January: Closer Look

Columbia Acro and Tumbling Team

Columbia Acro and Tumbling Team, located at 4250 E. Broadway, suite 1031, is an acrobatic gymnastics team. Heather Zepp, head coach of CATT, previously taught at the Columbia Dance Academy. Zepp has danced and tumbled since age 3, winning countless awards for acrobatic gymnastics. CATT accepts students as young as 3 years old for preschool classes, which help develop body awareness, balance and vocabulary. The 4-year-old classes learn creative movement, tap and tumble. The older student groups, ages 5 to 12, can be enrolled in beginner-level ballet and tap classes. CATT also offers advanced levels of tumbling or acro and acrobatic gymnastics.

Contact: Heather Zepp, 573-814-5000

Leslie Song LLC

Leslie Song is a Columbia-based artist and illustrator. Song previously worked as a full-time preschool teacher before she decided to transition back into art and design. Song’s current collection of art revolves around what she calls a “surreal narrative,” with an interest in the natural world and dream states. Aside from drawing, Song also has experience in the design area, as she carries a master’s degree in textile design and textile design-print. Song can fulfill many art, design or creative needs via email at [email protected], and you can also follow her on Instagram @lesliesongart.

Contact: Leslie Song, 314-604-2506

Dry Fork Coffee

Dry Fork Coffee is a small, home micro-grocery that sells oven-roasted coffee beans. Owner Ron Giles originally began Dry Fork Coffee after looking at ways to save money on coffee expenses. Dry Fork Coffee offers three different high-end, top-shelf coffee beans at a time. The beans are from different parts of the world, including Central America and Ethiopia. “We really put love and care in our roasting process, versus other businesses whose coffee beans are mass produced,” Giles says. Giles takes orders during the week and fills them on the weekend. More information is available on Facebook at Dry Fork Coffee Roasters, or on Instagram at Dry Fork Coffee.

Contact: Ron Giles, 360-477-3641

Range Free

Range Free, located at 110 Orr Street, suite 101, opened in October as Columbia’s first allergen-free bakery and café. After owner Anna Meyer was diagnosed with 24 food allergies, she adopted an allergen-free diet. She decided to start Range Free after she found that Columbia did not have many allergen-free options, especially for baked goods. Range Free features breakfast and lunch menu items. Breakfast includes items such as biscuits and gravy, biscuits, eggs Benedict and bacon. Lunch items include various sandwiches, soups and salads, in addition to various baked goods. Range Free is closed on Sunday and Tuesday.

Contact: Anna Meyer, 573-777-9980

Sassy Dawgs

Sassy Dawgs is a hot dog stand that offers all-American beef hot dogs, bratwursts, nachos and Frito pies. “Customers can also receive condiments for any menu item at no additional cost,” owner John Whiteford says. Whiteford began Sassy Dawgs when he noticed a need for hot dog stands in downtown Columbia. Sassy Dawgs operates on Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., on Ninth Street, in front of Quinton’s and Tonic. In addition to normal hours of operation, Sassy Dawgs also caters at special events, including weddings and birthday parties.

Contact: John Whiteford, 573-673-9203

Provision Living at Columbia

Provision Living at Columbia, located at 2333 Chapel Hill Road, opened in October. Provision Living is an assisted living and memory care facility. Provision Living has 30 communities located in 11 different states, with corporate offices based in St. Louis. Residents of Provision Living receive discreet assistance from on-site trained medical professionals, as well as balanced meals, engaging activities and social events. “The thing that makes us different is that we focus on our employees as well as our residents,” says Jeff Hinshaw, executive director. “We look for employees that show radiance and love for our seniors and have a willingness to help and serve them.”

Contact: Denise Falco, 573-234-1091