Historical December 1985 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In recent weeks and months, there have been some major changes in the shops and establishments along Pershing in DeBaliviere Place.
The coming of the gallery/shops Objects: St. Louis and Pro Art were discussed in the October issue of The Times and the transformation of The Pasta House into Redel’s was mentioned in November.
This month, two new retail establishments have made their welcome way into our neighborhood. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Tricia Woo moved her shop from Euclid in the Maryland Plaza area to part of the former Nautilus space at 5615 Pershing (the remainder of which has been leased by Behavioral Health Systems, Inc., also featured in this issue) and West End Wines has opened at 309 Belt, just north of Pershing. Long-time West End residents and shoppers remember when Tricia Woo first opened the shop on Euclid with Mary Wool fifteen years ago.
At that time, Wool & Woo—as it was known—was one of several pioneering retailers in a Central West End which was struggling to attract shops and businesses and where parking was not much of a problem.
The shop was a survivor and has grown and flourished in the past ten years as “Tricia Woo.” Although Woo describes the store as “an expanded gift shop,” it really is more of a lifestyle. Specializing in handmade crafts, ladies clothing in natural fabrics, unique childrens’ books, toys, and clothing, and very special fashion accessories and jewelry, Tricia Woo has come to mean to very many St. Louisans the place to find the special gift for friends as well as for oneself.
The handmade quilts have long been the backbone of the store. Produced by a shop-sponsored cottage industry, they are made by quilters throughout the state, and are marketed nationwide as well as though the Tricia Woo shops.
The Pershing shop joins two other locations; one in St. Louis Centre specializing in jewelry and accessories and the other in Union Station which deals primarily with rugs, quilts, and pottery. Woo stated that her principal reason for moving her West End location was the increased parking which will be available at the Pershing facility.
In addition to three parking lots, there will be street parking limited to one hour six days a week. Store hours have yet to be tightly established; however, through Christmas, the shop will be open seven days a week. Call 367-1869 for specific times.
At the east end of the Pershing shopping strip is West End Wines which opened November 16. Partners Melanie Harvey and John Sappington bring together over ten years of combined experience. Harvey spent three years in gourmet food retailing as well as catering. Sappington worked at European Imports in Clayton for five years before going to Star Coffee (Star Gourmet Foods) at which time he brought wine to Star’s inventory.
He also writes a column on wine for St. Louis Magazine. Both partners are DeBaliviere Place residents; Harvey, in addition to the shop, teaches piano in the West End and University City. West End Wines carries (and additional shipments come in daily as the inventory develops) a range of American and imported wines—including sherries, ports, sparkling wines, and brandies.
There is a selection of imported beers as well as nonalcoholic sparkling beverages. Specialty foods include natural and undyed cheeses, pate, crackers, biscuits, mustards and jams, some pastas, and imported chocolate.
The price range is wide reflecting the partners’ philosophy.
The main direction of the shop, as Sappington explains it, is to provide wines that are good values for their price.
There exist bottles of wine for $5.00 which are great values and others which at $15 may not be.
A label is not as important as quality, and they both feel that learning comes through tasting. Harvey and Sappington will gladly help the inexperienced select wines suitable for different menus, tastes, and price ranges.
And the wine connoiseur will find them willing to custom order a special wine which may not be in stock.
They will also special order large amounts for parties and will provide case discounts when possible. West End Wines is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The telephone number is 367-3049; Visa, MasterCard, and personal checks will be accepted.
Original photograph caption
Tricia Woo’s new location on Pershing. Photo by Jeremy Schoenfeld. The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, December 1985, page 1.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, December 1985.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1985_12.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
