It was HOT when Whiskey trotted into the CWE with SLMPD Mounted Patrol Officer Wallace Leopold in the saddle. During the summer season, the mounted patrol’s usual beat is The Muny, but last Tuesday morning Officer Leopold decided to bring Whiskey for an early tour of the neighborhood before the anticipated heat kicked in.
Many of you may remember seeing the mounted patrol in the neighborhood more frequently years ago, but according to Officer Leopold there are now only 3 horses instead of the former 12 in the stable in Forest Park, and just 2 mounted patrol officers. Though Leopold said he’s been riding horses all his life, that isn’t all it takes to become a mounted patrol officer; there’s special training required.
It was wonderful to meet them, and hopefully they’ll make more frequent trips to the CWE after The Muny season ends following the season finale, Cole Porter’s Anything Goes. Let’s add The Muny to a Best List for the summer of 2024.
At Holliday, 4600 Olive, a selection of “Jellycats”plush toys have been sought after this summer, especially the watermelon (unfortunately, there was only one left when I visited). Sports-related Jellycats are also popular, including the tennis ball $27, soccer ball $50, and baseball, $27. Right: Brooklyn Candles have been a staple at the shop, which is across the street from Bowood Farms. Brooklyn Candle’s Summer Series scents include Shiso Leaf, Matcha, and Thai Basil, $42.
Hours: 10 to 4. Closed Tuesdays.
At Q Boutique at World Chess Hall of Fame, 4652 Maryland, customers have been drawn to “Pawn Shop,” a 6 x 6 inch chess game for your fridge (or other magnetic surface), $25. An “It’s Your Turn” magnet signals you’ve made your move.
Hours: Mon. & Tues. 10 to 5, Weds., Thurs., Fri. 10 to 9, Sat. 10 to 5, Sun. 12 to 5.
At Occasions Boutique, 4732 McPherson, the Ivy Jane collection has been popular, in particular, the blue tile-patterned cotton dress with ruffled collar, sleeves, and hem, with fabric belt tipped with bright blue tassels, $150.
Hours: Tues. – Sat. 10 to 6, Closed Sun. & Mon.
When I stopped into Suit Supply, 44 Maryland Plaza, I was shown the most popular suit in the store’s collection, a worsted wool all-season Navy Perennial Tailored Fit Havana, above, $499.
There are 3 in-house tailors at Suit Supply, so suits can be altered the day purchased. Suit Supply also has a custom design program that offers more sizing and detailing. A custom suit takes 2 to 3 weeks to complete.
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 11 to 7, Sun. 12 to 6.
At Bonobos, 52 Maryland Plaza, it took no time for the sales staff to lead me to the hot, not hot (because of it’s lightweight fabric) retro short-sleeve Hudson Polo Sweater in S, M, & L, $109 t0 $119. As with all clothing at Bonobos, what’s in the store are samples, purchases are shipped.
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 11 to 7, Sun. 12 to 6.
At Euclid Vintage, 12 1/2 S. Euclid, jorts paired with football jerseys are the hottest trend of the summer. Jerseys run from $15 to $60, the Kansas City Chiefs jersey shown above is $40.
Jorts —baggy jeans-shorts—are favored by all genders and generally hit at mid-thigh or knee. The shop’s selections range from $25 to $70. The Fubu Platinum Fat Albert and Friends pair, $60, above, are more sought after because of the embroidery.
Hours: Wed. – Sun. 11 to 7.
Brilliant Earth, 36 Maryland Plaza, is best known for its moissanite engagement rings. Moissanite is a mineral made of silicon carbide that is now grown in a lab as an alternative to diamonds. This summer, customers are also drawn to the shop’s Sol Collection of Zodiac diamond pendants, $990 to $1400, and Zodiac diamond signet rings, $695. Each is available in 14K white, yellow or rose gold.
Hours: Fri. to Tues. 10 to 7.
At East & West, 387 N. Euclid, LA-based CRAP—”don’t worry, be Crappy”—sunglasses have been reordered several times over the summer. Described as sturdy and durable, the polarized glasses, with carrying case, range from $99 to $119.
Hours: Weds -Sat. 11 to 7, Sun. 10 to 5.
At Kendra Scott, 42 Maryland Plaza, the Elisa Pendant has been extremely popular this summer. The pendants, which are customizable, come in a variety of shapes, and a selection of many stones and color bars including Azalea Illusion, Mother of Pearl and London Blue. Chains include silver, gold, rose gold or gunmetal.
It seems that grade schoolers are drawn to the shorter Mini-Elisa pendant that range from $40, top, to $50, for the pendants with textured satellite gold chains.
Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 11 to 5, Fri. & Sat. 11 to 6, Sun. 12 to 5.
There was lots to celebrate at Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid on Saturday, July 27. It was the beloved neighborhood bookstore’s 55th anniversary as well as a 50th anniversary celebration for co-founder Kris Kleindienst, above, that was planned by the staff. It was announced at the event that “The Kris Campaign” which the staff launched to raise money for the Left Bank Books Foundation, has already raised over $13,250, which surpassed the goal of $12,000. Donations to the Foundation are still welcome, here’s the link.
I emailed Kleindienst for a list of books that had been at the top of the charts this summer, and she quickly sent the 6 titles above. She mentioned that these are not books tied to an in-person author event, which always garners a bump in sales.
James by Percival Everett, $28, which best-selling author Ann Patchett says everyone in America should read. All Fours by Miranda July, $29, “for women over 40,” Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood, $18, “a fun romance novel,” The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton, $27.99,”blends post apocalyptic science fiction with a murder mystery,” The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, $28, which, according to Kleindienst, just “will not stop selling.” And How to be Eaten, A Novel by Maria Adelmann, $18.99, “a darkly funny and provocative novel that re-imagines classic fairy tale characters as modern women in a support group for trauma.” An NPR Best Book of the Year.
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 to 8, Sun. 11 to 6.
At Centro Inc., 4727 McPherson, proprietor Todd Lannom said he had just sold a Herman Miller Charles Eames Chair and Ottoman the morning I stopped in, so this is the HOT item of the summer. I learned that Eames attended Washington University, and that his iconic chair design was released in 1956. The chair and ottoman, usually $7995, is on sale for $6796.
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 to 6, closed Sun.
At Schlafly Library, 225 N. Euclid:
Schlafly Library’s Regional Branch Manager, Lisa Wolfe, sent a spreadsheet with the 25 top circulating titles for Adults, Teens and Children from June 1 through July 31. (Wolfe received permission from SLPL Main Library to share this list, so I feel privileged to be able to have received it and to able to share it with you.)
The most popular adult fiction title is Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reed. Other titles on the list are Covenant of Water, The Fraud, Happy Story, The Guest, The Housemaid is Watching, and Holly.
The Adult non-fiction title is topped by Ubuntu Unleashed by Matthew Helmke, followed by 21 Lessons for the 21st Century and The Birth of Rock n Roll.
For teens, graphic novels are the top picks. The Ancient Magnus Bride #17, #16 and #15 are the first 3, followed by Tahane & Kane. Teen fiction readers are checking out Caraval by Stephanie Garber.
The top choice for the youngest readers is the board book Your nose! a wild little love story by Sandra Boynton, followed by Baby-Sitters Little Sister 4, Can I play too? Pete at the Beach, and Pete the Cat Making New Friends.
Thanks again to Schalfly Library’s Lisa Wolfe for an insight into what our neighbors have been reading this summer.
So there you have it. The hottest picks from the BEST neighborhood in St. Louis.