Tour of Missouri survives political skirmish, skips CoMo

A statewide bicycle race hardly seems a likely catalyst for a titanic political struggle. But…

From the Roundtable: Digging into the origin of KFRU’s ‘Quicky Quiz’ anything but quick

It began with a call from David Lile, host of the Morning Show on News…

Financial planner hooked on fishing industry

For Jared Reynolds, you could say fishing is in his blood. The year he was…

MADMEN Of Mid-Missouri

For a young company growing at hyper-speed, Pure Marketing and Media had an inauspicious start.
About 18 months ago, Brent Beshore and Erik LaPaglia were meeting for lattes at the Coffee Zone to exchange business advice. Beshore was taking a break from graduate studies and running a new company, Event Solutions, that orchestrates events, while LaPaglia was working as a regional marketing agent for Mediacom’s advertising and sales division, OnMedia.
Some of Event Solutions’ clients had asked Beshore if he would like to also act as their marketing and advertising agency. Beshore had been declining such offers, but then he received a proposal from a big client that he could not pass up. Beshore wondered what to do next. LaPaglia advised him to buy into an existing marketing and advertising agency.

Menu Maker Foods slowly gobbles up competition

*Business Profile*Menu Maker Foods sees growth by out-performing the competition

From the Roundtable: Population passes 100,000 mark, but getting six digits is no big deal

So, the population of Columbia has crossed the hundred grand mark, according to the latest…

People You Should Know: Chris Belcher

*People You Should Know*New schools chief admires Warren Buffett and loves blues music.

Tom, the Schnucks guy

*Shopping for Superior Customer Service*Grocery checker wows customers with personal service.

City View: Budget proposal sustains core services despite revenue declines

*City View Bill Watkins*Proposed budget to keep services going in tight economy

Bargain Buying Binge

While on her way to see “Hello, Dolly!” at the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock, Sheila Scott from Jefferson City stopped in Columbia to grab some lunch and to check out the merchandise at Upscale Resale.
Four years ago, she stepped into the store on West Broadway for the first time on a friend’s recommendations. Now, she stops by almost every time she is in Columbia.

Business Briefs

Local company building broadband network Bluebird Media LLC announced plans to roll out a high-speed…

Economy evolves, retailers adapt

The recession and related cutback in consumer spending is compelling Columbia retailers to come up with innovative ideas for increasing sales, particularly downtown, where the downturn has had the deepest impact and the amount of vacant space has spiked.

While some businesses in the typically volatile retail sector have closed recently, including Kayotea Tea Room & Bistro, Arsenic Leopard and Manhattan Closet, many are opening, such as MacKenzies restaurant, Artlandish Gallery and Plato’s Closet.