There’s something about growing up in a small town that stays part of you long after you move. For me, that place is Moberly, a town just under an hour north of Columbia. It’s where I learned the meaning of community before I had language for it. It’s a place where Friday mornings meant breakfast with my dad, taking drives down Morley Street to Sonic as a teenager, and making casual stops to visit your favorite people and places.
For those of us living in Columbia, Moberly offers the kind of pleasant day trip that you can take on a whim.
Let’s Talk about Bubba’s
If you’re doing Moberly right, your day will involve a food stop at Bubba’s Burger Bar and Egg Emporium — or as the locals call it, Bubba’s.
Though the building itself has housed restaurants since the 1920s, Bubba’s has been owned and operated by Angela Taylor since 2001. It’s a place that feels unchanged in all the ways that matter. Angela stepped into ownership after years in the corporate restaurant world, looking for something that fit better with family life. Decades later, her daughters now work alongside her, and the diner continues to serve as a cornerstone of the community.
The food is exactly what you want it to be: hand-smashed burgers, crispy fresh-cut fries, and breakfast classics like the beloved Western omelet. But what keeps people coming back isn’t just the menu; it’s the atmosphere. It’s the essence of a local restaurant in a small town in America. The horseshoe-shaped counter invites conversation. You don’t just eat at Bubba’s — you participate in it.
It’s also where my own employment story starts. My first job was at Bubba’s, serving as sous chef in the most formative sense, so it holds a special place for me.
Before school, my dad and I would sit down for breakfast at Bubba’s. Those Friday mornings are now etched in memory, with me sitting on a stool at the counter, eating waffles, and sipping hot chocolate before being dropped off at my elementary school. Even now, I find myself timing visits to make it in before Bubba’s 2 p.m. close.
Coffee That Became Community
Another delicious stop is Bean Café, located in the Depot District downtown.
What began in 2011 as a modest coffee hut in a parking lot across from the post office has grown into something much more layered. Owners Renee and Jerry Swartz describe the journey as less of a business plan and more of a calling.
“Of course. We’ll open a coffee shop,” they recall, saying it was “less like ambition than recognition.”
After years of learning, experimenting, and rebuilding, Bean found its home in 2018 in a historic building, one that required more rescue than renovation. But that labor of love shows in every aspect of the business. The menu is thoughtful and made from scratch, from Bean’s baked goods to savory favorites like the chicken and jam sandwich or Korean beef bowl.
Much like Bubba’s, the real offering here is something harder to name. “It was never really about the coffee,” Renee reflects. “It’s the community.”
I remember when Bean was still just that small hut in a corner parking lot with only two drive-up windows. It felt like a hidden gem then. Now, it’s something more expansive, proof that growth doesn’t have to mean losing your roots.
Time to Go Shopping
Randolph Mercantile is a fan favorite in Moberly. Opened in 2004 by Sherrie and Sherwood Mann, the shop grew out of something personal, a long-held dream finally given space to become real. Sherrie has always appreciated antiques and home pieces. Today, Randolph Mercantile is a destination in itself, drawing visitors from across Missouri and neighboring states.
Walking in feels like stepping into a perfectly curated home. Seasonal displays, thoughtful arrangements, and one-of-a-kind finds make it hard to leave empty-handed. Customers often describe the space as relaxed and welcoming, and that’s no accident. Sherrie’s eye for design transforms everyday objects into something more intentional, more meaningful. Be sure to visit during their multi-day seasonal Open House events: Fall, Holiday/Christmas, and Spring.
Now, let’s travel back to downtown Moberly. Back in the day, there were classic pharmacies and nationally known department stores; now there are small, charming shops all along Reed Street.
Just down the way, Encore offers a different kind of discovery. Founded by Julie Sharp nearly 14 years ago, the boutique was built on a simple yet powerful idea: Women in small towns deserve access to style, inspiration, and a little boldness in their wardrobe. The result is a space that feels vibrant and unique.
“I love when out-of-towners walk in and say, ‘This is in a small town?’” Julie says.
It’s that sense of surprise — gently challenging assumptions — that makes Encore not just a boutique, but a fashion statement.
Sweetness With a Story
If your day needs a sweet pause (and it will), Cheesecake ART by Baker Company LLC is your next stop.
Owner Raellen Baker opened her storefront in 2023, encouraged by her sisters to turn her talent for specialty cheesecakes into something bigger. But her motivation runs deeper than business; it’s about modeling possibility.
“I wanted to show my adult children that you can always pursue something new,” she says.
Inside, the space feels warm and personal, like being invited into someone’s home. The display case features around 15 flavors at any given time, with cherry, Oreo, and strawberry crunch among the favorites, along with gluten-free, sugar-free, and even dairy-free preorders.
Swing by and enjoy a perfectly baked cheesecake cup or place a personal order based on your flavor preferences; boozy flavors are also available. I personally love the millionaire cheesecake cups, which come with a luxurious layer of chocolate ganache.
The Kind of Park That Holds Everything
When you’re ready to step outside, Rothwell Park offers a different kind of experience, one that helps keep you grounded.
It’s a gathering place. A memory-maker. A space where everything from quiet walks to family reunions take place. The park comprises 465 acres of pristine forest, water, and maintained recreational areas.
For the athletically inclined, Rothwell offers eight baseball/softball diamonds and three football/soccer fields. Parents and kids will appreciate the family-friendly aquatic center, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. And those in search of some outdoor tranquility can easily find a place to stroll by the water or go kayaking.
Moberly Five and Drive
Before heading back to Columbia, there’s one more stop worth making: Moberly Five and Drive/B&B Theatres.
Whether you opt for the nostalgic charm of the drive-in or the comfort of indoor recliner seating, this is where the day winds down in the best possible way. Alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase.
People regularly make the trip from Columbia just for the experience, blankets in tow on winter nights and with carloads of friends for summer screenings.
I still remember the night Mr. & Mrs. Smith came out. The line of people wrapped around the entrance, stretching into the parking lot. It felt like the entire town had shown up. And in a way, that’s the thread that runs through all of Moberly.
Why Moberly, why now?
It’s easy to overlook the places that feel too familiar. To assume that something bigger, newer, or farther away will offer more.
But Moberly doesn’t try to compete with that energy. Instead, it offers something quieter but more enduring: spaces built with intention, businesses rooted in resilience, and a community that shows up for itself.
For those of us in Columbia, it’s a reminder that meaningful experiences don’t always require traveling vast distances. Sometimes, they’re waiting just up the road, in a town that feels like it’s been holding a place for you all along.
So take the drive. Start with breakfast. Stay longer than you planned. Talk to someone you don’t know. You might just find that what you were looking for wasn’t something new — it was something real.
