St. Louis mourns Minerva Lopez Montaigne, champion of Cherokee Street

St. Louis lost a pillar of the Cherokee Street community in late June when Minerva Lopez Montaigne died at the age of 60. The Latina entrepreneur helped cement Cherokee Street as a hub for Latino businesses and culture.

“She was like the mayor on Cherokee Street, unofficially,” said Gabriela Ramirez Arellano, the co-host of “We Live Here Auténtico!”

Emily Thenhaus, executive director of the Cherokee Street Community Improvement District, echoed that sentiment.

“Her impact on the street went well beyond her own ventures; she dedicated so much of her 20 years here in St. Louis to others,” Thenhaus said. “I can recall stories of her over the years, speaking out about the importance of the Mexican entrepreneurial community here on Cherokee — and how that grounded so much of the future development of the street.”

Thenhaus added, “She felt strongly that Cherokee Street is, and should always be, ‘Calle Cherokee.’”