BJ’s Coffee Bar
As a college town with a thriving business landscape, Columbia is home to many coffee shops and cafes, which fuel students, professors, and other professionals alike. BJ’s Coffee Bar joined the scene on June 1 positioning itself as “not your typical coffee shop.”
This mobile coffee joint is a twist on traditional brick-and-mortar cafes; it remains stationary in the Parkade Center parking lot from 7am-5pm through the work week, and travels to different areas on Saturdays. By doing so, BJ’s serves various parts of the community and participates in events around the city, such as the Farmers Market and the Boone County Fair. Customers can check for location updates on its social media pages.
Another unique element it offers Columbia is its drink selection. In addition to handcrafted lattes, they serve plant-based and naturally caffeinated Lotus Energy drinks, which are not widely available in Columbia.
BJ’s Coffee Bar is also a family-owned and operated business venture. Jacob and Kayla Scott own it, while current Mizzou students William Goings (the owner’s nephew) and Abigail Flanagan manage it.
“We’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the support we’ve received from the community,” Flanagan said. “We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our customers and supporters. Your support means everything to our business, and we are truly grateful for every one of you.”
601 W Business Loop 70 | bjscoffeebar@gmail.com | @bjscoffeebar
EmmaLeaf Cannabis Lab + Kitchen
EmmaLeaf Cannabis Lab + Kitchen is a budding business that plans to roll out of Ashland, Missouri this month. Defining itself as “the precision of a lab and the art of a gourmet kitchen,” EmmaLeaf is a cannabis-manufacturing partnership that offers high-quality marijuana-infused products, such as edibles and pre-rolls.
While EmmaLeaf is the flagship brand, it has several subsidiary brands, such as Moonrise Kitchen (artisan-crafted baked goods), Just Right (microdosed hard candies), and Cousin Dave’s (affordable products for budget-conscious consumers).
Though unique, each brand is equally committed to “creating an exceptional customer experience from purchase to consumption.” The team hopes that customers will enjoy long-term relationships with them and their brands.
Guided by CFO Jackie Wells, CEO Josh Oxenhandler, and COO Paul Schenck, EmmaLeaf’s team is extensive and composed of a number of Boone County natives, and from chefs to lab managers to operations, they share a common vision.
“We opened our business because we’ve all experienced how medical cannabis can improve lives,” said Director of Sales and Marketing Tammy Puyear. “We wanted to be part of something critical for those who struggle with conditions that cannabis can treat or alleviate.”
The team rallies behind the idea of destigmatizing cannabis use and bringing awareness to the reality that many communities, especially veterans, are unable to receive medical cannabis due to federal regulation.
