At waterleftfrog publications, we believe in supporting the businesses, organizations, and people who make St. Louis and its surrounding communities a richer, more meaningful place to live. Our recommended list includes independent restaurants, cafes, record shops, bookstores, and service-based businesses that share our values of creativity, integrity, and local impact. Whether it’s a corner coffee shop with the best house blend in town or a historic venue that’s hosted generations of local talent, these places matter to us. We don’t promote anything we don’t personally love—if it’s on our list, it’s because we stand by it.
Most of the businesses we support are either independently owned or rooted in St. Louis history. Some are family-run, some are artist-owned, and many go out of their way to give back—through community events, donations, or just being the kind of place that makes people feel seen. From food trucks to record stores, nonprofits to neighborhood diners, these are the places we trust and frequent ourselves. We’re proud to shine a light on them, and we encourage you to do the same. Supporting local means something, and these folks make it easy.
Blueberry Hill
Established on September 8, 1972, by Joe and Linda Edwards, Blueberry Hill sits at 6504 Delmar Blvd in the Delmar Loop of University City. This independently owned restaurant and music club is a proud St. Louis institution—part eatery, part pop-culture museum, and part music venue. The space is adorned with vibrant memorabilia: from Howdy Doody and Pez dispensers to Beatles and Chuck Berry artifacts, including a dedicated “Duck Room” where Berry performed over 200 monthly concerts until 2014.
More than a cool nightspot, Blueberry Hill has served as a catalyst for the Loop's revival. Owner Joe Edwards reimagined the worn-out building (once “a disaster”) into a corner of cultural and economic vibrancy—later restoring the Tivoli Theatre, launching the St. Louis Walk of Fame, and spurring businesses like Pageant, Pin-Up Bowl, and Moonrise Hotel. With its famed burgers, fun dart room, and calendar full of live music and community events, Blueberry Hill embodies WaterLeftFrog’s values: locally rooted, historic, independent, and forever giving back.
Discover their menus, events, and legacy at blueberryhill.com.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO)
Founded in 1880 by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second‑oldest professional symphony orchestra in the United States, preceded only by the New York Philharmonic. Over its distinguished 140+ year history, the SLSO has performed in venues ranging from the Odeon and Kiel Auditorium to its iconic current home, Powell Hall, which it has graced since 1968.
Under the current Music Director Stéphane Denève (2019–present), the SLSO has maintained its artistic excellence while deepening community ties through extensive education programs—including its Youth Orchestra, two choir ensembles, and outreach concerts in schools, hospitals, and community centers. Its critically acclaimed recording legacy, which includes multiple Grammy wins, further underscores its reputation as a musical powerhouse.
As a pillar of St. Louis’s cultural and civic identity, the SLSO embodies WaterLeftFrog Publications' values: historic legacy, independent spirit, and a commitment to enriching local life through the arts.
Explore upcoming performances, community programs, and the orchestra’s story at slso.org