The Eastmost strip of Delmar Blvd. in University City, MO—colloquially nicknamed “The Loop”—has been a vibrant St. Louis hotspot of community, diversity, friendship, and fun for decades. The invigorating energy zipping through the air, the deep-rooted sense of pride and belonging, and the dreamy wonder conceived by a delicate harmony of cultures and experiences are what characterize this historic street. These are all sensations I have come to know very well over the years, and they simply cannot be fully articulated or done justice to in a single article; still, please enjoy my attempt to provide you with a glimpse into the life of an average Loop-lover!
WCA sophomore Lincoln Roam speaks to the restless nature of the Loop, noting:
“It never feels stale; there’s always a new restaurant opening or something exciting happening.”
Additionally, former Wildcat and current Junior at Whitfield Hana Inazu shares:
“I love how the Loop has so much character and you can always meet someone new with a really cool story. I also love the art everywhere and seeing everyone express themselves.”
Both students recognize the Loop’s lively atmosphere in different ways. For instance, Roam has observed the Loop’s perpetual novelty, a feature that contributes to its bubbliness and intrigue, ensuring that no two walks down the street are the same. On the other hand, Inazu focuses on the social and artistic aspects of the Loop, explaining how its widely diverse population gives it personality.
It is clear the Loop has no shortage of amazing qualities, but it certainly goes through its share of setbacks as well, specifically regarding its perceived downward trajectory in distinction, both from the outside world and within itself.
After considering some of the more recent architecture being implemented on Delmar and its potentially negative effects, Inazu reflects:
“I dislike the new construction on the Loop and how it’s becoming more modern because I feel like it’s taking away from the personality of the Loop.”
Sophomore at U-City High School Elliot Marchant also offers his opinion; he critiques:
“There’s way too many food places and not enough unique stores or experiences.”
Many of those who frequent the Loop have noticed an increase in popular chain restaurants like Papa John’s and Starbucks and in the development of contemporary buildings made for efficiency, seemingly at the expense of more fragile niches and mom-and-pop shops. They argue that the Loop is being watered down, losing some of its unique character to homogenization.
Although examples portraying the instability and standardization of smaller businesses are not insignificant, the models of flourishing Loop establishments (both old and new) and the efforts being made to enrich the Loop’s culture are far stronger, more numerous, and frankly more interesting, so please, take a journey down Delmar with me as I go through five of the hottest attractions to check out!
- Blueberry Hill 🎶🍔
Founded in 1972 by big-time entrepreneur, visionary, and St. Louis enthusiast Joe Edwards, Blueberry Hill is a masterful creation with a funky, timeless pub-like feel (while also remaining family-friendly). Every square inch of every wall is decorated with action figures, album covers, taxidermied animal heads, creepy puppets, and practically every fascinating trinket imaginable, many having to do with pop culture fads throughout the decades. To add to the magic, all your favorite classic arcade games are available to play, and there’s an almost-hidden “Duck Room” below the main floor of the building, where bands, comedians, and other ambitious artists put on shows. As if all that was not enough to convince you of its greatness, Blueberry Hill has some of the best burgers in St. Louis! Hop over to this stunning spectacle of a restaurant the next time you have a free evening; you won’t be disappointed.
- Avalon Exchange 👟💥
Arguably among the best thrift stores in St. Louis is Avalon Exchange, a quirky yet stylish hodgepodge of donated clothing, ranging from an 80’s Halloween party to a confident day at the gym. You can never go wrong browsing the aisles of this treasure chest of a store, and to call it a treasure chest is no exaggeration. Even if you’re not particularly drawn to fashion or shopping, Avalon is handing out unbelievable deals left and right. Hundreds of dollars lie in wait for you to find them. Come check it out for yourself.
On the benefits of going to Avalon, Roam remarks:
“It’s always fun to try and find good deals and shop with friends,” and Marchant adds that he has “found a lot of clothes I love there.”
- Magic Mini Golf ⛳️✨
Also founded by Edwards, there truly is a magical quality to this new put-put place. Its courses are emotionally significant to St. Louisans, each of them themed around a different staple of St. Louis history and culture; there’s even a Blueberry Hill course! It is a super fun outing for your friends, family, date, and anyone else you happen to come across. This place will be adored by all who enter.
- Meshuggah Café ☕️🗞️
Yiddish for “crazy”, Meshuggah is the warmest, friendliest, coziest little nook in town. Many breakfast and lunch items such as eggs, bagels, sandwiches, and toast are served, along with delicious smoothies and, of course, coffee. It retains a relaxing and playful atmosphere by offering board games to play and a chalkboard for kids, along with comfortable seating and a pillow or two almost always at your disposal. One little-known fact about Meshuggah is that its bathroom walls are lined top to bottom with witty comic strips and poems like Calvin and Hobbes and Where the Sidewalk Ends. In case you’re ever in the mood to stay on the toilet for hours on end—or just to finish some work and catch up with a friend, Meshuggah has got you covered.
Inazu expresses her love for Meshuggah by saying:
“It’s really cozy and chill and I like to go there to get homework done with my friends, and also the coffee and food are amazing.”
- The Wizard’s Wagon 🧙♂️🎲
Any genre of nerd, geek, gamer, or even mildly intellectual individual will love visiting The Wizard’s Wagon. They sell all kinds of comic books, board games, and other products in that arena. Settlers of Catan, Magic the Gathering, Marvel, DC, you name it! Whatever you’re a fan of, I can assure they have something for you to get excited about.
——————————————————————————————————————————
Two other honorable mentions that did not quite make the top five have to be the classic nostalgic record store Vintage Vinyl that has thousands of records and CD’s of every music style as well as the creativity playground Baked T’s, where you can bring your imagination to life by designing and printing your own t-shirt, hoodie, or other apparel with graphics, colors, and brands of your choosing.
Of course, that list only accounts for a small fraction of the Loop’s glory: there are many thrift shops, diners, and cafés, as well as special places like a bowling alley, an old theater now functioning as a church, a concert venue, a karaoke lounge, a hotel with a beautiful rooftop view, an international grocery store, and our City Hall. There is a tattoo parlor, a jewelry store, a bookstore, a library, a barbershop, and dozens of different places to get food or sweet treats.
However, the buildings themselves are not the only attractions that the Loop has to offer. The St. Louis Walk of Fame is a series of large brass stars embedded into the sidewalks on either side of the street with names of celebrities and historical figures from St. Louis. It includes many nationally recognizable names, including Chuck Berry, T. S. Eliot, Tennessee Williams, Dred Scott, Scott Joplin, and Ulysses S. Grant.
Additionally, the trolley travels the full length of the Loop and has a stop at the St. Louis History Museum, aimed at connecting University City with the city of St. Louis and providing more accessible local transportation. There have also been developments in the world of art, like a recent campaign that put murals up on dull building walls, a bronze statue honoring Rock & Roll icon Chuck Berry (a proud St. Louis native), and Delmar’s revered protectors, two giant lion statues—male and female—standing powerfully atop two 14-foot stone pillars, guarding the Loops’s entrance just west of City Hall. The official title given to the structures is the “Gates of Opportunity,” and they could not have been named more fittingly.
The beauty of this street is that no matter your personality, interests, age, ethnicity, background, or budget, there is a place for you here. I hope this article has given you the motivation you need to get up, hop in the car, and take a trip out to the legendary Loop on Delmar Boulevard!
