So far in the last two weeks I’ve spent part of two different weekends on Cherokee Street. Something really cool is happening down there. I think it’s been brewing under the surface for a while, but in the last couple of years it’s really bloomed. My pal (and sometime contributer to Lo-Fi) Steve Smith has been wanting to open another bar on Cherokee for a while, but the peculiar oddities of St. Louis Liquor politics have been blocking him for some time. Hopefully this will be resolved soon.
So here I provide you with photographic evidence of Cheorkee’s revival. Most of these photos are from the new little punk rock thrift and nick-nack shop Binge & Purge taken at their grand opening two weeks ago, and at Firecracker Press photographed this weekend during the Cherokee Street Open House event.
Oops! I seem to be having an issue with one of my photo gallery plugins, so … until I get this fixed go check out the Album on Flickr
Fixed!
[...] See the photos at http://lofistl.com/2009/04/05/things-are-hoppin-on-cherokee-street/ [...]
Great post. The liquor issue was resolved in February. http://cherokeestreetnews.org/?p=601
Cherokee is thirsty.
Beautiful shots Bill. I was down there as well. It really is wonderful seeing this progress down on the street despite the many detractors and legal difficulties over the years.
Without going into painful detail, I have been trying to work out this arcane law that has prevented places like the Royale opening for the past 8+ years.
About a month and a half ago, it became clear that an exception in the law had been allowed so I could open up in a place at a building I bought on Cherokee about a year and a half ago. Of course, the hold up now is financing. I am in the same boat as the rest of the United States, except the bankers and auto companies. Money is no longer available for financing. Oh well. I am still trying. I am looking forward to someday getting this project off the ground.
Cherokee really is a special place. I hope there is some hard leadership in the area that will really push good projects forward instead of holding business back.
Thanks for the pictures Bill. It really is exciting.
Good to see you around taking pictures — thanks for posting!
Lovely photos, I dig the color– digital, but still sorta retro-looking!
Thanks for stopping by this weekend and for taking some great photos. The businesses that are opening and the folks that are involved with the community get most of the credit for what’s happening down on Cherokee Street. I hope it’s cool if I use LoFi and your documentation at our next Cherokee business meeting as proof of that.
Thanks again.
Man, I love Cherokee Street so much! These photos are so great.
[...] a full post on Lo-Fi St. Louis: “Things Are Hoppin’ On Cherokee Street,” talking more about the open house with plenty more [...]
I caught this photo on your Flickr feed. So many feeds and not enough time. You know Bill, I still have a ticket I’ve got to use for St Louis….