St. Louis is full of local gems and we often refer to the city as a hidden gem itself. Here are two we took advantage of on our Sunday walk yesterday.

Blue Print

This is a coffee shop that opened up less than a mile from our neighborhood in what is know as The Loop. We've walked by a number of times but given my post-night shift stupor in this day, we decided an afternoon cuppa might perk me up ;) it is SO minimalist and in the best sense. Subway tile cover the walls and there is a long clear glass counter with no cash registers and a few pastries and rustic loaves of bread ready to be sliced into beneath it. There were also no big Starbucksy menus on the wall. I'm always squinting at those anyway so I didn't mind. Instead a very well-spoken young man asked if we'd been there before and explained a small cardboard menu to us and helped us decide on the right cup of coffee for me. Of course it was entered into an iPad mini that was tucked away under the counter. Did I mention that they are a roasting company and roast all their coffee right there on site!!? I ordered a free pour that was exquisitely prepared. We were given a glass of water while we waited. Oh, and people's bikes were inside against one wall by a beautiful wooden stand up table. Bikes, people!!!!! I'm already picturing an improved summer biking experience here in my city.

Oh, and as if it mattered by this point, the coffee was delicious.

Subterranean Books

Our next stop was the book shop in The Loop. It's small but packed with literary greats and lesser known treasures, and great staff recommendations. I bought a book recommended by Jonathan's Mom called Orphan Train it tells the true story of immigrant orphans in Manhattan that were sent on trains to the west to find new families. It was sweet and sad and beautiful. It's also already finished, if that says anything about it. But, we love to support the local book shops in St. Louis whenever possible.

Hopebench