COMO Business Times | The Outdoors Issue | June 2025
LOCAL RESTAURANTS
BRACE FOR THE COST OF COMPLIANCE
Local pro-am disc golfer Chris Baker throws discs at Harmony Bends Championship Disc Golf Course.
Do you ever wonder “Why am I even with this bank?”
It’s too easy to accept a mediocre experience when banking is just a part of life. Before, it seemed like I had to jump through every hoop for my bank. I wanted a bank that would actually work for me. Look, switching banks is a big decision. I never made the e ort before, because I assumed I’d just get the same thing. After switching to The Bank of Missouri, I’ll never wonder if my bank can do more.
The bank of not settling. The Bank of Missouri. Switch to better.
ADVERTISER INDEX
PUBLISHING
David Nivens, Publisher david@comocompanies.com
Chris Harrison, Associate Publisher chris@comocompanies.com
Keith Borgmeyer, Columbia Public Schools, Jodie Jackson Jr, Richard King, Kelsey Winkeljohn
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jodie Jackson Jr, Lauren Sable Freiman, Brandon Knight, Matt McCormick, Merrill Sapp, Steve Spellman, Brian Toohey, Kelsey Winkeljohn
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COMO Business Times and comobusinesstimes.com strive to be Columbia’s leading source for timely and comprehensive news coverage of the local business community. is publication is dedicated to being the most relevant and useful vehicle for the exchange of information and ideas among Columbia’s business professionals.
Copyright e COMO Companies, 2025 All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.
FEEDBACK
Have
or
It was the strangest feeling. It only lasted a minute or two, but it was just enough time — barely enough time — to wonder if I’d remember drowning before I finally drowned. Would it become a memory — even if I only had another minute of my life to remember it?
That lukewarm, murky and green real-life nightmare memory returned several months ago when I received an out-of-the-blue Facebook message from someone claiming to be Mike. He’s the guy I mentioned in my April column. (Remember the story about the jukebox and cheeseburgers at The Golden Rule Cafe in Belle, Missouri?) The message: “How ya doin’ ol’ friend?”
And my response: “I’d love to reconnect, but this looks like a new account, so I want to make sure you’re who you say you are. So ... tell me a couple things only you and I would know.”
He replied: “Camp’n at the cave, played wiffleball, hiked to Gasconade River I saved your life. We stole a pack of cigarettes from Jess Birdsong.”
Have you ever felt, just out of the blue, instantly naked? Exposed? Oh, wow, I knew this Mike was THE Mike. And I laughed out loud. Jess Birdsong’s drug store in Belle, just a few buildings down from the Golden Rule, was a real throwback. In the mid-1970s, a kid could go in, pick up a gallon of formaldehyde (for preserving snakes and lizards and things like that), pay for it, and then go on his way. Or he could swipe a pack of Marlboro 100s. Unfiltered.
Wiffle ball? Every yard I had in Belle became a legendary Wiffle ball field. Mike threw a rise ball, the only guy who could throw that pitch. It was never a strike, but it always deserved a great swing — and miss. Camping at “the cave.” It was a sandstone overhang, not really a cave in the sense that it had an entrance to the wooded hillside behind Mike’s house. But a couple of small’ish
Would it become a memory — even if I only had another minute of my life to remember it?
teen boys could comfortably fit up under there, and a campfire at one end naturally drifted smoke away from the middle of our cave, heating the sandstone to a nice, insulating temperature.
And there was the Gasconade River. As we created the “Outdoor” issues of COMO Magazine and COMO Business Times, this seemed like an ideal time to share this account. Longer story short, our mothers agreed to let us make that hike on the condition that we stay out of the river once we got to the river. Of course we agreed. And of course we were lying. We shortcut our way to the river (shortcut = hitch-hiked), and we were in paradise. On the second day of what was going to be a four-day outing, we were both floating in the river, well within sight of the Highway 89 bridge at Rollins Ferry Access, when the mythical “undertow” of the river grabbed my feet and legs.
The lower-level current was much swifter than the upper level. I swallowed nasty green water, looked up at murky, silty water that turned the sun green, too, and instantly wondered, “Will I remember this before I die?” I managed to bob to the surface once, went under and down the river, then bobbed up again, choking on river water. Mike had already scrambled out of the water — thinking he was going to drown, too — and he was bankside. He tossed a large chunk of driftwood my way. I snagged one arm
over the natural lifesaver, and Mike pulled me from the drink. We lay on the damp ground and threw up, packed up our things, and hitch-hiked back home.
That night, a tornado passed through and the river flash-flooded, completely erasing the little gravel bar we’d been camped on.
And here I am 47 years later. I still love the Gasconade River and still have an explorer’s heart with an absolutely true tall tale to remind me that I need to respect a river even more than I love it.
jodie@comocompanies.com
JODIE JACKSON JR EDITOR
Photo by Keith Borgmeyer
CBT’s Advisory Board
CBT’s advisory board is made up of industry leaders and small business owners who help ensure CBT’s content is relevant to our local business community.
Shawn
Brooke
Drew
Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Ridgedale
Closer Look
PREWETTE BOOKKEEPING
If you’re a nonpro t, or a small business, taxes can often be a drag. at’s why businesses like Prewette Bookkeeping exist. Locally owned by Tim Prewette since 2023, Prewette Bookkeeping opened shop in Columbia to help business and nonpro t owners yearround. For twenty years, he has been doing bookkeeping on the side in the Paci c Northwest.
Prewette was born in Atlanta, Georgia, then moved to Portland, Oregon, for twenty years. at’s where he met his wife and later convinced her and their two sons to move to Columbia in the summer of 2023.
“In a new season of life, I had the opportunity to start this business which would enable me to better support my wife and two sons in numerous ways,” he said.
Although Prewette Bookkeeping does not have a physical location, you can nd him at the REDI Hub in downtown Columbia.
“I love being involved in any type of community and bring with me a strong sense of loyalty, love for learning, appreciation of the beauty of mid-Missouri, gratitude for my family and new seasons of life, and passion for college football.”
After baking her daughter’s wedding cake in 2019, Alanna Ti’a found a gap in the market and decided to open a home bakery — Sugar, Butter & Flour. In 2022, she closed her in-home daycare business and continued to bake.
“ is is all I do now, and I’ve been growing ever since,” Ti’a said.
Ti’a has been in the area since 2002. Originally from Columbia, she returned when her husband relocated for his work. She prides herself on being a hometown bakery. She is primarily known for cakes for weddings, graduations, gender reveal parties, and baby/ bridal showers. Additionally, she is known for her gooey butter cake and cookies.
Sugar, Butter & Flour is located on the north side of Columbia. Although it’s a home business, Ti’a likes to run her bakery like a brick-and-mortar business. She has set hours and a website where orders can be placed online.
“You can order online without ever talking to me,” she said. “While I don’t have products available on the same day, I can have just about anything ready the next day.”
Mat Gass has become just the third CEO for Burrell Behavioral Health since the business was founded in 1977. Burrell, which employs more than 1,800 people in the Springfield metro area and 2,056 employees across the state, is a part of Brightli, Inc., a parent organization with more than 6,000 team members. Gass holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Missouri Valley College and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri. The native of Omaha, Arkansas, has been in the behavioral health care field for twentyfive years and spent the last fifteen of those years at Burrell. He became president of Burrell Behavioral Health’s Central Region in 2019. He will continue leading Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare, and Clarity Healthcare team members working in what is now Brightli’s North Central Region, which spans thirtyeight counties in Missouri and Illinois.
ANDREA LUQUE KÁRAM
Ragtag Film Society, the nonprofit organization that operates Ragtag Cinema and True/False Film Fest, has appointed Andrea Luque Káram as its new executive director. Most
recently, Luque Káram was the managing director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative (MNMI) at the University of Missouri, where she organized the Mizzou International Composer Festival. Luque Káram succeeds the interim leadership of Chloé Trayner, Grace Piontek, and Emily Edwards.
JORDAN BALES
Jordan Bales has been promoted from planner to public health and safety manager at the Columbia/ Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services. Bales has been with the department since 2022. She now oversees animal control, environmental health, and emergency preparedness. Bales is from St. Louis. She received a BA in health sciences, a master’s in public health, and a certification in epidemiology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
MEM BOARD
MEM, a regional workers compensation insurance provider, has added four new members to its board of directors. The new board members are Haley E. Hanson, partner at Husch Blackwell; Gloria CarterHicks, president and CEO of Hicks-Carter-Hicks; Sylvester (Sly) James, Jr.,
co-founder of Wickham James and former mayor of Kansas City; and Roger S. Walleck, president and CEO of MEM.
ANGIE GALLO
Angie Gallo has joined the leadership team at Columbia Insurance effective March 31. Gallo has more than twenty years of experience in claims and customer support. She most recently served as the vice president of claims at a niche insurance provider based in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.
LIBERTY FAMILY MEDICINE
Dr. Bonni Heithold, M.D., has joined the team of healthcare providers at Liberty Family Medicine. She is a board-certified pediatrician and lactation consultant, earning her medical degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. She cares for patients from newborns through young adults up to age 25.
Heather Hargrove has returned to the Liberty team full-time as the clinic development director. She will focus on enhancing the patient experience and streamlining clinic processes while helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate their healthcare options. CBT
Are you or your employees moving up in the Columbia business community? Send us your news at jodie@comocompanies.com
GASS
BALES
HARGROVE
LUQUE KÁRAM
HEITHOLD
GALLO
Reviving the Riverside
A major facelift is coming to Cooper’s Landing — and it’s designed to last.
BY KELSEY WINKELJOHN
IN 1820, A TENNESSEE SETTLER named Ira P. Nash founded a small but mighty town just southwest of Columbia, eventually named Nashville in his honor. With only a handful of buildings, including a tobacco warehouse and a post o ce, the town’s real focal point was its location on the Missouri River, which made it one of the busiest shipping hubs along its banks.
Nash called it “the most beautiful spot in all creation.”
For nearly 25 years, Nashville thrived; that is, until the Great Flood of 1844 hit. With eight surging feet of water, the record-breaking ood scared o its inhabitants and swept the town away.
Today, that same land is home to Cooper’s Landing, a treasured riverside escape for campers, bikers, diners, boaters, and music lovers. But like its predecessor, Cooper’s Landing has never been immune to the fury of the great Missouri River.
Now, after decades of patchwork survival and multiple oods, the property will undergo a long-needed modi cation. Owner Richard King is spearheading the construction of a new, ood-resilient, two-story building designed to better serve guests and withstand the Big Muddy.
(LEARNING TO) LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER
Cooper’s Landing has weathered its fair share of Missouri River oods, including those in 1987, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2007, and — most recently — 2019, just days into King’s ownership. ough King is seasoned in the music and entertainment world, having
owned the Blue Note, Rose Music Hall (formerly Mojo’s), and the Roots N Blues music festival, this was an entirely new challenge.
“Right after we bought it, the Army Corps of Engineers called and said, ‘ e river is coming up a lot higher than we expected,’” King recalls. “I don’t think anyone expected the water to go up that high … We’ve learned a lot of lessons from that ood. at was sort of my indoctrination to how the Missouri River ows.”
To some extent, the ood brought what King calls “a silver lining in that big, ugly cloud.” It gave him a clean slate, removing the clutter of abandoned trailers and boats that had plagued the property. With significant help from Missouri River Relief and others, he began the long process of restoration. But once the cleanup concluded, he ran into another issue.
“ e building wasn’t acceptable to Boone County Resource Management, so my only option was to completely refurbish the building, which wouldn’t meet the needs of today’s people, who are cycling, boating on the river, kayaking, and coming down for the music.”
Work so far has included the installation of new septic systems two years ago, paving the way for long-awaited upgrades
“Put your phone away. Listen to the music. Grab yourself a cold beer and take it all in. The whole idea is to make the experience the best experience you can have. And that’s why this building is going up.”
like real bathrooms and showers for campers. Cooper’s Landing has also improved its electrical infrastructure as much as possible ahead of the new construction.
King expects to begin work on the main building in early October 2025, once the busy season winds down, starting with demolition and a fresh foundation pour. e design comes from architect Stephen Bourgeois, a longtime friend of King’s and the creative force behind the Les Bourgeois Blu top Bistro and winery, the park next to Rose Music Hall, and other standout projects.
“Stephen did a lot of research and looked at other oodprone areas and people that live in areas that tend to ood more. And the way he designed it, I mean, I loved it the moment I saw it.”
e new structure, which the county has called a “ rst of its kind,” will be made of concrete, steel, and glass — materials chosen for their strength against oodwaters. In addition to a general store, the building will feature a second- oor space that can be rented for private events or used for over ow and indoor seating. King says the new building will open up many more possibilities for how the grounds can be used.
GOOD FOR THE ’HOOD
Improvements are also planned for Smith Hatchery Road, which leads to Cooper’s Landing. e county will be paving the road, which will enhance parking options and reduce dust. Residents near Cooper’s Landing have already expressed their enthusiasm about the project to King.
“ ey come in to listen to music, buy food from our food trucks, and just hang around,” says King about his neighbors. “I know that with the road improvements, everyone along that corner will be noti ed, and they will be allowed to o er their input.”
Ultimately, he sees the renovation as a way to better serve both the local community and the adventurous spirits who pass through.
“ ere’s the cycling community; they come from all over the place … I met two guys yesterday who were biking from California to Massachusetts!” King said, clearly impressed. “ en there’s the slowly but surely building kayaking community. I’ve met kayakers who have come all the way from Montana, which is the mouth of the Missouri River. You sit there and talk with them [out-of-state travelers], and they’re awesome people who take on these challenges.”
King intends to have the building completed in six months or less from its start date, but the timeline — and the price tag — could still shift at this point in the process. As he looks to the future, he’s con dent that a stronger Cooper’s Landing will continue o ering something rare: a place where good food, live music, and outdoor adventure still meet on the river’s edge.
“Put your phone away. Listen to the music. Grab yourself a cold beer and take it all in,” says King. “ e whole idea is to make the experience the best experience you can have. And that’s why this building is going up.” CBT
First Quarter Home Sales: A Tale of Two Markets
BY BRIAN TOOHEY
LAST YEAR, the Boone County housing market recorded its rst annual sales increase since 2021. As 2025 approached, following a presidential election, many hoped for lower prices on consumer goods and mortgage rates, which have yet to materialize.
In the rst quarter of 2025, the local housing market was divided into two segments: homes priced below $400,000 and those priced above. Buyers and sellers continue to react to uctuating economic data and mortgage rates.
From January through February of this year, home sales surged by 16 percent, driven by falling mortgage rates from mid-November to early December. is encouraged buyers to put homes under contract to bene t from the lower rates. However, by late February, mortgage rates for a 30-year xed-rate mortgage (FRM) quickly rose above 7 percent, limiting the sales increase in the rst quarter to just 6 percent. When sales are broken down by price range, there is a clear divide: Homes priced under $400,000 saw a sales increase of 12 percent, while homes above $400,000 experienced a sales decline of 7 percent.
Before this year, the local housing market faced lower sales, even as prices rose signicantly. In the rst quarter of this year, prices have slightly decreased but vary by price range category. e median price fell by .66 percent to $324,999 for the overall market. Homes priced under $400,000 posted a median price increase of 1.6 percent, whereas homes priced above $400,000 only saw a price increase of 0.7 percent.
Homes also remain on the market longer before going under contract, returning to pre-COVID levels. In March, the
average cumulative days a home spent on the market reached 79 days, an increase of 31 percent from last year. e time it takes to go under contract varies signi cantly based on price. Homes priced under $400,000 averaged 67 days on the market, while homes above $400,000 were on the market for an average of 104 days.
Condo sales in Boone County continue to struggle, accounting for 6 percent of the local residential market. e primary reason for this sluggishness is a lack of favorable nancing options. Currently, not a single condo development in Boone County quali es for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, restricting many buyers, particularly rst-time buyers, from bene ting from FHA advantages such as lower rates and a 3.5 percent down payment.
Inventory on the market continues to increase, providing buyers with more options when searching for a new home. By the end of March, market inventory was up 30 percent from last year, with the months’ supply gure reaching 2.66. While this is a signi cant increase, a preferable
inventory level at the end of March heading into the spring and summer selling season is 4 to 5 months. Market inventory also varies by price range: homes priced below $500,000 averaged 2 months of inventory, indicating a strong seller’s market, while homes priced above $500,000 averaged 6.15 months of inventory, providing a slight advantage to buyers in the higherpriced segments.
Overall, the results for the rst quarter of the home market were positive, but there are potential challenges ahead. Sales are increasing, and prices are stabilizing compared to the substantial appreciation seen over the past four years. e outcome for the remainder of 2025 will rely on consumer con dence, the impact of tari s, and mortgage rate levels. If the 30-year FRM remains above 7 percent, sales may decline, potentially impacting prices at the upper end of the market. Conversely, if mortgage rates drop to 6.5 percent or lower and consumer condence improves, sales and prices are likely to increase at higher percentages than in the rst quarter. CBT
Brian Toohey is the Chief Executive Officer for the Columbia Board of REALTORS®.
The Business of the Outdoors
BY STEVE SPELLMAN
THE OUTDOORS IS FREE, but a person can do quite a business helping people enjoy it.
Take your front yard, for example. e sun and rain are free, as nature provides trees and grass, and hummingbirds humming by. And to enhance that, many landscaping businesses, lawn mowing services, tree trimmers, bird seed producers, and re pit vendors make the outdoors more, well, outdoorsy.
Going for a walk or jog or bike ride is free. To maximize people’s experience, they depend on shoe stores, bike shops, athleisure boutiques, and supplement retailers.
And it’s not just for us locals, as many out-of-towners come here to enjoy our outdoors. In fact, COMO has amassed quite a portfolio of sports tourism attractions. e Show-Me State Games and companion Senior Games have been held here for decades. Numerous high school athletic nals tournaments are hosted here — we’re currently in the thick of a multi-year stint of several sports crowning champions right here.
e Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), whose headquarters is right here near Highway 63 and Broadway, estimates each of these generates many millions of dollars of local economic activity. For more info on how much, just quiz Matt McCormick of the Chamber of Commerce at the next area ribbon cutting you attend.
Near Tolton Catholic High School, there’s a world-class cross country course that has already attracted not just the state high school tournament, but also the SEC and NAIA championships. e disc golf course on Strawn Road as well as the top-notch Harmony Bends course bring in tourism from all over the Midwest.
When German farmers settled the Missouri River Valley two centuries ago, they brought their language, farming techniques, and the tradition of outdoor beer gardens. Apparently, a trend of bars hosting outdoor recreation has become a thing in COMO. Logboat greatly expanded its outdoor (and indoor) space. Midway Golf and Games has a bar and grill inside, and fun-lovers can step out one of many bays to the driving range. e newest one is the Trailside Brewery at Vawter School Road and e Kitchen near Discovery Ridge with pickleball courts.
While sporting goods vendors keep us in equipment, many a doctor xes us up when body parts break. It’s sure nice of those local orthopedic clinics to sponsor local sports on scoreboards, printed program booklets, and fundraising events. ough it’s also helpful for them to stay close to the action when athletes pushing their limits come up injured.
at pickleball thing comes across as relatively low impact, but you combine older participants who are used to a sedentary lifestyle, may be overweight,
and don’t stretch before a session, and it’s a perfect storm to pull all kinds of tendons and push joints out of whack.
My youngest son and I like watching the Red Bull Channel, which streams for free. It’s like X Games meets an REI store, with extreme skateboarders, surfers, rock climbers, and skiers going beyond the laws of physics. Sometimes gravity catches up with them in an instant, and their rad moves instantly seem less fun.
I’ve had fun as a quick bicycle commuter for a long time, but last spring I wiped out zipping through a roundabout. Some passersby used their mobile phone to reach the 911 center, who dispatched an ambulance crew from their garage near Nifong and Forum. E cient rst responders got me to the hospital, where trained medical folks got me patched up. Within a couple days, I was back up and at ‘em. ough as they say, you gotta learn to walk before you can run (again).
While the outdoors may be free, I’m sure glad for the many kinds of local people who are in the business of helping us enjoy it. CBT
Steve Spellman is a lifelong Columbia-area resident and political observer.
PYSK
Jeff Klein
Superintendent, Columbia Public Schools
Job description: As the superintendent, I serve as the chief executive o cer of the Columbia Public Schools, responsible for the overall leadership, management, and operation of the district’s schools. is role includes implementing the Board of Education’s vision, overseeing academic programs, managing budgets and personnel, fostering community partnerships, and ensuring the success and well-being of all students and sta .
Professional background: I am an experienced educational leader with a career spanning more than twenty- ve years. I began as a special education teacher before becoming a school psychologist in California and later moving into district leadership roles. I currently serve as chief academic o cer for Columbia Public Schools, guiding academic strategy and innovation. I previously held executive roles at Satchel Pulse and spent eighteen years in the Park Hill School District, where I led major initiatives in academics, data, and school redesign, including the creation of the LEAD Innovation Studio.
Years lived in Columbia: One
Hometown: I grew up in Redwood City, California, and I lived in Kansas City from 2002 until May 2024.
With changes at the federal and state levels, and now the prospect of charter schools in Boone County, what are you keeping your eyes on? ere has been a lot of politicizing of education. Public education ensures all children, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, have access to high-quality learning opportunities and is essential in developing an informed and productive citizenry.
Strong public schools are necessary to attract and retain a solid employment base, prepare our children to become future community leaders, and sustain the quality of life we all appreciate. In Missouri and across the country, you can nd examples of what a lack of support for public schools can do to a community. Businesses leave, unemployment rises, real estate values fall, and community livability su ers. In Columbia and Boone County, our public schools are the heart of our communities. Strong public schools mean strong, thriving communities.
What message would you like to convey to the community about the future of CPS? CPS is a special district thanks to the strong sense of community, the collaboration between schools and families, and the opportunity to make a real impact on students and educators. It is a privilege to lead a district with a long-standing tradition of academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. My goal is to cultivate a culture of connection, collaboration, and transparency. I am committed to open communication and authentic engagement with all stakeholders — students, families, educators, and community partners. Together, we will continue to build a solid foundation of academic rigor and high expectations, ensuring every student graduates prepared for the opportunities ahead. I look forward to partnering with our families and our community as we shape the future of Columbia Public Schools. Let’s work hand in hand to create an environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive.
Tell us something that people might not understand about your job: I don’t control the weather. In all seriousness,
being superintendent does not mean unilateral decision-making. We have a dedicated elected Board of Education. We have skilled administrative leaders. We have high-quality teachers and sta . We have amazing students. And, we have an engaged community. Everyone plays a part in determining the future success of our students, schools, and school district.
One of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your field: How we do things is just as important as what we do. In education, we’re driven by mission and outcomes, but I’ve found that most organizational challenges aren’t about people, they’re about processes. When we take the time to build clear, collaborative, and consistent systems, we empower good people to do great work. Focusing on the process doesn’t just solve problems. It builds trust, strengthens culture, and leads to more sustainable success.
Greatest strength: e ability to see the big picture, collaborate with the community to create a shared vision, and then lead with focus and determination toward that vision. I bring people together, listen deeply, and help align our collective e orts around what matters most — student success. e ability to connect vision with action is what drives lasting, meaningful progress.
Your greatest leadership or professional challenge: Leading through times of mistrust or division, whether due to organizational change, community tension, or past leadership transitions. Rebuilding trust doesn’t happen overnight. It requires humility, transparency, and consistency over time. I’ve learned that listening is the rst step. en comes the challenging work of aligning actions with words and showing up for people, even when the conversations are tough. Navigating those moments has been challenging, but also some of the most meaningful work I’ve done.
What do you do for fun: I like to attend school extracurricular events, listen to music, play pickleball, and spend time with friends and family. I enjoy exploring the city and nding new restaurants as well.
Favorite place(s) in Columbia: Faurot Field is de nitely one of my favorite places in Columbia. ere’s nothing like the energy of a game day and the pride this community has in Mizzou. I also enjoy the MKT Trail for a good walk and a mental reset, and the downtown District for its great local food and welcoming vibe. I enjoy hanging out at e Kitchen, watching games, listening to live music, or playing pickleball. But more than anything, I love being in our schools. ere’s something special about seeing students and teachers in action that always reminds me why we do this work.
Accomplishment you are most proud of: I’m most proud of the work I’ve done to help build strong, supportive teams that lead to longterm success. One of my proudest achievements was leading e orts that resulted in my previous district becoming a two-time recipient of the Missouri Quality Award and me receiving the governor’s Quality Leadership Award. at recognition was a testament to our team’s dedication to high performance and continuous improvement. I’m also incredibly proud of the leaders I mentored who have gone on to do amazing things as assistant superintendents and superintendents. Additionally, I’m proud of the systems I’ve created to o er a more comprehensive approach to preparing students for life after graduation. ese systems focus on ensuring our students are not just academically ready, but also equipped with the skills and experiences they need to thrive in college, career, and life.
Most people don’t know that you: I enjoy cooking, especially for others. While I may not be an expert chef and tend to rely on recipes, I nd great joy in preparing meals and sharing the experience of enjoying good food with those around me.
WHAT THE PROS KNOW BUSINESS
OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IMPACTS EVERY ASPECT OF THE INDUSTRY
By Vaughn Prost info@prostbuilders.com
At Prost Builders, we believe high-quality construction is fundamental to business success — both in reputation and long-term financial gains and this is why:
Reputation and Client Trust
General contractors rely on strong relationships and repeat business. Highquality construction leads to satisfied clients, positive word-of-mouth, and a reputation that attracts future projects. Prost Builders’ mission statement for the past 76 years has been Partnering, Resolution, Our Goal, Sound, Total Quality and Management. Our Goal is to be the best and one of the largest providers of quality construction services to Missouri businesses and residents. That any potential client thinks of us when they desire “best value” design/build, general contracting, and design/build/lease services. Those words spell out PROST for a reason because we have followed that Mission Statement since 1949 and are one of the largest design/ builders in the state that can control the cost, quality, and schedule when we partner with the business owner.
Long-Term Durability & Cost Efficiency
Using premium materials and skilled labor reduces the risk of costly repairs or structural failures. A well-built project minimizes maintenance costs, ensuring clients get lasting value.
Safety & Compliance
Construction defects lead to hazards, legal issues, and code violations. Quality construction prioritizes safety, ensuring projects meet regulations while protecting workers and occupants.
Competitive Edge in the Market
In a crowded industry, quality sets
contractors apart. Superior craftsmanship and attention to detail create a strong brand identity, making a contractor like Prost Builders the preferred choice for high-profile and challenging projects.
Stronger Business & Investment Potential
A portfolio of well-built projects attracts investors, owners, developers, and larger contracts. Businesses and property owners prefer contractors with a proven record of delivering on schedule and constructing high-quality builds, which creates predictable results for owners.
At Prost Builders we live the motto at our workplace and on our job sites: “Construction of Valuable Facilities Delivered to Completely Satisfied Clients” because although we may not always be the lowest bid-we are always the best bid to ensure the highest quality for our projects and their owners.
VAUGHN PROST Owner & President
Vaughn Prost is the owner and president of Prost Builders lnc., a design/build and construction services firm located in Columbia. Vaughn has over forty years of domestic and international design and construction experience as a cost and scheduling engineer, structural engineer, owner’s construction representative, and general contractor.
(573) 635-0211 | prostbuilders.com 3305 Crawford Street Columbia, MO 65203
Pictured: Groundbreaking for the Kirksville Performing Arts Building in Kirksville, MO
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S BUSINESS CHALLENGES
By Brad Roling broling@midambk.com
Every business faces challenges that can seem hard to overcome. The good news is there are solutions for your business that can simplify your life and make your business the best it can be. Let’s look at the challenges you may be facing and find solutions.
CHALLENGE Cash Flow Conundrum
Solution: Collection and Payable Solutions will help you collect money from clients and pay vendors with ease. Use a point-of-sale system to easily facilitate your client’s debit and credit card payments. You can also use Bill Pay services to automate payments to vendors. These are just a few of the services to help with your cash flow.
CHALLENGE
Managing Your Money
Solution: The right business checking account will help give you the tools to make managing your money a breeze. With online
banking, you can always have a picture of your finances at any given time. Easily make payments online or on the go with a business debit card. With these services and many others associated with a business checking account, managing your money can be simple.
CHALLENGE
Capital or Cash
Solution: Businesses often need funding for growth. This funding can come from a lot of sources, but your business’s best resource is a loan officer. Having a personal relationship with a loan officer can make for faster turnarounds when asking for financing because they know your financial
BRAD ROLING Market President – Columbia
Brad Roling is the Columbia Market President for Mid America Bank. Brad has more than 10 years of banking experience that he uses to help businesses in and around Columbia thrive. When he is not helping your business with its financial needs, Brad is serving the community in a variety of capacities. He is proud to serve on the Ronald McDonald House Mid-Missouri Board of Directors as Treasurer, the Columbia Chamber Foundation Board as Treasurer, Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors, Executive Board for Scouting America, Great Rivers Council, and Beta Theta Pi Advisory Board. Brad is a proud Mizzou grad and loves cheering on the Tigers!
573-998-8900 | midambk.com
situation. They also can be an advisor for deciding the next steps for your business.
CHALLENGE
Frightening Fraud
Solution: Protecting your business from fraud should be a top priority for any business owner. Check Positive Pay and ACH Positive Pay will help detect and prevent fraud. This service uses information you provide to determine whether payments to vendors are legitimate or not.
Next time you’re faced with a challenge in your business, let’s work on it together! We have the knowledge and tools to help your business continue to grow.
ELEVATE: BUSINESS PHONE SYSTEMS BY GFI DIGITAL
By Bruce Gibbs
AAt GFI Digital, we simplify the technology your business depends on—copiers, managed print, advanced technology, and managed network services. Now, we’re bringing that same expertise and integration to communication.
Too many organizations juggle separate providers for phones, IT, and office technology. The result? More complexity, inconsistent support, and reduced productivity. .
Our Solution
Elevate by GFI Digital combines voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools into a single cloud-based platform—fully integrated with your existing infrastructure and backed by our trusted local, U.S.-based support team.
We don’t just offer communication tools—we support them as part
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): Clear, internet-based calls from desktop phones, mobile apps, or softphones.
Video Conferencing: HD video, screen sharing, and whiteboarding tools for effective virtual meetings.
Instant Messaging & Presence: Quick chats, team updates, and availability indicators to keep work flowing.
Unified Messaging: Access voicemail, email, and texts from one inbox—plus voicemail-to-email.
File Sharing & Collaboration: Edit, access, and share documents securely within the platform.
Mobile Integration: Stay connected from any device, anywhere.
Intelligent call routing, CRM integration, call history tracking, and AI-powered customer engagement tools to elevate your support experience.
Artificial Intelligence: Boost productivity with generative AI features that help access information and streamline daily tasks, directly from the desktop or mobile app.
Why It Matters
Connected Communication: Phone, video, chat, and email—all unified to keep your teams connected, wherever they work.
Simplified IT Management: One provider. Less complexity. Supported by the same responsive local team behind your office technology.
Integrated Workspace: Seamless communication solutions that align with your existing hardware, software, and support structure.
Scalable, Secure Solutions: Cloud-based tools that grow with your business while keeping your data safe and accessible.
Let’s Simplify Communication —Together: With Unified Communications from GFI Digital, your phones, meetings, messaging, and collaboration tools all live in one place—managed by the partner that already supports your critical office systems.
Bring everything under one roof. GFI Digital is your one partner for every solution.
GFI Digital is a full-service provider of office technology, including multi-function copiers, printers, and information technology services. For more than 25 years, GFI Digital has grown into an industry leader in office technology, copiers, printers, data center, networking, security, and system administration. Having a passion for customer satisfaction has earned GFI Digital a reputation for customer service. We make technology simple!
SEO BEYOND KEYWORDS: OPTIMIZING FOR USER EXPERIENCE AND CORE WEB VITALS
By Charles Bruce III charles@comocompanies.com
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is often associated with keywords. For years, businesses have focused on keyword research, placement, and density to climb the search rankings. While keywords remain important, the focus of SEO has evolved. Today, Google and other search engines prioritize the overall user experience (UX), emphasizing metrics that reflect how users interact with websites. Core Web Vitals (CWVs) have emerged as a critical component in this evolution.
What Are Core Web Vitals?
Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics introduced by Google to measure key aspects of a website’s performance. They focus on three main elements:
• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures loading performance. Ideally, your website’s primary content should load within 2.5 seconds of a visitor landing on a page.
• First Input Delay (FID): Assesses interactivity. Users should be able to interact with your site in under 100 milliseconds.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Tracks visual stability. Content should not shift unexpectedly while users are engaging with a page.
Meeting these benchmarks can improve your site’s search engine rankings, as Google now considers CWVs as part of its ranking algorithm.
Why User Experience Matters in SEO
User experience goes beyond design; it encompasses how users feel and behave while navigating your website. A seamless, enjoyable experience can lead to higher
CHARLES BRUCE III Director of Client Relations
Charles Bruce is the Director of Client Relations for COMO Companies which owns COMO Marketing, COMO Magazine, and COMO Business Times. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and his MBA from the University of Dubuque. When Charles isn’t being the life of the party, he can be found climbing a large mountain. In December 2023 he climbed the Imja Tse mountain in Nepal.
engagement, lower bounce rates, and more conversions — all of which signal to search engines that your site is valuable.
Here’s why UX is essential to modern SEO:
• Mobile-First Indexing: With most web traffic coming from mobile devices, a responsive, mobile-friendly design is nonnegotiable. Websites that offer intuitive navigation and fast load times on mobile score higher in Google’s rankings.
• Engagement Signals: Metrics like time on site, pages per session, and bounce rate indicate how users interact with your content. A positive UX encourages visitors to stay longer, explore more pages, and engage with your site, boosting your SEO performance.
• Accessibility: An inclusive site that works for all users, including those with disabilities, ensures a better experience and demonstrates social responsibility. Tools like alt text for images, clear typography, and easy navigation contribute to both UX and SEO.
Strategies to Optimize for UX and Core Web Vitals
• Speed Up Your Site: Compress images, use a Content Delivery Network (CDN),
573-577-1965 | comomarketing.co
and leverage browser caching to improve LCP and FID scores.
• Design for Stability: Avoid layout shifts by setting size attributes for images and videos. Use CSS grids or flexbox for consistent element placement.
• Make Navigation Intuitive: Use clear menus, logical page hierarchy, and a search bar to help users find what they need quickly.
• Improve Mobile Experience: Use responsive design and test your site across devices to ensure it functions seamlessly on all screen sizes.
• Conduct Regular Audits: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, and Search Console to track your Core Web Vitals and UX performance.
SEO has moved beyond stuffing pages with keywords. Today, it’s about creating an optimized experience that aligns with user expectations and Google’s metrics. By focusing on user experience and Core Web Vitals, you can build a website that not only ranks well but also delights and retains your audience. After all, a happy user is a loyal one — and search engines know it.
BIG QUESTIONS
Local restaurants brace for the cost of compliance.
BY LAUREN SABLE FREIMAN
Editor's Note
This story was written before the end of the Missouri General Assembly’s legislative session. T he story illustrates how many restaurants already provide additional benefits to employees.
In the latest development, the Missouri Senate on May 14 forced a vote on HB 567, which removes automatic increases or decreases to minimum wage beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and the paid sick leave benefits previously provided in Proposition A. The votes paved the way for repealing most of Proposition A’s changes. The bill passed through the Missouri House of Representatives last month. Gov. Mike Kehoe was expected to sign the bill. Regardless of when signed, the law will remain in effect until Aug. 28, 2025, including the paid sick leave portion. Employers are encouraged to seek legal advice before modifying any existing workplace policies related to the repeal of Proposition A.
On May 1, most employees in Missouri began accruing paid sick leave under Proposition A, a law approved by Missouri voters in November 2024. As a bill to repeal sick leave sits in the hands of Missouri’s Senate, with voices both for and against repealing or amending its provisions, restaurant owners and business advocates are re ecting on the role that restaurants and other small businesses play in Columbia, and in cities around Missouri.
The Backbone of the Community
“We are the cornerstone of every community,” said Buddy Lahl, CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association. “ ere is an illusion that restaurant owners are rich people with large operations and a human resources department, but there are many mom-and-pop restaurants with twenty employees that are the lifeblood of the town.”
Richard Walls, who co-owns e Heidelberg with his brother Rusty, knows rsthand how deeply restaurants are woven into the fabric of Columbia’s community. e Heidelberg has been a Columbia staple since 1963.
“Restaurants bring a sense of togetherness, a sense of hospitality,” Walls explained. “ ey provide people a home away from home. Typically, you go to a restaurant and you're hungry or having a bad day and hopefully someone is providing hospitality, food, and a welcoming environment. We have a lot of great restaurants in Columbia, a very diverse selection of restaurants where you can get everything from sit down to take out to full service, and from fancy to down home. Restaurants give a sense of di erentiation between other cities.”
At e Heidelberg and other local restaurants, the month of May brought large crowds for college graduations and other celebrations, and Walls said that is a re ection of the local restaurant scene's importance to and impact on Columbia.
“ ere is only one Heidelberg, there is only one Shakespeare’s, there are a lot of great restaurants that people look forward to, and there is a sense of pride that this is our town. ese are the places we love,” Walls added. “ e people who visit Columbia also enjoy coming back for those experiences.”
The Backbone of the Restaurant Industry
As a service industry, restaurants rely on their employees to serve customers. Without them, restaurants can’t function.
“Employees are our most valuable prospect,” Lahl says. “Operators want to take care of their employees.”
In fact, in today’s labor market, properly compensating employees is essential to business.
“We know it’s a tight labor market right now, and we encourage employers to pay competitive wages and bene ts,” said Kara Corches, president and CEO of Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “ ey have to do that if they want to recruit and retain workers.”
According to Lahl, the cost of goods has gone up 40 percent since COVID, while labor costs have increased by 35 percent. While menu prices have also increased in many cases, they have not increased enough to compensate for rising costs in an industry with small margins, he said.
“Operators pour their life savings into their restaurants, but they often struggle to make payroll,” Lahl says.
However, as restaurants grow, operators often add bene ts for employees as they are able.
“As their business grows and they have pro ts, they invest that back into the business and into employees through things like health insurance, pro t sharing, 401k investing or sharing, Christmas bonuses, or vacation time,” he said.
Walls noted that e Heidelberg typically employs between sixty and seventy employees, and several employees have been working at the restaurant for ten or twenty years. In his mind, there is no question that working in the service industry is taxing and demanding work.
“ e restaurant business is a very labor-intensive business,” he said. “We are a full-service restaurant. Our employees take orders, cook food, clean up, and they mean a lot to our business.”
As an independent, locally-owned restaurant, Walls said he and his brother are present and involved in the day to day operations of e Heidelberg.
“I enjoy working with our sta and it’s fun to see them come in and learn and grow,” Walls he said. “I still keep in touch with a lot of people who used to work here.”
A Balancing Act
If every day was a Friday or Saturday, Walls said a restaurant would be an easy business to run. Instead, there are a range of external factors that can a ect business, from world events to the weather.
“You have to control what you can control and be as e cient as possible,” he stressed.
“If we don’t have a good sta , it is hard to provide a good restaurant experience,” he said. “Our sta has a certain comfort level and longevity, and we want what is best for our sta . e nice thing about being a small independent restaurant is sta don’t have to call o to some corporate headquarters, they can come to me or my brother or a manager and we can address things.”
A Wave of Uncertainty
As restaurants and other businesses continue to navigate the details of Proposition A, Corches said it is creating a lot of uncertainty in the business community.
“There is only one Heidelberg , there is only one Shakespeare’s , there are a lot of great restaurants that people look forward to , and there is a sense of pride that this is our town. These are the places we love .”
At e Heidelberg, that has meant investing in new equipment, in restaurant maintenance, and in ongoing sta training.
“We've had to invest in a lot of new equipment, which makes our sta ’s lives easier and ensures the safety of the food,” Walls said. “We have ongoing training for management for ServSafe classes to make sure we maintain the highest standards of food quality and food safety, and we invest in keeping things in good repair so our employees are safe at work.”
Reinvesting in the restaurant and supporting sta is top of mind for Walls, and being present and accessible to employees has helped e Heidelberg remain a xture in Columbia.
“ ere is a lot of uncertainty over this,” Corches added. “With that comes a whole host of issues that employers are trying to deal with. We want to be a state that welcomes businesses, as a growing economy keeps people employed.”
While e Heidelberg has a large sta and Walls says it is easier for them to shift people around, having sta call out of work will undoubtedly add stress to those working, and will potentially trickle down to impact the customer experience.
“If someone is sick, we don’t want them coming to work, but if they wait and cash out sick leave wages, it will create stress for other employees if the shift isn’t covered,” Walls said. “If three people call out and no one else can work, it can create longer wait times for customers and more stress on the people that are at work.”
As e Heidelberg has done since 1963, through major events like economic downturns and COVID, Walls says, “One way or the other, we will make sure everything is taken care of.”
While Walls noted that the legislation is well natured in intention, the uncertainty is unnerving to him personally, and to many other business owners. At this point, he can only speculate on how Proposition A will a ect e Heidelberg.
“I can’t speak from experience because it is a new experience,” he said. “ e uncertainty is a di cult challenge, but most restaurant people are positive and optimistic. You have to be.” CBT
Sports Tourism Draws in Crowds & Cash
Next up: The 2025 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships
BY JODIE JACKSON JR |
PHOTOS BY KEITH BORGMEYER
SINCE LATE LAST FALL, Columbia has hosted a handful of state and national cross country, basketball, and wrestling championship sporting events that have helped fuel with local economy with an estimated $4.5 million in spending on hotel rooms, dining, and other retail activity.
at estimate comes from the Columbia Convention & Visitors Bureau. And there’s more to come. Columbia will also host the 2025 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships from August 19 to August 23 at its premier courses managed by the Columbia Parks and Rec Department.
Pro-am disc golfer Chris Baker, a member of the more than forty-year-old Columbia Disc Golf Club, said the club expects as many as 2,000 people to participate in or attend the August event.
“It will mean more foot tra c for local businesses,” Baker said. “We believe it will boost up the Columbia scene” for hotels, restaurants, and shopping.
e CVB team is also eager for the 2025 PDGA “Am Worlds,” as the disc golfers call it, and for the potential economic impact.
“Sports tourism is a very large and always-growing part of our tourism product,” Megan McConachie, communications and outreach supervisor for the Columbia Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in an email.
In scal year 2024, sporting events and competitions accounted for nearly $16 million in economic impact, in terms of events the CVB either supports monetarily or assists with logistics such as lodging.
“I can unequivocally say that sports tourism has a signicant impact on occupancy at our hotel properties, especially for large-scale events like the MSHSAA and collegiate cross-country regionals and championships,” McConachie said, referencing the Missouri State High School Activities Association — which is headquartered in Columbia — and the new Gans Creek cross country course on the southwest side of Columbia.
e roundup of some of the more recent events includes:
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
2024 Cross Country National Championship
November 22, 2024
Direct economic impact: $918,715.78
2025 Girls Missouri Middle School State Basketball Championships
March 7-9
Direct economic impact: $448,980.15
2025 Boys Missouri Middle School State Basketball Championships
March 21-23
Direct economic impact: $807,130.80
MSHSAA 2025 Boys and Girls State Wrestling Championships
February 26-March 1
Economic impact: $2,328,164.86
e CVB, which faces competition primarily from Spring eld, Missouri, Overland Park, Kansas, and St. Charles, Missouri, often has a team that helps develop bid proposals for the biggest events, ranging from MSHSAA events to the upcoming NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships this fall at the Gan Creek course. e team has also assisted with bringing the PDGA Am World to Columbia in August.
A QUICK GLANCE AT COMO'S DISC GOLF COURSES
Albert-Oakland Park
1900 Blue Ridge Road
Albert-Oakland Park is a seventyacre community park that features Columbia's largest municipal pool, two 18-hole disc golf courses, twelve lighted pickleball courts, a basketball court, a lighted tennis court, lighted baseball/softball fields, reservable picnic shelters, playgrounds, and much more! It is a trailhead for the 4.8-mile Bear Creek Trail.
Indian Hills Park
5009 Aztec Boulevard
This 18-hole disc golf course is located on the east side of forty acre Indian Hills Park, which can be accessed from the east side of the park off Sandrock Drive. The par 54 course has eight holes with good sized fairways, with the remaining holes playing tight to the woods. It’s a good place to work on tight lanes and your control/placement game. The park is wooded with beautiful groves of cedars, junipers, and pines.
Strawn Park
801 N. Strawn Rd.
Harmony Bends Championship Disc Golf Course was designed by renowned disc golf course designer John Houck. It features big hills, wide meandering creeks, and lots of tall trees. Interesting creek crossings and ways to traverse the terrain were incorporated into the course design. The championship layout has a par of 68, including four par five holes. Most holes have three tees to accommodate everyone, from beginning players to the most experienced pros.
Fairview Disc Golf Course
1001 Fairview Road
The nine-hole course was established in 2024. All holes are less than 250 feet. The course was designed by the Columbia Disc Golf Club in conjunction with Columbia Parks and Rec.
McConachie said the CVB sports sales team builds partnerships, writes proposals, connects organizations with people in the community, solicits hotel room rates, helps nd facilities, and is often on-site at events to ensure their success. e CVB also provides monetary support to many of the events through its Tourism Development Program, and often works with the Parks and Recreation Department, the University of Missouri and the Columbia College athletic departments, and local club sports organizations.
“Where there is a sports tourism event in Columbia,” she said, “our team likely played a signi cant role.”
In addition to disc golf, the local sports scene includes exponential expansion of pickleball courts, which re ects something of a national obsession with the sport. e Kitchen Grill & Games at 3711 Discovery Parkway has captured lightning in a bottle when it comes to the local pickleball scene. e new Trail Stop Brewery at 3019 Brushwood Lake in south Columbia has a vibrant pickleball following. e nonpro t
First Chance for Children is hosting a fundraiser at Trail Stop — the Paddle Battle — to help fund the organization’s critical programs like the Baby Bags Diaper Bank, said Gay Litteken, executive director.
And there might be more recreation opportunities coming. According to the Boone County Resource Management O ce list of April building permits, Concorde Plaza LLC is building a $2 million, 28,000 square foot spec building at 5755 Tom Bass Road just south of Columbia. One county planner said the permit documents don’t list concrete plans, but some have suggested it could house “possible indoor tennis courts and other businesses.”
Next up is the Am World that will take place at Columbia’s three competitive disc golf courses and possibly two courses in Je erson City. COMO Disc Golf Club President Adam Morrison recently announced that the club, the city, the CVB, the Columbia Sports Commission, and Columbia Parks and Rec were awarded the championship event. Columbia’s courses include the Harmony Bends Championship Disc Golf Course at Strawn Park, the upper and
lower courses at Albert-Oakland Park, and Indian Hills Disc Golf Course.
It’s not the rst time Columbia has hosted a national or world disc golf championship. Columbia already hosts the long-running Mid-America Open, as well as other major championship events.
Baker said smaller events typically pay out around $200 in top prize money. e purse for bigger events can be in “the thousands,” he said. e sport is also played internationally, and some elite Columbia disc golfers, some of whom have corporate sponsorships, have also explored the European Tour.
Baker, now a document specialist at Shelter Insurance, said he’s trying to create a disc golf group there the same way there was a disc golf group at Veterans United Home Loans, where he met a friend who introduced him to the sport about three-and-a-half years ago. Baker said he quickly discovered the sport met more than his desire for competitive play.
“It’s an opportunity to be outside, to nd a community that is inviting, and something I can be competitive at,” he said.
Harmony Bends is often cited in disc golf publications and on websites as one of the top courses in the country.
“One of the biggest factors is that it’s free to play and it’s accessible to everybody. And it’s easy to get to,” Baker said. He said the course is designed with layouts for three di erent skill levels.
“It’s made to be a challenging course,” he said, yet Harmony Bends is also suitable for those just getting started in the sport. “It is a sport that you can take as far as you want to go — just out to relax and have a good time, or to be very competitive and see who can walk away with the purse. And, really, there’s nothing better than being outside and being around friends.”
To gear up for disc golf, start out with one to three discs: a putter (smaller, more compact), a driver (designed for distance), and a mid-range disc. at trio of discs, depending on where they’re purchased, might cost from $60 to $70. A full bag of discs, with options for various conditions and distances, “could run you a couple hundred dollars,” he said. CBT
Street Talk
Recycling on pause, Ragtag funding cut, restaurant news.
BY JODIE JACKSON JR
WE’RE NOW ALMOST TWO MONTHS into living without a recycling program in Columbia, courtesy of the EF1 twister that destroyed the Materials Recycling Facility on April 20. As the city’s utilities department ponders its options for building a new facility or diverting recyclables to another city — at least temporarily — all trash, including the blue-bagged recyclables, is going into the city’s land ll.
Despite social media claims to the contrary, “most” recycling material hadn’t been going into the land ll already. e Columbia Missourian reported that about 11,000 tons of recycling was picked up in 2024 and about 60 percent of it was recycled. e MRF processed 6,500 tons of recycling — almost twenty- ve tons per day.
We’re wondering: Will you get out of the recycling habit before city leaders gure out a solution or build a new facility? Let me hear from you at jodie@comocompanies.com.
Ragtag Takes Federal Funding Hit
Ragtag Film Society, the organization that runs the True/ False Film Fest and Ragtag Cinema, learned on May 2 that the National Endowment for the Arts terminated its grant funding, some $30,000, for the 2025 scal year.
RFS said in a news release that despite previously approving grant funding, the NEA announced that Ragtag’s core val-
ues are no longer relevant to the federal administration’s agenda — an agenda that according to the NEA’s noti cation email, “re ects the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President.”
e organization will now rely more heavily on local funding and donations, the news release said.
Curry-osity Comes, Seoul Taco Shutters
A new Indian restaurant has opened at 1301 W. Broadway. Curry-osity features Indo-Chinese fusion dishes and appetizers. e new eatery also has a bar. at opening supplanted the loss of Seoul Taco, which closed its downtown Columbia location. e closure was con rmed by a letter posted on the restaurant doors at 1020 E. Broadway. e letter stated, “We celebrate ten years of serving this welcoming and vibrant community and express our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you. Columbia has been more than just our business location; it has been our home.”
e restaurant joined Columbia’s food scene in 2015, sharing a space with Strange Donuts, which closed in 2017.
Columbia Entrepreneur in the Spotlight
Mizzou alum and Columbia entrepreneur Brian Whorley has been named a nalist for Ernst & Young’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year Heartland Award. Whorley is the founder and CEO of Paytient, a Columbia-headquartered health tech company. Founded in 2018, Paytient partners with hundreds of employers, insurers, and leading healthcare providers to make it easier for members to access and pay for care.
Regional award winners will be announced on ursday, June 19. e winners will be considered for the Entrepreneur of the Year National Awards, which will be presented in November.
Special Election to Fill Council Seat
Quali ed Columbia residents had until June 3 to le to run in a special election for the vacant Second Ward seat, according to a news release from the city clerk’s o ce. e election will take place on Aug. 5. e election comes after council member Lisa Meyer announced her resignation Friday because of her ongoing struggle with breast cancer.
She has represented the Second Ward, located in northeast Columbia, since April 2024.
e Second Ward seat will remain vacant until a successor is elected. CBT
Street Talk is a monthly overview of “word on the street” business and community news. Street Talk is sponsored by e Bank of Missouri.
New Business Licenses
Issued May 2025
Honey-Do Handyman and Remodeling
Keith Sohn
10280 N. Highway VV, Columbia
Aged Ivy
Retail trade
Hallie Wilt 904 Elm Street, Columbia
Curry-osity
Accommodation and food services
3101 W. Broadway, Columbia
TntDevine L.L.C.
Accommodation and food services
212 E. Green Meadows Rd., Columbia
Magnetic Pulse Care LLC
Health care and social assistance 4603 John Garry Drive, Columbia
MPC2 LLC
General contractor
3901 S. Brushwood Lake Rd., Columbia
Strong Heart Counseling 2401 Bernadette Drive, Columbia
Wilson Cleaver
Photography LLC
1607 S. Buchanan Dr., Columbia
Minutemen Defense LLC
Retail trade
1414 Range Line Street, Columbia
TJ’s and Sons Mobile Mechanic 1501 Preakness Drive, Columbia
Prestons Services LLC
5214 Tessa Way, Columbia
Duckworth Injury Law, LLC
Ethan Duckworth
1001 Cherry Street, Columbia
Wayne’s Computer World
2515 Bernadette Drive, Columbia
DW’s Kitchen & Catering
Davon Weatherspoon 1702 Spiros Drive and 14 E. Business Loop 70, Columbia
First Class Experience 1204 Rogers Street, Columbia
The Penguin Piano Bar LLC 1025 E. Broadway, Columbia
Switched Adapted Toys
2504 Ridge eld Road, Columbia
Essee
Retail trade
Sa yah Elkomy
6 E. Forest Ave., Columbia
Fiddle & Stone Bread Co.
John Foley
220 N. Tenth St., Columbia
Ikigai Omakase
Sean Sanchez
711 N. College Ave., Columbia
Woodruff Performance LLC
General contractor 4101 Waco Road, Columbia
Handyman Xpress LLC
General contractor 313 Bay Pointe Lane, Columbia
Capital Drywall &Construction LLC
Construction 4795 E. Log Providence Rd., Columbia
Art Therapy Missouri
Natasha Young LLC 2401 Bernadette Drive, Columbia CBT
Issued by the city of Columbia’s Finance Department.
What’s Going Up?
New breakfast spot, FedEx facility gets city and county building permits.
BY JODIE JACKSON JR
A SOUTHERN-INSPIRED MENU with southern-sized portions will soon be ready for hungry diners at JO JO’S BISCUIT COMPANY in the space previously occupied by Crushed Red on Broadway Blu s Drive. Meanwhile, FedEx is downsizing in other parts of the country but is planning a $23.2 million building project east of Columbia. ose two projects are among the highlights of building permits issued in April by the Columbia Building and Site Development O ce and the Boone County Resource Management O ce. Together, the two entities approved 185 building permits with an aggregate valuation of $55.7 million.
Jo Jo’s Biscuit Company might have a familiar feel because owner Jason Paetzold already has a steady presence in downtown Columbia’s dining scene.
Paetzold, a Texas native, opened Bud’s Classic BBQ in the summer of 2021 at 304 S. Ninth St., which was formerly Pickleman’s and Ingredient.
e city-issued building permit for 2540 Broadway Blu s Drive, Suite 109, is for “minor non-structural alterations to an existing restaurant tenant space to accommodate a new restaurant.” e permit listed a valuation of $150,000 for the 2,970-square-foot project. e general contractor is Peavler Construction LLC of Huntsville, Missouri, and the engineer is J-Squared Engineering LLC of Columbia.
Paetzold said Jo Jo’s will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An opening is set for mid-June.
“It’s a concept that we had with our hospitality group,” he told COMO Busi-
ness Times. e breakfast and brunch restaurant will feature several comfort food options with a southern air, including scratch-made gravy and buttermilk biscuits. Paetzold also promised a “family atmosphere.”
e city’s building permit report for April listed 108 permits with a total valuation of $19.36 million. Forty-two of the permits were for re-roo ng ($634,386) and twenty- ve were for single family dwellings ($10.5 million).
• Commercial alteration: 14 permits, $2.73 million
• Residential alteration: 10 permits, $590,167
• Pool (1&2 family): 1 permit, $51,880
• Commercial in ll: 1 permit, $308,274
• Commercial, new: 1 permit, $37,354
• Deck only: 3 permits, $57,000
• Solar (residential): 2 permits, $61,000
e lone new commercial project is a twenty-four-foot-square OPEN SIDE SHELTER for Cosmo Park football elds 5 and 6 at 1425 Schwabe Lane
Columbia Parks and Recreation was listed as the project’s general contractor.
THE CROSSING CHURCH at 3615 and 3703 Southland Drive in south Columbia received a pair of building permits. e rst is for a building addition to provide a special needs ministry room. GBH Builders and Simon Associates, respectively, are the contractor and architect for the project. A second project is interior alteration of o ce space.
Coil Construction is the contractor and BK2 Electric and Design LLC is a subcontractor. e project valuations are listed as $101,287 and $261,156.50, respectively.
If you see a building popping up and wonder, “What’s going up?”, email jodie@comocompanies.com and let us know!
Work progresses on the years-long Improve I-70 project to add a third lane to the westbound and eastbound lanes across the state. Crews are making their way toward the I-70/ Highway 63 connector, which will be replaced by a new interchange. The Columbia to Kingdom City part of the project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
PHOTO BY JODIE JACKSON JR
PEAK SPORT AND SPINE will bene t from an interior remodel of Suite 101 at 4205 Philips Farm Road in the Discovery Ridge development. e 3,000 square foot project has a permit valuation of $225,000. Discovery Development LLC is the general contractor. Other contractors include Precision Electric, Inc., Star Heating, and Johnson Plumbing, all of Columbia.
Perez Construction Services LLC of Columbia is the contractor for interior alterations to an existing 2,675 square foot tenant space at 10 W. Nifong, Suite 109, to accommodate a HAIR AND NAIL SALON. e permit listed a valuation of $150,000.
THE DRURY PLAZA HOTEL at 3100 I-70 Drive SE is adding a kitchen and a bar to its existing lobby. e alteration has a valuation of $125,000 and involves around 1,500 square feet. e contractor is Drury Development Corporation, based in St. Louis. e permit also noted that the eight-story hotel has 210 rooms.
e Columbia Public Schools ROSETA AVENUE LEARNING CENTER at 1100 S. Roseta Ave. is getting new ooring, ceiling replacement, and a ten-foot-tall fence on the Highway WW side of the property. Kelly Hawkins is the general contractor for the $600,000 project.
e third oor of the Hawthorn Bank building downtown at 803 E. Walnut St. will be built out to accommodate the business o ces of ESSENT TITLE INSURANCE INC. e building permit is for commercial in ll. e project entails 5,270 square feet and is listed with a $308,274 valuation. e general contractor is Cornerstone Construction LLC/John Horn, of Columbia. Subcontractors, all of Columbia, are Korb Electric, Accurate Heating & Cooling Inc., and Advanced Plumbing Co.
Boone County’s April building permit report listed seventy-seven permits with a combined valuation of $36.32 million. e breakdown includes:
• Single family residential: 22 permits, $8.1 million valuation
• 2 family buildings: 2 permits, $400,000
• Stores/mercantile buildings: 2 permits, $22.23 million
e big-ticket permit on the county’s report is for the FEDEX facility on Enterprise Drive east of Columbia near the American Outdoor Brands distribution center. e $23.24 million FedEx project will consist of an o ce/ terminal (valuation $20.23 million, 47,010 square feet), a shop and lube shed ($2.92 million, 11,650 square feet),
guard house ($77,000), and fuel shed ($20,000). Poettker Construction of Breese, Illinois, is the general contractor.
An AI-assisted overview of recent FedEx operations stated that FedEx has been laying o employees as part of a broader plan to streamline operations and reduce costs. at e ort is often coupled with initiatives like consolidating networks, closing facilities, and adjusting sta ng levels to adapt to changing market conditions and customer demand.
FedEx is combining its Express and Ground operations into a single network, referred to as Network 2.0. In the past two months, FedEx has laid o employees in eight states, but not in Missouri.
Elsewhere, Concorde Plaza LLC is building a $2 million, 28,000 square foot spec building at 5755 Tom Bass Road just south of Columbia. Boone County Resource Management Administrative Coordinator Christine Crane said the permit documents don’t list concrete plans but suggested “POSSIBLE INDOOR TENNIS COURTS and other businesses.”
e city and county April building permit reports listed twenty- ve single family homes, valued at $10.5 MILLION, for the city, and twenty-two single-family homes, valued at $8.1 MILLION, for the county.
Collectively, the permits totaled $18.6 million in building activity, with an average value of $395,744.
e top-dollar home on the Boone County report was a $785,000 home on Smith Hatchery Road, with Fairway Meadows Corp. As the builder. Anderson Homes had the lowest priced house — $220,000 on Frazier Loop — on the city permit report, as well as the top-dollar home — $868,000 — on South Lagos Drive CBT
4,428.6
Total acreage of Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.
1,252
Total acreage of the Mizzou Botanic Garden, which encompasses the entire MU campus.
47,010
Square footage of a new FedEx facility to be built just east of Columbia.
$55.7 million
Total valuation of building permits issued by Columbia and Boone County in April 2025.
$2,328,164.86
The economic impact to Columbia from the Missouri State High School Activities Association Boys and Girls State Wrestling Championships from February 26 through March 2.
10-33
The law enforcement code for “Need Immediate Assistance.”
1963
The year The Heidelberg opened in downtown Columbia.
0
The number of cottonmouth water moccasins positively confirmed in Boone County since 1987. (Also the number of confirmed breeding pairs of mountain
More Than Free Food
My year of Pasta La Fata.
BY MERRILL SAPP
WHEN I WALK INTO PASTA LA FATA, at least one sta member calls out and greets me by name. at’s what happens when you go there every day and they have a “Merrill” button, or whatever your name is, on the register. Last June I won Pasta La Fata’s ra e for a year’s worth of food. For owner, Shelly La Fata, this is de ned by $15 of free food every single day they are open for business.
Sometimes people ask me if I get tired of eating at the same restaurant all the time. ose people may not know that the menu varies every week and sometimes by day. Plus, there are two bakers on sta . I can get a bag of cookies or a cup of co ee and a slab on Cheesecake ursday. e short answer is “no,” I’m not tired of eating fresh, from-scratch food every day. More than anything, it feels a bit like having a personal chef.
e Pasta La Fata crew has accounted for a staggering proportion of the food I’ve eaten over the last year. ough I feel the pride and care they put into the food they make for me, that part of this experience is normal. ey do that for everyone.
e prize of free food every single day is unusual, or in Shelly’s words, “a little crazy.” is is part of her mindfulness of the community she is creating — a revolution in restauranteering. e kitchen sta is not hidden behind a wall. ey work in an open space — visible from the front door or the counter. is made it possible for me to learn their names, too, to be aware of the person making my food. Now I can visit with Alan when I see him at the dog park with Beavis. Moki gives me hugs, and sometimes Avery blows me kisses from the kitchen.
Shelly never instructed the sta to greet me when I walk in the door, but she knew it would happen. She told them they were going to “adopt someone” into their family.
Scan the QR code to read how one lucky local joined the Pasta La Fata family — and how you could be next.
Summer in Columbia A perfect time to explore local businesses.
BY MATT M C CORMICK
WITH THE
ACADEMIC
YEAR WRAPPED UP
and Mizzou, Stephens College, and Columbia College students o on summer break, Columbia enters a quieter season. e sidewalks of e District are a little less crowded, campus tra c lightens up, and the energy in town takes on a more relaxed pace. But this shift presents a golden opportunity for year-round residents: summer is the perfect time to explore Columbia’s incredible local businesses and support the community we call home.
Columbia is known for its vibrant business scene, which includes homegrown shops, award-winning restaurants, innovative service providers, and creative entrepreneurs. While students play a big part in the local economy during the school year, the summer months give permanent residents a chance to take center stage and rediscover the charm and character that make Columbia so special.
NO CROWDS, NO WAIT — JUST LOCAL FLAVOR
One of the best perks of summer in COMO is the ease of getting around. Whether you’re running errands, heading downtown for a bite to eat, or checking out a local gallery, you’ll notice shorter lines, easier parking, and more opportunities to engage one-on-one with local business owners and sta .
Have you been meaning to try that new brunch spot or locally owned co ee shop you keep hearing about? Now’s the time. Want to browse vinyl, pick up a new read, or enjoy a relaxed dinner on a patio? Go for it. e summer slowdown creates the perfect window to explore the full range of what Columbia’s local economy has to o er, without the usual hustle and bustle.
The students may be gone, but Columbia is still buzzing — scan the QR code to find out how you can make the most of it. CBT
