Closer Look – The Innovation Issue
Wee Care Early Learning Center Wee Care Early Learning Center is a full-service childcare facility for ages three weeks to five years. The staff strives to offer a solid foundation for children to meet developmental milestones while engaging in a fun, loving, and safe environment, and to make sure each child learns and grows in […]
Closer Look – Rise & Grind, Lumia Med Spa, and Nutrishop
Rise & Grind Rise & Grind is a local bagel shop brought to you by The Grind Coffee House. The Grind Coffee House has four coffee shops throughout town (south, north, Forum, and campus – inside the J School at Mizzou). The shop decided to try something a little different and bring a new bagel […]
3 to try: Focusing on food and fitness
Koda’s Fit Kitchen After online orders starting coming in October 2022, Koda’s Fit Kitchen began delivering chef-prepared, healthy meals to people’s homes, offices, and workplaces. Owner Dakota Owens says, “In a short period of time we have become known for creating healthy, balanced meals without any sacrifice to flavor. As far as our bestselling entree/fan […]
Closer Look – New and emerging businesses
Vitality Day Spa With 18 years in the industry, Angela Gilmore says it has always been a dream of hers to own her own business. And that dream came true in October 2022 when Vitality Day Spa opened its doors, offering treatments using organic and vegan skincare lines. “I wanted to use a line that, […]
Closer Look – The Impact Issue
Star’s Brides Star’s Brides recently made the move to the Columbia Mall, which allowed them to double in size. This was a much-needed move for more visibility to spread the word about the newest bridal shop in Columbia. The location was perfect, being located in the JCPenney wing and right across from the children’s play […]
Closer Look – October 2022
Alex & Ellie Boutique Alex & Ellie Boutique opened to the public in October 2021 after successfully selling online for more than four years, gaining over 40,000 combined followers on Poshmark, Mercari, and Marketplace. Alex & Ellie is a designer resale boutique specializing in higher-end brands selling at affordable prices, with both new and preowned […]
Closer Look: September 2022
Selfie Love Selfie Love is an immersive selfie museum and photography studio where customers can take amateur, semi-professional, and/or professional pictures with friends, family, co-workers, or alone using their own phone or camera. Selfie Love serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and it also has an event space available to rent for parties, fundraisers, networking events, […]
Closer Look
Golden Aura Boutique + Intimates Owned by Billie Stock and Zach Johnson, Golden Aura Boutique + Intimates will open this summer at Crossroads Shopping Plaza. The boutique offers a variety of self-care essentials and is mainly focused on lingerie and intimate apparel for women. “We champion self-love and celebrate diversity: all sizes, shapes, and shades […]
The Political Issue: Closer Look
Pasta La Fata What began as a pop-up business in 2015 and evolved into a Columbia Farmers Market vendor in 2018 finally has its own storefront. Pasta La Fata, a local vendor known for handmade pastas, sauces, and Italian desserts opened its store in June. The owner is Shelly La Fata, a 35-year-old passionate Italian-American […]
June: Closer Look
Element Wellness + Cryotherapy Owners Matt and Claire Taylor decided to open a cryotherapy facility after researching and learning that it was a treatment option for Claire, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The Taylors knew our community would greatly benefit from adding these treatments, thus, Element Wellness + Cryotherapy was born. The social wellness […]
May: Closer Look
Bailey & Blush Bailey & Blush Boutique, a chic downtown boutique that opened its doors in March, features fashionable women’s apparel and accessories inspired by owner Lauren Bailey’s unique fashion sense. Lauren, 25, is a Lake St. Louis native and a 2019 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, earning a Bachelor’s of Fashion and Consumer […]
April: Closer Look
Iron House As a family-owned-and-operated gym here in Columbia, Iron House – Fitness & Conditioning’s facility features an 8,100-square-foot training floor, 840 square feet of indoor training turf, a weight “drop zone,” top-of-the-line equipment, and many more unique features. Iron House was opened to give the residents of east side Columbia a gym on their […]