Filled with bustling cities like Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri has no shortage of commercial attractions. However, many of these busy spots are chain stores and restaurants you can find anywhere in America. To get a true Missouri feel, take a trip through the cities and visit shops, restaurants, theaters, breweries and other establishments found nowhere else in the world. We’ll show you eight commercially unique communities in the Show-Me State.
Weston
True to its name, Weston is one of the westernmost towns in Missouri. At its location on the Missouri River, north of Kansas City, residents and visitors enjoy natural, commercial and historic tranquility. Weston’s hospitable historic gathering places include the McCormick Distilling Company, the “oldest distillery west of the Mississippi still operating at its original location,” and O’Malley’s Pub, located underground in a brewery basement and said to be the oldest bar in Missouri. Like Hermann, Weston is a center for a surprising, profitable Missouri commercial crop: tobacco. Although the industry is in decline, Weston Tobacco sells hand-rolled and imported cigars in over 600 varieties. Such products and many others can be purchased with a Weston Chamber of Commerce gift card, the commercial key to this great city.
Versailles
Versailles is a real blast, so it’s a no-brainer to start your tour of this small Missouri town at Bee’s Knees Brewing Company. After chowing down on burgers and beer, catch a matinee at the Royal Theater, which has been putting on community plays since 1981 (most notably for the Versailles Olde Tyme Apple Festival). When the show’s over and you have time, grab a latte from Gathering Grounds Coffee Co. and a taco from Veracruz Mexican Restaurant. Finish off your Versailles tour with a treat from Fat ‘n Fabulous Dessert Shop.
Herman
Missouri may be more reminiscent of moonshine than Riesling, but the central part of the state is called the Rhineland because of its German settlers and winemaking. Hermann is the center of that realm. It has a population of around 2,200 and an extraordinary number of wineries per capita. In fact, there are so many historic, family-run wineries in Hermann that they form the Hermann Wine Trail. A tourist can walk from the G. Husmann Wine Company to the Hermannhof Winery and the Reserve Cellars of Hermann while drinking locally made German wine, eating locally made German sausages, and learning about Hermann’s unique German history. Other Germanic (at least in name) businesses to visit in Hermann include Strassner Furniture, Kugelblitz Gaming, and the Hermann Wurst Haus.
Saint Geneviève
Ste. Geneviève is located on the opposite side of the state from Weston. Instead of the Missouri River, which forms the border with Kansas, Ste. Geneviève is located on the Mississippi River, which forms the border with Illinois. There are many nice things to see in this town, including cafes like Stella & Me, restaurants like Sirro’s and Poteaux-sur-Sol Structures that date back to the French colonization of Ste. Geneviève in the 18th century. The sweetest sight, however, is the Sweet Things Sweet Shop, a family-run hangout that has the humorous nickname “the world’s okayest candy store.” As long as Sweet Things stays open, Ste. Geneviève will be more than fine.
Saint James
Another sacred Missouri settlement, St. James is nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, making it a great way to extol the natural virtues of the “Forest City of the Ozarks” while visiting its local shops. Stroll through Maramec Spring Park and enjoy coffee and a homemade brownie from JB Coffee House. Cool off with Summertime Snow Shaved Ice after a trip to Mark Twain National Forest. And fuel up with breakfast at Country Bob’s Café before conquering Woodson K. Woods Memorial Conservation Area. For the best combination of scenery and delicacies, take an outdoor tasting tour of St. James Winery, the crown jewel of a unique Ozarks wine region.
Mâcon (city)
Macon is south of Atlanta. Don’t worry: We didn’t suddenly switch from Missouri to Georgia. Macon and Atlanta are two small Missouri towns that share names with major Georgia cities. Macon is the larger and more vibrant of the two Missouri communities, with a population of around 5,500 and dozens of dynamic businesses. The Apple Basket Café prepares delicious, homemade food in historic downtown Macon; The Pear Tree Kitchen & Bar is a popular eatery that rose from the ashes of The Pear Tree of Bevier, Missouri; and Koch’s General Store is an eclectic local grocery store that started as a roadside cinnamon roll stand. Lastly, among our Macon business recommendations is the Hays Ten Mile Store, located 10 miles outside of town in a building that dates back to 1902.
Camdenton
Lake of the Ozarks is a large and legendary lagoon in the Ozark Highlands. In addition to natural wonders like Ha Ha Tonka State Park, the lake is home to over a dozen communities. On its southern arm lies Camdenton, a town of about 4,000 residents and countless tourists. Between boating and hiking, Camdenton residents, whether permanent or temporary, enjoy coffee at The Funky Buffalo Coffee House and Trading Company, frozen treats at Scoops Ice Cream, and pizza at Pepperoni Bill’s Pizzeria. If those groceries aren’t enough, they can purchase everything from fudge to jewelry to knives to necklaces at Ozarkland, a chain of stores unique to the Missouri Ozarks. Camdenton is housed in a red three-story building that resembles a barn.
Carthage
Like many Missouri communities, Carthage is considered a city despite its size. Sure, with a population of over 15,000, Carthage is closer to city size than our other Missouri favorites. But there are still classic small-town settings here, like elegant historic buildings and hidden restaurant gems. Some are a combination. The Carthage Deli serves delicious food and drinks in the Bank of Carthage building, built in the 1880s. Roscoe’s Bar & Grill offers food and ambiance in a turn-of-the-century building. And Whisler’s is an old-fashioned burger joint that’s been in business since 1953. If you prefer a more modern setting, check out Big Ben’s BBQ Station or Boomers BBQ & Catering.
While Missouri has big cities with big-city flair, it also has plenty of backwaters with tasty little eateries and surprisingly elegant venues. Start in Versailles with its Royal Theater, fill the intermission with Sweet Things in Ste. Geneviève, get some action in Camdenton’s Ozarkland, and climax with Big Ben’s in Carthage with a riveting commercial revue about rural Missouri.
