Antique Row

Antique Row is a historic six-block stretch of independently-owned antique shops on Cherokee Street in south St. Louis within a shopping area that dates was established in the early 1900s. These include popular shops such as Hammond's Antiques and Books, which has been in operation since the 1950s and Riverside Architectural Antiques which was established a couple of decades later. There are over thirty shops in total, selling a wide range of objects, including glassware, pottery, books, clothing, and furniture. During the summer months, occasional street fairs offer people a chance to browse outdoors at vendor tents set up along the street. Antique Row is located in the Cherokee-Lemp Historic District, which was designated as a city historic district in 1980.

Comprised of six blocks on Cherokee Street, Antique Row includes more than thirty shops selling vintage items. It has been described as a boon for "all kinds of antique seekers, whether they are looking for old jewelry, china, furniture, books, architectural antiques, vintage signs or just plain junk." Antique Row is part of the Cherokee-Lemp Historic District, a city-designated historic district located in south St. Louis.

As early as 1915, this neighborhood was established as a bustling shopping area. Today, it includes coffee shops, restaurants, and a bakery, in addition to several antique shops. The Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion and the Lemp Mansion are also located nearby. The entire historic district is sometimes referred to as a "street museum." In the warmer months, outdoor fairs draw visitors who enjoying browsing at the vendors' tables.

Year-round specialty stores include Hammond's Antiques and Books, which sells rare, used, and out-of-print books, vinyl records and CDs, and other items. Hammond's was opened in 1950 by Jovanka Hammond, who began by focusing on Art Deco prints, posters, and antiques, many of which she imported from France. Her inventory also includes vintage paper, paper dolls, and costume jewelry from Gypsy limited, which was her mother's shop on Cherokee Street.

Another shop, Riverside Architectural Antiques, has been in operation since 1979. It specializes in the acquisition and re-sale of objects involved in home renovations. According to the shop's owners, Barbara Moore and her husband, Riverside Architectural Antiques sells everything from "fine antiques to funky collectables." This includes glassware, vintage clothing, furniture, and vinyl records, while retaining a focus on special architectural items such as doors, doorknobs, door frames, windows, and fireplace mantles.

The shops that are located along Antique Row tend to draw people of all ages. Barbara Moore has described how parents will often come in with their young children, some of whom are already interested in collecting things such as "antique keys or little cars." In addition to families spending several hours on weekend afternoon sifting through the rows of vintage items, Antique Row draws tourists as well as locals. It is not uncommon to see dogs sitting patiently outside shops while waiting for their owners.

Amidst the six blocks of antique stores, there are also eateries and places to sit. The Mud Room is a specialty coffee shop that offers outdoor patio seating at bistro tables in a shaded courtyard tucked between buildings on Cherokee Street. Most of the shops that are located along Antique Row are open every day, although some are closed on Mondays.

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