Want to know what the Cherokee CID has been up to? Looking for ways to get involved? The best way to stay up to date is to attend the Cherokee CID public meetings which take place quarterly in January, April, July & October.

If you missed the meeting, don't fret. Find high-level updates and action items below.

Welcome New Businesses

Congratulations to the new businesses that have recently opened on the street or are about to!

• The Fattened Caf — 3405 S. Jefferson — thefattenedcaf.com
  Filipino BBQ
• Swan Meadow — 3334 Louisiana — bio.site/swanmeadow
  Queer Art Co-Op
• Tschüss — 2847 Cherokee — @tschuss_bar
  Bar + dance klub
• Hollis Leather — 2617 Cherokee — hollis-leather.com
  Local, handmade leather goods store
• Hondumex — 3410 California
  Honduran & Mexican cuisine
• Anchovy Book Co. — 2619.5 Cherokee — @anchovybookco
  Books & gifts for home cooks
• Ojos Crazy — 2737 Cherokee — FB: Ojos Crazy
  Sports bar with a Mexican twist

What the CID Has Been Working On

Here are a few things our Cherokee CID staff have been working on in the last couple of months. Wondering what the CID is and what our CID works on throughout the year? Take a look here.

Pedestrian & Storefront Lighting Project

The CID has launched a new lighting program, which will install exterior lighting fixtures or storefront lighting time systems throughout the district. The goals are to improve ambiance and real & perceived safety along our street. Add your building to the queue: cherokeestreet.com/lighting

Small Business Resources + FAQs Page

Have questions about the process for getting a liquor license or occupancy permit? Wondering what resources are available for small businesses from the CID or the City? Our website now has a Small Business FAQs page (cherokeestreet.com/faq) which lists common questions from new or not-so-new businesses, along with a list of resources to help businesses along the way.

Safety Tips for Small Businesses

The CID created a new safety tip handout for small businesses, with contact information for who to call in case of different types of emergencies or issues on the street. Download the handout here or request a printed copy by sending a note CID staff on the Contact Page.

Summer Activations & Upgrades at Love Bank Park

Love Bank Park has been busy this summer. In addition to daily pick-up games and activities, the park hosted a summer concert series, basketball tournament, weekly chess lessons, a film screening and pop-up markets this season. The CID also installed a bike repair station, with built-in tools for fixing your bike and an air pump complete with needs for basketball inflation.

What's Coming Up

For our forward-looking friends, here's a few things the Cherokee CID will be working on in the coming months:

Lighting the Way to Public Parking

Did you know there are three public parking lots owned by the City within our district? To improve awareness and visibility of these lots, the CID will be contracting designers to design signs that help people find the lots and clarify that they are free and open to the public.

Holiday Decoration Planning

The holiday season is right around the corner and we're working on plans to spread more holiday cheer on Cherokee. In addition to planter decorations, the CID is seeking ideas from community members on how we can make the street feel more festive. Share your ideas at the community meeting or contact Emily on the Contact page.

Get Involved

Go above and beyond by getting involved. Here are a few upcoming ways you can do just that:

Sign Up for the Volunteer List

Want to help out at decorating days or future Cherokee Street events? Sign up for our volunteer list and you'll be notified about upcoming opportunities.

Submit Your Nomination to Join the CID Board

The CID is now accepting nominations for folks who are interested in serving on the board. Board members must be either residents, property owners, business owners or commercial tenants of the district. Board members serve a 4-year term and meet 6 times a year.
To learn more about the expectations for board members, visit cherokeestreet.com/elections Interested board members should fill out the nomination form on that page by the end of the year. Community members will have the chance to vote on the nominees at the January CID Public Meeting on Thursday, January 16th.

The annual Festival of Nations celebration takes place Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27 in Tower Grove Park. The event — a favorite among St. Louisans — features food, music, dance, and culture of over 75 nations. 

This year’s lineup features several vendors from Cherokee Street. You may recognize them from our Calle Cherokee Food Guide, or from your last day out in the neighborhood; read on to discover the flavor they’ll be bringing to the 2023 festival.

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Black Coffee, 2701 Cherokee

Black Coffee sources and serves coffee all over the world. A particular focus is on connecting farmers, roasters, and brands of color together and highlighting their stories. Cool down with an Icy Coffee or their signature Black Lemonade.

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Crepes & Treats, 2752 Cherokee

This Cherokee Street restaurant excels in all things breakfast: sweet, savory, and made by hand. Owner Saul Jaurez hails from Huandacareo, Mexico, where his passion for pastries was born—and since then, he’s been a pastry chef for luxury hotels across the country. Crepes & Treats is a can’t miss stop on Cherokee Street.

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The Fattened Caf., 2724 Cherokee

Fans of smoked meat swear by The Fattened Caf., which currently brings Filipino-style barbecue to St. Louis from Earthbound Beer on Cherokee Street. Stop by the Festival of Nations booth for mainstays like Pinoy BBQ ribs and Chicken Tochino.  

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K-Bop, 2309 Cherokee Street

One of St. Louis’ favorite food trucks has found a new home on Cherokee Street. K-Bop serves cupbop, or Korean rice bowls featuring savory meat or tofu simmered in delicious special sauces. Stop by the bright yellow truck at Festival of Nations for a delicious meal of, as K-Bop calls it, “Korean BBQ in a Cup.”

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Saint Louis Hop Shop, 2600 Cherokee Street

Locally operated and family owned, Saint Louis Hop Shop offers a great variety of local and national retail craft beer. Stop by the shop on Cherokee Street to learn more about brew and sample something new—and by the Festival of Nations booth to grab a drink that pairs well with eating your way around the world.

Learn more about the Festival, plus see a complete list of vendors, here.

The Cherokee Street Community Improvement District has launched an Exterior Camera Grant Program to improve safety by improving the camera coverage on Cherokee. This program is for business owners and building owners in the District and is a *reimbursement* program; Funds will be reimbursed upon purchase and installation of the cameras.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Accepted on a rolling basis. Funding is limited.

The district will provide a grant to assist with the cost of the exterior cameras and installation up to $2,000. Funds will be reimbursed upon completion of the project and must provide copies of paid invoices. There are three other conditions: 

• 1) Footage: The applicant must agree to share camera footage with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department regarding an incident with a case number that may have been covered by the camera; In the event that a property owner has reservations on providing footage for the request, the issue should be taken up with the CID Board. Property owner agrees that the decision of the CID board will be final.  
• 2) Camera Function & Location: Cameras must be rated for exterior use. Audio recording must not be enabled. Part of the criteria for selection includes priority areas the District has identified;
• And 3) Change in Ownership: The applicant agrees that the camera once installed becomes the property of the building owner and remains with the building if property ownership changes.
  
  *Any business owner that applies must provide written permission from their landlord to install cameras to the exterior of their building if the applicant is not the owner of the building. 

To apply, please complete the online application here.

Looking to hunt for antique treasures and one-of-a-kind finds at a mile-long caravan? Cherokee Street is the spot this weekend. Want to dance the night away with DJ Nico Marie, Blvck Spvde & James Biko? We've got you. In search of circus performances, live comedy or wine with a side of live music. All can be found on Cherokee.

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