What’s New In The Lou with Alexis Zotos

For more than a century, Crown Candy Kitchen has been serving up malts, BLTs stacked sky-high, and a whole lot of nostalgia. But behind the counter of this iconic Old North St. Louis soda fountain is a family story rooted in tradition, resilience, and community.

We sit down with Andy Karandzieff to talk about what it means to carry on one of St. Louis’ most beloved restaurants. It's a busy season with thousands of handmade chocolate bunnies so Andy took time away from the kitchen to chat about winning Restauranter of the Year, his family's legacy and why this particular candy shop has stood the test of time. 

This episode is presented by Kaldi's Coffee. 

• What does it take to grow a restaurant group in a constantly shifting industry, and land a spot inside one of the city’s biggest stages?
• In Episode 31, Alexis Zotos sits down with Ben Hillman, President of Gastronauts Food Group, to talk about the evolution of his hospitality career and the momentum behind some of St. Louis’ most recognizable concepts. Their hospitality group is behind popular brands like Hi-Pointe Drive In, Chicken Out and Taco Buddha.
• Now, Taco Buddha is stepping onto a new stage as one of the food partners at CITYPARK, home of St. Louis City SC, a major milestone for the growing group. Ben shares what that opportunity means, along with an honest look at the realities of the past few months: opening new restaurants, closing others, and navigating the ever-changing economics of hospitality.

Yemeni coffee has a rich history that dates back centuries and thanks to Ali Othman and his family, that tradition is alive and thriving right here in our region.

We sat down with Ali, co-founder of Mocha Point, the St. Charles-based coffee shop that has quickly built a loyal following and is now expanding to Kansas City and Midtown near the City Foundry. What started as a vision to share authentic Yemeni coffee and hospitality has grown into something much bigger, a gathering space rooted in culture, connection and community.

Ali shares the meaning behind the name “Mocha,” the deep Yemeni roots of coffee itself, and what it has meant to introduce traditional flavors and customs to the Midwest. We also talk about entrepreneurship, thoughtful growth and the responsibility that comes with representing culture through business.

It’s a conversation about honoring the past while building something bold for the future. 

Rung, a St. Louis–based nonprofit, is dedicated to helping women build economic stability, confidence, and long-term opportunity. Located in the Fox Park neighborhood, Rung works with women navigating systemic economic, social, and health barriers, offering education, coaching, and community to support real, lasting change.

This week CEO Leslie Gill shares how they are changing lives and the future of St. Louis one class at a time. This conversation is about leadership, equity, and what it truly takes to build systems that help women not just survive, but thrive.

For five decades, Laumeier Sculpture Park has invited St. Louisans to slow down, wander, and experience art in the open air and this year, the beloved free sculpture park is celebrating a major milestone.

In this episode, I’m joined by Executive Director Lauren Ross and curator Dana Turkovic, to talk about Laumeier’s 50th anniversary and the special exhibition Begin Again: 50 Years and Counting. We explore how the park has grown into a one-of-a-kind space at the intersection of public art and the natural world, featuring hundreds of artists, rare works from the collection, and decades of bold commissions.

Have memories of the park? They're collecting stories, videos and photos to celebrate the milestone year. Submit them here!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVcwyUgkXxv3T6RkAO1PrXTLMDGn_BBldv2jKWu6SEcSl5wQ/viewform

This episode is presented by Kaldi's Coffee. 

St. Louis knows how to throw a party and Mardi Gras is the proof. In this episode, we sit down with Mack Bradley, President of the Mardi Gras Foundation, to take you behind the scenes of one of the city’s biggest and most iconic celebrations.

We talk about how St. Louis Mardi Gras began, the wildest moments Mack has witnessed over the years, and yes, how they actually measure the massive crowds that take over Soulard. Mack also breaks down everything you need on your calendar for Mardi Gras season, from parades and parties to can’t-miss traditions that keep locals coming back year after year.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned bead collector, this episode gets you ready to celebrate like a pro. 

Find a full calendar of events here.

This episode is presented by Kaldi's Coffee. 

One of St. Louis’ most beloved culinary legacies is making a comeback. Nearly four years after the closing of Café Natasha, matriarch Hamishe Bahrami, lovingly known as “Mom,” is back in the kitchen alongside her daughter Natasha Bahrami, bringing Persian food back to South Grand.

In this episode, we talk about what inspired the return, the emotions behind reopening a chapter so many St. Louisans hold close, and what diners can expect. Plus the story of how Cafe Natasha began in St. Louis. As of this episode dropping,  the menu of Persian “Greatest Hits” launching at The Gin Room is officially underway. This conversation is a celebration of family, heritage, and the power of food to bring a community together.

You can follow us on social media on Instagram and Facebook. 

This episode is presented by Kaldi's Coffee. 

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 Sports Bra, originally founded in Portland, to St. Louis, what guests can expect when the doors open, and how the bar is redefining what it means to gather, cheer, and celebrate women athletes. From community impact to culture-shifting conversations, this episode is all about changing the game, on and off the screen.

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.

You can find the book at stores around St. Louis or online! The perfect gift. 

What's New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos will be taking a holiday break but we will be back January 12 2026 with brand new episodes highlighting the best of St. Louis! 

This episode is presented by Kaldi's Coffee and produced by Bucket List Creative. 

In this deliciously fun episode, we’re joined by Matt Sorrell, longtime 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, people, and places that make this city such a standout culinary destination.

We talk about the writing process, his years behind the bar, the meals that shaped the book, and why it makes the perfect holiday gift. 

If you love St. Louis food (or just love talking about it), you’ll want to savor every minute of this episode.