In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Kevin McKernan, who went from teaching high school to founding The Improv Shop to owning a portfolio of only-in-St. Louis originals: Epiphany Lanes, Donut Drive-In, Blackthorn Pub, and Cafe Manhattan. Kevin explains how growing up in South City helped inspire his appreciation for these neighborhood businesses—and how he’s been able to innovate even while preserving what made them special. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about the mystery of a downtown parking garage that’s become something of a graveyard for abandoned vehicles.  Watch on YouTube and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever podcasts are available. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.

See related stories and resources from this episode: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/314-podcast/episode-36

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGme7iXhvDnXB6ZTWV-1RtWf 

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mJtCTOoiTpN2Jjc2VW0eE 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-314-podcast/id1793192207 

This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri. Are you ready to begin your home purchase journey this summer? The Royal Banks of Missouri mortgage team is ready to guide you every step of the way. Their local lenders offer competitive rates and personalized support so you can focus on creating the space of your dreams. Learn more about how Royal Banks of Missouri can partner with you to unlock the door to your new home in 2026 at http://royalbanksofmo.com/

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com. 

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com.

In this episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/314-podcast/">The 314 Podcast</a>, host&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/author/sarah-fenske/">Sarah Fenske</a>&nbsp;talks with Kevin McKernan, who went from teaching high school to founding The Improv Shop to owning a portfolio of only-in-St. Louis originals: Epiphany Lanes, Donut Drive-In, Blackthorn Pub, and Cafe Manhattan. Kevin explains how growing up in South City helped inspire his appreciation for these neighborhood businesses&mdash;and how he&rsquo;s been able to innovate even while preserving what made them special. Then, Sarah chats with&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;staff writer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/author/ryan-krull/">Ryan Krull</a>&nbsp;about the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/news/central-downtown-garage-adam-layne/">mystery</a>&nbsp;of a downtown parking garage that&rsquo;s become something of a graveyard for abandoned vehicles. &nbsp;Watch on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGme7iXhvDnXB6ZTWV-1RtWf">YouTube</a>&nbsp;and listen on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-314-podcast/id1793192207">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0mJtCTOoiTpN2Jjc2VW0eE">Spotify</a>, or wherever podcasts are available. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.
<blockquote></blockquote>
See related stories and resources from this episode: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/314-podcast/episode-36
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGme7iXhvDnXB6ZTWV-1RtWf&nbsp;
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mJtCTOoiTpN2Jjc2VW0eE&nbsp;
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-314-podcast/id1793192207&nbsp;
This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri. Are you ready to begin your home purchase journey this summer? The Royal Banks of Missouri mortgage team is ready to guide you every step of the way. Their local lenders offer competitive rates and personalized support so you can focus on creating the space of your dreams. Learn more about how Royal Banks of Missouri can partner with you to unlock the door to your new home in 2026 at http://royalbanksofmo.com/
New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/
Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com.&nbsp;
Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis — and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, The 314 Podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis &mdash; and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, The 314 Podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

The 314 Podcast

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis — and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, the 314 podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis &mdash; and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, the 314 podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.