Hit the Road: A Guide to Columbia, MO
Hop on I-70 and experience something new!
Columbia, Missouri is more than a college town. Just two hours from Kansas City, Columbia is home to unique businesses, a wide variety of cuisines and people who are proud of their Midwestern roots.
While Kansas City has plenty to offer, there’s nothing like a weekend getaway or a quick day trip to shake off the monotony of your weekly routine. So if you’re looking for a change of scenery during that dreary post-holiday season, we’ve got you covered.
Read on for the ultimate guide to downtown Columbia – or, as locals call it, CoMo. From vintage record shops to hidden European pubs, Columbia’s thriving local businesses define this small town.
Acola Coffee Company | 300 N 10th St Suite 100, Columbia, MO
There’s only one way to start the day: coffee. Let’s begin your trip with a cup of joe from local favorite, Acola Coffee Company. Latte art takes on a new form thanks to the baristas at Acola. Formerly under the name “Three Story Coffee,” Acola is a staple within the CoMo community. Settled at the tip of Columbia’s downtown art district, Acola serves brews produced by the famous Onyx Coffee Lab. Thanks to its sweet drinks and cozy atmosphere, it’s a hub for stressed students and first dates alike, with seats that constantly seem to be filled.
Euan McLeod, a Scotland native and longtime Acola customer, started coming to the shop during the pandemic as he worked from his laptop. “It was a very welcoming environment, and I loved the people and the team,” he says. “I got addicted to the coffee, the people and the environment.” McLeod believes that by carrying Onyx Coffee in their shop, Acola is able to provide drinks of the highest quality. “I obviously travel all over the world,” he explains. “I love coffee, and I would say it’s probably the best coffee in the United States of America.”
Skylark Bookshop | 22 S 9th St, Columbia, MO
Now that you’ve finished your lattes and scones, let’s head to Ninth and Cherry Streets – the heart of downtown Columbia. Here, you’ll find some of the town’s most popular destinations. Today’s shop of choice? Skylark Bookshop. Skylark is owned by Alex George, an author who can be found on the shelves of Barnes Noble and the Indie Next List. Needless to say, George knows novels. Skylark’s bookcases are packed with spines written by Matthew Quick, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Eleanor Brown and Delia Owens – just to name a few.
Born out of the success from George’s Unbound Book Festival, Skylark Bookshop opened on August 25, 2019. “I’ve done lots of things in my life, but this is definitely one of the best,” says George of opening Skylark. Skylark is community-oriented, often hosting local events such as book clubs or yoga sessions. “This is a community that understands the value of localism,” George says of Columbia. “Our tax dollars stay in the community, we employ local people, we know most of the people that walk through that door by name.” One of George’s favorite reads on Skylark’s shelves? “The Magus” by John Fowles.
Uprise Bakery | 10 Hitt St, Columbia, MO
All of that reading will make you hungry! Let’s head back towards the north end of town for a bite to eat. For classic comfort food, nothing beats Uprise Bakery.
Open since 2001, Uprise Bakery is the cafe of choice among Columbians. Their kitchen is open from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M., and the space is transformed into a bar at night. As stated on their website, Uprise specializes in “full-flavored artisan and whole-grain breads, homemade soups, specialty sandwiches and pastries.” With unique vegetarian soups and a wide array of sandwiches on fresh breads, Uprise is the perfect place to warm up after braving the cold.
Hitt Records | 10 Hitt St, Columbia, MO
After licking your plate clean at Uprise, we’re going to go back in time. The next stop on your itinerary is just a few steps away. Attached to Uprise is Hitt Records, an independent, locally-owned record store that has been bringing both fan favorites and underground musical gems to CoMo since 2012.
No one knows music better than the employees at Hitt. Every inch of the shop is packed with vinyls, cassette tapes and CDs that cover everything from classic rock to independent artists to rare reissues. Hitt Records restocks daily, guaranteeing that there’s a new album to discover with every visit.
Maude Vintage | 9 N 10th St, Columbia, MO
After buying a record (or two), let’s walk a couple blocks to Maude Vintage. This bright pink storefront is hard to miss, and the interior is equally as noteable. On the first floor you’ll be met with racks of tweed jackets and funky sweaters of the late 1900s. As you climb up the stairs you’ll travel further back in time, with a colorful array of dresses, tops and jewelry. Step up to the third floor and you’ve entered the early 1900s. Here, you’ll find vintage cocktail dresses, old-fashioned furs and a variety of accessories.
In an age of fast fashion and scary fast trend cycles, Maude breaks away from microtrends and provides shoppers with one-of-a-kind clothing items. “Maude is the premier Columbia, Mo. vintage shop,” says owner Sabrina Garcia-Rubio. “We focus a little bit on what’s very wearable, and then we also have a smattering of collectibles.”
Despite the fact that Maude lives in a bustling college town, not every person who walks through their door is a student. In fact, Maude prides itself on its wide range of clientele.
“We have families who come here for back-to-school clothing for their kids before they hit the malls, we have older people who are looking for jewelry or very niche, unique pieces,” explains Garcia-Rubio. “So it’s a really good variety.”
Günter Hans | 7 Hitt St, Columbia, MO
To wrap up your day, we’re going to head back to Hitt Street for European fare – from homemade pretzels, to craft beer, to unique cocktails. Günter Hans is a bit of a hole in the wall. Located across the street from our familiar favorites, Uprise Bakery and Hitt Records, this inconspicuous brick storefront is situated in an alleyway. Just keep an eye out for the Belgian flag and you’ll be there in no time!
Günter Hans is unlike anything else in Columbia, explains owner Morgan Wright. The pub’s previous owner had traveled Europe, and, upon returning to the U.S., realized that Columbia lacked pubs like those she had experienced abroad. After COVID-19, Wright decided to add a local flair to the Günter Hans experience, incorporating local brewers into the lineup. When people come here, I want them to have great conversations, hear each other and not have to wait in line very long, Wright says. “I want them to be able to just meet people, drinking good beer.”
If it’s your first time in the pub, Wright recommends the Hofbräu. This light, spicy beer is a classic Bavarian drink that is wildly popular in Germany. However, given that Günter Hans is constantly updating its menu, Wright also suggests their sampler. This tray of four 4-ounce beers allows customers to mix and match. If you’re looking to venture beyond beers, Wright’s personal favorite is the Earl Grey Martini. This fall specialty item consists of gin infused with Earl Grey tea bags, simple syrup and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
As a former Kansas Citian, Wright has a special perspective on Columbia. “You can literally do everything here,” she says. “There’s great food, there’s great bars, there’s good shopping places. I feel like sometimes people just drive through Columbia without realizing that we have all this great stuff!”
