A Closer Look – April
1. Fretboard Coffee
Last summer David Elman came to Columbia from New York after finding the vibrant smaller locale he wanted for his coffee shop. For his roasts, Elman uses fair-trade and organic coffee beans as much as possible. His popular roasts include the Kenya, with a rich, full flavor that tastes like a bold chocolate roast. Customers can order online for $12 or, if they live in the Columbia area, have Elman deliver for $2. Fretboard Coffee roasts can be purchased at the Root Cellar and, beginning in April, at the Farmer and Artisan Market.
Proprietor: David Elman
Contact: 573-227-2233
2. Columbia Computer Center
For 12 years, Columbia Computer Center has provided quality computer repair services to the citizens of Columbia. Owner David Hutchinson opened a second location at 212 E. Green Meadows to reach a wider range of customers. Columbia Computer Center takes in several thousands of pounds of computers a week to be recycled and reused so parts that are still working can be refurbished. The business provides customers with real help at the store, without shipping computers away to another site. Customers aren’t numbers in a system at Columbia Computer Center.
Proprietor: David Hutchinson
Contact: 573-777-4746
3. Show Me Heart Youth Sports Association
This training facility, located at 3609 Mojave Court, was opened with team sports in mind. The facility provides ample space for teams to work out together and provides the best possible resources for baseball and softball teams in mid-Missouri. In the near future, the facility will begin to provide clinics for athletes to work on skills such as hitting and pitching. The high-level coaches of the facility, some of which have played for the major and minor leagues, will lead the clinics.
Proprietors: David Rolfson, Jason Hedrick, Jason Lewis
Contact: 573-886-2255
4. Pizza Tree
Fans of good pizza can treat themselves to the new pizza place in town, Pizza Tree, located in Mojo’s at 1013 Park Ave. John Gilbreth, head cook, aims to provide customers with the best-tasting pizza out there. Using mostly locally grown and organic ingredients, Pizza Tree is about raising the elements of pizza to new heights with a focus on flavor. The biggest seller, the Banh Mi, is a new take on a classic Vietnamese sandwich, not to mention the prettiest pizza that Gilbreth has for customers.
Proprietor: John Gilbreth
Contact: 573-874-9925
5. Two Men and a Truck
The newest moving company in Columbia opened this past January and can be found at 1000 Pannell St., Suite H. Craig Hornbuckle has owned four other franchise locations and decided to come to Columbia because of the growing local economy. Two Men and a Truck offers customers competitive hourly rates as well as a client-focused business strategy. All movers for the company look to provide customers with a higher level of professionalism. Two Men and a Truck offers everything from interstate to in-house moving services.
Proprietor: Craig Hornbuckle
Contact: 573-777-8660
6. Rockin’ Rents
Jeremy and Kara Truitt decided to open their own bounce house rental business after seeing the need for an affordable rental business in mid-Missouri. They are looking to provide customers with the best value for the best price. Rockin’ Rents provides a competitive rate of $150 for four hours for each bounce house the business provides. Any rental made will also come with a free popcorn maker, cotton candy or snow cone machine. Rockin’ Rents delivers to any site within the Columbia city limits for free and will safely assemble the bounce house half an hour before the scheduled event.
Proprietors: Jeremy and Kara Truitt
Contact: 573-723-1750