COMMUNITY & CULTURE
Supermercado El Torito
MEET ME ON … Cherokee Street
For a slice of something uniquely St . Louis , Cherokee Street is a destination must . The historic south St . Louis commercial district began to emerge , thanks in large part to the advent of the electric streetcar in the 1890s . When Union Depot Railroad built lines that intersected at Cherokee Street and California Avenue , it was only a matter of time until mom-and-pop stores appeared up and down the street to cater to the commuter crowd . The area flourished in the first half of the 20th century . It was here that Fred Wehrenberg opened his first theater in 1906 . A few years later , F . W . Woolworth and J . C . Penney would set up shop . The landmark Casa Loma Ballroom made its bow in the 1940s . However , the following
By Trish Muyco-Tobin
decades would give Cherokee Street its share of social and economic strife . But the neighborhood has experienced a Renaissance of sorts in recent years , with a burgeoning residential community and the addition of hip , new eateries and shops frequented by a diverse sampling of young and old .
Next month , look no further than Cherokee Street to mark Cinco de Mayo . The area west of Jefferson Avenue , dotted with a number of taquerias , specialty food shops and other Latino-owned-and-operated small businesses , is known as “ the ” place to get authentic Mexican food in St . Louis . Its annual festival draws more than 45,000 people across six city blocks to enjoy food , drink , live music and art in celebration of Hispanic culture .
Food photos by Trish Muyco-Tobin Photo , far lower right , courtesy of Cinco de Mayo STL
80 GAZELLE STL