Continuing our trip down memory lane, here are some old photos from our collection of Cherokee Street in the late '90s-early 2000s.  These were back in the days when Randy and I, along with some high school buddies, ventured onto big bad Cherokee Street not for tacos or art openings, but bongs and rolling papers!  It was a mere 20-minute car ride from Creve Coeur where we lived, but a world away.  We'll always remember our Friday afternoon visits to T-Shirt Headquarters, Spectrum's and Ngomsom's (R.I.P).  Those crazy high school adventures formed our earliest impressions of the gritty street that STyLehouse calls home today. (All photos taken by Jeff and Randy Vines)

Taqueria Azeteca and El Chico Bakery!

Carniceria Latino Americana (check out the cool picture in the second floor corner window)

Empire Sandwich Shop, demolished in 2006 after a fire.  Such a loss for the district.

Loitering by the No Loitering sign - ha!  Empire Sandwich Shop in the background.  

Proper Shoe Store before the red sign was removed, and 2720 Cherokee sporting an old marquee overhang.

Many many many more '90s-early 2000s pics from all over the city to come!

In the meantime, check out our previous posts: 

http://stl-style.com/_blog/STL-Style_Blog/post/St_Louis_in_the_late_'90searly_2000s!/ 

http://stl-style.com/_blog/STL-Style_Blog/post/Subtle_changes/ 

Randy and I recently unearthed a treasure trove of old film photos we took all over the city in the late '90s and early 2000s.  Over the next several weeks, we'll be scanning them in and sharing them with you.  These are not professional quality by any means-- just everyday snapshots of our favorite city.  It's interesting to see how the city has changed over the last decade.  Enjoy...

14th Street Mall, Old North St. Louis, February 2001

Argyle Apartments, Lindell & Euclid (now the site of the Schlafly Library), 1997

Barnes Hospital (when it was just "Barnes"), 1997

Bi-State bus with old red/orange/yellow color scheme, 2001

Abandoned car wash, Delmar & Walton (now a vacant lot), 2001

Mural on fence surrounding the Century Building (downtown), 2002

City Hospital prior to condo rehab (the high-rise building is gone), September 2001

Stately old rowhouses on Delmar in Midtown (replaced with shitty suburban houses), 2001

Stix School, Euclid & Forest Park Parkway (now the site of the Parkway Hotel), 1997

Old 'GRAND' sign at Forest Park Parkway & Grand, August 2002

Old McKnight overpass on Highway 40 in Ladue, 1997

The Round Building on West Pine in the CWE (still pissed about this one), 1997

Old Shapiro's Market sign before it was blown down in a storm, 2000

Ridiculously long playground slide at Highway 40 and Big Bend in Richmond Heights, 1997

Remember this guy with the staff?  I used to see him everywhere... February 2000

Switzer Building, Laclede's Landing.  Now a vacant lot.  September 2000

World Cycle, Eastgate Avenue in The Loop, 1997

Randy posing with our favorite car, Blacura, in front of The Grind on Maryland Avenue, just back from a New York City road trip, 2001

An unforgettable view of lower Manhattan from the roof of the Fun Factory in Long Island City, Queens, June 2001

For more 1990s/2000s pics of St. Louis, check out our earlier post: Winds of Change.

MUCH MUCH MUCH MORE TO COME!!!!

This week, urban innovators from around the world will converge in St. Louis for the 3rd annual Rust Belt to Artist Belt: At the Crossroads conference.  Featuring presenters from such diverse locales as Dublin, Singapore, NYC, LA, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Philly, Pittsburgh, and of course, St. Louis, this conference represents another opportunity for the Red Brick Mama to shine in all her gritty glory.

The conference will be held Thursday, April 12th-Saturday, April 14th at the Chase Park Plaza in the CWE, and culminates with a street-wide celebration up and down Cherokee Street on Saturday night (April 14th).  Be a part of the action! 

To register for the conference, visit: http://rustbelttoartistbelt.com/ 

For more info on the Cherokee Street Saturday night party, visit: Cherokee Street Saturday Night 

The old Gorham's Beauty Salon clock has been a fixture of the 2700 block of Cherokee Street for decades-- a quirky vestige of the street's vital, bustling past.  In recent years, the clock has mirrored the decline of the commercial district itself-- Gorham's Beauty Salon has long since shuttered, the clock went dark and rusted into obscurity.

Now, after months of hard work and collaboration, I am proud to announce that the old dormant clock has been lovingly restored and once again shines bright on Cherokee.  What was once a symbol of decline and neglect is now a symbol of Cherokee Street's resilience and resurgence.  Incorporating artistic elements of the winning Cherokee Street flag design, the new face panels reflect the history, style and artistic spirit that makes the street so special.

Special thanks to the following people for their inspiration, creativity, expertise and assistance in making this project a reality: Randy Vines, Will Liebermann, Jason Deem, Kadie Foppiano, Ryan Reed, Emily Davis, Scott Sturdevant, Jeff Albert, the installation crew and of course, the entire Cherokee community.

In the next couple weeks, we'll be planning a street party to celebrate the restoration of Cherokee's newest landmark.  It's bound to be a good "time"!  Stay tuned for details...

Join us for an exciting night of TRIVIA at the fabulous Luminary Center for the Arts! All proceeds will help fund The Luminary’s much-anticipated move to Cherokee Street. You’ll get to hear all about their big plans for the new space and check out the sexy renderings too! Bring food/snacks and all your friends!

Friday, March 9th

Doors open at 6:00pm

Trivia starts at 7:00pm

Diverse categories!

Fun prizes!

FREE BEER!!!

Your MC for the evening is the one and only Michael Allen!

$20 per person or $160 for a table of 8
Call 314-609-2564 and reserve your table today!

Presented by CITY AFFAIR

Cherokee Street will hopping this Saturday!  You don't want to miss the 4th Annual Cherokee Print League Holiday Sale.  Dozens of venues will showcase the work of more than 40 local artists and designers.  A great way to stock up on high-quality, one-of-a-kind Christmas and Hanukkah gifts!  And you'll love the awesome prizes, drinks and giveaways that await!

There will be plenty of other excitement in addition to cool art.  The annual Antique Row Cookie Spree will be in full swing in the Cherokee antique district east of Jefferson.  If that doesn't fill you up, grab lunch at one of Cherokee's delicious restaurants, bakeries and cafes, or visit the food trucks stationed near Cherokee & Minnesota.  Cherokee resident Ryan Reed of the Landmarks Association of St. Louis will be conducting guided historical tours of the street, so stop into any of the participating venues for tour meeting times and locations.

Good times to be had by all! 

Special thanks to our sponsors, Schlafly, The Riverfront Times and Blick Art Supplies.

St. Louis University has proposed demolition of the Pevely Dairy complex to build a new medical office building. Join the Pevely Preservation Coalition this Saturday afternoon as we show our support for preservation of the National Register listed Pevely Dairy building and smokestack at Grand & Chouteau. 

WHERE: Grand & Chouteau, Midtown St. Louis

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 19th - 2:30-4:30pm

WHY: Because the city belongs to ALL of us.

To RSVP: Pevely Preservation Rally

For more info: Save the Historic Pevely Dairy Complex