June: A Closer Look

Black and Gold Ice Cream
Residents of Columbia will be seeing a new food truck cruising the streets beginning in early June. Black and Gold Ice Cream will offer ice cream, chips and other snacks to the public. Owner Johnathan Brown established the business because he wanted to support the community while connecting with other people. “I want to do good things for the community and not just sell ice cream,” he says. “I plan on giving out free popsicles to kids who don’t have money for ice cream.” Brown also says Black and Gold Ice Cream will be available for catering events such as birthday parties, family reunions and barbecues.
Contact: Johnathan Brown, [email protected]

Candlewood Suites Hotel Extended Stay
Candlewood Suites Hotel Extended Stay recently opened at the intersection of Highway 63 and Interstate 70. The hotel has four floors with a total of 96 guest suites and five accessible suites. Each suite at Candlewood includes a flat-screen TV, wireless Internet and a spacious kitchen with various amenities including a full-size refrigerator. “Our guest rooms are like efficiency apartments,” says David Wallace, director of sales. “We also have a competitive advantage because we are within walking distance from several different restaurants.” The hotel also offers laundry services, a fitness center, an outdoor gazebo grill, a specialty appliances lending system, a pantry stocked with food and toiletries and a business center.
Contact: David Wallace, 573-356-0200

Pepperjax Grill
Pepperjax Grill is now open and offering its famous Philly sandwiches to Columbia residents. Its Phillies, made grilled to order, are made of steak, shrimp, chicken or veggies and include sautéed peppers, onions or mushrooms piled over a cheese lining on an authentic Philadelphia hearth roll. “Nobody is doing Philly sandwiches as their flagship product like we are,” says Mark Burrus, vice president of operations for Pepperjax Grill. “We cook the Phillies right in front of the customer, so it’s true customization of the food because the customer can control how many peppers, onions or mushrooms they want.” The restaurant’s menu also includes rice bowls, burritos, loaded nachos and salads. The new Pepperjax Grill in Columbia is located at 2900 Trimble Road.
Contact: Kyle White, 573-442-2117

Purefit Meals
Columbia Strength & Conditioning and Bleu Restaurant have collaborated to create Purefit Meals, a new healthy meals pickup or delivery service in Columbia that offers residents the opportunity to live healthier lives. Purefit Meals are made fresh locally and never frozen. Members can choose from a variety of six meals offered every week and can pick between regular protein meals at $10.50 each or high-protein meals at $12.50 each. Members will experience a month of new meals before a meal is ever repeated. “The biggest issue my clients have is time,” says Scott Schutte, owner of Purefit Meals. “Planning and prepping meals can take up a lot of time, so our members use Purefit Meals as an aid to fill that gap and to begin living healthier lifestyles.” Members can pick up their meals for free at Bleu or have them delivered to their doorstep at a $6 delivery fee.
Contact: Scott Schutte, 573-289-2806

Seoul Taco
Originally a St. Louis food truck, Seoul Taco has opened a new location in Columbia. The restaurant puts a twist on tacos, quesadillas and burritos by including different ingredients such as kimchi fried rice and Seoul Sauce and by marinating its meats for 24 hours in natural herbs, spices and fresh vegetables. Seoul Taco also offers a gogi bowl, made of white rice, fresh veggies, fried egg, sesame oil and spicy gochujang sauce. Seoul Taco is located at 1020 E. Broadway.
Contact: 573-441-8226

Strange Donuts
Another St. Louis original has brought a unique, new flavor to Columbia. Strange Donuts, operating in a shared space with Seoul Taco, offers donuts that will satisfy even the craziest cravings. For $1, customers can enjoy Original Classic Donuts such as glazed, Rainbow Pony and Fat Steve. New Creation Donuts for $2 include maple bacon, Campfire and Gooey Butter Donut. The Stranger Donuts for $5 are made in house and include crazy creations such as Sloppy Joe. “You’ll find really good, made-from-scratch doughnuts, and you won’t find our flavors anywhere else,” says Stuart Abrams, general manager of Strange Donuts in Columbia. “The customers will tell you that as well.” Strange Donuts is located at 1020 E. Broadway.
Contact: Stuart Abrams, [email protected]