Olivia DeSmit

Adam & Eve Meet 2020

A book of prose poems that was first imagined and contributed to over 15 years ago is now coming to fruition. Mid-Missourian Walter Bargen, one of Missouri’s former poet laureates, is publishing his 24th book this August. The prose poetry book, Pole Dancing in the Night Club of God focuses on well-known Biblical characters in […]

Re-Envisioned Ramen

Ocha Ramen, a ramen and noodle restaurant on Grindstone Parkway, opened its doors this summer and offers authentic Thai-inspired ramen dishes. Owner Sittiporn Kanthabanjong, who goes by Jenny, has lived in Columbia for four years and realized there wasn’t an authentic Thai ramen restaurant, so she decided to open one herself. “My family back in […]

Pivot Professionals

Many Columbia businesses were on track for a record-breaking year — until this March, when the first COVID case was reported in Boone County. Health officials imposed a stay-at-home order and closed businesses deemed non-essential, such as retail stores, to prevent community transmission. In the last month, we’ve seen a partial re-opening of the county, […]

Beautifying Columbia’s Traffic Boxes

If you’ve ever wondered how a guitar-playing deer made it onto a traffic box in downtown Columbia, you’ve come to the right spot. Every year, the City of Columbia hires local artists to decorate downtown’s traffic boxes not only to deter graffiti, but also to bring some local art into everyday life. It’s a great […]

Upscale Upgrades

A quaint unmanned guardhouse at each entrance signals that you’ve arrived at Arrowhead Lake Estates, a development that began in the 1990s and was originally 265 acres. Seven lots have been added to the neighborhood within the past five years, bringing the total now to 300 acres. There are 40 private lots. This home, built […]

Spruce-Up Specifics

Chances are if you self-isolated because of COVID-19, you had a good, long look at your home’s interior. If you’ve found some things that need to be updated, you’re not the only one. “I’ve gotten calls from clients saying they’ve had a chance to look around and evaluate changes in their home’s design,” Ed Rohlfing, […]

Hometown Heroes

As Columbians battled their way through the stay-at-home order, personal quarantines, working from home with their spouses and schooling their kids over the past several months, one thing stood out. Well, several people and businesses stood out. While everyone did their part staying home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some members of our community […]

COVID-19 In Columbia

Editor’s Note: Participants in this emergency CEO Roundtable discussion included: Matt Moore of Shelter Insurance Companies, Gary Thompson of Columbia Insurance Group, Susan Hart of Huebert Builders, Steve Erdel of Central Bank, Cameron Dunafon of Dunafon Enterprises, Connie Leipard of Quality Drywall, Dave Griggs of Dave Griggs Flooring America, Cris Burnam of StorageMart, Eric Morrison […]

Female Leaders Eye the Future

Being a female in the workforce doesn’t mean what it used to, but it’s not without its challenges. Although the glass ceiling may or may not be broken according to whom you ask, Columbia provides women with more options and diversity than many other cities, as the women in this issue’s roundtable will attest. In […]

Fare Game

**Due to COVID-19, restaurant hours and offerings may change. Please check with the restaurant ahead of time before visiting. With so many laudable local restaurants, it’s easy to stay within the confines of Columbia for cuisine. But there are some spots a little farther afield that are well worth a trip. Here are six area […]

Web of Epic Proportions

While some restaurateurs cut their teeth on mashed peas and slow gradual experience, restaurant owners in Columbia use something more substantial: Booches burgers, Murry’s fried green pepper rings and Sunday brunch at Boone Tavern. Speak with any restauranteur who has been in the business more than 10 years in CoMo, and you’ll find an intriguingly […]

Binge the Blues Away

It doesn’t matter if you’re a die-hard Netflix fan, an Amazon Prime-watcher or a Disney-plus subscriber, chances are you’ve binge-watched at least one series since the inception of streaming services. Don’t worry, we’re not judging. In fact, we’re big fans of grabbing a bowl of popcorn and curling up on the couch … for several […]

Right At Home

Back when Columbia was founded in 1821, (after initially being founded as Smithton in 1819 at a site nearby) there wasn’t really such a thing as a “neighborhood.” People just lived where they worked — either in the city or outside of it. Neighborhoods eventually sprang up in both areas, with many being built around […]

Love At First Site

What was once a rustic cabin with undeveloped acreage is now a breathtaking oasis in the heart of Missouri. Legacy Springs, formerly known as Second Creek, was purchased by husband and wife Bob and Cynthia Chapman as a Midwestern getaway in 2015. They chose to go with a Columbia landscaping firm for the renovation, Rost […]

Looking Ahead

2020 marks Boone County’s bicentennial, and for many local business owners and executives, it will introduce major changes. Top-of-mind? The Hyperloop, medical marijuana, Landmark Bank becoming Simmons First National, the NextGen Precision Health Institute, Columbia Regional Airport’s developments, use taxes and construction projects. In response to business trends in 2020, Inside Columbia Publisher Emeritus Fred […]

Got Milk?

It’s officially hot cocoa season! It used to be that the biggest decision you had to make when it came to hot cocoa was toppings — marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream or chocolate syrup. But now there is one more decision you have to make: What kind of milk should you use? Walk down any […]

Winter Fun Guide

It’s officially that time of year when the sky is almost always gray and several layers have to be donned before stepping foot outside. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun! We’ve put together 25 activities that are sure to keep you entertained and jolly this winter. From chop-your-own-tree to an epic craft […]

Most Beautiful Homes

Columbia is home to many beautiful dreamy dwellings — and the best part is that they are all unique. The homes featured in these pages all draw inspiration from different places and eras, from New England Colonial to Modern Mediterranean, but they do have one thing in common: They’re sure to wow. Whether you’re just […]

Coffee Curriculum

The first official cup of coffee — well, tea — served at the new Kaldi’s Coffee shop in Cornell Hall was a chai latte for Ajay Vinzé, the dean of the business school. The shop, referred to as a learning café, is a partnership between MU’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business and Kaldi’s […]

Healthy Holiday

Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays we celebrate that revolves solely around food. For the Pilgrims, it was a much-needed feast, but for most Americans, it’s extra calories that we don’t necessarily need. For people trying to watch their weight, or those with dietary restrictions, Thanksgiving can be a source of disappointment. Fortunately, there […]