Unseen STL Vibes March 2025
Positive STL news, events and historical tidbits
Welcome to Unseen STL Vibes, a monthly feature of Unseen St. Louis, where we celebrate the positive and unique aspects of our city. As March arrives, the first day of spring brings the promise of longer days, blooming flowers, and a fresh start. Whether you're embracing the green of the season for St. Patrick’s Day or you’re just eager to shake off winter’s chill, there's plenty to enjoy in St. Louis this month. From lively celebrations to hidden gems ready to be explored, Unseen St. Louis is here to bring you a little luck and a little sunshine.
STL Mayoral Primary Election is March 4!
If you live in St. Louis City, have you voted yet? If not, there’s still time!
The mayor plays a crucial role in shaping our city’s future while preserving its rich history, and your vote matters. Polls are open until 7:00 PM on March 4th, so make your voice heard and help decide the direction of St. Louis!
Upbeat STL news
Here are some positive stories about St. Louis worth sharing.Grant to Annie Malone Children and Family Services
Historic Annie Malone Facility Gets $1M for Repairs
The Saint Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) approved a $1 million grant for Annie Malone Children and Family Services to fund essential building repairs at its over 100-year-old facility in north St. Louis. According to the St. Louis Business Journal, this funding comes as the organization faces financial difficulties, leading to the postponement of the annual Annie Malone May Day Parade until 2026. The parade, a 115-year tradition, served as a key fundraiser for services supporting children and families in crisis. SLDC officials stated that the grant approval was unrelated to the parade's postponement, as the application had been submitted earlier. The funding will support roof and masonry repairs, ensuring the preservation of the historic building, with work set to begin in April 2025.
Nourishing New Beginnings
The International Institute of St. Louis has launched its first food pantry to provide nutritious and culturally familiar foods to immigrants, refugees, and other residents in need. Open every Monday at the organization’s headquarters on Arsenal Street, the pantry offers fresh produce, meats, pantry staples, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies. St. Louis Public Radio noted that in partnering with Operation Food Search, the Institute hopes to combat rising food insecurity while ensuring families can shop with dignity. The pantry stocks halal meats, chickpeas, and other culturally appropriate foods to ease the transition for newly arrived immigrants. By addressing basic food needs, the institute strengthens its broader mission of supporting immigrant success in St. Louis.
TechArtista Builds Big at Gateway South
TechArtista, the St. Louis-based coworking company, is expanding to Gateway South, a $1.2 billion, 100-acre riverfront development aimed at making St. Louis a hub for the building and construction industry. St. Louis Magazine described how the new location will occupy 30,000 square feet within the historic Crunden-Martin Manufacturing complex, with an additional 10,000 square feet dedicated to event space. CEO Christopher Holt, a partner in the project, sees this as an opportunity to foster a broader, more impactful community. Gateway South, led by Good Developments Group’s Greg Gleicher, aims to create an innovation hub that connects major players in the industry. With visible progress expected in the coming months, TechArtista’s fourth location will further cement its role in shaping St. Louis’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Out in STL Is Here to Stay
Chris Andoe, longtime editor-in-chief of Out in STL, has purchased the magazine for $1 from publisher Chris Keating, ensuring its continued presence in St. Louis’ independent media landscape. Amid challenges for local publications—including the Riverfront Times ceasing local news coverage and KDHX ending live broadcasts—Andoe sees Out in STL as a vital community asset. As St. Louis Magazine reported, Andoe plans to rebuild its contributor roster, strengthen its online presence, and work toward bringing the magazine back to regular print editions. With this transition, Andoe aims to position Out in STL as an even more outspoken and authentic voice for St. Louis' LGBTQ community.
STL History and Related Events
Check out upcoming events in the St. Louis area.
The Great Big STL Transportation Showdown
Bigfoot, Arch pods, steamboats, streetcars, Clydesdales, Corvettes…and a magic carpet? Join us for a game show-style evening filled with fascinating stories of hidden details behind STL transportation and vehicles. Experts will be interrogated about the secret intricacies of some of the most iconic modes of getting around St. Louis, and the audience will decide which local icon wins the showdown!
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 5:00 PM –8:00 PM
Missouri History Museum, Lee Auditorium and MacDermott Grand Hall
Free; refreshments available for purchase
Young Friends History on Tap
Young Friends of the Missouri Historical Society is hosting a fascinating talk with Clements owner Jason Deem about the fascinating history of the business and the Globe Drugs building. MHS Public Historian Amanda Clark will discuss the building’s place in Cherokee Street history and its connection with the National Building Arts Center (NBAC). We’ll view a collection of architectural door hardware from historic buildings like the Laclede Gas Building, the St. Louis County Insane Asylum, the Wainwright Building, and others—all on display in partnership with the NBAC. Please join us for this unforgettable evening of history, drinks, and conversation!
Wednesday, March 12, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Clements Lock & Security, 2626 Cherokee St.
FREE for MHS/Young Friends Members | $20 for non-members
The Fabric of History: St. Louis Women and Textiles
Whether they were designing for practicality, art, or both, women’s work with textiles is central to St. Louis history and the Missouri Historical Society Collections. Join us for an evening celebrating St. Louis women past and present who have made their mark in the world of textile arts. We’ll start the evening with displays, demonstrations, and hands-on activities related to quilting, weaving, knitting, and more. Enjoy three presentations by Dr. Paulette Sankofa, author of St. Louis Black Women’s Quilting and Cuisine: Stories of Love and Hope; Jane Olson Glidden, past president of the Weavers’ Guild of St. Louis; and renowned fiber artist Jane Sauer.
Thursday, March 13, 2025, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Missouri History Museum, Lee Auditorium and MacDermott Grand Hall
Free
Unseen STL History Talks: Baseball’s Deep Roots in St. Louis
Join us for the next Unseen STL History Talk, where we dive into the incredible legacy of baseball in St. Louis! Leviathan Bookstore owner James Crossley will provide an overview of the city's deep baseball roots, while Adam Kloppe of the Missouri Historical Society will explore St. Louis’ pivotal role in Black baseball history—from early pioneering teams to the legendary Negro Leagues and beyond. With Major League Baseball’s 2024 decision to officially recognize Negro Leagues statistics, this talk will highlight the players, teams, and moments that shaped the game, ensuring that their contributions are finally acknowledged on the national stage. Don’t miss this fascinating look at St. Louis’ baseball heritage!
March 20th, 7-9 PM (doors 6 PM)
Leviathan Bookstore, 3211 S. Grand
$5 cover
Learn more
History Tidbits
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s an older Unseen STL article about the Kerry Patch, a neighborhood just north of Downtown that became an Irish community after the huge wave of immigrants arrived in St. Louis in the mid-19th century.
Irish kings, gangs, and witches ☘️
In this special St. Patrick’s Day edition of Unseen St. Louis, I explore the history of the Kerry Patch, a neighborhood in north St. Louis that for about 60 years was a tight community of recent Irish immigrants fleeing An Gorta Mor, the Great Irish Famine.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this Unseen STL Vibes, please share it with your friends!
If you have events, news, historical tidbits, or other things you think Unseen STL readers would appreciate, email me at jackie@jackiedana.com and include “Unseen STL Vibes” in the subject line.
As always, thanks for reading and supporting Unseen St. Louis. I‘m committed to providing informative articles and history programming to the community while keeping all of its content free. However, this does take a lot of time, so if you would like to support my work financially, please consider a paid subscription.