moving right along
After closing its Cherokee Street location earlier this year, vintage- and modern-goods store Future Ancestor has reopened and nearly doubled its space at 4100 Shenandoah Ave. in Clayton’s historic Shaw neighborhood. The store carries vintage furniture, unique artwork, handmade goods, a selection of health and wellness products, and more.
national expansion
St. Louis-based Soft Surroundings, an upscale brand offering clothing, accessories, beauty products and home goods for women, plans to open 16 new retail locations around the country this year, including the company’s brick and-mortar debut in California.
cause-based retail
Zee Bee Market has expanded into Maplewood at 7270 Manchester Road! Most of the store’s fair-trade products including jewelry, handbags, home decor items, and consumer goods such as coffee and tea —come from the developing world and directly benefit impoverished workers. Store founder Julio Zegarra- Ballon, who is originally from Peru, opened his first store on South Grand Boulevard in 2014.
mommy marketing
A group of St. Louis entrepreneurs led by Lauren Pershing have created a clothing line for active, nursing moms called Lottie Life. The brand offers multiple styles and colors designed to flatter (because all women need that!) while helping mothers nurse their babies on the go. Tops include a small CleverLatch that opens quickly and can be adjusted easily. All styles are available online at lottielife.com.
threading up
St. Louis-based shoe company Claire Flowers is delving into the apparel world with an exclusive partnership with Fur Headquarters, the largest furrier alliance in North America. The ready-to-wear line includes color-blocked designs in a variety of fabrics in a flattering, A-line shape. The Fur and Leather Centre in Clayton is the first to carry the new dresses (available now), but they soon will be sold exclusively at six other Fur Headquarters locations nationwide.