The vibrant strip mall boasts a variety of shops and services.
Tucked into the western edge of Columbia’s city limits, Bernadette Square is a vibrant strip mall, across Worley Street from the Columbia Mall, and in the same footprint as the Holiday Inn Executive Center. With more than fifteen businesses, Bernadette Square has a long list of longstanding storefronts as well as a few newcomers.
But what will residents and visitors find in the strip mall just west of Stadium Boulevard? Commercial real estate assistance and immersive learning centers; tantalizing culinary offerings and captivating gaming venues; expert alterations, tailoring services, financial planning, specialty shops, and more.
Home Insurance and Real Estate
American Family Insurance
The American Family Enterprise is a family of companies that provide insurance protection for its customers while striving to make “a meaningful difference in their communities,” according to the company’s website.
Harold E. Johnson Companies
Harold E. Johnson Companies is renowned for buying, selling, leasing, and investing in commercial real estate. Harold E. Johnson started a lumber company in 1939 at what is now 601 E. Walnut St. Boone County bought the building in 2000, and the Johnson Building houses a handful of Boone County government offices.
Johnson went on to start several businesses, as well as buying, selling, remodeling, and investing in properties, including Bernadette Square and Bernadette Plaza. The company also has locations in Springfield, Missouri, and Rogers, Arkansas. The local brick-and-mortar in Bernadette Square has one full-time and three part-time employees. Larry Moore is president and CEO of Harold E. Johnson Companies.
“We’re the best landlords in town,” he said.
Plaza Commercial Realty
Plaza Commercial Realty has expertise in guiding commercial real estate clients whether as buyer, seller, landlord, or tenant. Plaza Commercial Realty has been central to many of Columbia’s biggest developments and business additions.
All brokers at Plaza Commercial Realty are members in the National Association of Realtors, Missouri Association of Realtors, Columbia Board of Realtors, and Society of Industrial and Office Realtors.
Salons
All About U Salon
All About U hair salon offers a haven of beauty tailored to each client. The team of skilled stylists provides personalized services and specializes in chic haircuts and color transformations. Whether seeking a rejuvenating experience or a fresh new look, clients can rely on All About U to cater to their every need, the salon’s website explains.
Shear Perfection
Shear Perfection is a casual family-friendly salon that aims to build relationships with its clients, says owner Deedie Wilborn, who insists that “the most important accessory you can wear is a great hairstyle and a smile.”
“I have had the privilege of serving Columbia for thirty years and I am humbled by your business and friendship,” Wilborn said. “I believe the most important part of any service is communication and I promise to always listen carefully and deliver the best results I can.”
Sewing and Alterations
Apple Tree Quilting
Apple Tree Quilting was founded in 1985 as a fine fashion fabrics store named Silks & More Fine Fabrics by Millie and Floyd Kaiser. The shop was first located in downtown Columbia, offering a variety of silks, wools, linens, and other fine fashion fabrics, plus a large assortment of fashion sewing classes. In the spring of 1987, the store became a White Sewing Machine dealer and added Husqvarna Viking sewing machines in 1988.
Eric and Amy Nelson purchased Appletree Quilting Center in April 2020. In August 2022, JUKI sewing machines were added to the selection of machines. Apple Tree continues to add new and classes for education of new sewing techniques, as well as longarm quilting services.
Columbia Mall Alterations
Columbia Mall Alterations offers sewing and alterations and will accept a variety of garments to work on. The shop promises “reasonable prices” and attention to detail that is “like a work of art.”
Shopping, Food, and Entertainment
Mochi Mochi
Mochi Mochi is a casual dining and takeout restaurant, from coffee to the sweeter bubble tea, fruit tea, and slush. The Korean fried chicken — both bone-in and boneless — is the perfect pairing. With ingredients imported directly from South Korea, it is an authentic, filling, and tender meal with six vast flavor profiles to choose from. Looking for something light? Mochi Mochi offers a variety of sushi, including several vegetarian options. And of course, the namesake of the brand, Mochi Mochi creates a total of 12 flavors of mochi donuts along with mochi balls and donut ice cream.
Tiger Bin
Tiger Bin is a local discount store that has operated since 2022. The store offers home goods — clothing, toys, electronics, and more — in two price variations: bin price and marked price. (Bin prices are marked down daily.)
Valhalla’s Gate Games
Established nearly twenty-five years ago by passionate gamers, Valhalla’s Gate Games is central Missouri’s full-range, hobby-game store. Founded on the belief that everyone deserves a place at the gaming table, Valhalla’s Gate is a welcoming and inclusive environment where people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities can come together to share their love of games.
The selections include tabletop games, dice, collectibles, roleplaying essentials, modeling supplies, plushies, and more. Regular game nights, events, and tournaments foster a sense of community.
Workplace, Learning, and Business Solutions
Edward Jones
Financial advisor Aaron D. Kliethermes and branch office administrator Emily Hartman say they are ready to start a conversation about financial planning — even if you have never worked with a financial advisor before.
Fireretardantshirts.com
FireRetardantShirts.com was founded in 2016 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has since emerged as a distributor of fire-retardant clothing. The company has relocated to mid-Missouri and carries some of the leading fire-retardant attire on the market. The team maintains a local inventory, ships fire retardant clothing to customers across the nation, and can ship factory-direct to clients.
IMKO Workface Solutions
IMKO Workface Solutions is a workforce solutions company specializing in the light industrial sector. The company can staff an entire organization from entry level to senior level. IMKO has had a branch in Bernadette Square for six years. IMKO sources clerical, warehouse, and manufacturing technicians for several clients located in and around the Columbia area.
Junior Achievement of Central Missouri
Junior Achievement helps students connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom, based on knowing it’s possible to invest in your future and pursue your dreams.
Junior Achievement has more than one hundred chapters across the country. JA is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. Focus areas are financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship, with courses available for pre-k through twelfth grade. The lessons align with Missouri Learning Standards and are delivered to students across Central Missouri with the help of education partners and volunteers from local communities.
Minuteman Press
Minuteman Press Columbia is a full-service printing company. Some of the specialty printed services and products include graphic design, carbonless forms, brochures, business cards, envelopes, flyers, invitations, labels, postcards, banners, and promotional banners. Walk-in customers are welcome.
Free pick-up and delivery to surrounding communities is also an option.
Siggins
Siggins has a wide range of engineering services, and it all began in 1947 when the company offered warehouse solutions, from facility surveys and design-build services to, in more modern times, conveyors, robotic retrieval systems, and related services. The team is experienced with providing storage and logistics services to companies of all shapes and sizes, from publishing companies and automotive parts suppliers to mail-order facilities and catalog fulfillment centers.
Robotics continues to be one of the company’s fastest-growing segments to improve operations, reduce labor costs and increase workplace safety, and eliminating order fulfillment errors.
