What's New in The Lou: October 16th

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK:
Nicky Slices Pizza Levels Up

At certain times of day, a building on The Hill hums with anticipation. It’s not the address that matters so much as the ritual: loyal fans lining up to collect the Detroit‑style pies they ordered on Instagram. Chef Nick Williams started Nicky Slices as a side hustle after COVID‑19 forced him back to St. Louis; before he spent his days working a magazine job and his nights cheffing in New York kitchens. During private dinners he gifted guests with thank‑you pizzas, and demand grew so quickly that he began selling weekly take‑and‑bake pizzas through Instagram.

St. Louisans are so hungry for these pizzas that they’ve turned a social‑media pop‑up into a local institution. Now, with a building under renovation at 2240 Edwards on The Hill, Williams is rehabbing a brick‑and‑mortar space to meet demand. Fans went wild when he announced the project; the forthcoming shop will expand beyond pizza to include chicken wings, Philly cheesesteaks and more. As the lines outside his take‑and‑bake pickup hint, the story here isn’t just a new restaurant opening, it’s about how community, creativity and digital buzz can transform a side project into a permanent part of the neighborhood.

🌟 Festival Fever: Three Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss

• Boo at the Zoo (Oct 16–30, nightly 5–8:30 p.m.) – Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park. Fun, family‑friendly evenings with food, entertainment, and non‑scary Halloween décor throughout the Zoo. Kids 12 and under can wear costumes; tickets required. The carousel, 4D theater, and stingray touch pool are free with admission.

• Chesterfield Fall Festival (Sat Oct 18, 1–6 p.m.) – Chesterfield Amphitheater. A free festival featuring live music (Rockin’ Chair, 2 Pedros, Biscuits & Gravy, PDA Music ), craft and market vendors, a petting zoo, carnival rides and tasty food and drink. Bring the family and enjoy a perfect fall afternoon.

• Legends & Lanterns (Weekends through October 26) – Main Street, Historic St. Charles. Stroll along Main Street and encounter ghostly characters from history, enjoy live music, and wander through Scarecrow Glen. This free, family‑friendly festival blends local history with Halloween fun.

What’s Happenin’ in St. Louis 👀

Friday, October 17th

• 🎃 Boo at the Zoo (Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park) – The zoo becomes a whimsical Halloween playground with special entertainment, decorations, and photo ops. Kids 12 and under can wear costumes and stroll among lighted displays; tickets are required for these non‑scary evening.

• 🌮 Delish on Delmar (Delmar Maker District) – Enjoy a block party full of food vendors, an artisan market, and live music from 5-10pm to support and celebrate the wonderful establishments of the Delmar Maker District.

• 🍷Wicked Wings and Wine (Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House) – xThis happy hour includes drink samples, snacks, and an education on owl butterflies while having the opportunity to stroll the butterfly garden by torchlight. 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

• 🎸 Chuck Berry’s Birthday Bash (Powell Symphony Hall) – Celebrate the rock‑and‑roll legend’s birthday as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs his hits and pays tribute to his lasting impact on music.

• 🧑‍🎤 Adam Sandler: You’re My Best Friend Tour (Enterprise Center) – Actor and comedian Adam Sandler brings his live comedy tour to St. Louis; expect songs, stories and laughs for fans 16 and older.

Saturday, October 18th

• 🎵 Chesterfield Fall Festival (Chesterfield Amphitheater) – This free community festival features live music from Rockin’ Chair and other bands, along with craft and market vendors, a petting zoo, carnival rides and ample food and drink.

• 💥 St. Louis Independent Comics Expo (The Sheldon) – This expo allows independent literary creators of comics, poetry, prints and more to network, train and showcase their work locally.

• 🎸 St. Louis Blues vs Dallas Stars (Enterprise Center) – Cheer on the NHL’s St. Louis Blues as they face the Dallas Stars in a high‑energy home game.

• 🌻 Fall Festival (Brookdale Farms)– This 300‑acre farm offers hayrides, sunflower and corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, inflatables, ropes course, petting zoo and unique attractions like pumpkin slingshots and a mechanical bull.

• 🎃Trick or Track (National Museum of Transportation) – Kids can wear their costumes, bring their candy bags, and enjoy a night of nighttime train rides, reptiles with Serengeti Steve, and Halloween decorations around the museum’s grounds.

• 🐺 Wolf Fest (Endangered Wolf Sanctuary)- In their largest annual event, the Endangered Wolf Sanctuary provides animal viewings and shows, along with fun for the whole family. Face painting, rock climbing, kids activities, food, and music round out an unforgettable festival. 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 19th

• 🍁 Lafayette Park Fall Festival (Lafayette Park) – This free event from 12-4p.m. is fun for the whole family! Kids can enjoy inflatables, crafts, a ballon artist, and more. A food truck and cash bar are available for refreshments.

• 🎵Howl at Powell (Powell Hall)– Kids can wear costumes and enjoy a special concert featuring a variety of spooky season songs performed by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Come early for special pre-show kids activities!

• 🎨 Family Sunday- Rivers and Rhythms (St. Louis Art Museum) – Celebrate the new exhibit Anselm Kiefer: Becoming the Sea with a magic show and crafts for the kids. 1-4 p.m.

• 👻 Legends & Lanterns (Main Street, Historic St. Charles) – Ghostly characters share stories and spooky ambiance fills Main Street at this free, family‑friendly festival.

• 🐶 Barktoberfest 2025 (Zoomies Cafe) – A pet costume contest, live music, beverages by Might Kind and Urban Chestnut, plus several pet related vendors make for a fun day for you and your pooch! 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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ST. LOUIS NEWS + UPDATES 📰 

• Extra Wavy opens near Lafayette Square- After a fire closed down the building housing Vin de Set, PW Pizza, and more, new life has been brought to the space. Extra Wavy, a restaurant from the team that brought us Yellowbelly and Lazy Tiger, has opened on the first floor. Enjoy cocktails, a raw bar, and other tasty seafood dishes.

• Francie’s Place offers a new path out of homelessness. In early October, Gateway Housing First and Places for People opened Francie’s Place, a permanent supportive‑housing development in a restored 140‑year‑old building in Marine Villa. The project provides 15 subsidized studio apartments upstairs and provides residents with optional health, mental‑health and life‑skills services on the ground floor. Tenants pay 30% of their income (or nothing if they have no income), and the program adds housing capacity without tapping existing supportive‑housing funds.

WEATHER FORECAST 🌡️ 

Friday
84° 🌤 | 3% rain | 🌬 10 mph

Saturday
73° ⛈️ | 84% rain | 🌬 11 mph

Sunday
65° ☀️ | 9% rain | 🌬 14 mph

Monday
75° ☀️ | 9% rain | 🌬 15 mph