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Southampton Neighborhood

By David O'Brien, About.com

The Southampton neighborhood is a classic South St. Louis neighborhood, complete with modest but attractive brick homes and small but well-kept front yards. But Southampton is also one of the city's hottest neighborhoods for families and young couples. The neighborhood's relatively young population has earned it the nickname "SoHa," and has attracted numerous cafes, restaurants and shops. Today the neighborhood is among the city's most vibrant residential areas.
Location: The Southampton Neighborhood is located south of Chippewa Street, between Hampton Avenue on the west and Kingshighway Avenue on the east. Its southern border runs along Eichelberger Street.
History: Originally developed in the early 1900's, the Southampton Neighborhood was promoted as "a country village, with all the facilities of the city." True to that description, the neighborhood was carved out of the area's farmland, surrounded by natural springs, orchards and acres of woodlands.

Southampton was named by the development's supervisor, after the town in his native England. Most of its homes were built in the 1920's and 1930's, with styles ranging from the simple brick bungalow to beautiful arts and crafts homes.

Demographics: According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the Southampton Neighborhood has 7,793 residents. Ninety two percent of the residents are white, three percent are African American and one and a half percent are Asian. Approximately 15 percent of its residents are foreign born, many of which were Bosnian refugees who came to St. Louis in the early 1990's. The Bosnian population adds to the neighborhood's diversity, and the many Bosnian shops, bakeries and cafes give the area an extra layer of commercial strength and vitality.

The median household income is $41,058, and two thirds of the housing units are owner-occupied. Over half of the households are family households, and the neighborhood has roughly twice the city-wide average of households with kids under 18.

Restaurants: The Southampton area still isn't a destination for fine dining, but it has more than its share of top-notch neighborhood cafes and family restaurants. Great places to try include:

  • Macklind Avenue Deli - Good deli sandwiches, including interesting options like the BLT with onion and peanut butter. But what sets this deli apart is its selection of 250 types of beer.
  • Lily's Mexican Restaurant - The entire Esparza family ensures you'll love your meal at Lily's. Dad acts as host and bartender, the kids take orders and mom cooks every dish as if she was cooking for family.
  • Murdoch Perk - Truly a neighorhood coffee house and cafe. Locals come for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or just a cup of cofee. Crepes dominate the menu, but there's also great sandwiches, soups and salads.

Shopping:

Beyond its cherished arts and crafts homes, Southampton is becoming known for its unique shops and boutiques. Here are just three of the must-see shops in the neighborhood:

  • Big River Running Company - The city's only running store, Big River sells all the running gear you'd expect but also leads weekly runs. Stop in for shoes, clothing, running tips or motivation to start running. Located at 5352 Devonshire Avenue.
  • Home Eco - Has everything you need to go green at home. From eco-friendly cleaners to complete solar panel systems. Located at 4611 Macklind Avenue.
  • Francesca’s Finds - Sells a wide range of inexpensive antiques, gently used furniture and fun items to decorate your home or give as gifts. Located at 5400 Nottingham Avenue.

Walking Tour of the Neighborhood:

The neighborhood's beautiful homes and interesting shops make for a great walking tour. Read my article A Walking Tour of the Southampton Neighborhood for a step-by-step guide on exploring Southampton by foot.

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