TALK OF THE TOWNS

talk

OF THE TOWNS

by bill beggs jr.

downtown

Many of us—surely a few natives, plenty of transplants who’ve been here a while and folks who drive into the heart of the StL to work five or more days a week—have only a passing acquaintance with our fine architecture. As in, passing by in the car or walking past in a hurry to get to lunch. It would behoove us all to slow down and simply soak it all in, and on any Saturday between April 2 and Oct. 29, experienced guides will walk with small groups to discuss famous landmarks as well as uncover hidden gems, point out stunning architectural details and touch on the art of historic preservation. Landmarks Downtown St. Louis walking tours provide a little exercise—about two miles at a leisurely pace—along with our history, culture and architecture, from the city’s founding through its present-day development. Groups are limited to 10 participants, so you’ll have all of your questions answered and, we hope, your curiosity sated. If not, you should first take the west tour, which includes our magnificent Central Library. The Lou’s grandest public buildings are a testament to the city’s ambitions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Learn how they changed the area from blighted to monumental. For example, Soldiers Memorial is a ‘stripped Classical’ gem dedicated by FDR in 1936 to commemorate our heroes of the First World War. It opened to the public on Memorial Day, 1938. Little did our country’s only four-term president know that the worst was yet to come. The memorial, updated to include all of our conflicts since then, recently underwent a major cleaning and $30 million renovation that’s made it a must-see. If you want to do downtown right, of course, you’ll need to take the east tour, too. From the bustling cobblestoned riverfront of French-American fur-trading entrepreneurs to the skyscrapers of the 20th century, you’ll learn more about our famous architectural and engineering marvels, including highlights like the Old Courthouse, Old Cathedral, Eads Bridge, Gateway Arch, Old Post Office and the beautiful, reddish Wainwright Building, widely considered to be the first skyscraper in the county. (Was the sky that much closer to the ground back in the day?) Make reservations at landmarkstours-stl.org.

the metro

It’s hard enough to be a kid, what with bullies at school and the mystery meat in the school cafeteria. The second issue is reason enough for so many parents to prepare lunch at home. Food safety has been an issue with a couple commercial food products that are lunchbox staples in the past few months. First, Jif peanut butter was recalled because of salmonella. That health scare has passed, apparently. Now it’s CapriSun juice pouches, wild cherry flavor, 5,760 cases in all. Consumers called to complain about the taste. The product touts itself as 100% natural, which was not the case with the affected batch, marked ‘Best Used by June 25, 2023.’ Some cleaning solution apparently mixed with the wild cherry flavor during production at a Kraft Heinz factory, leading to a voluntary recall by the company. No adverse health effects were reported, but it must have been quite a shock, when expecting a refreshing rush of wild cherry flavor, to taste a nasty chemical concoction. No one’s mouth should be that type of clean. That’s what we have toothpaste and toothbrushes for, kids! (Bottom line: Just return the product to the store for a refund.)

south county

For a place that’s really easy to get to, it’s not entirely clear where it is. Officially in ZIP code 63122, it’s certainly not Glendale. But Kirkwood? Des Peres? Neither? Well, once you arrive at 2933 Barrett Station Road—the National Museum of Transportation—it probably will be a while before you want to leave from out yonder in the southwestern hinterlands. The kids will want to stay, for sure. Planes, trains and automobiles are everywhere you look at TNMOT, and youngsters are genetically predisposed to vehicles of any type. For those adulting full time, many have gears in their skeletal systems and 10W-40 motor oil glurping through their veins. To wit: Some of the rides in the parking lot weren’t purchased for their fuel economy. But few are ‘orphan automobiles,’ like the legendary ‘doozy’—a period nickname for the Duesenberg luxury auto, whose death knell was sounded in the 1930s by the Great Depression. ‘American Orphan Automobiles Through the Ages’ runs through Oct. 20, highlighting vehicles built by manufacturers that have discontinued business entirely. There’s everything from a 1926 Studebaker and 1957 Desoto Firesweep to a 1978 Firebird Trans AM. And, notably, a late-1960s Gerstenlager Bookmobile. This particular bookmobile is where you buy books, not check them out like you would at a metro public library, either stationary or on wheels. Proceeds benefit the ALL Aboard program, which gives kids the opportunity to experience a legacy in motion regardless of ability to pay. Tickets are donated to underserved populations, children in foster care and kids receiving ongoing medical care. Gently used books are welcome. Presently there are many adult books, priced at $5, but TNMOT could use all the $2 kids books guests are willing to donate.

BILL BEGGS JR. HAS WORN MANY HATS AT NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND IN MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS SINCE BEFORE THE ERA OF THE FLOPPY DISC. NOW HE JUST WEARS A HAT TO KEEP HIS BALD SPOT FROM GETTING SUNBURNT. YOU CAN REACH HIM AT WRTRS.BLCK@GMAIL.COM TT trivia ☛ WHAT MAJOR 1980S THEATRICAL RELEASE DETAILED THE TRUE story of a man’s post-WWII quest to build the world’s best automobile? Extra credit: What film won Best Picture that year?

LAST ISSUE’S Q&A

What did Christo do from 1980-1983 to 11 islands in Biscayne Bay off Miami? Christo was famous for wrapping monuments such as L’Arc de Triomphe and the Reichstag—as well as a stretch of rocky Australian coastline—in fabric. In 1983, the self-described ‘irrational’ creator of temporary public art hired 430 workers to surround 11 small islands in Miami’s Biscayne Bay with 6 million square feet of pink fabric. First, they had to remove 40 tons of trash, from tires and mattresses to beer cans, refrigerators and boats.

Susie Busch-Transou

ladue

There’s really not much to be said about e-commerce. OK; there’s convenience, but it’s not like you get to chat with Jeff Bezos. It’s quite another thing to visit most any store on either side of Clayton Road along the Ladue retail strip. Who’d ever want to go to a big-box store like Home Depot again, once they’ve been to Schnarr’s? I wouldn’t, nor would my wife, whose beloved dad had shopped there for decades. And it wasn’t just for the fresh popcorn. Customers love stores like Schnarr’s for personalized service—their level of comfort with a small, local retailer has to be earned. So, you may have wondered about the establishment readying to open at 9640 Clayton Road. Hearth & Soul is not to be a fine destination restaurant, although the building appears just as inviting. A ‘hospitality retail’ emporium slated to open Wednesday, Sept. 14, it’s the brainchild of Susie Busch-Transou, who’s coming home from Tallahassee, Florida, where she and her husband raised three kids and ran a thriving Anheuser-Busch distributorship. “Every can and bottle counts,” she says—adding, with emphasis, “but building relationships is the best way to do business.” She also opened her first Hearth & Soul in the Florida panhandle seven years ago, then another in Austin, Texas. Hospitality is in her DNA. Spend just five minutes in conversation with Busch-Transou, and you’ll feel like you’ve known her since high school. “We want you to feel welcome, just like we’re inviting you into our home,” she says. That speaks to the layout of her 4,200-square-foot store: Rooms arranged to show off relevant goods. There’s the family room, the kitchen (you can pick up her father’s shrimp recipe on a complimentary card), the library, men’s closet, women’s closet, an area for pet toys and goodies. On the patio, you’ll find lovingly curated products for outdoor entertaining. In her 1,000-square-foot pop-up, we sat down in two golden, butter-soft leather chairs that would fit comfortably in your office, kitchen, bedroom, family room … any room. “This is not a static showroom. You can take it home immediately,” she points out. Caroline Wright, her store manager, buzzed here and there, meeting guests and answering questions with a broad, sincere smile. Busch-Transou had offered Caroline’s mom the position; mom wasn’t available, but daughter was. A short get-together sealed the deal. She’d asked another friend about the neighborhood behind the new store; a home became available in due time. She can walk to work. “It’s serendipity!” she exclaims. “I don’t want to overuse the word, but I’m blessed.” And she lives the adage to whom much is given, much is required. Proceeds from a special candle will benefit Little Bit Foundation … about $60,000 has been donated to worthy causes since Busch-Transou realized her dream. Hearth & Soul also partners with local artists and musicians, spotlighting each for a month or so. There’s wellness, of course: Free yoga classes will be held on opening day and the following week at 5 p.m. And you may reserve the space for special events, from a book club to a girls (or boys) night out. What feeds your soul? Visit hearthandsoul.com/stl. & ? ?you know. did ... it makes a huge difference to advertisers where their ad is seen! If you read Town&Style, please tell our advertisers you saw their ad here and not elsewhere. 314.657.2100 | townandstyle.com