When the owners of Tin Can Tavern and Grille started their restaurant in St. Louis, they knew eventually they wanted a location in Columbia.

Josh Alt, one of the owners, said he and his partners scouted for a spot to open a restaurant in Columbia at least 15 times. So when the owners of Bread Basket Café on 220 S. Eighth St. decided to lease the property, Alt and his partners seized the opportunity to get a downtown location.

“I kind of see it hitting all the different avenues it can hit,” Alt said. “It will be a good lunch spot, but also a night spot.”

Alt and partners Rob Burke and Mike Headrick have seen good business with their two St. Louis locations, specializing in canned beer and home cooking. The concept has been a hit, and the Columbia location will have over 50 brands of canned beer, Alt said. Plus they give out free can insulators, or “koozies” so customers can write their names on them, put them above the bar and reuse them on future visits.

But it’s not just beer, it’s homestyle cookin’ that’s a big part of the restaurant.

“Our food kind of transcends the thought that we’re just a beer place,” Alt said. “The name’s almost a misnomer.”

Rocky Hazelwood has joined the partnership, and the four hope to have the location ready to open in time for MU’s Homecoming weekend, Oct. 25.