ST. LOUIS BUSINESSES COMMIT TO FUELING THE LGBTQ+ MOVEMENT DURING PRIDE MONTH
Local businesses stand with the LGBTQ+ community with charitable givebacks and a long-term commitment to a sustainable equality movement
ST. LOUIS (May 30, 2023) — After a grueling legislative session, where over 50 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed in both the Missouri House and Senate, St. Louis business owners are using this year’s Pride month to fight back against the increased hate. Bijoux Handcrafted Chocolates, Pizza Head, The Fountain on Locust, and Wellspent Brewing Co. created charitable givebacks to encourage the community to come together and support PROMO, Missouri’s LGBTQ+ public policy and advocacy organization. Those business leaders also agreed to continuously fight for the LGBTQ+ community throughout the year and work to liberate the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination and oppression. Their leadership and commitment to this work demonstrate a growing number of cities and community leaders struggling to stand up against the hate pouring out of the Missouri State Legislature. A list of fundraisers in St. Louis can be found below:
Bijoux Handcrafted Chocolates (Locations in Des Peres and Webster Groves):
Bijoux Handcrafted Chocolates, the acclaimed chocolate shop known for its hand-painted, jewel-like bonbons, is releasing two special month-long boxes of chocolates called the “Pride Collection.” The boxes, one a set of eight and the other with 12, contain flavors such as salted caramel, cheesecake, and baklava. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to PROMO to assist with their legislative efforts at the Missouri State Capitol. The boxes are available throughout June at both retail locations in Des Peres (13014 Manchester Road) and Webster Groves (7930 Big Bend Blvd, Ste A) and online.
Platypus (4501 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110):
Kicking off Pride Month, Platypus hosts a “Pride Month Celebration Fundraiser” on Thursday, June 1 starting at 6 p.m. The event aims to raise money for a new mural located in The Grove neighborhood with the theme of “Trans Joy is My Love Language.” Attendees can enjoy the local bar’s well-known cocktail menu alongside live entertainment from two DJs (Umami and Rico Steez) and a comedy showcase hosted by Maxi Glamour. Don’t miss out on the raffle prizes from local businesses such as 4 Hands Brewing Co, The Gramophone, Olive and Oak, and Trader Bob’s Tattoo. All other proceeds after funding the new mural goes to PROMO Missouri to support their urgent legislative efforts.
Pizza Head (3196 S Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63118):
Pizza Head, the all vegetarian pizza shop, is hosting a one-day fundraiser for PROMO on Monday, June 5 with its “Y’all” Pepperoni Pizza. The specialty pizza features pepperonis in a “Y’all” design to represent PROMO’s unofficial slogan of “Y’all Means All.” For every specialty pizza sold, Pizza Head donates 50% of the purchase to the statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization with the goal of not only raising money to help combat anti-LGBTQ+ hate but also increasing individual action by the St. Louis community. Orders can be placed online for pick-up or delivery or in-person.
Small Batch Whiskey & Fare (3001 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103)
On Monday, June 5, Small Batch Whiskey & Fare is partnering with Lifted Spirits Distillery from Kansas City for a Pride Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. The Midtown vegetarian- and whiskey-themed restaurant plans on serving up a variety of complimentary appetizers alongside a list of five Pride-themed cocktails using Lifted Spirits including Let’s Have a Kiki (Lifted Spirits Brilliant Vodka, cranberry, lemon, simple syrup), Shantay You Stay (Lifted Spirits Bold Gin, cava, elderflower, lemon, and gold glitter), Vive L’Amour! (Lifted Spirits Bright Gin, acai, framboise, cava, and garnished with an orange slice), The Black Nite (Lifted Spirits Supernova Navy Strength Gin, creme de violet, cassis de noir, orange jasmine seltzer), and Disco Trip (Lifted Spirits Maderia Cask Finished Rye Whiskey topped with Zenly CBD Honey Crisp). Lifted Spirits will also do a sampling of its flagship spirits and have limited-edition Brillant Vokda Pride Label bottles for sales. A portion of all sales from the cocktails from the happy hour will be donated to PROMO to support its mission and $1 of every bottle of the Brillant Vodka bottles will be donated to the Kansas City Center for Inclusion.
Steve Hot Dogs (3145 S Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63118)
Beginning Thursday, June 1, Steve Hot Dogs rolls out its “Pride Dog” and three Pride-themed drinks to support the work of PROMO Missouri. “As an LGBTQ+ safe space and employer of many who identify as trans, queer or non-binary, we want to ensure we’re supporting organizations that make Missouri a safer place for everyone,” said Danni Eickenhorst, CEO of HUSTL Hospitality Group. “This month, we want to celebrate LGBTQ identities, to honor their contributions, and to leave a lasting impact on the community through our work this month.”
The “Pride Dog” is a smoked all-beef dog on a bakery fresh bun topped with tri-color bell peppers, fried artichoke, and grilled mango sauce with a blueberry chipotle sauce. The three Pride-themed drinks include: “Queer-tini” (gina, campari, lemon juice, simple syrup, grape juice), “Blue My Mind” (vodka, blue curacao, simple syrup, lemon juice, ginger ale), “Beach, Please” (guava fruit rum, white rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, and strawberry syrup). Additionally, the restaurant is bringing back a customer favorite t-shirt called “Love is Love,” available for a limited time on its online shop.
The Fountain on Locust (3037 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103):
The Fountain on Locust, the popular restaurant and ice cream bar in Midtown, is hosting a month-long fundraiser with three special menu items to celebrate and raise money for PROMO. Beginning Thursday, June 1 through Wednesday, June 31, diners have the option of ordering two boozy drinks include Born This Way, a boozy float with triple sec, vanilla vodka, champagne, and vanilla and strawberry ice cream and A Lil’ Fruity which is an ice cream martini with Don Q Coconut liqueur, banana liqueur, pineapple juice, and scratch-made rainbow marshmallow. Also enjoy an ice cream sundae called LesBeHonest made with vanilla and strawberry ice cream, orange sherbet, and marshmallow sauce topped with whipped cream. The new specials are available for dine-in or carryout orders placed in-person or online.
Businesses Collecting Donations:
Additionally, two other businesses are collecting donations for PROMO to support the LGBTQ+ community at their various locations: 4 Hands Brewing Co. with City Wide Pride Cans, Wellspent Brewing Co., PLNK STL, and Puttshack.
