ethical skin care | Last November, skin and body care brand Ester & Mila opened its flagship boutique in the Central West End. It offers five skin care lines and seven body care lines designed around the idea of harmony between the human body and the world around us. All are packed locally and produced in small batches, using plant-based formulas that include ingredients like lavender, rosemary, clary sage, grapefruit, Peruvian balsam, coffee and oak moss. Along with skin and body care, the shop offers a selection of jewelry and unique crystals.
well read
Last year, Ymani Wince opened The Noir Bookshop at 2317 Cherokee St. The shop is designed to highlight the Black experience, offering new and used copies of works by BIPOC authors. It also features items created by local artisans of color. The Noir Bookshop also is designed to be a community space, offering programming that includes storytime for children, book club discussions, community panels, author signings and lectures.
ready set play
Kids at heart won’t want to miss Armory STL. Located at 3660 Market St. in the historic 138th Infantry Missouri National Guard Armory building, the entertainment venue offers more than six acres of space to play, eat, drink and discover. The main hall includes more than 20 games, such as table tennis, beer pong, four-square badminton, ladder golf, 8-player foosball, giant checkers and chess, arcade games, washers and cornhole. The attractions also include a two-story slide, an adult-sized seesaw and a photo booth.
reaching a “whole” new market
A local brand is launching nationwide at Whole Foods Markets. Woman-, Black- and veteran-owned, Gyal Bashy offers sustainably and ethically sourced clothing inspired by the Caribbean. Inclusively sized, the brand features bold and vibrant apparel and accessories created with recycled fibers made from plastic waste, organic cotton or plant-based materials.
find your glow
Skin care brand Pure Vibes opened its second location in St. Louis at City Foundry STL. Launched in 2013, the brand focuses on locally and ethically sourced products, such as body cleansers, bar soap, body butter, deodorants, body oil and facial oil. The new shop also will offer a selection of products from other brands, such as Dermalogica, Fur Skincare and Skin Script, and spa services are available for booking.
