Sam Powers | Managing Photo Editor

Despite reservations, I have decided to reveal my best kept secret in St. Louis: Cherokee Street. A one-mile strip filled with small businesses featuring vintage shopping, art and music, and the best bites around, Cherokee street has it all (including a Swade for the 21+ crowd). Most businesses are only open Friday through Sunday, making it the perfect location for weekend wandering. Cherokee Street is just a 15-minute drive away from the Danforth campus, depending on traffic. Hopefully after reading this you will feel inspired to visit this hidden gem of St. Louis or bribe a friend with a coffee to drive you (or text me). 

Vintage shop till you drop

Mesa Home – 2619 Cherokee St.

Whenever I am looking to spruce up my wardrobe, my first stop is Mesa Home. This is my favorite curated and affordable vintage store for ‘70s-’90s vintage clothes, as well as upcycled pieces. I can always trust that Anni, the owner and curator, will have amazing pieces on her $5 and $10 rack.

City Mouse Vintage – 2618 Cherokee St.

Right across the street from Mesa Home lies one of the silliest vintage stores I’ve ever been in. If you are looking for something eclectic, City Mouse has it. From funky brooches to denim jackets that make you feel like you were on the cast of “The Outsiders,” it is difficult not to walk out with something quirky to add to your closet. Side note: Their dressing room is so roomy and has a vintage tv inside with a leather armchair to leave your finds on.

Elder’s Antiques – 2124 Cherokee St.

Elder’s is best described as a two-story rabbit hole. I have spent hours in this store holding photograph plates to the light, reading postcards a niece sent to her aunt, and trying not to get tetanus rummaging through vintage campaign buttons. There is no shortage of items to admire here.

Sam Powers | Managing Photo Editor

Places for the eyes and ears

STL Virtuoso – 2616 Cherokee St.

From prints, jewelry, wearables, to a fish terrarium, STL Virtuoso has it all. An artist gallery and shop filled to the brim with artworks by local STL artists, there is no doubt you could find affordable unique wall decor for your bare walls. Owned by artists Jessie D. Mees and Julianne Wise, the store is volunteer-run by the artists displayed in the gallery. 

Sheppard Studios – 2306 Cherokee St.

Outside this fine art gallery, a sign featuring an opossum calls out to window shoppers: “Obey your spirit animal.” But don’t let the connotation of fine art galleries being pricey steer you away from this studio. Mark Sheppard showcases his quirky carnival collection of hand-painted works — that also come in prints — along with linocut prints and stickers, offering unique pieces at price points that are affordable for college students!

Infinite Spin Records –  2308.5 Cherokee St.*

Sam Powers | Managing Photo Editor

Two doors down from Sheppard Studios lies a time capsule of a record store specializing in underground rock, jazz, new releases, and more. Along with selling records, Infinite Spin also sells vintage clothing and mini-poster stickers. If I could Shazam the music this store plays all day I would. 

*The reason why there is a .5 in the address is because it is a building split into two! Cherokee Street has been expanding the past few years and this is one of their unique methods of repurposing unused land to create space for new business owners. 

The pièce de résistance of Cherokee Street

Don Carlos – 2800 Cherokee St.

Naturally, after a long day of walking and shopping, your stomach will be screaming for food.

Don Carlos answers these calls by offering a lively eating experience in an outdoor patio attached to a grocery store. Cherokee Street is filled with authentic Mexican cuisine, but for me, Don Carlos stands out for its affordable price point and unbeatable quality, as well as its unorthodox metal exterior. 

This list by no means is an exhaustive list of what Cherokee Street has to offer and I highly encourage those who decide to visit to wander where their heart takes them.