#46: Regional Arts Commission

• The Regional Arts Commission organization was founded in 1985, as a way to promote, encourage and prosper the arts and cultural institutions in St. Louis city and county. 
• Its present building on the Delmar loop was built in 2003.
• The main goals of the organization's visionary plan: vitality, value, visibility and sustainability
• Among some of the places they partnered with include the Laumeier Sculpture Park.
• Has invested more than $76 million in the arts

The cake, which focuses on what art is about (or what its supposed to be):

Front and right side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Back side of the cake

The Regional Arts Commission is a partner with stl250's Cakeway to the West.

Regional Arts Commission on FB
Official website

6128 Delmar Blvd., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63112
Cake artists: Alison Rieke and Jess Goldtharpe

#45: Moonrise Hotel

It's probably no secret that Delmar Loop developer Joe Edwards has an obsession with space and the solar system. If so, he did it so well especially with the Moonrise Hotel! Alongside the sidewalks of 'one of the Top 10 streets in America' also has small signs that detail every planet in the solar system with factoids. Then you have, of course, the St. Louis Walk of Fame, which are stars.

The Moonrise Hotel, one of the still-new places on the Loop, calls itself a luxury, chic-boutique hotel. There are some rooms that focus on St. Louis Walk of Fame inductees. It also has a rooftop bar and a restaurant, Eclipse, that is open from 6:30am to 2am. You even have the world's largest man-made moon, which you'll see continuously spinning if you look up at the building. All in all, it is no doubt that this creative hotel has been voted #1 (according to tripadvisor.com).

Front of the building, with entrance to the Eclipse restaurant

The Moonrise Hotel at night

Moonrise Hotel on FB
Official website

6177 Delmar Blvd., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63112
Cake artist: Dan Jaboor 

#44: Tivoli Movie Theatre

 

If you're in your 20s, 30s or older the chances of you seeing a movie or a film festival here are 50/50. That's pretty much the greatest use of this legendary theater in St. Louis.

• The Tivoli opened on May 10, 1924. 
• It is four stories tall, and has a street frontage of 180 feet.
• Consists of three screens
• For nearly 70 years, it shown several films during their prime, until its decline and its eventual closure in 1994
• Several movie posters from Hollywood's 'Golden Age' are placed on the walls inside the Tivoli, as well as a statue of St. Louisan Vincent Price
• A year after it closed, Joe Edwards started the renovation process in 1995. 
• In addition to being the place to view independent and foreign movies, the Tivoli also has hosted numerous film festivals.

The Tivoli sign at night time

The Tivoli sign at day time

And now, the cake, which spotlights St. Louisan Vincent Price:

Right side of the cake (another place with a cool looking bike rack!)

Back side of the cake

Tivoli Movie Theatre on FB
Wikipedia link

6350 Delmar Blvd., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63130
Cake artist: Henryk Ptasiewicz

#43: Blueberry Hill

  'I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill...'

Obviously named after the hit song, this pop-culture restaurant is noted for reviving the Delmar Loop section in St. Louis. It all started back in 1972, when Joe Edwards opened this place. 42 years later it continues to bring several great moments to diners and pop-culture and enthusiasts. Really, where do I start here? Okay, the food. The food is pretty decent. Even Chuck Berry raves about their famous hamburger. 

Speaking of Chuck Berry, it is also worth mentioning that he performs here every month (I believe, third Wednesday). He has been doing so since the mid-90s. This gives everyone (not just St. Louisans) a chance to see and hear the living rock legend. Just about everyone from The Beatles to the Grateful Dead and Rolling Stones have covered Berry's work and cite him as an architect of rock and roll. Sometimes Berry will sign autographs after his shows. As of this writing, I have seen Chuck Berry live five times since 2009. Three of those times were at Blueberry Hill's Duck Room (which is named after Berry's famous duck walk). 

Chuck Berry performing in the Duck Room in Spring 2011

Chuck Berry performing again in the Duck Room in November 2013

And speaking of the Duck Room, Blueberry Hill also has specialty rooms for private parties as well. The Duck Room is located in the basement, where concerts are held. Anything that has to do with ducks is on the walls. Bands such as Camper Van Beethoven, Living Colour and the English Beat have performed there. Even 'the female Elvis Presley' Wanda Jackson has done a show there (she will be returning at the end of July 2014). The Elvis Room (name says it all) is usually used for private parties like reunions and such. The smaller Pac-Man and St. Louis rooms, too. 

The jukebox is also a favorite at Blueberry Hill. While the place runs a digital jukebox, vintage ones are also seen (but not used). Edwards once said in an interview (can't remember which publication) that John Goodman used to come up to Blueberry Hill with his friends from Affton and play the jukeboxes all the time during their youth years.

Chuck Berry concert poster advertising his May 14, 2014 show in one of BH's outside windows

Left side of the cake

Top of the cake (unfortunately there's graffiti on top of it)

Back side of the cake

Right side of the cake

 Let's not leave out the pop-culture memorablia. If you are a fan of, say, Family Guy, Simpsons, or Saturday Night Live, you will be delighted to see several pieces of memorabilia and collectibles on display. Magazine covers and concert posters also make Blueberry Hill unique. Pez dispenser collectors will be jealous. And of course, there is Joe Edwards' Wall of Fame where he has over a hundred, if not hundreds, of pictures with him and celebrities. You'll be amazed where that guy has been! He even inspired me to create my own. What's an autograph again?

A night-time look at Blueberry Hill from the top of a nearby parking garage

Me in front of the Blueberry Hill sign on October 26, 2006. The 'Go Cards' was for cheering on the Cardinals during their World Series run (which they eventually won)

And lastly, the accolades. Here is a list of bragging rights titles Blueberry Hill takes from Riverfront Times magazine:

Best Hamburger

Best Onion Rings

Best Place to take on a First Date

Best Business Lunch

Best Jukebox

Best Rock and Roll Club

Best Casual Lunch

Best Bar Games/Video Games

Best Decor

Best Place for a Private Party

Best Beer Selection

NOW: The cake is now in storage, according to a worker at Blueberry Hill. It is believed that Mr. Edwards definitely wanted to keep his cake! (and hopefully keep it on display somewhere)

Blueberry Hill on FB
Wikipedia link
Official website

6505 Delmar Blvd., UNIVERSITY CITY, MO, 63130
Cake artist: Indy Bowers  (also decorated the cake located in front of Channel 9)

#42: St. Louis Walk of Fame

 

Obviously, inspired by the Hollywood Walk of Fame is this unique walkway display in the Delmar Loop. It features the most notable people of the St. Louis area, from many different fields. It stretches out from University City to the St. Louis city boundary. The Walk of Fame was another brainchild of Joe Edwards (founder of Blueberry Hill, among other works in the Delmar Loop). Starting in 1989, ten inductees got a star, including Chuck Berry, Stan Musial, James Eads and Scott Joplin. Many more were inducted in the next few years. From 1994 on, no more than three were inducted. Today, there are at least 135 people and groups that have a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. The inductees are selected by a panel of 120 people, most of them people who work for St. Louis colleges and universities.

I'd like to list every person that has one, but that would be too much space and time consumption. For a complete list, visit www.stlouiswalkoffame.org. The person doesn't necessarily have to be born and raised in St. Louis, but at least have something to do with the city. For example, the late Harold Ramis who spent most of his life in Chicago and Hollywood, attended Washington University and was inspired to write the movie 'National Lampoon's Animal House' while living here in St. Louis. You'll find many musicians, politicians, sports and media personalities, even those who date back to the beginning of St. Louis. Some of them you'll be surprised they have a connection to St. Louis (Robert Duvall!). As noted above, two or three get inducted every year. Who knows - maybe Jon Hamm, Jenna Fischer or Gayle McCormick will get a star in the future?

A juggler performs in front of the Chuck Berry statue

The best part about it: it's free! And you can access it 24/7, but its best to view it during the daytime. You'll be able to learn more about the person and/or group.

just a view of how the stars are placed along the sidewalks of Delmar Boulevard, taken in 2010

Ozzie Smith's star, with my Ozzie figurine

Jack Buck's star, taken in 2010

Chuck Berry Statue

The cake is located next to Fitz's and the Chuck Berry statue.

Wikipedia link
Official website

6605 Delmar Blvd., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63130
Cake artist: Gina Harmon

#41: Vintage Vinyl

One of my favorite hangouts of all-time just happens to be at the Delmar Loop. I'm usually guilty of not buying anything, but glancing through the hundreds of popular and obscure record albums in the store. For those that don't know me well, I am a lifelong music enthusiast, and I have been collecting records all of my life. I don't even know how many I have! But I'm always up for anything that looks or sounds good.

There actually used to be a second location in Granite City for a long time, but it closed down in, I believe, 2007. Possibly because of the deterioration of the steel community, I don't know. I actually did like going to that one as well. There is one thing I do miss: when The Point (before Emmis bought them) used to play their commercials with Papa Ray voicing them. VV would sponsor their drive-time game, Trivia From Hell. And Papa Ray would just have the weirdest voice and advertising pitches, such as 'Ordering your music over the phone is like telephone sex...'. Don't judge, this was 1995! The record/music industry has changed so much since then. Actually come to think of it, that was almost 19 years ago! Dang I feel old.

Anyway, with the music industry on life support, it is awesome that Vintage Vinyl is still standing. It may as well be known as the only neighborhood record store in St. Louis. The only other one I can think of is Euclid Records, which is a little more South. There was also Webster Records (in Webster Groves), but that one closed within the last two years. The millenials are now buying their music digitally, or streaming them. It's too bad they missed their chance on what it was like buying the physical copy of their favorite musician/artist. However, the good news is, vinyl has been making a sneaky comeback, thanks to millenials. I've got a lot of different theories on this, but nevertheless I am so happy about that. I just think that generation is curious about the retroness, and maybe, about what their parents listened to back in the day. Heck I don't know.

Vintage Vinyl does play an important part in U. City, as it has helped build and shape the Delmar Loop. Every year, since, I believe...probably 2008 or 09, they have hosted Record Store Day, which has brought several record buyers and collectors together for that special day, usually in April.

Also, several bands (nationally and locally known) have done 'in-store' appearances and performances in the store. The Flaming Lips is one of them.

The other sides of the cake are pictured below. It is a nice, fitting tribute to 250 years of producing the best music to come in and out of St. Louis. The white keys on the bottom represent the artists, musicians, venues and organizations that have given the city its unique sound. The piano keys on the cake read: Chuck Berry, Johnny Johnson, Grace Bumbry, Twilight Tuesdays (History Museum), Fontella Bass, Scott Joplin, Bach Society, Tommy Bankhead, St. Louis Chamber Chorus, Pee Wee Russell, Kiel/Peabody Opera House, Bessie Smith, 5th Dimension, D.H. Peligro, College/University Choirs and Orchestra, Shottinger Music, Michael McDonald, The Isley Brothers, Willie Mae Ford Smith, handbell choirs, Robert McFerrin, Sr., St. Louis Cathedral concerts, Willie Akins, KFUO-FM/Radio Arts Foundation, Gaslight Square, church choirs, Jazz at the Bistro, St. Louis Symphony Chorus, Stan Kann, The Pageant, In Unison chorus, St. Louis Blues and Jazz Hall of Fame, Whitaker Series (Missouri Botanical Garden), Powell Hall, Javier Mendoza, Union Avenue Opera, Blues on the Landing, St. Louis Children's Choirs, Josephine Baker, Sheldon Concert Hall, Bob Kuban, community choruses, Nell Carter, Ambassadors of Harmony, Muddy Waters, Touhill Performing Arts Center, Tina Turner, Donny Hathaway, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Muddy Blues Festival, Fabulous Fox, American Chamber Chorale, Nelly, Opera Theater St. Louis, J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, St. Louis ragtimers, MUNY, Bach at the Sem, Miles Davis, Kilgen Wicks Pipe Organ companies and Christine Brewer.

Please note: there are at least three more independent record stores that go by the name 'Vintage Vinyl', such as in Saskatchewan, New Jersey, and Evanston, IL.

Here's an episode of KETC Channel 9's Living St. Louis focusing on Vintage Vinyl (sorry, could not get the link to work):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8UoFpln0G8

As of 4/30/2015, the cake is still on display outside Vintage Vinyl.

Vintage Vinyl on Twitter
Official website

6610 Delmar, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63130
Cake artist: Mark Tillman

#40: University City Lion Gates

There are two cakes that have the 'Where did you go to high school?' theme. That question is said to be mostly common in St. Louis. I have no idea why. That could apply to any other city. So why St. Louis? The answer remains unknown at the moment...

The gates were commissioned in 1909, by University City's founder, Edward Gardner Lewis. The lions on top were sculpted by George Julian Zolnay. For a time, the lions once stood upon 40 feet pylons of limestone. Because the weight caused them to tilt through time, the pylons were reduced to its current size of 14 feet in 1991. By the way, the lions during its 'taller pylon' days were 8 tons of concrete. They are now gone and the ones you'll see in the picture are lighter fiberglass ones. The original lions are now in the possession of the Missouri Historical Society. One thing that hasn't changed: the gates are known as 'the gates of opportunity'.

I'm not sure if this true, but in my opinion it sounds like someone made this up: the lions on top of the gates were the inspiration for the lion statues atop the famous 'clock tower' scenes in the Back to the Future movies. As I write this while doing research on this small subject, I just happen to come across this information. I'll keep y'all posted

Oh look, the Scientology building (once a Masonic place). Maybe Tom Cruise has been there?

This part of Delmar Blvd. (with Trinity, Harvard and Kingsland Aves.) and the area in front of U.C. City Hall has been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Back in the day it was known as the 'University City Plaza'.

City Hall

Back side of the cake

Right side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Top of the cake

Getting to the cake, you may find it a bit tricky to find. It is sorta hidden behind a bushy, circular area. You will definitely want to park someplace farther and make it a walk. I don't know if the graffiti on it was intentional, but it seems pretty cool that people signed it with chalk along with their graduation year. Diggin' it....

6801 Delmar, UNIVERSITY CITY, MO, 63130
Cake artist: David Jackson