More than a year into a strategic rerouting of the bus system, is Columbia better served by COMO Connect? Like so many other fall mornings, this one was bright and mildly chilly. It was just after eight, and I stood in the shadow of the three-story office and retail building at Kelly Plaza, on […]
Food trucks offer a creative experience for owners and customers alike. I’m a fan of a good sandwich — kind of partial to a Monte Cristo, sprinkled with powdered sugar and dunked in raspberry preserves. Or chicken salad, toasted to perfection on French bread, layered with melted provolone cheese and garnished with a hint of
How should Columbia address the downtown parking problem? Parking in downtown Columbia can often feel like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. “No matter what you do, people will complain about parking,” says Jim Charlier, president of Charlier Associates Inc., who led an EPA-sponsored parking audit and workshop for the city in
I-70 bridge work takes a non-traditional approach. Eighty thousand vehicles travel through Columbia on I-70 each day, and many of those travelers use the highway as a city street, hopping on and off to skirt local roads and travel around town faster. Most of this local traffic will probably pass over one of three bridges
In 2015, many Columbia dealerships changed hands. What does that mean for the local auto industry? It’s been a year of worst-kept secrets. In 2015, the Columbia auto market has seen ownership shake-ups affecting 17 auto brands. In March, The McLarty Automotive Group, out of Little Rock, Arkansas, purchased Fletcher Honda; Morgan Auto Group, from
Many Columbia residents fly overseas in the course of doing business. Three Columbians and international travelers recall the miles and flight times to give a peek at what it’s like to take an international journey. The three travelers we feature share an affinity for cultivating — a horticulturalist, a plant scientist and an investor
You might not think about how important transportation and logistics are to a sale, but you should: you cannot make a sale unless you can get the buyer and the product together. Companies like FedEx, Amazon, Zappos and others have concentrated on logistics for a long time. Those companies are involved with getting the product
“I don’t have the time.” Seems like that phrase is a small business owner’s mantra. Despite the time crunch, some owners find time for the marketing tasks needed to sustain and grow their business while others don’t. What’s the secret? Recycle Content: Start with one piece of content and use it across many channels. Imagine
It’s the simple improvements that can make the difference for a passenger at Columbia Regional Airport. Just ask anyone who’s ever gone through security and then needed to relieve themselves. Airport Manager Don Elliott says the new ADA-compliant restroom in the passenger holding area will not only help relieve passengers, but will also speed up
Columbia Regional Airport serves record passengers in October Read More »
Executive Manager, McLarty Automotive Group; Joe Machens Ford Lincoln, Columbia and Jefferson City Age: 48 Job description: I oversee daily operations of the Joe Machens Ford Lincoln dealerships in Columbia and Jefferson City. Years lived in Columbia/mid-Missouri: 18. I left mid-Missouri in 1985 and returned in February of this year. Original hometown: Middletown, Missouri. Education: Graduated
