Joe Edwards

An alumnus of John Burroughs School and Duke University, Edwards returned to his hometown of St. Louis and in 1972 opened Blueberry Hill, a unique restaurant and music club filled with pop culture memorabilia on Delmar Boulevard known to locals as the “Delmar Loop.” The move was the first of many efforts spearheaded by Edwards that revitalized the once vacant district and transformed it into the thriving restaurant, shopping, arts & entertainment community it is today.

Edwards co-founded The Loop Special Business District and the East Loop Community Improvement District and has served on various committees that address the area’s issues. In 1988, he created the nonprofit St. Louis Walk of Fame in The Loop to showcase great St. Louisans who have had an impact on our nation’s cultural heritage. In 1995, he renovated the Tivoli Theatre, a 1920s-era landmark. Subsequent projects included The Pageant, a 2,000-capacity concert nightclub opened in 2000; Pin-Up Bowl in 2003; the Moonrise Hotel, a four-diamond boutique hotel with its Eclipse Restaurant, and indoor/outdoor Rooftop Terrace Bar (2009); the Peacock Diner in 2014, and Delmar Hall, an 800-capacity music venue (2016). He spearheaded construction of a 2.2- mile electric, fixed-track vintage trolley system that connects The Loop with two MetroLink stations and the 13 million visitors to Forest Park attractions to enhance this livable, walkable community.

Edwards also renovated numerous historical buildings and encouraged unique specialty shops, restaurants and cultural institutions to make The Loop their home. His efforts led to The Loop being designated “One of the 10 Great Streets in America” by the American Planning Association in 2007. In 2023, his new Magic Mini Golf building fills a gap in the streetscape and adds another enjoyable experience attraction to the area with 18 holes of indoor miniature golf and two shuffleboard courts.