STL Shop Local 365+: Hi-Pointe Theatre

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Hi-Pointe Theatre

The Hi-Pointe Theatre is my first post because it is one of my favorite places. We discovered the Hi-Pointe a few months ago. And we think it is THE best movie theater in St. Louis.

Mainly because there is a real man, a really nice man who owns and operates the theater. His name is Mr. Brian Ross. He is there all the time. Remember this year's big blizzard, that closed down everything in St. Louis? Well, because of Mr. Ross, the Hi-Pointe was open for anyone who wanted to hike in through the snow to see "The King's Speech." I don't think he knows the last time he had a day off, much less a vacation.

The Hi-Pointe Theatre was built in 1922 and has operated as a local theater since that time. In fact, it is the last independently owned and operated movie house in St. Louis. I think it is amazing that Brian pours so much of his heart and soul into this St. Louis treasure. He has installed the newest technological improvements while maintaining all the nostalgic charm of a single screen neighborhood theater. No one can guarantee you'll love the movie being shown but you've gotta love the place.

From the time you buy your ticket in the old-style box office, you'll know you're in for a treat.

Scattered throughout the building are surviving hints of the building's art deco origin.

It is a simple place from a simpler time when neighbors came to watch a show together, then chat about it on the walk home, just like they went to church and the market together. It was through these shared experiences that community existed.

So call a bunch of friends, meet at the Hi-Pointe and remember why neighborhood is such a good thing.

If you want to support a St. Louis landmark, encourage a local entrepreneur, pay low movie and concession prices, keep more of your money in St. Louis, and have a great movie experience, go to the Hi-Pointe the next time you want to see a movie. Or if you love expensive stale popcorn and plastic butter in an impersonal warehouse setting, there are several other options in town.

I haven't even told how wonderful are the concessions! I'll be back later to give you even more reasons to go to the Hi-Pointe.

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A New Year, A New Look

It has been a year... a year of shopping, learning, meeting, and discovering; a year of new people, places, and routines; a year of sheer delight that I could never have anticipated when the adventure began March 1st, 2011. I've found it IS possible to shop economically and conveniently at smaller locally owned shops. What started as curiosity has concluded with deeper understanding and a commitment to a way of life. The independence of self-owned businesses seems to foster happier more creative people,which makes a better world for all of us. So let's continue, I can't think of a single reason to go back to the box stores, boring chains and internet.

About Jo

Hi, my name is Jo-Ellen McDonald. I like small stores, I truly do, though for years I've rarely shopped in them. I don't know why, really. I guess I was thinking it is more convenient and less expensive to shop in the big mega stores, and that someone else supported those little stores I liked so much.

Or was I thinking at all? Probably I was just doing what everyone else does.

This year I'm living differently. For 365 days I'm going to shop for goods and services only at local, independently owned businesses. I just want to try it. Will it be outrageously expensive? Or demand so much time as to be impossible to maintain? I don't know. But I want to try, because a lot of those little stores that I liked so much are gone, and I think that is pretty sad.

Some days there will simply be a quick journal entry, other days will feature a particular small business.

So come along with me and let's see what there is to learn this year. About the joys and struggles of small business owners. About whether or not there is a local place to buy computer ink cartridges or a broom. About how maybe we have saved a little in time and money but have lost too much in humanity and community.

STL Shop Local 365+