Euclid Records

www.euclidrecords.com

We haven't been watching many movies at home lately.  With our discovery of the Hi-Pointe Theatre, 

we've remembered the old-style fun of actually going to a motion picture show

with people to share the experience...and real popcorn.

However, tonight Nona and Sarah were coming to our house and we were in the mood for a classic flick.  Since there are no locally owned places to rent a movie, I had wondered what to do when struck by the inevitable yearning for a pizza and movie at home. I wasn't sure how to arrange this cozy night.

.

Well, if I can't rent a movie I could buy one.

This is a sign I've driven by many times.  Records...hmm...they might have DVDs also.

I decided to check it out.

First impressions mean a lot, I love old doors and this was a beautiful door!

 I felt a nostalgic kinship with the thousands of people who have gone in and out of these doors during the last eighty years...all the joys, the sorrows, challenges and longings;  the palms that have grasped these brass handles...old and young, weak and strong, full of hope and full of despair.

OK, I'll admit I'm being a bit dramatic but still...

isn't it a great door? Don't you want to go to 601 Lockwood in Webster Groves, open it and step inside?!

Once inside, you may need some guidance.  I was somewhat overwhelmed by the countless items of visual and aural entertainment. 

 Right away, though, two very nice gentlemen offered to help, Jim and Steve.

Yes, they do have DVDs, neatly and alphabetically arranged in this flip through bin.  

Within 20 minutes I had a stack of 20 small, flat, plastic, rectangular boxes to choose from. Some were $5.00, some were $12.00, most were $8.00.  Some I put back, some I bought to save for gifts, and one I bought for tonight.

A reminiscently good time was had by all.

  St. Louisans will recognize Euclid as a name associated with the Central West End.  

So why is it in Webster Groves?

About 30 years ago a record store on Euclid Av. was owned by Vintage Vinyl, another independently owned St. Louis record store. It was sold to Joe Schwab in 1980 and became Euclid Records. Since then it has had a few locations.  For the last 7 years it has been in the Desoto building on Lockwood in Webster. Neil, helpful manager he is, told me  originally this art-deco style building was a Desoto car dealership.  Desoto manufactured cars from 1928 to 1961. 

From decade to decade, this is what you would have seen in this building:

1930s

1940s

1950s and

Cool!  

But back to today. 

This solid old building now houses Cyrano's Restaurant, Dynamic Personal Fitness, and 

Euclid Records.

Remember those two guys, Steve and Jim, who helped me learn my way around?  They said they've never worked for a more dedicated, hard-working owner than Joe Schwab. In fact, he was down in the basement working while they managed the store upstairs.  They also mentioned, with a smile, that Joe has an outstanding ability to hire very qualified help. 

Oh, and Mr. Schwab loves music and his job.  So how many LP records are in the store?

I read he estimates half a million. Wow!

All in all, I love this new way of getting a movie for home watching. From now on this is what I will  do. For $7.00 we had a quiet evening at home with friends and family *and* supported a locally owned St. Louis business.

Another advantage over renting: If we love the movie, we have a copy to add to our collection of favorites.  If the movie isn't one we want to keep, Ted, another helpful clerk, says I can take it back to Euclid Records and trade it for cash or credit toward the purchase of another item.

What a deal!!!

Cabin Fever String Band

www.rthum.com 

www.cabinfeverstringband.com

I'm here to tell you about an evening of sheer delight!

Bill, Will, and I met the Bisigs at Nick and Elena's.

If you've read the other post about Nick and Elena's, you will guess we had salad and pizza.  But that is not all.  Since one of our readers, Lisa, recommended Nick's toasted ravioli as "the best", we felt obliged to test her theory.  And you know what? Lisa was right! These were some seriously good ravioli.

However, tonight was about more than food. The Cabin Fever String Band was playing.  Rick Thum is leader of the band with his hand crafted and self-created dulcimer.  You may have seen his neater than nifty truck as you drive around town. (Man of many talents, Rick also refurbished this 1935 Ford Truck.)

Entrepreneur of excellence Rick used to manage a major music store in town.  Now he produces his uniquely designed hammered dulcimer, teaches, travels all over the country  and saves time to play for us here in St. Louis.  

We ordered our pizza and ravs while eagerly anticipating the music to come.

Bass fiddle,

banjo, guitar, harmonica, and 

hammered dulcimer came together to create some truly beautiful music.

Will had made a mountain dulcimer last year and has been thinking of sharpening his skills by making a more difficult instrument, the hammered dulcimer.  Mr. Thum with his convivial nature talked with Will at length and was more than gracious in his encouragement of Will's endeavor.  Not only are these guys outstanding musicians, they are really nice, too.

There are so many pros and cons with each new technology.
Who can deny the pleasure of recorded music at home?

....the fun of going to Webster Records, Record Exchange, or Euclid Records to buy a record or CD that brings joy to your heart?
....or the satisfaction of choosing from your own collection of musical favorites to enjoy while studying, cleaning or just relaxing?

Yet, before CD's, tapes, and records there was another way.  To hear music folks would come together with others either at home, the town square or a local gathering place. Those in the village who were good at beating a drum, blowing a horn, or playing a fiddle would provide the evening's entertainment.  It was good for everyone.  The gift of music was honored and appreciated, giving musicians a reason to develop their talent for the good of the community.

In St. Louis we have so many opportunities for live concerts, whether at Powell Hall with our world class orchestra or at a pavilion in the park with a small band. All of these offer us a chance to experience what that life might have been like, at the same time supporting our local musicians.

 Thursday, September 15th, the Cabin Fever String Band will be back at Nick and Elena's Italian Restaurant. So turn off the TV and come on down...it is the perfect non-smoking, family-friendly space 

for a night of great food and entertainment by local talent.

Webster Record Shop

websterrecords.com

Isabel is still very sick, deep in a coma.  A few days ago one of her many doctors came in while she was listening to "Il Trovatore" with Mary.  He was thrilled to hear the music and started conducting, ya gotta love a doctor like that!

He said yes! Good music...opera is what she should be listening to...."LaBoheme"!

Alli decided to go that very day to get "LaBoheme" for Isabel.

We knew where to go!  Webster Record Shop, another of those feisty little businesses that have been a part of St. Louis culture since the '50s.

They specialize in classical music with a wide variety of new  

and used CDs,

but they also have a great mix of all kinds of music

from rock to ragtime,

on CD or vintage vinyl.

I discovered another reason to shop at Webster Records: Bill Wondracek. Bill is a great guy, one of those people you just like right away! He knows about music and is there to be of service. I appreciated his help deciding which of the 3 or 4 versions of "LaBoheme" to buy.  Bill has been working at Webster Records for 10 years; he started working part time to give the *original* owner a little time off.

There have only been three owners since the beginning of the store 53 years ago.

Jennifer Bellm has owned the store for about 5 years now.

Mia Culpa...it is confession time. I don't remember the last time I bought a CD from a real record shop. When I think of a whole town of people not buying records locally I am amazed we have a music store at all. 

Bill told me a few years ago in Manhattan there were 5 or 6 thriving music stores.  Now, there is only one and when New Yorkers are in St. Louis, many come to Webster Records to shop.

 Here we have at least 3 music stores.  I am so grateful to the resourceful and dedicated business owners of St. Louis and their faithful customers for preserving these treasures until I awoke from my stupor.

I know it is great ordering cds on the internet. But isn't it even greater to be a part of keeping a record shop in downtown Webster Groves for another fifty years?

It really is up to us.

Travelling Locally - Fourth Stop

Copper Oaks 

Bed and Breakfast

 www.copperoaks.net

It was time to begin the trip back home to St. Louis.  We couldn't leave until mid-afternoon, so making the trip in one day would be impossible.  All we needed was a place to sleep. My first thought was to find a typical mid-range hotel for the evening, old habits die hard.  

Second thought: let's find a Bed and Breakfast!  Lindi was ready for the new experience so while I drove, she called several places listed in the Oklahoma tour guide.  Our hopes dimmed because she was getting answering machines.  After all, it was a Sunday afternoon, we were calling the day of the needed service, and these are real people sharing their homes.

 What is the likelihood someone can arrange to receive guests with only a few hours notice?

Once again we experienced the "over and above" service of small businesses. Of the several messages she left all returned the call within the hour.  It was terribly hard to decide, since they were all very welcoming, but we could only stay at one place so choose we must.

We settled on Copper Oaks Bed and Breakfast just outside of Tulsa in small town Sapulpa, OK.

After driving down a quiet lane, Bob and Millie not only left the light on for us, they were waiting at the door with a warm greeting and hands to help carry suitcases.

We soon learned that this is the house that Bob built! Nestled amid vibrant green oaks, not yet copper, Bob and Millie cleared the land, and with the help of students from the local high school carpentry class Bob built this lovely home.  (Tireless is the word I think of, they did all this while Millie worked in the finance department of the school and Bob taught math. Oh yes, and they also share their many talents with the local shelter for battered children.)

After a brief visit and tour of the rest of the house, Millie escorted us to the upstairs bedroom with private bath.  As we lounged in the adjoining parlor and relaxed in the quietness we were convinced we had made the right choice.  

Rested and refreshed from the long day of travel we were eager to see what Millie was fixing for breakfast.

It smelled wonderful!

Although this isn't our actual breakfast (I forgot to take that picture), ours was just as extraordinary!

Fresh sliced peaches, bacon, maple-nut pancakes with warm maple syrup and orange juice.

Mmmm, thank you Millie.

While we feasted on the sun porch,

we talked of coming back with the whole family and time to walk through the woods and enjoy the swimming pool and the fishing pond.

Bob had encouraged us to stay as long as we could, but we needed to get back on the road.

Before leaving town though, we had to take a few minutes to see Millie's other job.  She also owns a consignment shop for children.

Of course, we found something for our favorite new babies Genevieve and her cousin, Maximillian.

Of all the things I love about "shopping local", meeting such delightful and dedicated people has to be my favorite.

reflections

Since my daughter, Alli, and I saw the first trailer for a new "Jane Eyre" movie, we have eagerly looked forward to seeing it together. That was months ago, before my resolve to shop only at independently owned businesses. So when it was released a couple of weeks ago I steadfastly reminded her I couldn't go after all, because the studios or the distributors or someone won't let Mr. Ross show it at the Hi-Pointe. She decided to see it with some friends, loved it, and insisted the cinematography was stunning and I must see it on the "big screen". I still remained unshaken in my determination. However, today she insisted that

1. I had promised, and

2. the whole family could go tonight, and

3. she was paying, and

4. I really could not say no!

Well, I've never been able to tell my very persuasive first born child no. I considered since I would be her guest, it would not be cheating to go to a competitor of the Hi-Pointe Theatre.

But I came away wishing I could have seen it at the Hi-Pointe and with two more reasons to choose the Hi-Pointe Theatre whenever you can!

1. The movie will always be on the "Big Screen"! Unlike tonight at the multiplex where this cinematic beauty was relegated to the little shoe box screen.

and

2. You don't have to sit through several minutes of commercials before seeing the movie you have already paid to see!

Hi-Pointe Theatre

hi-pointetheatre.com

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.