Como Smoke and Fire: Columbia’s newest barbecue restaurant, Como Smoke and Fire, offers a traditional barbecue menu. Started by brothers Patrick and Matthew Hawkins, who have competed in barbecue competitions and discussed opening a restaurant for years, and Matthew’s wife, Christy Hawkins, the restaurant has been operational since Dec. 30 at 4600 Paris Road, Suite 102. So far the restaurant’s best sellers have been the sampler platter, which includes a variety of the smoked meats, and the brisket mac and cheese grilled cheese sandwich. Due to the brisket’s success, two additional mac and cheese sandwiches have been added to the menu.
Contact: Matthew Hawkins, 573-864-1021
New World Recycling: With New World Recycling, you can turn old trash into cash. Located at 3804 Waco Drive, the family-run business will buy your scrap metal. Commercial and household customers can bring aluminum, brass, copper, radiators and more to the locally owned recycling company and leave with money. The company also recycles paper, plastic, electronics and other items free of charge. For more than 15 years, New World Recycling has operated in a small community to keep the area as clean as possible.
Contact: Corey Toebben, 573-814-2826
Save-A-Lot: There are more than 1,300 Save-A-Lot locations throughout the country, and a new one has opened in Columbia. As of Dec. 18, Save-A-Lot has been open at 2006 E. Broadway. The retail grocery store has replaced Eastgate Foods & Party Shop, which closed last May. Save-A-Lot’s vision is to help its customers live richer, fuller lives by saving them money and time. The store is owned and operated by Rich Prenger of Prenger Foods.
Contact: Rich Prenger, 573-449-1000
Waterwood Gallery: Kristin Kaiser moved to Columbia in 2007 when she started Christopherson International Art Representation. CIAR is the parent company to Waterwood Gallery, an art gallery located at the Waterwood Building at 2301 Chapel Plaza Court. Waterwood Gallery features a group of selected artists whose works include a variety of gifts, goods and accessories, including bowls, art cards and other handmade items.
Contact: Kristin Kaiser, 573-289-8835
Zaxby’s: A new fast-casual chicken restaurant has opened its doors at two locations in Columbia: 1411 Cinnamon Hill Lane and 3922 S. Providence Road. The Southern-style restaurant offers a variety of chicken meals, as well as salads, appetizers, sandwiches and milkshakes. With more than 595 locations throughout the Southeast, Zaxby’s is planning to expand in Missouri by adding four new locations. Zaxby’s is ranked No. 7 in the 2012 Top 10 Excellent Large Fast Food Chains With 500 or More U.S. Units Quick-Track study by Sandelman & Associates and No. 1 in the chicken segment in the 2012 Top 150 Fast-Casual Chain Restaurants by Technomic.
Contact: Greg Jarvis, 573-424-2827
Family Facets: Family Facets has come to Columbia “to provide safe, nurturing and loving environments for children and to assist other agencies…” according to the company’s mission statement. The company believes that the best place for a child to grow up is in a family. Located at 701 Vandiver Drive, Suite A, Family Facets focuses on safety of entire families; however, the safety of children is the primary concern. To ensure safety, Family Facets offers social work therapy and services, including workshops, training, in-home services and other family meeting activities.
Contact: Sheila Searfoss, 573-886-7422
