What’s New In The Lou with Alexis Zotos

What happens when a career in film and television leads you to hydroponic farming? For Josh Smith, it led to Neon Greens, a farm-to-table salad spot in St. Louis with a bigger mission behind it. In Episode 58, Alexis Zotos sits down with Josh to talk about his unexpected journey and how it all comes down to his love of storytelling. Neon Greens in The Grove neighborhood of St. Louis features a connected greenhouse where they grow the majority of the lettuce featured in their salads. Josh shar...

For decades, Kaldi’s Coffee has been part of the St. Louis coffee scene, growing from a local coffee shop into a beloved regional brand while staying rooted in the community. In Episode 59, Alexis Zotos sits down with owners Tricia Zimmer Ferguson and Tyler Zimmer to talk about the story behind Kaldi’s, what it’s like to build a family-owned business, and how the company has evolved over the years. Tricia and Tyler share their perspective on the changing coffee industry, what makes St. Louis ...

It’s been 10 years since Nathaniel Reid opened the doors to his namesake bakery, creating some of St. Louis’ most celebrated pastries, breads and desserts. In Episode 58, Alexis Zotos sits down with owner and baker Nathaniel Reid to talk about his journey in the baking world, why he ultimately chose to move back to St. Louis, and what has kept him here for the past decade. Nathaniel also gives Alexis a look at what’s coming to the bakery this fall, from seasonal flavors and favorites to what ...

For years, Lona’s Lil Eats has been serving up vibrant, made-from-scratch dishes that blend Asian flavors with soul food and now, Chef and Owner Lona Luo is bringing her beloved restaurant to a whole new part of the St. Louis region. In Episode 56, Alexis Zotos sits down with Lona to talk about the opening of her new Kirkwood location and the evolution of the Lona’s Lil Eats story. The 4,500-square-foot restaurant expands the community-driven dining experience into St. Louis County bringing a...

For nine years, Frizz Fest has been bringing St. Louis together to celebrate natural hair, beauty, culture, creativity, and community. In this episode, Alexis Zotos sits down with sister-in-laws Leslie and Valerie Hughes, the women behind Frizz Fest, to talk about how the festival started, how it has grown over the past nine years, and why creating a space centered around natural hair and self-expression continues to be so important. The 9th annual Frizz Fest takes place September 19 at Tower...