BILLION BUBBLE BEVERAGE

 

A big sinkhole developed on the north edge of downtown about a week ago. A  break in a large water main caused extensive subsidence. It's right under a major elevated highway that has been closed since. I wanted some pictures but so many streets were closed I couldn't get close. Looking around, I saw the iconic giant bottle of a local soft drink company. It used to rotate. That's a casino in the left background.                    

A Bottle Restored

Just north of downtown, a couple of vacant lots beyond the football-dome-without-a-team, lies a rehaber's fantasy called The Bottle District. It proved to be another St. Louis restoration project that fizzled.

The name comes from a local icon, a huge model of a bottle of Vess Lemon Lime soda. Vess is a soft drink brand that has been made and sold in St. Louis for a century. The bottle has been there for as long as I can remember and had become rather decrepit. With no fanfare, someone brought it back to mint condition earlier this summer. Don't know who or why. Maybe it's a good sign.             

Best Bet

Vess is an old local soft drink maker. The iconic bottle has been on the north edge of downtown for decades. It is about to be restored in honor of the company's 100th anniversary.

The sign board is for Lumiere Place casino, just off frame to the left. I think St. Louis' best bet is to stay far away from there.

We expect to meet a big shot from France today, as well as see the governor of Missouri (I've met him before) and my brother (him too). All at the same time. Hope I get close enough for a good shot. Details to follow.