St. Louis Best Mall - Crestwood Court - Best Of St. Louis

Comments (0) Best Mall - 2009

Crestwood Court

Watson & Sappington roads

Crestwood, MO 63126

314-962-2395

Readers' Choice: West County Center

A banner stretches across the easternmost façade of Crestwood Court (formerly Crestwood Mall), facing Watson Road. It advertises 17,000 feet of open retail space available. Losing an anchor store often spells disaster for a mall, but for Crestwood Court, losing Dillard's in 2007 just meant finding a new port. Inside, banners hang from the ceiling, imploring visitors to "Imagine," "Amuse," "Dance," "Play," "Create." A casting call for the George Clooney flick Up in the Air was held here in January, and these days once-empty storefronts are home to theater and dance companies, a costume studio, the St. Louis Calligraphy Guild, a yoga studio, the perplexingly named shop I Don't Want to Kiss a Llama, and many others, transforming a doddering center of passive consumerism into a nexus of active creation. Perhaps this mall is best summarized by the storefront for Repurposed, which houses a display of shredded lampshades, peeling wooden chairs, mangled chandeliers and this sign: "It's not trash. It's not worn, it's not out-dated. It's not ruined. It is a 'been-there-done-that' that's about to go somewhere else...Repurposed. New life, new meaning."

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8 comments

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Amy Peterson

I had the opportunity of working with the St. Louis Teachers' Recycle Center (SLTRC) this summer. [They are a tenant of Crestwood Court.] And, I totally agree with the Vote for this Mall!!! It is a model to be replicated. As a nonprofit, the SLTRC locates, collects and distributes materials donated by local business and industry for children, educators, parents and artists. They value their new home, and recognize the benefit for both themselves and the community! The cooperation and collaboration endorsed by the mall supports the work of all involved. Congratulations.

Jill Bailey

I do like this mall. I don't like to shop but I like this mall. I like the different artistic venues. The Teachers Recycle Center is FUN.

Denise Williams

Thank you to RFT and to Crestwood Court management team for making this possible for us, and to my fellow artists that have taken a chance on themselves and on this renewed & revised space. Material Mosaics Studio & Gallery has been part of ArtSpace since January of 2009, and have enjoyed watching the transition. So much hard work and creativity has gone into this recreation and it is an exciting project that I hope more of our community will visit. We already have regulars that we know and love, and invite everyone to become future regulars. Come make this place your own! We have.

Denise WilliamsFabric Artist & OwnerMaterial Mosaics Studio & Gallery636.236.5836 Denise@materialmosaics.com

Susan

Thanks! to a Mall on a Mission to bring quality Art experiences to the Greater St. Louis area and be model for other communities on how to Play together.

Robert Cornman

Thank You RFT!Without the opportunity the mall has given me to be apart of this adventure I would have gone crazy at home. I have been able to do something positive and create artwork for people to enjoy. This chance has let me put my life in a different direction with a great place to come learn, play, and visit.Thank You AgainRobert Cornman artist at Anejo Studios

Barbie

Thank you RFT!! I happen to be an owner of one of the largest galleries Anejo Studios, located in Crestwood Courts new ArtSpace. What a concept and an opportunity for the St Louis Art Community. We are proud to be a part of it! If you have not visited for the most unique shopping experience for one of a kind, original artwork, then you are truly missing out. What a great place for the holiday shopping season!!! There's so much being offered for your enjoyment....Congratulations to the Mall Owners and Management Team and our most sincere THANK YOU for giving us this opportunity!!

Janet Ryan

Congratulations to an amazing group of people who have given it all to make their artistic dreams come true! Best time to visit ArtSpace: Saturdays!

Jeane Vogel

All of this is true! And there's more: there are artists studios, galleries and theaters at Crestwood Court also. This is THE best place to find world-class original art and one-of-a-kind gifts. It's THE destination to shop local, shop original, shop from the artist.

Please come see us!

Jeane Vogel Studios, #205 Crestwood Court, 314.918.1717