Fast and the Fuzziest
After several years of clients asking about the possibility of a mobile grooming business, Melissa Patterson decided to start Fast and the Fuzziest. She found a need in the Columbia market and decided to take the leap, opening in January 2024.
“We’ve had a few [mobile groomers] over the years, but they have moved onto other things, or they are fully booked for several years,” Patterson said.
Many of her clients have known Patterson through 4-H Club experiences. That’s where she learned to love animals and learned about the anatomy of sheep. During that time, she showed goats at the county fair livestock competitions and won several awards.
“I’m a country girl at heart,” she said, noting that she currently owns ducks, goats, and chickens.
Patterson said she takes a different approach than one you would find at a typical grooming shop. She likes to take her time so that her clients and their dogs don’t feel rushed. Her mobile setup is ideal for achieving that goal. Patterson can care for her dogs one-on-one without the possible distractions of other dogs or loud noises in the background.
“I treat each and every dog like they were my own. They receive lots of love and attention,” she said.
Call or text: 573-239-7894 | Facebook: Fast and the Fuzziest
Flavor & Comfort
If you’re looking to shake up your palate with some new flavors to try, Flavor & Comfort might be your new go-to spot. (Well, it doesn’t actually have a spot. Yet.) Chad Jones-Hicks and Jennifer Coleman opened for business at the beginning of 2025. Flavor & Comfort works out of CoMo Cooks shared kitchen, which affords them the ability to host pop-ups, catering services, and meal-prepping services.
“By contributing to the local food scene, collaborating with other businesses, and supporting community events, we help foster growth and inspire others to pursue their passions,” Jones-Hicks said.
In high school, Jones-Hicks had the opportunity to take three years of culinary classes taught by local Chef Brooke Harlan. However, he’s been self-taught since, thanks to the Food Network. He takes inspiration from Chef Bobby Flay’s unique techniques and style of cooking.
“Watching chefs in action pushes me to experiment in the kitchen, constantly refining my skills and finding new ways to elevate my food,” Jones-Hicks explained.
Jones-Hicks says he’s most known for his wings and gumbo, and he hopes to take home the title for the best wings in Columbia. Most of all, though, he hopes to bring people together through comfort food, connection, and flavorful dishes.
“At the heart of it all, we’re not just feeding people. We’re building experiences, sparking conversations, and making our mark on the local food scene,” he said.
(573) 283-8639 | flavorcomfort573.com | @flavorcomfort573
