Welcome to this week’s Clayton newsletter! Here’s what you’ll find inside:
🏫 Get the latest details on Clayton Schools’ proposed plan for leasing the former Fontbonne campus.
🍺 Find out about Brentwood’s new partnership with Urban Chestnut Brewing Company.
👔 Take note of upcoming Father’s Day specials.
📅 Mark your calendar with the latest events.
🏡 Peek inside a four-bedroom Moorlands home.
A rendering shows proposed improvements for Glenridge Elementary. Courtesy of Clayton Schools
📰 AROUND THE BLOCK
New details on Clayton Schools’ Fontbonne bridge campus plans: For months, officials in the School District of Clayton have discussed a temporary bridge campus at the former Fontbonne University site while Glenridge Elementary undergoes its Proposition O-funded renovation. Now, families have some of their clearest answers yet about what that campus might look like. At the June Board of Education meeting, district leaders described a temporary school made up of connected classroom pods with interior hallways and restrooms, rather than a collection of standalone trailers. Under the current concept, students would be grouped in pods serving two grade levels each, with a separate building for offices and support services. Officials also outlined several practical questions likely to be on parents’ minds—the Dunham Student Center is expected to serve as the campus's gymnasium, cafeteria, and storm shelter, while the district is also considering covered walkways between buildings to make it easier for students and staff to move around the site. Mobile Modular has been selected to provide the temporary facilities. John Brazeal, the district’s chief financial officer, said a lease agreement with WashU, which now owns the site, could come before the board in August. Should those negotiations continue as planned, the goal would be to have modular buildings arrive around January and the campus ready by May 2027. Brazeal said the goal is to have the site completed before summer break, so teachers and families could have an opportunity to become familiar with campus before the start of the 2027–28 school year.
Urban Chestnut to host Brentwood Park pop-ups next month: Wednesday evenings in Brentwood Park will soon look a little different. Urban Chestnut plans to bring its mobile biergarten, Der Biergarten, to the park each Wednesday in July from 4–8 p.m., slinging suds alongside live music. As part of a partnership approved by the Brentwood Board of Aldermen this week, the brewery will host a series of pop-up events designed to bring additional activity to the park. The setup will include biergarten-style seating and a 30-foot inflatable tent designed to provide shade for visitors. Eric Gruenenfelder, Brentwood's director of Parks & Recreation, says there could also be themed event nights featuring trivia and bingo. The idea emerged following Brentwood's Wine & Whiskey Walk event last month, when brewery representatives approached city staff about partnering on a new way to activate the park. “We are excited about it,” Gruenenfelder said at the meeting. “We hope it could be a partnership that is beneficial to both us and Urban Chestnut for a long time.”
A MESSAGE FROM ST. LOUIS SPORTS COMMISSION
Celebrate Olympic Day with Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Join Olympic legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee and fellow St. Louis Olympians on Friday, June 26 for a special Olympic & Paralympic Day celebration at WashU’s historic Francis Olympic Field. This free community event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon.
Chapman Plaza Concert (June 18, Chapman Plaza at Shaw Park): Enjoy an evening of live yacht rock favorites from Sean Canan's Voodoo Yacht Rock, along with food and drink vendors, face painting, the Bubble Bus, and family-friendly activities. 5:30–8 p.m. Free.
1 Day Summer Camp(June 19, AR Workshop Olivette): Kids ages 7–14 can make a custom photo board or accessory board during this one-day creative camp. 1-3:30 p.m. $55.
Eddie and The Getaway(June 20, Blueberry Hill Duck Room): Catch the modern country act at the Duck Room. 8 p.m. General admission $20.35 in advance; $23.95 day of show; $2 minor surcharge at the door.
Musical Nights at Oak Knoll Park (June 21, Oak Knoll Park): Pack a picnic, bring a lawn chair or blanket, and enjoy a relaxing evening of live music from Michael Marciano at this free summer concert series. 5–7 p.m. Free.
Justin Whitehead(June 21, Helium Comedy Club): Catch stand-up from the comedian, known for his viral “My 600-Pound Life” videos. 7 p.m. $30.99–$42.99.
Cool Cocktails with M.A.C. Mixologist(June 23, Brentwood Park Pavilion): Learn to craft seasonal cocktails with a M.A.C. mixologist during this hands-on class. 7–8:30 p.m. $50 residents; $60 nonresidents.
Courtesy of RJ Xu
⭐️ COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
RJ Xu turns culinary vision into Clayton staple
For RJ Xu, food is about balancing tradition and innovation. As owner of The BAO in Clayton, he draws inspiration from Asian culinary traditions while incorporating modern techniques and local ingredients. Xu says seeing guests connect over food and drinks is what makes the work worthwhile. —Kathleen Lees
People spend decades planning for retirement. Then what? Chris Wedell of Volare Wealth Advisors shares why fulfillment, legacy, and intentional living are changing the way that people think about financial planning.
📌 BULLETIN BOARD
Father’s Day happens to coincide with Casa Don Alfonso’s (100 Carondelet Plaza) monthly luxury brunch this year. The Sunday spread will include a raw bar, dessert station, and bourbon and whiskey flights for dads.
Herbie’s (8100 Maryland) is celebrating Father’s Day with $1 draft beers all day on June 21. The restaurant will also offer steak specials alongside its regular Sunday brunch and dinner service.
Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton (7730 Bonhomme) is offering fathers a complimentary rooftop pool pass on Sunday with a $30 purchase at Café la Vie. Guests can also book Le Petit Chef, the hotel’s immersive 3D dinner theater experience.
Hoping to avoid the restaurant crowds? Winslow’s Table (7213 Delmar) is offering Father’s Day catering packages featuring breakfast burritos, quiche, sandwich platters, pastries, and house-roasted coffee for at-home celebrations. Make plans soon—catering orders require 48 hours notice.
As Ivy Café (14 N. Meramec) approaches its fourth anniversary, owner Julie Blackerby is also looking ahead to the restaurant’s next chapter. The Clayton eatery recently shared that its newest location is under construction in Kirkwood and is expected to open in late summer or early fall.
It's been a busy week for Clayton’s corporate community. Centene recently announced buyout offers for some employees, while Olin Corp. revealed plans to merge with Huntsman Corp. and move its headquarters from Clayton to the Houston area as part of the $2.4 billion deal.
Truffles Butchery (9202 Clayton) in Ladue recently earned a spot on SLM’s list of the region’s best butcher shops. The longtime local favorite was recognized for its selection of Berkshire pork, prime beef cuts such as ribeyes and strip steaks, and prepared side dishes.
The Shaw Park Women’s B Team is looking to add players for its summer tennis season. The semi-competitive league is seeking women rated 3.5 or higher for Friday morning matches against area teams, with optional practices at the Shaw Park Tennis Center on Mondays and Wednesdays. Interested players can call 314-406-6543 or email for more information.
This home includes an oversized two-car garage built in 1995. Courtesy of Coldwell Banker–Gundaker
🏠 HOME OF THE WEEK
Clayton Tudor hits the market
Moorlands home is a stunner: Built in 1928, this four-bedroom, three-bath, Tudor-style home includes 3,152 square feet on a landscaped corner lot.
Main living spaces fit for hosting and gathering: The home's expanded kitchen is centered on a large island and opens directly to the family room, where multiple windowed doors lead to the gardens. The dining room connects to both the kitchen and a living room anchored by a fireplace with an intricately carved mantel, while a separate recreation room adds another gathering space.
The Magic House Adult Play Date Series features three adult-only nights with food, drinks, themed experiences, and after-hours museum play, all included with your ticket. Purchase tickets!
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