What’s HOT in neighborhood shops

What follows are the results of a survey I conducted while visiting neighborhood shops—and Schlafly Library—to find out what’s been the most popular item over the course of the summer of 2024.
At Provisions STL, 228 N. Euclid, a 12 oz. glass featuring a map of St. Louis has been the most popular item of the summer.  Proprietors Deb & Ross Hunter said shoppers frequently ask for a memento of St. Louis, so they designed these fun street map glasses had them made exclusively for the shop, $16.

Hours: Tues. – Sat. 11 to 6, Sun. 12 to 5, closed Mon. If the bicycle is parked outside, Deb or Ross is in the store.At Bluemercury, 2 Maryland Plaza, Vilhelm Parfumerie’s Mango Skin Eau de Parfum has been a hit this summer, full size, $190, travel size, $90. Master-Perfumer Bertrand Duchoufour creates perfumes from memories. Mango Skin reminds him of “taking a bite of a mango and you can feel it in your veins.”  Another perfume, To My Father is described by the tag line: “You asked for a tie, they gave you perfume.”

Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 to 6, Sun. 12 to 5.Hands down, the prettiest storefront of the summer is Esther & Mila, 312 N. Euclid.Inside the shop, the hot ticket item is the “hand made in tiny batches in St. Louis” Lip Butter with Peppermint, $32.

Hours: Tues. – Sat. 10 to 6, Sun. 11-5, closed Monday.At lululemon, 26 Maryland Plaza, the most popular combo of the summer has been the Align 6″ High-Rise Short, $64, cropped cami tank, $68, and Swiftly Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt 2.0, $68. (Shown in Vitapink.)

Hours: Sun. – Sat., 10 to 8.At Black Optical (formerly The Eye Bar), 401 N. Euclid, eyeglasses in bright colors have been a popular choice. Brands favored are from left, Ahlem $550, Theo $476, Lindberg $695, Lunor $550, LA Eyeworks (in red) $425. Jacques Marie Mage eyeglasses are limited edition collector’s items, the black pair, second from right, is stamped #449 of 500, $825, and far right, Jacques Marie Mage eyeglasses stamped #123 of 400 with titanium frames, $1450.

Hours are:  Mon. – Sat. 11 to 7, Sun. 11 to 5.When I asked what the most popular flavor of the summer has been at Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery, 306 N. Euclid, there was no hesitation in the reply.  Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall it’s Salted Caramel Cookies & Cream, 2 scoops $7.41 (neighborhood discount available).At Jeni’s, 389 N. Euclid,  it’s  Sweet Cream & Peach Jam made with buttermilk ice cream, crumbled biscuits and peach jam made with peaches from The Peach Truck, 2 half scoops, $6.70, neighborhood discount available. (Photo shows 1/2 scoop.)

Hours: Mon. – Thurs. Noon to 11, Fri. – Sat. 11 to Midnight, Sun. 11 to 11.At Main Squeeze Juice Co., 310 N. Euclid, the drink of the summer has been the Creamy Colada made with coconut water, almond milk, pineapple, banana, raw honey and coconut, $12.95 (neighborhood discount available).

Hours:  Mon.-Sun. 7 to 7.At Rush Bowls, 227 N. Euclid, the most popular bowl this summer has been Beach, a combination of  acai, mango, banana, and guava juice, topped with granola, organic hemp seeds, blueberries and honey, $11.49.

Hours: Sun.-Sat. 8 to 7.Summer Crush, orange cake with orange buttercream icing with orange gummy bear, $3.75, tops the list at The Cup, 28 Maryland Plaza Rear.

Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 10 to 7:30, Fri. & Sat. 9:30 to 8. Closed Sun.At Pharaoh’s Donuts, 8 Maryland Plaza, I learned that the clear favorite is the Apple Dumpling Donut, $2.19.

Hours: Mon. – Fri. 6 to 1, Sat. & Sun. 6 to 3.At Treats Unleashed, 22 N. Euclid, neighborhood pups are barking for Frozen Pup Cups in Peanut Butter, Watermelon/Mango and Vanilla flavors, $2.99. Pup Cups are made with honey, oats, flour, oil, and egg, and filled with frozen yogurt.

Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9 to 8, Sun. 9 to 6.  For really hot days, they have a self-serve pet wash too!On July weekends, you have probably spotted Aury selling flowers from Rudy’s Flower Truck in front of Kaldi’s, 52 N. Euclid or alongside Kingside Diner at Euclid and Maryland. To see Where Rudy’s Truck will be next, look here.At CWE Cyclery (formerly Mike’s Bikes), 324 N. Euclid, Matt, the proprietor, said without hesitation that Aventon e-bikes are really hot this summer. They are on sale. The largest demographic for these bikes are people 55+ who want to ride longer distances— 40 miles along the Katy Trail, for instance. Or some customers work at BJC and want to bike to work.  Summer sale prices are $1099 to $1799.

There is also a hybrid bike on sale called the Breezer Mid-Town. It has a wider tire for “not so great city streets,” which strikes a chord, $649.99, now $499.99.

Hours: Tues. – Fri. 10 to 6, Sat. 10 to 5. Closed Sun. & Mon.

Up Next: Part II of What’s Hot in the neighborhood