A Closer Look – February
1. Central Missouri All Starz
Owner and Head Coach Morgan Sapp opened Columbia’s newest cheer academy, the Central Missouri All Starz. She brings five years of cheer coaching experience to the community and teaches students ages 5 to 14 years old. The school offers both competitive and recreational classes to help students develop skills in tumbling, dance, building and cheer.
Proprietor: Morgan Sapp
Contact: 573-814-2199
2. Joe Machens Volkswagen of Columbia
Owner Gary Drewing opened the doors to the Volkswagen division of the Joe Machens auto empire on Nov. 26. Offering new and used Volkswagen models and a factory-trained team of service technicians, the new dealership is open six days a week. The website allows customers to get price quotes, order parts and schedule service appointments, all online.
Proprietor: Gary Drewing
Contact: 866-746-6203
3. Suite Leaf Nutrition
Owners Tamela and Steve Wyatt opened Suite Leaf Nutrition to help people kick start healthy lifestyles. More than just a smoothie joint, Suite Leaf offers a wide variety of 160- to 220-calorie meal replacement smoothies: high in protein, low in sugar and full of flavor. The company helps those interested in weight management, whether it is loss, gain or maintenance. Tamela Wyatt brings 28 years of experience in coaching people to manage their weight to the new Columbia company and says Suite Leaf Nutrition offers pre-workout and post-workout nutrition supplements.
Proprietor: Tamela Wyatt
Contract: 573-443-5323
4. Volt Riders
Co-owner John Holmes began retrofitting bikes with electric motors to get around the University of Missouri campus years before he opened Volt Riders. His hobby turned into a new business venture when he started to learn more about the market and began importing parts from China. His business partner, Ryan Kanavich, brought a gas engine expertise to the new venture, and the two opened Volt Riders on Sexton Road in late November. Customers can find electric bikes, electric bike kits and classic mopeds and scooters from the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Proprietors: Ryan Kanavich and John Holmes
Contact: 573-777-5931
5. Guardian National Bank
The new mortgage loan bank at 904 Rainforest Parkway began serving the Columbia community in late November. Under the direction of branch managers Bobby Atkisson and Richie Duncan, the team of six sets a high standard in the mortgage industry and commits itself to quality customer service.
Proprietors: Guardian National Bank
Contact: 888-892-1858
6. Elite Barber Shop
In April 2012, Adam Prosser lost his Business Loop barbershop to fire. Six months later, he was back in the hair game, this time on the south side of town at 3601 Buttonwood Drive. Prosser and Brent Benn (Prosser’s stepbrother and owner of Downtown Barber Shop) built the new business on traditional barber values and skills and offer classic, quality cuts and straight razor shaves.
Proprietor: Adam Prosser
Contact: 573-826-5822