Drew Jameson — Atomic by Jamo

Drew Jameson (0:00)

I think that a lot of goodwill and trust between us and guests have stuck with us, which is really great too, you know? So it is what we're all about, is just building something that feels really, really good, and that you can come and find your happy place and escape whatever stresses you have during the day, you know, so.

Lauren Healey (0:17)

So needed. Big thanks to our partner, SWADE Dispensary, for sponsoring The Sauce Podcast. With 12 locations across Missouri, SWADE is more than a business. They're neighbors, vibe-setters, and a real part of the St. Louis community. They're all about celebrating, collaborating, and elevating their neighborhoods, SWADE style. And we've loved being partners with this team for years now.

Hello, welcome to The Sauce Podcast. I'm your host, Lauren, and I am here with Drew Jameson, and he is the managing partner over at Atomic by Jamo in the Grove. And we are so happy that you took over that space. So why don't you just tell us what you're doing over there?

Drew Jameson (1:00)

Yeah, well, thank you so much for having me.

We are, I was there, excuse me, 2015 through 2020 until the COVID times came as a talent buyer for the venue. And it was where I really grew into my skin, so to speak, with concerts that are national and international touring acts. And I really wanted to see the venue come back. During COVID times, we were just kind of searching for some spot that could fill that void, and it ended up being the exact spot that we left. So now that we're back, we're trying to revive the spirit that I remember Atomic as, which is, you know, our tagline right now is eat, drink, dance, repeat. And it focuses on the food being a restaurant that's open regular hours. It has a drink program on the same style thing. We have a late night till 3 a.m. that we can do. So it's five to three Wednesday through Sunday, and events with these two wonderful stages in the outer rooms, one being the patio, which we call Atomic Pavilion. And then Atomic Garage is the first play that breaks bands. And then they're off to the places like the Shaffettes and all the crazy things that they do.

And that happens time and time again. So these spaces are just like where people, you know, cut their teeth and get into the scene, whether you're mixing a board for the first time or coming to see a band up close before they blow up, you know? So yeah.

Lauren Healey (2:19)

Totally. And actually, so I wasn't there, but some of my friends saw Billy Strings in the inside when you guys had them there several years ago. And now he's like selling out, you know, Riverport or whatever. Yeah.

Drew Jameson (2:30)

Yeah. So he played two to three different times with us.

Lauren Healey (2:33)

Oh, did he? Okay.

Drew Jameson (2:34)

I found him on YouTube. They wasn't even like referred to me. I just really liked his playing. I was in a Jamgrass band and his guitar playing was amazing. And we did it, you know?

Lauren Healey (2:43)

Is that how you find people on YouTube?

Drew Jameson (2:45)

That one I get to claim a little more directly. Others are like referrals from the people you work with behind the scenes sometimes. And it just depends, you know?

Lauren Healey (2:52)

Well, you're doing an awesome job.

Drew Jameson (2:54)

Well, thank you.

Lauren Healey (2:55)

So for people who maybe aren't familiar, so this space used to be called Atomic Cowboy, right? And how long was it Atomic Cowboy?

Drew Jameson (3:03)

2005 until 2020 in March. Really, like when the NBA shut down, that's when like this business shut down from Atomic Cowboy. And I was not an owner. I was once again an employee there. But yeah, so that it was maybe briefly up as some COVID safe things that we didn't have anything to do with, but it sat dark for a really long time.

Lauren Healey (3:25)

I know it was so sad because when I moved here in 2015, I mean, I was there like once a week. Right. It was so much fun.

Drew Jameson (3:32)

That's happening now again for a lot of people, thankfully.

Lauren Healey (3:35)

I know, I'm like a mom now, so I don't get out as much as I used to, but I've definitely been there several times since you've reopened and I think it's so awesome. So tell us like how you have upgraded the space from what it was when it was Atomic Cowboy.