From the Publisher...
As we say goodbye to 2021, Publisher Craig Kaminer rings in the New Year with his Publisher’s Letter for our January/ February issue. Always an optimist, Craig writes about his hopes for all of us here in St. Louis. Keep reading for a letter that sees the bright side of our city, the perfect energy to welcome in 2022:
“Happy New Year and thanks for all of the positive feedback and energy on our Nov./Dec. issue. With the exception of having my son on the cover last issue, I hope that you like this issue even more.
Since I moved to St. Louis in 1988 for my career and my wife (or was it the other way around?), I have continued to look for the perfect place to live. Not just here, but everywhere I go. As each year passes, I haven’t found another place I prefer to call home more than St. Louis. Our city is far from perfect, but so many of our best and brightest St. Louisans featured in this issue came here for too many reasons to count and have not left:
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting David and Jerri Hoffman (page 66) who are turning Augusta, Mo. into a wine, food, and lifestyle destination comparable to Blackberry Farm, Napa, or the North Fork of Long Island. I know it sounds awfully lofty, but everything the Hoffmans touch turns to gold. In short, they have invested in virtually every aspect of Augusta with a vision on making it a getaway for the rich and famous, and of course you and me. Whether you fly there by private jet, follow the twisties on your motorcycle, drive with your top down, or cruise there on the 105 ft. Miss Augusta yacht, you’ll be amazed with what this Washington, Mo. native son and daughter are doing. Take a drive there and discover the four wineries in which they have invested and see the five-star hotel now under construction. The intended results will add millions of dollars worth of landscaping to an already beautiful Mississippi River valley, world class chefs to make the food worthy of a schlep, and new shops and artisan studios which can flourish again...the list goes on.
And, the St. Louis-born artist phenom Katherine Bernhardt, who grew up here, spent 22 years in the New York City art scene, has returned home to open a studio and two galleries in Midtown. She produces contemporary works valued in the six figures which are being collected by brands like Chanel, Marc Jacobs and J. Crew and collectors worldwide. While at one time people like Katherine flocked to New York and Los Angeles to build their careers, they are now coming home to St. Louis since COVID-19 has made it fashionable to work virtually. Many say they are now able to do what they have always wanted to do but couldn’t in bigger cities. On the heels of Jim McKelvey, Steve Smith, and Rex Singuefield, life here is getting very exciting.
One St. Louis company, Emerson, has long been an importer of business and talent. When I first moved to St. Louis, one of my first clients was Emerson and the enigmatic Chuck Knight. The next CEO, Dave Farr, was a friend through our kids. Both Chuck and Dave were known for running a tight ship and never mincing words...to say the least. In this issue, I interviewed Lal Karsanbhai who became CEO in February 2021. I was surprised at the very different point of view he holds from his predecessors, his attraction to St. Louis, and why he has no plans of moving the headquarters despite the rumors, the threats for tax abatements from peer companies, his curiosity, or the allure of a more global city.
Leonard Slatkin, the legendary symphony conductor of our time, grew up in Hollywood (his parents worked and were friends with Frank Sinatra), came to St. Louis, moved around for his work, but now resides in Clayton. When you do what he does, are known in the rarest of philharmonic circles, and have a hectic schedule of guest performances around the world each year, what brought him back? Please read my story on page 30 to find out why he returned to St. Louis.
What struck me most about each of these people -- and the dozens more I meet each month -- is that each of them have the opportunity to work and live anywhere in the world. Yet, despite our problems with crime, racism, city/county politics, and a plethora of other issues, they are working to build a thriving community with a robust economy, a cultural infrastructure, nationally regarded healthcare and universities, world-class sports and recreation facilities, and much more.
With coastal cities struggling with rising tides or lack of water, housing shortages, unaffordable real estate, and unbearable traffic, we often overlook or forget that people return to cities like St. Louis for the quality of life. My high school friend Wendy Cromwell (see her column on page 20) who came to St. Louis recently to check out the art scene, engage with contemporary art collectors, and visit some of our best galleries and artist studios, was blown away with what we have here. Her admiration of St. Louis is especially meaningful since she has traveled around the world for her business -- consulting for high net worth clients building art collections.
Like most of you, I love leaving St. Louis, but I always love to return. Now it looks like the word is out about how good we have it here. If we can attract about a million more people, we’ll really have something incredible.
May you and all of St. Louis have a peaceful, healthy and happy New Year.
Craig M. Kaminer, Publisher | craig@slmag.net
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