STL loses a local legend

Good morning STL and happy Thursday! Or, happy Friday if you planned right and extended this holiday weekend to four days off, which begs the question: when using PTO to create a three-day weekend, is it better to take off Friday or Monday? Taking a Friday kicks your weekend off early, while taking a Monday feels like more of an extension. Or, if you’re really wild, maybe take a Wednesday to break up the week? It sounds like a good poll question for next week…

WEATHER AND SPORTS

AROUND TOWN
Ted Drewes, Jr. dies at 96

It’s a sad week in STL and the frozen custard world— Ted Drewes, Jr. passed away on Monday at the age of 96 according to his family. Ted Drewes, Jr. was best known for taking the frozen custard business his father, Ted Drewes, Sr. started back in 1929 to new heights. But did you know Ted Drewes didn’t originate in St. Louis?

The year was 1925, and TDSr just won the St. Louis Muny Tennis Championship. The next year he won it again, then again, then again, and repeat until 1936. TDSr won the tournament 12 times in a row. He was a local tennis pro, and also an ambassador of the sport. Back in his time, tennis was mostly a county club sport. However, TDSr often played tennis in the local parks to show that the sport could be accessible to all.

To keep his tennis skills up, TDSr often traveled to Florida each winter so that he could continue playing. It was in St. Petersburg Florida in 1929 that TDSr opened his first frozen custard location after learning how to make it while working at a carnival. The first St. Louis location was opened a year later on Natural Bridge Road near Goodfellow. A second location was opened on South Grand the next year. 10 years after that, a third location was opened on Chippewa. Over time, the location in Florida and the one on Natural Bridge closed, and the location on South Grand became the flagship with the Chippewa location being the secondary store. However, with the population shifting west, the Chippewa location eventually became the flagship and still holds that title today.

TDJr worked alongside his father and learned the business as well. TDJr often appeared in the ads for the company, and took over running the business in 1968 when TDSr suffered a heart attack and died in St. Petersburg. Over the years, TDJr took the business to new heights. A STL staple, you can now get the frozen custard in grocery stores (usually only the basic flavors). You can also get it from the little dispensing machines in the airport. TDJr also strived to keep Ted Drewes a local attraction only, turning down multiple offers to franchise the brand in other locations. It’s assumed TDJr’s son-in-law, also co-owner of Ted Drewes, will continue to run the business.

While summer is still in swing, head over to Ted Drewes and pour one out for the local legend, although, as thick as those concretes are, it wouldn’t even spill 🍦.

Nikki Glaser to host Golden Globes

Keeping on the topic of local STL legends and city ambassadors, Nikki Glaser was recently announced as the host of the 2025 Golden Globes on January 5th on CBS. If you don’t know Nikki, check out the recent roast of Tom Brady (you won’t be disappointed).

Nikki was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but she spent most of her childhood in St. Louis, graduating from Kirkwood High School. Rumored to live in CWE, Nikki is a local legend because, like Nelly, she often reps STL in interviews and on shows, and also every time she touches down at Lambert she does the Bob ‘N Weave (made up that last part). Some examples of the representin’:

• Educated Conan O’Brien on the size of Forest Park compared to Central Park on his “Needs a Friend” podcast.

• She filmed a video for Explore St. Louis.

• She filmed a reality show for E! called “Welcome Home Nikki Glaser” that followed her around the STL area as she took back her roots.

• She mentions St. Louis 9 times on one of her podcast episodes on Joe Rogan.

Some of us here at New in the Lou aren’t big into awards shows, but you can bet we’re going to be watching the Globes in support!

WEEKEND WONDERS
What to do this week

Thursday

⭐️ Hamilton returns to The Fox: Are you interested in the history of the founding fathers and do you also like rap? If you missed out on seeing Hamilton during the craze a couple years ago, now is your chance. Hamilton returns to the Fox this weekend with the first shows kicking off this week.

🦃 Yung Gravy at BPV: Former St. Louis Cardinal (don’t believe us look it up!) Yung Gravy is performing at outdoor stage Thursday night starting at 7pm. Bringing his signature blend of humor, hip-hop, and soul, his infectious energy is sure to be a good time.

Friday

🚲️ Gateway Cup at Lafayette Park: The best professional and amateur cyclists in the US are coming to put on a show over Labor Day Weekend! Four full tilt races in four of STL’s coolest neighborhoods. The tour kicks off with a race around Lafayette Park on Friday from 1:30pm to 9pm. The tour continues through the weekend in Francis Park, The Hill, and Florissant.

🍺 Hot Glass Cold Beer at Third Degree Glass Factory: Kick of labor day with the hottest event in STL. Check out Third Degree Glass Factory to hang out, eat, and watch some amazing glass blowing. Tickets include a hand-blown tumbler made at TDG and exclusive craft beer.

Saturday

🏯 Japanese Festival at MOBOT: Head to the Missouri Botanical Gardens for the annual Japanese Festival. Featuring drumming, dancing, and martial arts which includes PROFESSIONAL SUMO WRESTLING. There will also be plenty of food and drink vendors. Event is family friendly.

🎸 Sammy Hagar at Riverport: Although Sammy is from California, he holds a special place in his heart for St. Louis, often crediting STL and KSHE for helping jumpstart his career in music. The Red Rocker tickets are sold out, but you can still snag some on the aftermarket.

Sunday

🎨 Fall Queeny Art Fair at Queeny Park: Featuring 120 artists, live music, and more, check out the longest running juried art fair west of the Mississippi. There’s activities for the kids, art demos, as well as wine and cheese tastings.

🎸 Big Muddy Blues Festival at Lacledes Landing: This much-awaited event brings together the best of local, regional, and national blues artists to keep your feet tapping and your soul humming. Bask in the riverfront charm of Laclede’s Landing, indulge in mouth-watering local food, and immerse yourself in this authentic St. Louis experience.

ARCHWAY ARCADE
Poll question of the week

Winner of last week’s poll question:

Literally a three-way tie. St. Louisans sometimes tip 20% on takeout, sometimes 5%, and sometimes not at all.

Did you know?

The first parachute jump from a moving plane was performed by 33-year old (at the time) Albert Berry in St. Louis? Taking off from then Kinloch Field (Lambert Airport), Berry sat on a trapeze bar and dropped from the plane at 1,500 feet later landing in Jefferson Barracks, MO. Check out the original NY Times article.

Trivia

The first lager beer in the United States was brewed by which brewer around 1840 ? answer below

SHARING IS CARING
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Trivia Answer: Although slightly contested, Adam Lemp is often credited with brewing the first lager beer in the US around 1840. His first brewery named the Western Brewery in St. Louis ultimately became Lemp Brewery before it was purchased by Griesedieck Beverage in 1920, which subsequently became Falstaff.