What’s New In The Lou with Alexis Zotos

A first-of-its-kind women’s sports bar is coming to St. Louis and it’s opening in Maplewood this spring. In this episode, we sit down with Heather Hill, owner of The Sports Bra here in St. Louis, to talk about why women’s sports deserve the spotlight and how this concept is creating space for fans who’ve long been overlooked. Heather shares what inspired her to apply for a franchise to bring The S...

Just in time for the holidays, we sit down with Lia Holter , the creative force behind Florissant's Made by Lia Bakery , to talk all things baking, tradition, and celebrating through food. With the release of her brand-new cookbook, Lia shares the inspiration behind the recipes, the family memories woven into each page, and how baking has become a way to bring people together year after year....

In this deliciously fun episode, we’re joined by Matt Sorrell, l ongtime bartender, food writer, and now author of the brand-new book Matt’s St. Louis Food Story . Matt takes us behind the scenes of the project, which highlights 80 iconic spots that together paint a rich, flavorful portrait of St. Louis’ food scene. From old-school institutions to modern must-tries, his book celebrates the dishes,...

In this honest and inspiring episode, we sit down with Danni Eickenhorst , the powerhouse behind HUSTL Hospitality and some of our favorite restaurants: Steve’s Hot Dogs, The Fountain on Locust, The Fountain on Delmar, and Steve’s Meltdown. Danni’s path to hospitality wasn’t traditional, she began her career in the nonprofit world, driven by a passion for making St. Louis better. Today, that same...

In this delicious episode, we sit down with Julie Truong Shih , the force behind DD Mau , St. Louis’ beloved fast-casual Vietnamese restaurant — now celebrating the grand opening of its brand-new Webster Groves location! We caught up with Julie as she and her team were preparing to unlock the doors, and she shares the heartfelt story behind DD Mau: how she grew up in the restaurant world, stepped...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with John O’Leary, St. Louis native, bestselling author, nationally acclaimed motivational speaker, and now the inspiration behind a major Hollywood film, Soul on Fire . John shares his extraordinary journey from surviving a devastating childhood burn accident to becoming a voice of hope for millions around the world. The movie about his life is in theaters no...

In this episode, we take center stage with Erin Prange , Executive Director of Saint Louis Dance Theatre , to explore how this dynamic company is shaping the city’s arts landscape. Ahead of their highly anticipated Fall Series kicking off November 14, Erin shares how the company brings world-class artistry, collaboration, and community engagement together, creating performances that not only enter...

For more than three decades, Schlafly Beer has been synonymous with St. Louis craft brewing. In this episode, Alexis Zotos sits down with the brewery's CEO, David Schlafly to talk about how the city’s first new brewery since Prohibition continues to innovate while staying true to its roots. We dive into Schlafly’s much-anticipated Full Moon Festival at Bottleworks in Maplewood, a celebration...

The fourth trimester is something most women don’t hear about until they’re in the thick of it, exhausted, overwhelmed, healing, and wondering if any of it is “normal.” Ali Kochtanek is on a mission to change that. A certified postpartum doula and founder of Survive and Thrive, Ali just opened the New Mom School in West County St. Louis, the first location in the region dedicated to helping women...

What started as a pandemic passion project turned into one of St. Louis’ most beloved farmers’ market staples. John Cowan grew up on homemade hummus, the real kind, full of lemon, garlic, and good olive oil, and wanted to bring that same quality to his new home in St. Louis.  During the pandemic, he went back to his roots and started blending his own hummus again, introducing Mylk and Hummus to cu...

This week, we’re spotlighting innovation that’s making a real impact. Dr. Tish Singer is the founder of Shero Imaging, Missouri’s first concierge breast care practice, and the only place in St. Louis offering a truly pain-free mammogram. After opening in July 2025, Shero Imaging is already changing the way women experience breast health with same-day results, on-site radiologist consultations, and...

From their beginnings as a college band to becoming one of St. Louis’s most beloved groups, The Mighty Pines have built a loyal following with their soulful, roots-inspired sound. Frontman Neil Salsich joins us to share the band’s journey.  From late nights on campus stages to his own national spotlight moment on The Voice, w e talk about the making of their first studio album, the evolution of th...

For decades, Lion’s Choice has been a beloved St. Louis staple, famous for its roast beef sandwiches, frozen custard, and that signature seasoning. But how does an iconic brand stay fresh while honoring tradition? In this episode, CEO Fred Burmer joins us to talk about what makes Lion’s Choice such a hometown favorite, how they’re introducing new menu items and innovations, and what it takes to ke...

For more than three decades, Chef Lou Rook III has been the creative force behind one of St. Louis’s most celebrated restaurants, Annie Gunn’s. Early on, Lou found himself choosing between two passions, football coaching and cooking, ultimately trading the field for the kitchen. But his love of coaching never went away. Today, he channels that same passion into mentoring and inspiring the next gen...

Old Bakery Beer Company is more than a craft brewery, it’s a community hub. This year they are celebrating 10 years in Alton, Illinois. Co-owner Lauren Patten joins us on What's New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos to talk about the journey of creating one of the nation’s only certified organic breweries, the challenges and wins of sustainable brewing, and how OBB has grown into a family-friendly...

What does it take to leave behind a career in law and build one of St. Louis’ best-known specialty shops? In this episode of What’s New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos, presented by Kaldi’s Coffee and recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studios, I sit down with Vijay Shroff , owner of The Wine & Cheese Place , Spirit Wine & Craft , and Olive Ovation . We talk about the evolution of the family bus...

Get ready for one of St. Louis’ tastiest fundraisers. In this episode of What’s New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos, we’re digging into UCP Heartland’s annual Wing Ding. An all-you-can-eat festival on September 9 where some of the city’s top chefs go head-to-head for the best wings in town. Jenna Rush from UCP Heartland and Peter Venezia , owner of Duke’s BBQ Shack in Wentzville join us to talk about...

Opening a restaurant is no small feat, but for Travis Howard, it’s become an art. As co-owner of On Point Hospitality, he’s the numbers and logistics mind behind some of St. Louis’ hottest spots, including Lazy Tiger and Yellowbelly. This year alone, he’s helping launch two new concepts, Garden Variety Deli, which opened in June 2025, and Extra Wavy, set to debut later this year. Oh, and did we me...

Former comedian Nate Burrows traded punchlines for pours, becoming one-third of the team behind Stews, the popular Asian fusion spot making waves in Soulard. In this lively, and very funny, episode of What's New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos, Nate shares how his career pivot led to the creation of a restaurant with a bold menu, vibrant atmosphere, and growing fan base. Plus, he dishes on the b...

On this episode of What’s New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos, she sits down with Amy Guo , co-owner of Sando Shack , the Japanese-inspired sandwich shop that’s been winning hearts (and appetites) across St. Louis. After a successful opening at their new Maplewood location, Amy and her team were hit with a restaurant owner’s nightmare, a broken AC unit in the middle of a sweltering summer heatwave. B...

In this week’s episode of What’s New in the Lou, Alexis chats with Terry Bates, Director of Communications at the International Institute of St. Louis, to preview this year’s Festival of Nations — the region’s largest multicultural celebration, returning to Tower Grove Park on August 23 & 24. Terry shares the powerful history of the festival, which dates back to 1934, and how it reflects the I...

In this episode of What's New in the Lou podcast, Alexis sits down with Kwofe Coleman , President and CEO of The Muny , the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre, now celebrating its 107th season in St. Louis. From starting as an usher in 1998 to becoming the first Black president in The Muny’s storied history, Kwofe’s journey is one of passion, purpose, and perseverance. He sha...

In this episode, Alexis sits down with Latoya Elnora , the owner of Bougie Bites , a plant-based restaurant that’s grown from food truck pop-up to permanent — all without Latoya ever claiming the title of "chef." Driven by her love of travel and a desire to bring something fresh to St. Louis, Latoya saw a gap in the food scene and boldly stepped in to fill it. She opens up about the big...

What happens when you stop waiting for the perfect moment, and just go for it? In this episode of What's New in the Lou , Alexis sits down with Rachel Closson, founder of Sylvie Dee’s, the adorable ice cream shop that started as a dream and quickly became a Webster Groves’ favorite. Rachel shares how she turned her vision into reality, opened not just one but two locations in under a year, an...

In the premiere episode of What’s New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos, we sit down with Chef Rick Lewis , the force behind St. Louis staple Grace Meat + Three . From fine dining to family, Rick shares his journey building a fried chicken empire in St. Louis. Turning what some might call humble food into one of the most beloved restaurants in town. We talk about growing a food business rooted in South...