An Old-Fashioned Corner Store

Though the sign above the front door identifies the retail establishment at 20th and Newhouse in North St. Louis as a "Mini Mart," it's really an old-fashioned corner store, where a customer can still buy lunch meat, Wonder bread, soda, a quart of milk or, during this time of year, sparklers to celebrate Fourth of July. This curious anachronism in the world of 7-11s and Quik Trips has likely been preserved because the impoverished neighborhood in which it is located disqualifies it from consideration by the national chain outfits.