (11) Sri Lankan American

“We have a Sri Lanka Association, and Missouri has the oldest one. This is the only thing to connect everyone in the community.”

Oleks Zolochevskyi (12) Ukrainian

“There are Ukrainian churches [for] community. After the war, we had centers where Ukrainians connected.”

The Midwest Sri Lankan Association was founded in 1991

Illustration by Sylvia Hanes

Amalia Frixone (10) Ecuadorian American

“We go to Spanish church and celebrate holidays. I feel connected [to my culture].”

Dia De Los Muertos, which Van Well celebrates, often includes skull motifs.

A New Anchor

Duncan Kitchen adjusts to life in St. Louis after living in Anchorage, Alaska

By Emily Pan

Staf

Acool breeze wafts into the car as the strum of Zach Bryan’s guitar leaves the speakers. The melancholic chords invoke memories of nights characterized by balmy campfires and days spent near the lakeside. As the chords continue, the picturesque Flattop Mountain and snowy caps of Mount Alyeska, Alaska morph into an unfamiliar route through St. Louis.

Duncan Kitchen (10) has lived in Anchorage, Alaska his whole life. In August 2024, his dad’s job brought his family to St. Louis. After having a taste of the culture, Duncan reflects on the similarities between the two places.

“Most people that I’ve met here would ft in in Alaska. You would think it would be diferent being so far away, but it’s not; Anchorage [is] very similar to St. Louis.”

Duncan Kitchen (10)

As a new student, it can be difficult to find the right group. Duncan recalls the reluctance he faced when approaching new people at the beginning of the year.

“Those first couple of months [living in St. Louis], I was kind of alone on the weekends,” Duncan said. “I didn’t think anybody didn’t like me, but it was a lot of not getting invited to things. [At Ladue] it felt very cliquey, so that was pretty hard to overcome and mentally be okay with.”

For someone that moved 3,724 miles, not to mention a teenager dealing with a different environment, details tend to be blown out of proportion, especially without someone to lean on.

“There’s so much more to life than just high school,” Vanessa Kitchen, Duncan’s mom, said. “[I] remind [Duncan] that this is only a chapter [and to] try to focus on lessons learned and connections.”

However, Duncan has struggled to make these connections as the differences seem more prominent.

“Sports [are] a big part of [St. Louis culture],” Duncan said. [There is] kind of the cult following that you’ll see here. I’ve never grown up really caring about sports, but almost every day in school, people talk about March Madness.”

With all the chaos of the move, Duncan focused on maintaining a strong relationship with his family as they navigated their life in a new city.

“I feel, as his mother that we’re very close,” Vanessa said. “It’s important to me that we have a strong, open [and] great relationship. I think just him growing and maturing and being more independent [is what] his father and myself, [are] focusing on.”

For Duncan, the process of moving itself was stressful knowing that his time in Anchorage had an expiration date. However, reflecting on the experience months later, his perception changed.

“I [have lived] in the same spot my whole life, then [we] moved to [St. Louis],” Duncan said. “I was upset when I found out that we were moving mid June of [last] summer, and then [we] had to be out by August. I went past my [old] house because I went up to [Alaska] over winter break, I was like, cool. It’s great now because of all the people I met.”

P

ABOVE: Duncan Kitchen (10) plucks the strings of his guitar at his home. Duncan’s older brother inspired him to start playing the guitar two years ago. “On any given day [in Alaska], you could walk up the mountain start a campfre [and] play guitar,” Duncan said. (Photos by Vincent Hsiao)

In the Loop

Sights and scenes in University City’s Delmar Loop April 6

By Vincent Hsiao

Photo Editor in Chief

Photographer By Lilly Jacks

1. Eric Dazey and Grange Burton play darts at Blueberry Hill. It was Burton’s frst time in the Delmar Loop, with Dazey bringing him to Blueberry Hill. “I really like [Blueberry Hill] just because you have the darts, you have diferent things in an environment that you can play in that’s very just chill [and relaxed],” Dazey said. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

2. A mural illustrating St. Louis is seen on a trafc signal box at Delmar Boulevard and Melville Avenue. The mural was created by Renda Writer, an internationally-traveling artist known for his handwritten art. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

3. Raven Wolf Jennings plays the saxophone in front of Vintage Vinyl. A multi-instrumentalist, Jennings plays what he calls “spiritual jazz,” releasing his debut album in 2011. (Photo

4. The Chuck Berry statue stands in a plaza across from Blueberry Hill. A St. Louis native and regular performer at the landmark venue, Berry is known as the “Father of Rock

5. Carmen Russell and Lamar Allen browse around Vintage Vinyl. Russell and Allen have lived here since the COVID-19 pandemic and have found a love for the Loop. “If you want something to do, just come up here and you can just walk around and fnd stores to look at.” Russell said. (Photo by Lilly Jacks)

6. A mural outside Fitz’s Delmar depicts local landmarks including the Loop Trolley. The location includes a restaurant and microbrewery known for its root beer and sodas. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

by Lilly Jacks)

‘n’ Roll.” (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

7. Jin Yuan Li crafts noodles by hand at Corner 17. Opened in 2013, the restaurant ofers Sichuan cuisine and boba tea. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

Social studies teacher

Conner Katsev stands in the entrance of the Missouri History Museum April 5. He has been training on how to lead his own tours through St. Louis.

“If the tour group is really excited about one topic, give them a couple extra things about that,” Katsev said. “If the group doesn’t really care what you’re putting down on that topic, pivot.” (Photo by Vincent

Hsiao)

St. Louis on Tour

By Grace Huewe

Live Editor

The Arch, the Zoo and Forest Park — places that nearly every St. Louis resident knows and has experienced. When asked to describe the city, it’s almost a given that one of these well-known spots will come up, as they’ve become emblems of the rich culture and history of St. Louis. But beyond these few notable locations that only seem to skim the surface, how well do St. Louisans really know the city that they call home?

For social studies teacher Conner Katsev, this is a topic he’s passionate to master. Currently, he is in the process of becoming a St. Louis tour guide and is learning new information every day.

“I’ve lived in St. Louis my whole life,” Katsev said. “When I was asked to join the team and do the tours, I loved it because I’m going to be teaching [History of St. Louis] for the foreseeable future, and it’s a way for me to earn a little bit of money in the summer, but also just learn myself too.”

The tours, based through the Missouri History Museum, offer a diverse range of options when it comes to exploring the city.

“There’s public tours, there’s private tours, they do everything,” Katsev said. “They take big bus tours around the whole city, or you can choose a particular neighborhood. They do architectural tours, even urban renewal tours.”

The parallels between this pursuit and his History of St. Louis class have led Katsev to become better equipped in both domains.

“What’s so cool is they can take an area of St. Louis and they’ll just start researching it to a degree I’ve never even seen before,” Katsev said. “It’s humbling because I can teach a whole class on St. Louis, but I’m also like, ‘Whoa, I don’t know anything.’”

Going through the training process has helped Katsev to develop ideas on the approach he wants to take when certified.

“I’ve learned it’s not just me throwing information at people, you’ll get bored of that quick,” Katsev said. “It’s more about what connections we can bring in.”

“It’s going to beneft me because I’ll feel much more grounded on the content [and] on just delivering what I love, which is St. Louis history.”

Conner Katsev Social studies teacher

Certified tour guide Amanda Clark agrees with this criteria. She believed Katsev would be a good fit and invited him to join the group at See STL Tours.

“A great tour guide is able to make information meaningful to the people in front of [them], instead of a scripted rundown of facts,” Clark said. “I meet folks that are great at doing that, but need to be trained on St.Louis history — Mr. Katsev had all of that.”

This sense of meaning is everywhere, not only between individuals and the information they encounter, but also woven into the city and the nation as a whole.

“St. Louis can be viewed as a microcosm of the whole United States,” Katsev said. “Those national connections are where I want to infuse my [tours]. For example, next to WashU there’s a university called Fauci University where three Black students locked themselves in the library and wrote a manifesto to protest during the civil rights movement. So while similar things are happening in the nation, there’s also stuff happening in St. Louis.”

Social studies teacher Conner Katsev trains to become a certifed St. Louis tour guide

Miles and Milestones

Of to the Races

Students share their experiences at the St. Louis Marathon

Staf

By Ishaan Pandey

By Meg Myckatyn Community Engagement Liaison

In downtown St. Louis, April 26, the streets will be filled with the sound of the steps of the runners as the Greater Saint Louis Marathon takes place at Ballpark Village. This event features a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and the 1-Mile Family Fun Run. Each of the races require an entrance fee to participate, which funds supplies and necessities like race shirts, medals, medical supplies, hydration stations and more in order for the race to take place. The event aims to build a stronger community in the St. Louis area by providing a challenge anyone can pursue.

Many high school students have experience preparing for long-distance races, and they know that success on race day comes down to mental and physical preparation. Karan Vatwani (12) has competed in many different types of races, especially triathlons, and he shares his experience, advice and tips.

“Start slow, because if you start too quickly, you can injure yourself and just end up putting yourself out for longer than you can train for,” Vatwani said. “So start slow, don’t build an ego and recover well.”

Often, signing up for a race can be daunting for beginner runners. However, the first step is getting started. Vatwani offers his perspective for beginners.

“It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but you never know unless you try it,” Vatwani said. “I think it’s bad to say no to something that you’ve never tried or experienced.”

While some focus on pacing, others have strategies to keep pushing while running. Evelyn Vogt (9), a consistent runner, shares how she maintains her motivation, even when she is tired.

“When I feel like I’m going to give up I just tell myself to keep putting one foot in front of the other,” Vogt said. “Then you’ll finish and you won’t regret it.”

ABOVE: St. Louis locals face of in the GO! St. Louis event, racing out from the entrance gate. Others stayed behind and watched from the sidelines as the pack ran by, cheering them on.

(Photos courtesy of David Carson)

St. Louis Oasis

Forest Park has a variety of exciting and active sports

The Courses

St. Louis’ Forest Park is home to one of America’s most beautiful inner-city golf courses. With a clear view of both lush greenery and the city skyline, the courses are a great place to enjoy the fresh air. Although golf is often considered a difcult sport, it can also be a fun and casual activity to enjoy with friends or family. As the winter chill begins to dwindle, the courses start to be open for longer hours, from 8 a.m. to around 7 p.m. You may just show up and book a tee time, but booking online or calling (314) 367-1337 is encouraged during golf season.

The Boathouse

Every morning at 8 a.m. the doors to the Boathouse swing open and the frst rentals of the day commence. From paddle boards and paddle boats to canoes and kayaks, The Boathouse is an assorted boat rental service where you rent by the hour to experience Forest Park from a new angle: the water. As summer rolls around, They also organize a series of aquatic events including paddle board yoga and foating sunset picnics. For pricing details, call (314) 798-2961. Later in September, they collaborate with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra to host a concert enjoyable from the water.

Handball and Racquetball

For athletes in search of a new way to exercise, the Forest Park handball and racquetball courts are the place to go. There are specifc courts for each activity, and they book on a frst come, frst serve basis, so it is recommended to arrive earlier rather than later. There are four courts for both racquetball and handball, but they can fll up fast, especially as the weather gets nicer. The racquetball courts are enclosed with a full glass wall, allowing players to see the beauty of the landscape. A highly anticipated tournament, aptly named The Big One 2025, is set to be hosted by the Forest Park Handball Club June 27-29. All are welcome to show up or get in on the action and possibly fnd a niche and fun activity for you and your friends on up and coming spring and summer days.

Missouri History Museum Visitor Center

Norman K. Probstein Golf Course

Boathouse

World’s Fair

Pagoda Circle

LagoonDrive Des Peres

Pano Picks

Josie Stout’s Pick

My favorite sport Forest Park has to ofer is tennis. I played as a kid, and the courts are great to use and there are many fun camps as well as lessons to participate in, especially over the summer.

Jay Heintz’s Pick

My activity of choice within Forest Park is archery. The range is peaceful and relatively secluded, ofering a perfect environment for both beginners and those seeking a more challenging experience.

Soccer and Rugby Tennis

Another one of Forest Park’s most active attractions is the Emerson Central Fields. You can either participate in a friendly game of soccer or rugby with friends, or watch an amateur scrimmage on the pitch. Though it requires a reservation ahead of time by calling (314) 289-5300, the Forest Park felds are perfect for a planned showdown. The felds are available until 10 p.m., when the park closes for the evening. The felds are lit by food lights making it possible to play well into the night. The felds also host the famous Great Forest Park Balloon Race.

The Highlands Golf and Tennis Center is home to 13 of the only public clay tennis courts in St. Louis city, four of which are equipped with lights for play after dark. The center’s clubhouse is a hub for events that are often able to include a session on the courts. There are also opportunities to improve, with multiple clubs or memberships that include preferred pricing or even complementary tennis lessons and clinics. You can contact the club for specifcs on lessons and pricing by calling (314) 531-7773. Courts are reservable with a club membership up to seven days in advance.

Forest Park is home to one of few archery ranges in St. Louis. If you are interested in learning the skill of archery, the St. Louis Archery Club holds lessons of all kinds that you can book by calling (314) 289-5389. There are private lessons, group classes, a summer camp for beginners and a free “Give it a Go” session, which is a one time option for passersby who want to shoot a few arrows with minimal guidance. These sessions only occur on Sundays for about 15 minutes each, but it is an exciting venture from the beaten path, tucked away behind the mounted police stables. Despite the plethora of professional lessons available, the range is also open to the public most days, where you can either rent a bow or bring your own if you already have experience on the range.

Archery Range

Three’s a Charm

St.

Louis’ professional sports teams unite fans through community and competition

By Madeline Awad

Website Editor in Chief

By Mason Eastman

Play Editor

City Soccer Club

St. Louis City earns early wins and energizes fans in second MLS season

With the St. Louis City season having started so recently there is lots to unfold in the following months. As of April 10, the team has a record of two wins, three draws and three losses. They have shown significant defensive abilities, achieving four shutouts throughout the early stages of the season, placing them 11th in the Western Conference. Captain and goalkeeper Roman Bürki has been a pivotal player in the team’s success over the years. Ultimately, the team’s strong defensive tactics and agressive offensive strategies have set an optimistic outlook for the 2025 MLS season.

The origin of St. Louis City began before the team was created. In 2007, St. Louis was considered as a possible location for the team that would become Real Salt Lake SC. However, that and several subsequent proposals fell through. In September 2018, leaders of the city of St. Louis and

MLS representatives met again to discuss a St. Louis franchise. The new bid would feature private funding lead by Enterprise RentA-Car heiress Carolyn Kindle.

April of 2019, the MLS announced an expansion of three teams, bringing the league to an even 30. A few months later, the MLS approved St. Louis as the league’s 28th franchise. With the help of tax credits, a new stadium was erected near Union Station. Construction began in 2020 and took approximately two years. Bradley Carnell, former assistant coach at the New York Red Bulls, was named the team’s first head coach January 2022.

St. Louis City is an organization with several notable distinctions. It is the first majority female owned club in MLS history; they are the first expansion team to win their first five matches; they are the only franchise to have the St. Louligans, one of the loudest and most passionate fan bases in all of United States Soccer.

TOP: STL City players run into position on the feld to start the match ahead. The stands were packed with St. Louisans, prepared to cheer on their home team.

MIDDLE TOP: Defender Kyle Hiebert advances toward the ball, eyes locked on the play. Teammate Jannes Horn rushed in moments earlier to ofer support.

MIDDLE BOTTOM: Red, navy and white swirl through the air as STL City faces of in a match on their home turf. Fans supported the players throughout the intense game by cheering loudly.

BOTTOM: The STL City team huddles tightly. The team held each other as they readied themselves for the challenges ahead in the season. (Photos courtesy of St. Louis CITY SC)

Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals begin new season with home wins, carrying forward the city’s baseball legacy

Few places in the country can match the way baseball pulses throughout St. Louis, where the community is united by the energy of summer nights at Busch Stadium, the crackle of the sports commentator and the shared anticipation that fills the air as the crowd rises to its feet.

As of April 1, the Cardinals have a record of five wins and seven losses, placing them third in the National League Central division. With their history of 11 World Series championships, the franchise stands as a testament to excellence. From the hopeful young prospects on the field to the legends of the past, Cardinals baseball represents tradition. It’s where players learn what it means to “play the Cardinal way,” a style of baseball that’s been passed down, and where the names of greats like Yadier Molina and Stan Musial are cherished in the St. Louis community.

Blues

St. Louis Blues push for playofs with win streak and expand hockey’s reach in St. Louis

Hockey in St. Louis doesn’t just live inside Enterprise Center; it spills into the streets, neighborhood rinks and into the fabric of the city, which has come to embrace the sport as its own. The St. Louis Blues helped build hockey culture from the ground up, one that thrives today in packed arenas, local youth leagues and an unwavering fandom that echoes beyond the Midwest.

As of April 1, the Blues are in the midst of an exciting stretch, riding a nine-game win streak, and entering the final weeks of the regular season with a strong push for playoff contention. With a current record of 40 wins, 28 losses and seven overtime losses, they sit comfortably with 87 points.

The Blues’ journey hasn’t been defined by easy victories. Before their 2019 Stanley Cup win, they were the ultimate underdog. Then, in one of the biggest turnarounds in sports history, they went from being the worst team in the NHL in January to hoisting the Stanley Cup in June. That vic-

tory cemented the Blues’ place in St. Louis’ history as champions.

The team’s investment in youth hockey has transformed St. Louis into a NHL talent hub. Initiatives like Blues for Kids and the Hockey is for Everyone program ensure that the team’s presence is felt in every corner of the city. These programs offer opportunities for young athletes to get involved with hockey, regardless of background or financial means, fostering the next generation of players and fans. As the Blues push toward another postseason, it’s clear that the spirit of the game is alive and well throughout St. Louis, inspiring not only a city but an entire community.

ABOVE: Cardinal’s third baseman Nolan Arenado fnishes a swing in the batter’s box. Among many accolades, Arenado has won 10 Gold Gloves, fve Silver Slugger awards, eight-time All-Star and three home run titles. Arenado is also the only infelder to win the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He was drafted to the MLB in 2013 from the Colarado Rockies. (Photos courtesy of Taka Yanagimoto/St. Louis Cardinals)

LEFT: Blues players Justin Faulk, Dave Lowry and Pavel Bucknevich celebrate after a play. Bucknevich, a left wing, was drafted by the New York Rangers in 2013.

TOP: Jordan Kyrou fghts for the puck against a Toronto Maple Leafs player. Kyrou earned Player of the Year from the Ontario Hockey League 2018.

BOTTOM: The crowd roars as the Blues take the ice at the Enterprise Center. The arena ranks among the top centers in the country. (Photos courtesy of Scott Rovak)

Scan here for historic sites, travel destinations and new events in St. Louis

1995 TEAM PRIDE

The Los Angeles Rams relocate to become the St. Louis Rams, only to later return in 2016. 2006

St. Louis hosts the III Summer Olympic Games, the frst games held in the United States. SEE IT YOURSELF

1904

City, Our A timeline of St. Louis’ history, from before its inception to the 21st century

INTERNATIONAL FANFARE

St. Louis hosts the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (World’s Fair), where the ice cream cone is invented.

1804

1876

St. Louis

GOOD YEAR FOR THE CARDS

ST. LOUIS COUNTY St. Louis separates from St. Louis County, becoming an independent city.

1804

ST. LOUIS CITY St. Louis becomes incorporated as a city, establishing formal governance.

CORPS OF DISCOVERY

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on their historic expedition to the Pacifc Coast from St. Louis.

1764

Sources: City of St. Louis, Missouri Valley College, On This Day

Illustration by Emily Liu

FRENCH ORIGINS

The third rendition of Busch Stadium is built and the Cardinals win the World Series.

THE WEST

Construction of the Gateway Arch is completed, symbolizing the role of St. Louis in developing the western frontier.

1965

1878

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

DRED SCOTT V. SANFORD

Publisher Joseph Pulitzer of the Pulitzer Prize begins publishing the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch.”

Dred Scott sues for his freedom from slavery in St. Louis. The decision by U.S. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney in 1857 ruled that African Americans were not citizens and had no right to sue in federal court.

LOUISIANA PURCHASE

The United States acquires St. Louis thorugh the Louisiana Purchase, beginning the American settlement in the area.

1846

1803

French trader Pierre Laclède founds St. Louis as a fur trading post.

EARLY SETTLMENT

Native American tribes settle in the area now known as St. Louis and construct numerous dirt mounds, earning the city the nickname “Mound City.”

Pre- 1764

Panorama 314 Issue

Editors’ Note

Panorama Staf

Sponsors

Issue

Friendly

Around the ‘Lou

Activities to do in neighborhoods and areas in St. Louis

Do

1. Downtown

2.

3.

4.

Central West End

5. Kirkwood

6.

Lafayette Square

7.

Midtown

Hidden

Annabelle

Gems

discusses underrated spots in St. Louis

Art Of the Canvas

Wacky Wonders

Frank Chen reviews strange tourist attractions in St. Louis

Citygarden Sculpture Park

Turtle Playground

City Museum

What’s Your Favorite St. Louis Hidden Gem?

Lemp Mansion

In with the Old, Out with the New

Finders, Keepers

1. Found by the Pound

Avalon Exchange

3. Society of St. Vincent de Paul

1. Craft Alliance

Made in St. Louis

CREATIVE?

The

Staf

2.

3.

St. Louis Staples

1. Toasted Ravioli

2. Gooey Butter Cake

3. Thin-Crust Pizza

Pano Picks

4. Ted Drewes

5. Sugarfre Smokehouse

6. Fitz’s Root Beer

A Melting Pot

Balkan Treat Box — Webster Groves

Protzel’s Deli — Clayton

Mai Lee Restaurant — Brentwood

Blueberry Hill — Delmar Loop

Lombardo — Midtown

Venice Cafe — South City

Crown Candy — North City

Gioia’s Deli — The Hill

Anheuser-Busch — Downtown

New Face in Town

One-Stop Shop

Refuel with

Flavor

Close to

1987

1991

2008

2010

1993

2000

2014

2021

2018

1997

2016

2017

Pick and Choose

Students share their favorite foods from Panera Bread