Retro 101/Cherry Bomb Vintage

Retro 101 / Cherry Bomb Vintage sits at the heart of Cherokee Antique Row in St. Louis and is really two businesses sharing one storefront. Cherry Bomb Vintage is Janet Maevers’ side of the shop; she has sold vintage clothing on Cherokee Street since 2000 and lives in the neighborhood herself. Retro 101 is John Klynott’s half, devoted to mid-century furniture and housewares since 2009. Between them they cover most of the twentieth century, and in 2025 the shop marked 25 years.

The clothing runs from the 1920s through the 1980s: day dresses and evening gowns, suits and ties, coats and furs, hats, handbags, costume jewelry, lingerie, hostess aprons, Hawaiian prints, beaded cardigans and burlesque pieces, with menswear, womenswear and a smaller children’s selection. The rest of the floor holds mid-century furniture and lighting, glassware, kitchenware and decor from the 50s and 60s. Regulars will tell you not to skip the basement, where the deepest run of vintage coats is kept. The mix turns over constantly, so no two visits look the same.

This is also a genuine costume destination. Klynott researches period looks in detail, and the shop has dressed local television crews, musicians and photo shoots; Pokey LaFarge once named a stop here for a new tie as part of his ideal day in St. Louis. Shoppers consistently praise the condition of the garments, the fair pricing compared with other vintage shops in town, and owners who enjoy building a whole look with you rather than leaving you to dig alone.

The shop is a fixture of neighborhood life, hosting live bands and taking part in the Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl and the Print Bazaar. Cherokee Street itself is worth an afternoon, with record stores, coffee and taquerias a few doors away. The shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Street parking is available, the entrance is wheelchair accessible, dogs are welcome, and cards are accepted, though small purchases are easier with cash.