Closer Look: November
- Columbia Furniture Assembly
Owner Debbie Koske was looking for a part-time job, to help her daughter with school expenses, when she realized her special gift. Unlike others, she loved assembling furniture. Thus Columbia Furniture Assembly was born, a company that will come to home or office, assemble and place products and dispose of empty packing materials. “When most people receive a huge box of furniture from IKEA, Wayfair, Pottery Barn or Amazon, they cringe with dread. But for me, it is like Christmas morning,” Koske says. She can also take care of other home projects, such as hanging pictures or installing curtain rods and window blinds.
Contact: Debbie Koske, 573-489-3565
- Social Butterfly Originals
Yvonne Chamberlain created Social Butterfly Originals, a design company focused on original, custom and redesigned goods. That includes jewelry design; apparel design; construction and alterations; repurposing and repair; and mending and constructing home furnishings, including pillows, décor and bedding. “I believe the services and products that I offer allow clients to paint a visual picture of who they are through their unique style preferences,” Chamberlain says. Her specialty is redesign: turning earrings or necklaces into different pieces, turning dresses into skirts and even once turning a football into a purse for a Halloween accessory.
Contact: Yvonne Chamberlain, 573-777-5977
- 2B Organized
Franchisee Melanie Dixon brings the professional organizing firm 2B Organized to Columbia, making it the third location in Missouri. Services include residential and commercial organization; home staging and relocation; and move management. “I create order in households while implementing efficient solutions,” Dixon says. “It doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and we can help.” Residential services include organizing closets, garages, memorabilia organization, playrooms, coordinating out-of-state moves, decorating and un-decorating and more. Commercial services include paper management, space design and time management.
Contact: Melanie Dixon, 573-489-8999
- Trailer Swift Photo Booth
Luke Fletcher and Chris Routledge, owners of Redlight Photobooth, have unveiled their newest business venture: a renovated 1954 Fleetwood camper trailer converted into a portable photo booth. The trailer, dubbed Trailer Swift, was purchased in winter 2014 and officially opened in August. “Trailer Swift is our newest venture, which offers the absolute best photos, best experience, large group accommodations, mobility and more,” Fletcher says. “A photo booth is often just a rented machine, but TS is a whole setup and theme that complements a party, wedding, school function, etc.” Rentals start at $950 and the trailer comes with photo props of all kinds. Trailer Swift Photo Booth will also hit many Columbia events, tailgates and concerts.
Contact: Luke Fletcher, 573-673-0319
- Luke Offield – Guitar Technician
An active musician in two bands, Luke Offield knows the importance of a guitar that works properly at all times, from live performances to writing sessions. As a guitar technician, he makes general guitar repairs, but he also does setups, restringing, intonation, nut replacement, broken headstock repair and more. Offield specializes in setting up guitars. “I can read them very well to find what is ailing them in order to get them into shape and play as best as possible for the owner,” he says. “When a guitar plays its best, the guitarist can free up their mind and relate more to the music instead of worrying about other things.”
Contact: Luke Offield, 573-219-9121
- Chick-fil-A
Columbia’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant, owned and operated by Jeremy Stouder, opened Sept. 16 at 305 N. Stadium Blvd. The chicken franchise includes dual drive-thru lanes, free Wi-Fi and an indoor play area. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is the 29th Missouri location and one of 88 new locations the chain will open in 2015. “Personalized customer service and freshly prepared food have been the hallmarks of Chick-fil-A since the day founder Truett Cathy opened his first restaurant,” Stouder says. “My team members and I are committed to those same ideas as we welcome our guests to our new Stadium Boulevard restaurant.”
Contact: Jeremy Stouder, 573 445-6627