About Picky
You hear it all the time: “Don’t be so picky.” “Be happy with what you get.”
We have a different idea: Why?
Why shouldn’t you ask for what you like? You know what works for you. You know what tastes good to you. Being particular isn’t being difficult—it’s knowing what you want.
At Picky, we think that’s something to celebrate.
Picky is a café, market, and urban garden in the heart of historic Lafayette Square. We’re here for the people who care about a great cup of coffee, a homemade meal made with excellent ingredients, or just the right little something to take home.
Our café serves fresh, seasonal food made with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Our market is filled with carefully chosen pantry staples, specialty foods, locally made goods, artisan crafts, and home-grown produce. Our garden brings a little more green—and a lot more life—to the neighborhood.
Everything we do reflects our commitment to community, sustainability, and the local farmers, growers, makers, and artists who make St. Louis special.
So go ahead. Be picky. We are.
Our Story
Picky has a history of its own.
Our building began as a blacksmith shop, with oversized front and rear doors built to accommodate horses and carriages coming in for service. The garden behind the building once served as grazing space. Over the years, the space has also been home to an emporium, an antique store, and an artist’s studio.
Today, it’s home to Picky.
We’re proud to be part of Lafayette Square, one of St. Louis’ most distinctive and historic neighborhoods—and the city’s first nationally designated historic district. In the mid-1800s, elegant Victorian and Italianate homes began rising around Lafayette Park, offering residents a beautiful respite from the growing city around them.
More than 150 years later, Lafayette Square still offers that same sense of escape. At Picky, we’re building on that tradition with a place to slow down, enjoy something good, discover something unexpected, and spend a little time in the neighborhood.
Picky is a collaboration between sisters Erin Budde and Bethany Budde Cohen, founder of SqWires, the beloved neighborhood restaurant across the street. Together, they’re building on SqWires’ 25 years of shared spirit and hospitality in Lafayette Square.
The work began in April 2026, after founder Erin Budde decided it was finally time to turn a long-held dream into reality. After retiring from nonprofit work, Erin brought together family, friends, and an exceptional group of contractors to transform the space.
The garden, once overgrown with years of vines, weeds, and leaves, was reclaimed and opened to sunlight. A new fence went up. Inside, the building received plenty of attention and care, creating the warm, welcoming space Picky is today.
We’re grateful to everyone who helped bring Picky to life—and we’re happy to share the names of the talented people who helped make it happen.
Our Location – original
Picky has a history of its own.
Our building began as a blacksmith shop, with oversized front and rear doors built to accommodate horses and carriages coming in for service. The garden behind the building once served as grazing space. Over the years, the space has also been home to an emporium, an antique store, and an artist’s studio.
Today, it’s home to Picky.
We’re proud to be part of Lafayette Square, one of St. Louis’ most distinctive and historic neighborhoods—and the city’s first nationally designated historic district. In the mid-1800s, elegant Victorian and Italianate homes began rising around Lafayette Park, offering residents a beautiful respite from the growing city around them.
More than 150 years later, Lafayette Square still offers that same sense of escape. At Picky, we’re building on that tradition with a place to slow down, enjoy something good, discover something unexpected, and spend a little time in the neighborhood.
Picky is a collaboration between sisters Erin Budde and Bethany Budde Cohen, founder of SqWires, the beloved neighborhood restaurant across the street. Together, they’re building on SqWires’ 25 years of shared spirit and hospitality in Lafayette Square.
The work began in April 2026, after founder Erin Budde decided it was finally time to turn a long-held dream into reality. After retiring from nonprofit work, Erin brought together family, friends, and an exceptional group of contractors to transform the space.
The garden, once overgrown with years of vines, weeds, and leaves, was reclaimed and opened to sunlight. A new fence went up. Inside, the building received plenty of attention and care, creating the warm, welcoming space Picky is today.
We’re grateful to everyone who helped bring Picky to life—and we’re happy to share the names of the talented people who helped make it happen.