local business

Coley’s to close

Coley’s American Bistro, 15 S. 6th St., has announced plans to permanently close after Saturday, Nov. 13. In a Facebook post Wednesday night, owners Brian and Kerri Coley said it was “a bittersweet decision but it is the right one for us.” “Throughout the pandemic, we have been strongly supported by our community,” the post […]

Opa!

Learn more about Michael Aslanidis, co-owner of G&D Steakhouse’s, product launch!

Rosé the Day Away

This bright and effervescent spring/summer cocktail was inspired by my love of rosé and the rich taste of Plymouth gin. I had been toying around with the idea of

Forward Focus

The beginning of the new decade didn’t go the way anyone had expected, with the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on both small and large businesses, as well as consumers. With 2020 officially in the rearview mirror, local leaders are looking forward to

The Journey of a Lifetime

Some power couples are driven by ambition to make a name for themselves. To rise to the top of their Veterinary Medicine profession. To gather power and prestige. Jimi and Cristi Cook are looking for

Transforming Lives

A small workshop in a quiet industrial district in Columbia turns beggars into business entrepreneurs. Take the case of Ernesto, a Guatemalan who contracted polio at the age of 7 and spent most of his life crawling through the streets. Mobility Worldwide provided Ernesto with a PET — a Personal Energy Transportation unit — that […]

Meet Your Maker

Time. It’s an elusive resource most of us can’t seem to catch enough of. And what’s even more elusive than time? Patience — a virtue seemingly lost in the hustle and bustle of modern life. We move from one thing to the next in a heartbeat, our focus often split between two screens. We want […]

Sushi

Love Sushi? You’re in Luck

Love Sushi has come to town, and with that, fans of Asian food can rejoice as they will want to add this cozy place to their ever-growing list of favorite locally owned restaurants. Located in Crossroads West Shopping Center at Broadway and Stadium Boulevard, Columbia’s newest sushi stop does not disappoint. Step inside to be […]

pizza

Pizza Joint Jaunt

Photos by L.G. Patterson No matter what time your pizza craving hits, Columbia’s plethora of pizzerias will satisfy your appetite. Old and new, each of these locally owned restaurants puts an emphasis on crafting pizzas that are palate-pleasing for every member of your family or group of friends. Whether you’re looking to snag a quick […]

Meriweather

Rocheport’s Meriwether Café & Bike Shop

It was only minutes to midnight when a violent thunderstorm whipped its way through the small river town of Rocheport on June 17. Gale force winds tore through the village, ripping limb from root and sending the community into a blackout. While many in town slept through the storm, Brandon and Whitney Vair were far […]

Columbia

Oh, The Many Things We Love About Columbia

Every town has a heartbeat. Its pulse is kept alive by the community that thrives there. Some keep Columbia’s heartbeat going during their time devoting years of hard work — and fun — to higher education. Many others stay, and have planted roots, built businesses, families and lives here. But those who call it home […]

barbecue

A Quest for Comfort

The sweet smoky smell hits you as you walk in the door. A friendly greeting and a seat amidst laughter begins the meal. Paper towels and an assortment of sauces line the end of the table. Whether you’re dining with friends or dining alone, the atmosphere feels like family. This is what you hope to […]

thai

Thai For Two

Kittikoon “Chef Kitt” Chompupong, owner of the Thip Thai restaurant at 904 E. Broadway, has good reason to smile. He now has a second Thip Thai location at 3907 Peachtree Drive. He opened the original Thip Thai in January of 2013 and the new location last November. He got his start in his parents’ Thai […]

Best of Columbia 2017

Photos by L.G. Patterson Drum roll please, the Best of Columbia food and drink winners are… Passionate Columbians have cast thousands of ballots… and now, those ballots have been tallied. Inside Columbia is pleased to present this year’s top vote-getters. Thank you, Columbia, for voting for your favorites!   Best Home-Style Cooking Restaurant Whether it’s shepherd’s […]

tourism

Big Bucks for Columbia

Photo by L.G. Patterson “I don’t believe you.” The legislator glared over his bifocals as I testified. “I can prove it,” I answered, unfazed. “For every dollar you put in our budget, we’ll generate $60 for Missouri’s economy.” The legislator, a serious fiscal watchdog, had slashed Missouri’s 2005 tourism budget by 40 percent. It was […]

coley

Sixth Street Success

Back in 2008, MU student Brian Coley was a man with a plan. “I had always worked in restaurants when I was in school,” says Brian Coley, the owner of Coley’s American Bistro. “After my first year of college, I switched my major to hotel and restaurant management with the end goal being to one […]

Rhodes

Life Through The Lens

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in January 2017 and was  updated in February of 2022. Photo of Ann Elizabeth and Noah’s wedding at Heritage Ranch here in Central Missouri courtesy of Catherine Rhodes Photography. Photography has always been a big part of my life. Growing up, my dad had a camera in his […]