It dawned on me when we visited Metropolis, Illinois, which in no way has any connection to the Superman comics other than its name, that if you have innovative business leaders, you can create a tourist economy anywhere. There are at least a half dozen shops selling memorabilia and other knickknacks up the street from the very cool Superman museum, and they are all very nice. It also dawned on me that this short stretch of street in a small town actually has more independent tourist-related gift shops and stores than all of downtown St. Louis.
Could (and should) St. Louis do better? That goes without saying! But St Louis tourism industry? The professional sports teams are a regional draw, but what else is there? I love the SL Art Museum, but if I were a tourist, it’s half a day mostly. I suppose out of state students at Wash U might want to tourist around some., But again, too few of those for an entire industry. It makes me miss the days fo the SS Admiral. That brought me and my parents to the wharf for an excursion. Thanks again, Chris.
Metropolis is not the only town with a Superman museum. Carterville, Missouri on Route 66 has the Supertam On 66 Ice Cream Parlor And Superman Museum. My high school classmate had collected Superman memorabilia from childhood. He eventually accumulated so much that he decided to put it on display in a combination museum and ice cream shop in 2006.
When DC learned of it, they told him he could keep the sign he already had, but he had to change the official name as there was already the one in Metropolis. Unfortunately he had to sell it due to health problems in 2021. However, the new owners are doing well and keeping it going, especially as tourist travel recovers after COVID.
From those who have visited both, his compares favorably to the “official” one in Metropolis. And, the ice cream is great, too!
I didn’t realize there was another one! I will have to check it out at some point.