Posted by Andrea Durway
3 New St. Louis Local Shops to Visit in 2026
The latest wave of new St. Louis local shops is proving that the city’s creative scene is stronger than ever. While the convenience of online shopping is here to stay, these entrepreneurs are showing that nothing replaces the experience of a physical storefront. From the historic brick facades of Soulard to the creative pulse of Cherokee Street, our local retail scene is growing in all the right directions.
3 New St. Louis Local Shops
If you’re looking to skip the big-box aisles and support the makers and curators who live right down the street, here are three essential new local brick-and-mortar spots that have recently opened their doors in the Lou.
1. Analog Photobooth Studio (Tower Grove South)
The Vibe: A tactile sanctuary for the “unplugged” crowd.
Long-time vintage photobooth aficionado Tim Garrett has joined forces with neighbor Hannah Hamer to launch Analog STL. The story of how they met is a testament to how small the creative world really is. Tim had recently scaled back his rental business, selling most of his vintage booths to collectors as far away as NYC and Idaho. Meanwhile, Hannah was hunting for a vintage booth right here in St. Louis. Her search eventually led her to a contact in the photobooth community in Italy, who told her she needed to talk to a guy named Tim—who, as it turns out, lived just a few blocks away from her.
“There seems to be a resurgence in interest about every ten years,” Tim says, noting recent New York Times features on the hours-long lines for booths on the Lower East Side. Now, that magic is on Morganford. The street-level studio houses a meticulously restored mid-century machine using authentic chemical processing (silver-halide strips), while the downstairs level features a digital booth and a small retail space.
The “Irony” Factor: Tim notes that the first thing the “kids” do when the wet chemistry strip finally slides out of the machine is take a photo of it to post on Instagram. Old tech meets new media.
- Where to Find: 3123 Morganford Rd, St. Louis, MO 63116
- Hours: Friday & Saturday (10am–10pm), Sunday (10am–4pm)
- Follow: Instagram
The Personal Take: Tim Garrett used to house his photobooth at a local art gallery where I worked, so I pretty much had free reign. I was in a long-distance romance at the time and credit those photo strips with my now-husband “boot-scooting” from Austin to St. Louis. We even had Tim’s photobooth at our wedding reception in 2006. To say I am a photobooth fan is an extreme understatement.
2. Clem & Co. (Soulard)
The Vibe: Hyper-local art with a heart.
What started as a beloved local illustration brand is now a permanent fixture on Sidney Street. Clem & Co. brings a heavy dose of whimsy to Soulard with their bunny-centric art and clever St. Louis-themed merchandise. It’s the ultimate spot to pick up a “Toasted Rav” spoon rest, hand-painted cards, unique stickers, and other fun stationery items. I couldn’t leave the store without a “You BUTTER be reading” bookmark – shaped as a stick of butter of course. On my visit, founders Kinsey and Claire were happy to introduce me to the bunnies and I was able to pet Claude Bunet (I think). Because they donate a portion every sale to local mutual aid, every purchase feels like a direct investment back into the community.
- Where to Find: 1300 Sidney St, St. Louis, MO 63104
- Hours:Thursday – Sunday (12pm–7pm)
- Link: Website | Instagram
3. SunSnow: Paper & Goods (Cherokee Street)
The Vibe: Curated whimsy meets Japanese-inspired precision.
Cherokee Street has always been a hub for the unique, and SunSnow fits right in. This indie stationery shop is a dream for anyone who still finds magic in a handwritten letter. Curated by artist and educator Jenny Lin of Moon&June Studio, the shop leans into a vibrant aesthetic, stocked with high-end pens, specialty paper, and art supplies you won’t find anywhere else in the metro area. It’s the perfect excuse to slow down and rediscover the art of the note. They were closed when I went by but I can’t wait to check it out. Lin has created a testing station with a doodle wall, plus I’m a sucker for fun wrapping paper, and girl, did I see some.
- Where to Find: 2604 Cherokee Street, St. Louis, MO 63118
- Hours: Friday – Sunday (11am–4pm)
- Link: Website | Instagram
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