Sophisticated Living SOPHI Awards 2024
The “Oscars” of the architectural, building, and interior design industries took place on November 6th, and what a night it was. As they say in movie parlance, “That’s a Wrap!” The dazzling event crystallized at the posh and historic 21c Museum hotel, and was the result of months of scrupulous planning to showcase the best and brightest stars of St. Louis. First, on the street, cars lined up for the valet, attendees then climbed the colorful “Fallen Fruit” staircase up to the 21c museum areas. Servers passed delicious hors d’oeuvres. Guests supped craft cocktails, top-shelf bourbons, fine wines, and all manner of libations while mingling with the tony crowd. A tingle was in the air as the time was approaching to find out who would walk away with a coveted SOPHI. Wait no more… Read on to see who won and the work that earned their trophies.
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Why Sell Now?
The St. Louis real estate market is strong. Of course, there are many distractions that cause one to worry if they are making the right real estate decision for their future. No one has a crystal ball. But, selling right now in most instances is a sound choice. Purchasing your next home is a sound choice. Make sure you consult a professional Realtor to help guide you through the minutia of contracts, negotiations, municipal and legal aspects of every deal. Realtor Julie Lane gives advice on why you might consider selling now.
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Living and Breathing Timber
Since 2011, Goebel & Co. has been producing the finest forms of luxury furniture with wood from all over the world, including Missouri. His chairs and tables, credenzas and coffee tables can be found in all corners of the globe. You can pick up one of his cutting boards at a handful of boutiques in Ladue, but somewhere in northern Zambia is a black walnut throne which he happened to make for Her High Chieftainess, Melambeka of the Lamba tribe, back in 2020. Learn more here about his craftsmanship and unique pieces.
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Full Life. Full Pantry.
Butler's Pantry is the catering bread and butter of St. Louis. Since the age of six, Richard Nix Jr. is a natural byproduct of growing up in a restaurant family. In 1994, he took the helm of the business his father founded in 1966 to provide creative catering solutions to the St. Louis community. Learn here about his 58-year-young business and how Butler's Pantry is giving back to the community that has made them a success.
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The Art and Science of Building: Seeing the World Differently
Bob Clark has built one of the country’s largest construction firms, Clayco. Here, he reflects on his journey from start-up to top builder, evolving from his earliest company motto, "Construction Success" to the current one, "The Art and Science of Building."
Through the years, renowned photographer Matt McFarland has captured the essence of Clark's vision. Read and see more about how their partnership continues to make an indelible industry imprint for all to see now and into the future.
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Clementine's Naughty and Nice Ice Creamery Appears on Andy Cohen's "Watch What Happens Live!"
From two appearances on St. Louis’ own Andy Cohen’s What Happens Live! (one just last night), to CBS This Morning, ice cream guru, founder, and CEO of St. Louis’ Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Ice Creamery is helping put St. Louis on the proverbial map. Read here how many have discovered the frosty confection in a different way. It truly is for the naughty and the nice.
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Delmar Maker District: A Vision Two Decades in the Making
With a vision as ever-changing as glass being blown into a new creation, the Delmar Maker District is a two-decade old project that has caught fire in recent months. St. Louis restauranteur Ben Poremba has helped stoke the flames with his plans to open five establishments in the district in 2024. Learn more about how Doug Auer and Jim McKelvey, co-founded Third Degree Glass Factory and the Delmar Maker District.
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Wine on the Fly
Stephanie Franklin launched Fly Wines, a new subscription wine service in late 2023. Aiming to be more than just a wine seller, Franklin is passionate about bringing undiscovered and underrepresented wine regions to the US market. As a Black woman in an industry historically dominated by men, she feels it's essential to have a diverse portfolio and tell stories that show the vastness of the wine industry and the passion that goes into those 750ml bottles sent to customers' doors. Read how she made it happen.
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The Power of Alchemy
With her giant etching press and a healthy dose of alchemy, owner and Master Printer of Wildwood Press, Maryanne Ellison Simmons works with artists to bring new beauty to life. Simmons and her husband, Ted, a former Cardinals baseball player, met in junior high school and much later, began a life of collecting. In 2020, the couple donated 833 pieces of art to the Saint Louis Art Museum and held an exhibit called “Catching the Moment”. Read more about her story here.
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Hearth & Soul Harnesses the Magic of Christmas in Its Daily BELIEVE Giveaway
Day by day, Christmas Day inches closer. Time to gather those gifts. Want one more gift to put under the tree? Then hop in your sleigh, rev up your reindeer and head on out to Ladue’s Hearth & Soul. They will jingle your bells all the way to December 25th with their BELIEVE Christmas Giveaway.
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Rosie Gets Wonder Togs Talking Tees for the Holidays
Just in time for the holidays, Washington University alums Jessica Lanzberg and Olivia Putterman launch Wonder Togs Talking Tees, a new high-tech lifestyle brand that blends technology and fashion to bring a child’s wardrobe to life. Read on to learn how they worked with veteran creative marketers Norty Cohen and Brian Clever to make one little girl named Rosie’s favorite zoo animals come to life.
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Heart and Soul
One of the finest purveyor’s of fly rods, exquisite rod cases, purses and trunks, and carefully crafted canoes is located not in Montana, rather in Maplewood, Missouri. Read here how Amelia Tufts and Gabe Batson are making their company “fly.”
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Making Magic
Founder and Chief Executive Office of Green Street Real Estate Ventures foresees a “Magic City.” The company’s approach is to buy sizable swathes of land for building apartments, family residences, offices, and, what he terms “the magic sauce,” entertainment. Read on to learn more about how Green Steet is transforming the landscape of St. Louis for people who are interested in, as he says, “An experiential lifestyle that’s office, entertainment, and how you live.”
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Ted Wight — St. Louis’ Million Dollar Listing Man Who Sells Homes with a Pedigree
How did Ted Wight go from an unknown in the real estate market in the early 2000’s to being known as St. Louis’ Million Dollar Listing Man in 2023? It’s because he only lists homes worthy of being called a “Ted.” Read here about his beginnings and how he keeps climbing the rock that is the real estate business.
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Tempting the Senses
Sauntering into the Hearth & Soul store in Ladue is like visiting the home of an old friend. Albeit, a very wealthy buddy with an extremely well-appointed house but it’s the kind of warm and cozy place where you can simply hang out on a couch or the patio. Have a complementary cuppa. And where you can shop. Til you drop. Everything you see is for sale. Read on to learn more about Suzie Busch Transou and her store.
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Clients for Life: Taking Care of You and Your Worldly Possessions
Founded by Luke Heintz just before the pandemic, Modern Moving offers white glove service to customers who are buying selling homes at an historic pace. Read his story and about a company that takes care of you and your precious possessions with kid gloves when you relocate.
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RAISING A GLASS FOR GOOD
Newly launched Eric LeGrand Kentucky Bourbon donates a portion of the profits from every case sold to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which speeds progress toward a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries. Former college football star, ESPN sports analyst, and Sports Illustrated award winner and entrepreneur Eric LeGrand is himself a spinal cord injury survivor.
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Small Towns Become Big Business
Through calculated growth, the Glik family catapulted one store in St. Louis, MO in 1897 to a chain of on-trend retail stores and boutiques in 71 small towns in the upper Midwest by 2023.
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A Walk in the Woods
For David Stine, every piece of furniture he makes begins with a walk in the woods. His own 1,000-acre woods.
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Vicia's 5th Anniversary
In case you missed it, Vicia celebrated its 5th birthday in March!
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