Local restaurants are showing off their craft at the Delmar Makers Locale. This centralized group of businesses offers a variety of culinary experiences and the chance to enjoy your food in the sunshine – all with the goal of getting more people to the burgeoning Delmar Maker District.
Currently, the Delmar Makers Locale features outposts of restaurants that many St. Louisans have come to know and love: Steve’s Hot Dogs, The Fountain and chef Ben Poremba’s relocated Nixta. They surround a central courtyard, allowing guests to come and go easily while enjoying the newly warm weather. This space, perfect for a family day or an evening out, is a recent addition to the Delmar Maker District, spearheaded by Jim McKelvey and Doug Auer. The pair opened Third Degree Glass Factory in 2002, and they’ve been pouring their passion into the area ever since.
“When Jim and I opened Third Degree in 2002, we saw potential in a neglected stretch of Delmar Boulevard between Union and Kingshighway,” Auer said. They witnessed how creativity can fuel community in the response to events held at Third Degree, including their Third Friday events. “By 2017, we envisioned something bigger: a district where makers of all kinds – glass artists, woodworkers, chefs and more – could thrive together,” Auer continued. “Our original vision was to create a destination where artisans could ‘live, make and sell,’ revitalizing the area culturally and economically while making it a central, inclusive hub in St. Louis, not a dividing line.”
As McKelvey and Auer continue to grow the Maker District, they’ve formed intentional relationships with organizations like Craft Alliance and The Magic House with the goal of supporting the central “live, make, sell” ethos. For restaurants, that includes crafted experiences, such as handcrafted ice cream cocktails at The Fountain.
“It’s kind of a show,” said Danni Eickenhorst of the cocktail experience at The Fountain on Delmar. “It’s always putting the making first.” Eickenhorst, along with her husband Ike, own HuSTL Hospitality Group, whose concepts include Steve’s Hot Dogs and The Fountain. They joined the Delmar Makers Locale in July of 2024. “We knew we would be early in, but we were excited about the vision, and we really wanted to be a part of that.” Her description of the Makers Locale is one of collaboration and businesses supporting each other. In The Fountain, for example, the wood paneling came from MADE Makerspace down the road, while Third Degree helped source the glass.
Auer agreed. “There’s a mutual respect and excitement – everyone wants to see the district succeed,” he said. “We often exchange ideas, like how to make our spaces more welcoming, and celebrate each other’s milestones.” The hope is for the area to continue to grow and bring in more visitors. Auer stressed that along with more restaurants and retail, they’re especially interested in housing to emphasize the “live” portion of their ethos. “To continue what Jim McKelvey and his family started, we’re actively seeking new investors to help us expand, particularly to develop residential spaces that make the district a true live-work community.”
Right now, new guests are often drawn in through events, such as Third Degree’s Third Friday events or The Fountain’s upcoming Burlesque Bingo on May 21. In October, the Delish on Delmar festival will return for another year. “It’s been a labor of love trying to get people out here to show them what’s happening, and it’s something really, really special,” Eickenhorst said. “The vision originally … was this gathering space for people from both sides of Delmar, just where everyone can come together.” She credits organizations such as Delmar Divine and Delmar Main Street for furthering this goal.
“My long-term hope is for the Delmar Maker District to become a thriving, inclusive destination that redefines this part of St. Louis as a cultural and creative center,” Auer said. “Ultimately, I hope it inspires the next generation of makers and fosters a culture of abundance through collaboration.” He’s also looking forward to the “reincarnations” of Olio and Elaia from restaurateur Ben Poremba, which are expected later this year. According to Eickenhorst, The Fountain on Delmar will soon roll out a bigger food menu featuring fresh items like salad and soup. Thankfully for St. Louis, foodies with tastes ranging from fries to gourmet food can find a hub at the Delmar Makers Locale.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article included ABC Distillery, an offshoot of Alpha Brewing Co. While writing this article, the author received a response to her initial attempt at requesting information from a representative from ABC Distillery, but no response was given to her follow-up attempt. On May 9, the author went to the Makers Locale to obtain visual media for the article. At the time, the distillery would not have been open for normal business hours, so it is undetermined if they opened that night. However, the business had posters and signs, as well as barrels and other decorations, visible from the outside. When Sauce Magazine received a tip on May 13 that ABC Distillery had closed, the author went back to the Makers Locale and observed that most items visible from the outside had been removed. Sauce has since received confirmation from a representative of ABC Distillery that the location is now closed.
