Vox Magazine July/Aug 2026

Saying goodbye to Missouri with a tour of its wineries p. 16

HEMP HARDSHIPS

PAGE 7

A MALL WALK THROUGH TIME PAGE 12

NEW NINTH STREET SIP SPOT PAGE 21

THEY’RE ‘RAVEN’ ABOUT BIRDS

PAGE 26

SENTIMENTAL SUMMERS

When meeting someone new, one of the first things I’ll share is that I’m a Hoosier. So, it seems only appropriate that I mention it in my inaugural letter as editor-in-chief. I moved to Missouri a year ago. Since then I’ve learned that, by St. Louis standards, Hoosier is somewhat uncomplimentary. But for me, it means I grew up in rural Indiana. I spent all 18 years of my youth in a 1875 built farmhouse, and I’m a third-generation Indiana University alumna.

I made a visit home last month where I reminisced with high school friends over light beer and pizza at my hometown’s grimy (I write earnestly) lakeside dive bar. I sat in dewy grass as I watched my nephews’ T-ball game. All the while, I was hit with an appreciation for the simple seasons that raised me. A type of sentiment I feel even though I still experience it.

It’s the sentiment I feel driving through my favorite stretch of westbound Interstate 70 in Missouri — just a few miles before the Williamsburg exit where the interstate winds a wide turn atop a hill. When I make it to the top, turn my steering wheel just slightly and begin my descent. Likely listening to The Chicks, or

the classic country that reminds me of summers spent with my dad, I see lush trees for miles and remember the beauty of wide open spaces (pun intended). It’s the sentiment Vox writer Ally Schniepp reflects on during her commemorative journey through Missouri wineries (p. 16).

As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more appreciative of simplicity. I went to college with dreams of being a writer in New York. Now, I’ve racked up a list of Midwest cities I could move to after graduation. I went to the City and Regional Magazine Association conference last month and a persistent theme was that limitations, in this case geographic, breed connection. And, it turns out, I love the “limitations” of the Midwest.

Midwest hospitality means breaking bread with new neighbors seeking refuge from faraway places (p. 23), singing in harmony with one another (p. 5 and 11) and standing in solidarity when changing hemp laws challenge livelihoods (p. 7). It’s musicians returning home, years later, to perform to loyal crowds (p. 9). It’s learning the songs of our favorite birds (p. 28). It’s an appreciation for the true depth of the pleasures we call simple.

Grace Romine, Editor-in-chief

Behind the issue

Like many people, I picked up birding during the pandemic. Stuck at home with my backyard as the only connection to the outside world, I became fascinated with the bustling world of birds outside my window. Since then, I have peered through my camera viewfinder to snap thousands of photos of birds (like these American goldfinches, left) and their innate behaviors This past spring, I reported a story about the vibrant birding scene in Columbia (p. 28) and took the photographs for it as well — some taken in Columbia, others in my Washington, D.C., backyard or in Canada. The birds featured in this story are all species that you can spot here, too. Happy birding!

—C.J. Hanauer, Vox writer and photographer

Correction: The June story about Billiards on Broadway’s new owners didn’t accurately reflect Lisa Morrissey’s professional background working in investments, banking and real estate. The photo credit should have been courtesy of Billiards on Broadway/Ava Kitzi.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF GRACE ROMINE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, OUTGOING CAYLI YANAGIDA

MANAGING EDITORS AVERI NORRIS, ALLY SCHNIEPP

DEPUTY EDITOR AUSTIN GARZA

DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR BRIANNA DAVIS

SENIOR DIGITAL PRODUCER ALLISON BEALMER

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR CLAIRE WILLIAMS

ART DIRECTORS ABIGAIL DURKIN, LAUREN JOHNSON, VALERIE TISCARENO

PHOTO DIRECTOR AVA KITZI

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR AMINAH JENKINS

ASSOCIATE EDITORS ALLISON BEALMER, FAITH BOYD, EVAN CROWELL, ALEX GOLDSTEIN, WEI HE, LAURYN RHODES, NEALY SIMMS, RAPHAEL STERNADORI

STAFF WRITERS CORY BEXTEN, MORGAN CHU, MACY CRAIG, ANDREW DAVIS, GRACE DEEN, ELIZABETH DORMAN, EMILY EARLY, ACIYA EL TAJOURY, MADISON FARLEY, ADDISON GERTZ, C.J. HANAUER, LAUREN JOHNSON, SOPHIE LINDBERG, EMILIA MCCANN, CLAIRE MCLAUGHLIN, MIKALAH

OWENS, ADELA RAKOSKI, GRACE ROMINE, LILLIANA SEWELL, LORELEI SKURZEWSKI, ALLIE TRIBE, JACKSON WEST, JESSICA WOOTEN

SOCIAL & AUDIENCE CAM HART, JAZMYNE MARTINEZ, AVERI NORRIS

DIGITAL PRODUCERS PARKER BRANDT, EMILIA HANSEN, ELIJAH JAMES, ISABELLE PALEY, KATE SCHREIBER, BRIANNE TREMPER

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS MAYA DAWSON, JAKE LOURAINE

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR HEATHER ISHERWOOD

DIGITAL DIRECTOR LAURA HECK

WRITING COACHES CARY LITTLEJOHN, JENNIFER ROWE, SARA SHIPLEY HILES

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JULY/AUGUST 2026

VOLUME 28, ISSUE 6

PUBLISHED BY THE COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN LEE HILLS HALL, COLUMBIA MO 65211

Cover design: Abigail Durkin

Cover illustrations: Abigail Durkin and Adobe Stock

05

Audra Sergel sings

The city’s first artist laureate is spending a year fine-tuning a community concert.

07

Hemp in contempt

Highbreads Bakery and Treats and other businesses reckon with Missouri’s ban.

08

Vox Picks

Collect comics, eat tacos, watch a flick, explore a cave and try the new Murry’s.

CULTURE

09

Pressing rewind

Three local, and tenured, musical acts answer Vox’s questions (again).

11

Let’s get alto-gether

No auditions? No problem. We found seven choirs you can join sans tryouts.

FEATURES

12

Columbia Mall memories

Over 40 years since its opening, the mall has seen trends come and go.

16

Bitter and sweet

A Vox writer waves goodbye to Missouri, one winery at a time.

EAT + DRINK

Tea on The Herbal Joint Downtown just got sweeter with a new spot spilling juice, smoothies and tea. 23

Melting pot on wheels

City Cuisine, the food truck operated by City of Refuge, offers a global fusion menu with a side of support.

CITY LIFE

25

Flower fields guide

Pluck your perfect petal experience at one of these six local flower farms.

26

Generations flock up

Meet Columbians of every generation — from 9 to 71 years old — who caught the bird-watching worm.

28

Bring on the birds

We present 11 dinosaurs, er, birds you can spot in mid-Missouri habitats.

Local music luminary

Audra Sergel wants Columbia to sing

Columbia’s first artist laureate is conducting a yearlong, citywide project culminating in a free concert with original choral music.

BY ALLIE TRIBE

Audra Sergel believes music is alchemy. It creates commonality where it didn’t exist before, building shared experiences through the trill of voices or the plink of piano keys. It’s the idea at the heart of Sergel’s artist laureate project, When a City Sings: Columbia in Concert.

Sergel was announced as Columbia’s first-ever artist laureate in March, after the Office of Cultural Affairs’ call for artists last fall. The Artist Laureate Program encourages local artists to ed-

ucate, advocate and represent the people of Columbia through a creative initiative. Each year, the selected artist laureate will receive a $5,000 grant from the Missouri Arts Council to create a piece of artwork inspired by Columbia, which Sergel will do with When a City Sings.

Good vibrations

Music has been the focal point of Sergel’s efforts since she came to Columbia in 1994 to study vocal music at the University of Missouri. “I’ve met my people; I

CITY SINGS

After workshops and events all year, Audra Sergel’s artist laureate project concludes with a concert featuring original choral music inspired by community members’ stories on March 14, 2027. Visit como. gov/cultural-affairs to get involved.

have grown community; I’ve been supported and loved — all through the people I know through music,” Sergel says.

Sergel’s musical résumé is extensive. It includes founding Columbia’s first LGBTQ+ choir, The Quorus, acting as the music director at Broadway Christian Church and serving as an instructor for music and musical theater at Stephens College, University of Missouri and Central Methodist University.

One of Sergel’s longtime collaborators, Robin Schweitzer, compares her to

a Swiss Army knife: When it comes to music, there’s nothing Sergel can’t do. “I don’t know that there’s someone involved in the local music scene who doesn’t know who Audra is,” Schweitzer says. “I feel like Audra is the center of this cobweb of music. All of these lines and connections kind of come out and stem out from her.”

Community in a-chord Sergel’s artist laureate project will be her biggest feat of collaboration. Community members’ storytelling takes center stage in When a City Sings. Sergel will compose music based on Columbians’ stories, which will be performed by local choirs at a free concert on March 14, 2027. “We can weave this tapestry of where we live and show the many different sides of it,” Sergel says. Emily Edington-Andrews, the artistic director of Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri, is set to conduct.

But before the final show, Sergel must pluck stories out of Columbians. To do so, Sergel is hosting workshops she’s calling Community Voice Circles, each guided

by story-finding prompts.

“The prompts around this project will be about our story, about our belonging to one another, about where we find joy and love and what really connects us as humans and as Columbia citizens,” Sergel says. “We can weave this tapestry of where we live and show the many different sides of it.” Community members of all ages and musical experience levels who wish to be a part of something larger than themselves are encouraged to attend.

Along with the choir composition, local artists will add spoken word and choreography segments. The postlude of a year’s labor will be a short documentary from video taken at the workshops and concert, which will be hosted at the Boone County History and Culture Center.

With a year of work on the horizon, Sergel is keeping her focus on the alchemy of music — how melding individual stories and voices can create a community. With community participation in

Sergel snaps a photo of The Quorus, which she founded and directs, during a 2024 Pride Anthems event.

CENTER STAGE

In celebration of Audra Sergel’s 50th birthday, she and guests will sing and record two live sessions of original music. In Good Company: Audra and Friends, 3 and 7 p.m., June 28, Serendipity Salon and Gallery

the workshops and the local performers and artists showcased at the final concert, collaboration for When a City Sings is at the root of the Artist Laureate Program.

“A project that invites community members to participate really has incredible potential to build and strengthen relationships across diverse backgrounds,” says Kristin Gadsden, program specialist for the Office of Cultural Affairs. Gadsen hopes Sergel’s project will set the stage for many artist laureates to come.

LOCAL JUST GOT EASIER!

Hemp in contempt

The state’s new hemp regulation means businesses like Highbread Bakery & Treats will be forced to close.

BY ADELA RAKOSKI

McPeak, the owner and operator of Highbread Bakery & Treats, holds their work phone in one hand, and personal phone in the other. Both screens display the same livestream: Gov. Mike Kehoe signing a bill into law that will require THC-hemp products to be distributed through licensed dispensaries starting on Nov 12. With this THC-hemp ban, small businesses like Highbread will be pushed out of business, and hemp products will be forced off retail and bar shelves.

As both livestreams buffer, McPeak

FEDERAL CONTEXT

Missouri’s hemp ban aligns with upcoming federal regulation that will limit the sale of hemp products starting in November. The federal ban, though, could be overturned, delayed or changed to facilitate regulation instead of restriction. Missouri hemp activists argue the state’s ban is premature and could be more restrictive than what federal regulation will be.

paces back and forth in the food truck that holds their life’s passion. Shelves and refrigerators are stocked full of varied homemade, hemp-infused treats, ranging in flavor profiles and milligram dosage. Highbread offers Rice Krispy treats, brownies and cookies in addition to pizzas and lemonades.

McPeak has been cooking up hemp-infused baked goods in Columbia since 2022, and they survived Missouri banning and unbanning hemp in 2024. “I feel like I cried a lot at the first closing, so I don’t cry as much now,” McPeak says. “Now it’s more anger than hurt.”

about every two weeks and she would buy five. She cuts them into eight pieces each, and that lasts her about two, three weeks. If she puts them in the freezer after opening, she could microdose over those two or three weeks.

In what ways have you and others advocated against the hemp ban?

McPeak’s personal favorite baked good is the Peanut Butter Hug. It’s a peanut butter cookie with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in the middle, containing 100 mg of hempbased THC.

HEMP HISTORY

For many years, hemp was banned in the U.S. The ban was lifted with U.S. Farm Bills in 2014 and 2018, and the hemp industry exploded in growth and sales. Hemp professionals sought regulation, such as required labeling and testing. Activists now want to see hemp regulated similarly to alcohol instead of treated as cannabis, but the marijuana industry doesn’t want hemp to be regulated less than its own products.

In 2024, McPeak joined the Missouri Hemp Trade Association, which organized about 10,000 people sending letters to the governor’s office in hopes he would veto the latest ban. He did not.

Vox asked McPeak what Missouri’s hemp regulation means for the future of their business.

How did Highbread come to be?

I had an idea that I wanted to have a bakery-style edible shop. I’ve always been a fan of cannabis. For the last 15 years or so, I’ve been a fan of natural medicines. I started practicing, making small batches of things because I really enjoyed it.

How do you infuse your treats?

I use a comprehensive mix of hemp and its sister, CBD. I use a distillate because it is easy to measure and it keeps me consistent every time. So every time you get something from me, it’s the same, every time.

Do you have recommendations for how to consume these baked goods?

It can be a bad experience if you have too much, but most of my customers, they know. I try to walk them through it. Most people don’t eat the whole thing in one sitting. I have a lady who comes

We visited the Capitol (building in Jefferson City). We talked to the representatives as much as we could. We’ve been reaching out to our customers asking them to write letters and talk to their district representatives. I did a lot through my social media.

What will you do once the ban goes into effect?

At this moment, I honestly don’t know. I may start teaching again, but I am not sure. I enjoy working with my customers here and helping them figure out what they need to be able to feel better or not hurt as much or be able to sleep at night. It’s just not the same.

What will you miss most about Highbread Bakery?

It really feels like I am hanging out with a bunch of friends, all the time, and we all have something in common. I have talked to so many people from different places in their lives, from young to old, not having money to having a lot of money. We all have this common ground. We want to come to Highbread and get a treat that helps us with whatever that way is. If this happens to end, the thing I will miss the most is the folks.

COLLECT comic books and collectibles at two mint-condition events this summer. First up is the Mid-MO Collexpo’s July showcase, which will be the organizer’s biggest event yet with more than 75 vendors, a cosplay contest and giveaways. Then the CoMo Comic Book Show is back for its sixth expo, hosted by Drew Stuart, the creator behind the CoMo Comic Book YouTube channel. Mid-MO Collexpo, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 18, Knights of Columbus Hall, free, Mid-MO Collexpo on Facebook; CoMo Comic Book Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 29, Knights of Columbus Hall, free, comocomicbooks.com

ORDER UP

at Murry’s new second location. The jazzy Columbia staple is taking over the spot formerly occupied by Sycamore, which closed its doors May 29 when owners Sanford and Jill Speake retired. Sarah Lark, one of Murry’s owners, told the Missourian that Murry’s should fit right into the downtown scene, with live music and a community-oriented mindset. Murry’s plans to offer the same menu as its original location on Green Meadows, which opened in 1985. Opening date and hours TBA, downtown: 800 E. Broadway, original: 3107 Green Meadows Way, murrysrestaurant.net

Vox Picks for JULY/ AUGUST

Each month, Vox curates a list of can’t-miss shops, eats, reads and experiences. We find the new, trending or underrated to help you enjoy the best our city has to offer.

BY VOX STAFF

EAT tacos at the Taco King Taco Fest, a two-day shellabration piled high with food trucks and festival vibes. If you’re top guac, take on the taco-eating contest or the hot sauce showdown. Local vendors, live music and performances keep the atmosphere lively. This festival travels around the Midwest, and its nonprofit hand, Tacos R Us, provides assistance to families in need. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 22; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23; Rose Music Hall, free, tacokingtacofest.com, @tacokingtacofest on Instagram

WATCH The Watermelon Woman as part of the “Reel Visions” series at Ragtag Cinema. The film — made 30 years ago — was the first feature film by a Black, out lesbian filmmaker. Cheryl Dunye directed and stars in this mockumentary as a fictionalized version of herself, a video store clerk who becomes obsessed with the uncredited “mammy” characters of old Hollywood films. Ouma Amadou, cinema programmer at Ragtag, says the film explores “finding your own history through oppressive frameworks” while still maintaining a comedic, stylized tone. The “Reel Visions” series highlights filmmakers of color, and local musical acts are invited to perform before the showing — Zamboni Funk will take the stage this time around. 7 p.m. June 30, Ragtag Cinema, $9-$11, ragtagcinema.org

SPLASH around with family and friends at the Water Festival at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. Exploring is the name of the day, with guided tours of Connor’s Cave, stream hunting for aquatic critters, and interactions with turtles and raptor birds. The Water Festival concludes the second annual Creek Week, a series of events to encourage waterway protections. “We all want to have a healthy environment, and water and streams are a very important part of that,” says Roxie Campbell, a park naturalist with Missouri State Parks. 9 a.m. to noon, June 27, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, free, mostateparks.com/event/water-festival-2026

Even with a decade or much more under their belts, these three Missouri groups aren’t on the way out-ro. All have released new music in 2025 and 2026.

Pressing rewind

Years after their first interviews, local musicians sit down with Vox again to chat about how times, tunes and tours have changed.

BY ADDISON GERTZ

A decade ago, they were touring in vans and playing dive bars. Vox met them on the road, at festivals and diners, to ask about the music, the miles and the mayhem that comes with the music industry. Ten (or so) years later, Vox asks them those same questions (and more). This is the then and now.

The Hooten Hallers

Founded in Columbia, the trio is a local favorite with its high-energy blend of blues, garage rock, punk and jazz music. With guitar, drums and baritone saxophone, the group built a sound that’s both gritty and distinct.

Guitarist and vocalist John Randall began playing with drummer and vocalist Andy Rehm at Columbia open mic nights before their first official show in 2007. Kellie Everett, bass and baritone sax, joined the group in 2014, completing the lineup.

A decade ago, Vox spoke with Rehm about life on tour. This time, Randall is in the hot seat with the band’s newest album, Van Jams, Vol. 1, in hand.

How would you describe your most recent album?

Rehm in 2016, on The Mountain of Pain EP: It’s more stripped-down and almost acoustic, but there’s still drums and electric guitar and saxophone and everything you’d expect from The Hooten Hallers. Randall in 2026, on Van Jams, Vol. 1:

It’s all cover songs and a bunch of songs that we have listened to or have just been meaningful to us in our touring career. We spend a lot of time on the road, and a lot of that time is listening to music. So, we just decided to make an album of some of the songs that stand out. Just jams we do in the van, you know?

What’s your favorite place to play?

Rehm in 2016: There’s nothing like playing our hometown to a crowd that loves us and has loved us and stood by us for years.

That being said, it’s hard to pick a favorite place because we have so many favorite places. We love this whole country and even some other countries. It took some getting used to in Europe ’cause it was like we were starting from square one, back when we were playing to nobody. You just gotta accept that and start again — and it’s exciting, but also kind of like, “Man, I miss Missouri.” Randall in 2026: I definitely consider (Columbia) home. It’s definitely one of our favorite places to play. The energy and the people here have always been great. In general, I love to play in the Balkans like Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia. It’s just very good people, very good food, very enthusiastic and just a love for life and togetherness that I feel really resounds with the vibe of live music in general.

stepping into her solo journey fulltime almost 10 years ago. Her most recent album, With the Wind: An Or chestral Dance Music Suite, represents her growth in ability as well as music that is more “her.”

In a story from 2016, Vox described Healey’s musical process. She used a looping pedal technology back in her solo career, so she could record herself playing instruments on multiple pitches. She would then layer them on top of each other to create the ensemble for the song.

HOW TO HEAR THEM OUT

sich believes the group’s sound is more distinctly its own now. Its last interview with Vox was in 2018 at the Roots N Blues Festival. More recently, the group has been working on a new album titled Good Luck, Nice to Meet You

“We’re so proud of this new music and proud that people can hear the modern sound of our band,” Salsich says.

What inspires you in your songwriting?

Salsich in 2018: The wide rivers and red brick streets of St. Louis.

From solo violin to looping to performing with a full band, Molly Healey has built a new creative direction after

How do you describe your songwriting?

Healey in 2016: I like to put lots of lines on top of each other. That’s just how I started to find my songwriting style. Healey in 2026: I’ve incorporated a full band, not all the time by any means, but I now have three iterations of myself. One is the solo where I show up and I loop acoustically. Then I also have this full rock band where I use the looping pedal along with the guitarist, a drummer and a bass player for a really, really big sound. I call it orchestral rock. I finally, over the last couple of years, developed a third iteration, which I call orchestral dance music, which is where I play my loop compositions over backing tracks that I’ve had crafted by another musician who’s programmed them.

Is there a song you’ve written that shows your growth as a musician since 2016?

Healey in 2026: “Circles.” I think it’s my favorite track on there. That was from my 2019 album, the original full band one. It’s just a different iteration of that song, and it just shows the growth there because it was recorded back in 2019, and here we are — here it is again in a totally different iteration.

The Mighty Pines

Ten years after its founding, the band has gone from roots rock to earthy in die. The Mighty Pines blend genres, but are often described as a bluegrass country band from St. Louis. The de cade-long friendship has grown and changed, and its music with it.

Vocalist and guitarist Neil Sal

THE HOOTEN HALLERS

@thehootenhallers on Instagram, and The Hooten Hallers on Facebook and Spotify.

MOLLY HEALEY

@mollyhealeymusic on Instagram, and Molly Healey on Facebook and Spotify.

THE MIGHTY PINES

@themightypines on Instagram, and The Mighty Pines on Facebook and Spotify.

Salsich in 2026: It’s usually matters of the heart. So heartbreak or love and longing.

What’s attractive about playing in CoMo?

Salsich in 2018: The location here in Columbia, Missouri, the heart of America and the center of the universe.

Salsich in 2026: The people that are coming to see us in Columbia are coming to see our music. We play best when we’re playing far away from home to small crowds that have never heard us, where there’s no pressure.

What does growth for The Mighty Pines look like?

Salsich in 2026: The things that people have loved about the Mighty Pines in the past are still there now and they can still experience our shows and our new songs. It’s not a conscious thing — we

Let’s get alto-gether

From gospel to pop, find community in harmony with these seven vocal ensambles — no auditions required.

BY EMMA HARPER

Music allows us to connect — over a new album, a viral tune or an exciting concert. But that connection can be even deeper when we’re the ones making the music. And we can start with the instrument we all carry — our voices. “Choir gives you a family outside of your own family, gives you a community outside of your own family,” says Brandon Boyd, director of choral activities at the University of Missouri. “It provides you with a safe space.”

Want to give singing a try? Vox gathered this list of seven choirs that are open to join without an audition.

Create connection and community Intergenerational Rock Band Choir

The Intergenerational Rock Band Choir performs popular rock music from the 1950s to today with one showcase per session at The Blue Note. “It’s fun to hear the little kids learn about vinyl records, all the way to older adults who are in their 70s (learning) about how TikTok music works,” co-director Logan Garner says. Sign up for the Compass Inc. email list to get notice of registration. Learn more at compasscolumbia.org; $100 per session; weekly rehearsal 2-4 p.m. Sundays.

Sankofa Chorale

For a space to gather around music of the Black tradition, including gospel and classical music by composers of color, check out Sankofa. The group is offered through Mizzou, but it is open to the community as well. Sankofa performs once or twice a semester, and members learn songs by ear, not sheet music. Contact boydba@missouri.edu for information; free; weekly rehearsal 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

The Quorus

Calling itself Columbia’s “LGBTQA-Z” choir, this group fosters community with LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. The Quorus meets in five- or six-week sessions with one performance per session. Queer anthems are a staple, but the group also sings classical music, pop rock and even original compositions. “Singing is always a part of it,” Quorus director Audra Sergel says. “It’s always a part of something as humans that we do.” Join via thequorus.wixsite.com/ thequorus; $30 per session; weekly re hearsal 7-8 p.m. Sundays.

Grow your musical abilities

Choral Union

Choral Union performs one concert per

RESISTANCE IN SONG

A majority of U.S. adults say societal division is a source of stress, according to a 2025 study from the American Psychological Association. Singing with a group can help. “In the world we live in now — that’s trying to say we don’t belong to one another — this is an act of resistance, to say ‘We belong to one another, and you belong to me, and I’ll show for you, and I’ll sing with you,’” says Audra Sergel, director of the Quorus and Columbia’s artist laureate (read more about Sergel’s citywide

other Mizzou ensembles. Boyd describes the choir as a “weekly therapy session for community members where they can come and be challenged.” Contact boydba@missouri.edu for information; $55 for community members and $35 for students; weekly rehearsal 7-9 p.m. Thursdays.

Columbia Chorale

Amateur and professional singers alike come from across central Missouri to sing in this ensemble. This choir has performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, the Missouri Symphony and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. Join for a four-month session or the full year from August to May. Register at choral artsallianceofmissouri.org; $110 per session or $200 per year; weekly rehearsal 7-9 p.m. Mondays.

Serve your community

Columbia Community Gospel Choir

all singers regardless of vocal range and ability, performing music of the Black tradition, from classical music by composers of color to gospel. Members learn by ear instead of sheet music.

The Columbia Community Gospel Choir combines gospel music and philanthropy. It rehearses from January to February each year for its annual Unity Benefit Concert, which has raised more than $19,000 for local nonprofits, according to the group’s website. See choralartsallianceofmissouri.org for more; free; weekly rehearsals in January.

Columbia Threshold Singers

The Columbia Threshold Singers is a branch of the international Threshold Choir organization. (The group’s name comes from the threshold between life and death.) Members sing, by request, for people in hospice care. Singers do not need to read music but will sing a cappella in two- or three-part harmony. Join via columbiamo@thresholdchoir. org to learn more; donations encouraged; weekly rehearsal 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Remember stores like Camelot Music and Waldenbooks? Although shops and fashions have changed over the 40-plus years of the Columbia Mall, its essence remains much the same.

The Columbia Mall racks up more than 40 years of memories

When the Columbia Mall opened in 1985, there were 21 regional malls in the state. Today, only 10 of those are still open. The story of our city’s mall is one of resilience and change.

The American mall — what was once a novel shopping experience has lost its appeal in the 21st century. Nearly 14,000 mall stores closed between 2016 to 2025, according to a Capitol One Shopping report.

But the Columbia Mall remains, albeit with a lot of transition.

he American mall — what was once a novel shopping experience (food courts! arcades! acid-wash jeans!) has lost its appeal in the 21st century. Nearly 14,000 mall stores closed between 2016 and 2025, according to a Capitol One Shopping report. But the Columbia Mall remains, albeit with a lot of transition.

“We’ve been able to maintain successful changes during the time and have still been able to remain relevant to today’s retail shopping demands,” says Rusty Strodtman, general manager of Columbia Mall.

“We’ve been able to maintain successful changes during the time and have still been able to remain relevant to today’s retail shopping demands,” says Rusty Strodtman, general manager of Columbia Mall.

In recognition of the mall’s middle age — it turned 40 last year — Vox its journey since its opening and how it has stayed up and running.

during the

first year of operation. Sears was an anchor store at the time; Target and JCPenney would open later.

In recognition of the mall’s now middle age — it turned 40 last year — Vox browsed the mall’s journey since its opening. From the 2008 financial crisis to COVID-19, Columbia Mall has overinterest of many.

More anchor stores joined the mall,

On October 9, 1985, the mall welcomed more than 40,000 residents at its opening ceremony, which was documented in a KOMU 8 news broadcast. Residents flooded the mall for a first glimpse at what it had to offer.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music serenaded mall-goers, who walked around with bright balloons tied to their wrists.

The debut of new stores in Columbia, like Sears and Waldenbooks, along with the unique experience an indoor shopping center offered, piqued the interest of many.

More anchor stores joined the mall, attracting shoppers throughout Boone County. Target joined the mall in the summer of 1986, and JCPenney opened a store the following year, according to COMO Magazine

longest economic expansion the U.S. had seen. Unemployment and inflation

In the early ’90s, the economy underwent a global recession. But the mall never stopped growing. Its 1994 Black Friday event exceeded expectations — about 40,000 people visited the mall on the annual shopping holiday.

The recession was followed by the longest economic expansion the U.S. had seen. Unemployment and inflation rates decreased, allowing citizens the financial freedom for larger purchases. Clowns entertained children, quarters filled arcade machines and lines crowded the plazas for visits with Santa Claus — the mall was a busy place.

AGAINST (M)ALL ODDS

Of the 21 Missouri malls that were open in 1985, only about 10 are still open, mall general manager Rusty Strodtman told Missourinet Among the malls that closed is Biscayne Mall, which was near the corner of Stadium Boulevard and Ash Street. It opened in 1972 with anchor stores Montgomery Ward and Woolco. It closed in 2002.

ple, The Mall Theatres, a four-screen cinema that opened in the late 1980s, closed in August 2000. Still, the mall added new activities to attract customers — most notably in 2004 with the indoor

While consumer spending on apparel increased in 2000, some activity-based spaces at the mall struggled. For example, The Mall Theatres, a four-screen cinema that opened in the late 1980s, closed in August 2000. Still, the mall added new activities to attract customers — most notably in 2004 with the indoor carousel that remains today. Although the mall kept its doors open through the 2008 financial crisis, some stores struggled as factors such as heightened gas prices and skyrocketing inflation affected consumer spending.

ed left the mall in 2017 due to a lack of in-person customers, and Sears closed the following year. However, stores like Target and AT&T continued to renovate their spaces.

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the mall struggled to provide relief for businesses that were hurting the most. “(The mall) was not eligible for any federal grants or funding that were being done during COVID for businesses to help their employees,” Strodtman says.

center. It remains an attraction for families today.

Susan James, assistant manager at Buckle in Columbia Mall, was the man ager at Francesca’s for three years and says COVID-19 affected mall traffic.

While some still strolled through the mall looking for that perfect going-out top (let’s be honest, everyone will have that same top, just in a different color), many chose to shop directly from their homes in the 2010s. Annual e-commerce sales jumped from $260 billion in 2010 to $649 billion at the end of the decade, according to Capital One Shopping.

Specialty retailers such as The Children’s Place, MC Sports and The Limited left the mall in 2017 due to a lack of in-person customers, and Sears closed the following year. However, stores like Target and AT&T continued to renovate their spaces.

caption

change is expected, with new demands and economic conditions. Jodie Jackson Jr., editor-in-chief for COMO Business Times, predicts that

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the mall struggled to provide relief for businesses that were hurting the most. “(The mall) was not eligible for any federal grants or funding that were being done during COVID for businesses to help their employees,” Strodtman says.

Susan James, assistant manager at Buckle in the Columbia Mall, was the manager at Francesca’s for three years and says COVID-19 affected mall traffic. “People were scared to shop, and shops weren’t open consistently, but traffic went back up since it’s a college town,” James says.

James says fewer stores in the mall were open consistently, and many were closed most business days. Businesses have had to shift approaches to stay running.

NOT SO RUSTY

Rusty Strodtman has been the general manager of the Columbia Mall for 16 years and seen his share of changes.

“There’s been a lot of transition,” he says. That’s an understatement.

Strodtman started at the mall during a time when online shopping was just starting to take off, with sales increasing almost 150% during the 2010s.

21st-century rise in online shopping and advertising, businesses in the mall will have to stand out and prioritize customer

Looking toward upcoming years, more change is expected, with new demands and economic conditions. Jodie Jackson Jr., editor-in-chief for COMO Magazine and COMO Business Times, predicts that online shopping will continue to rise, noting that some Columbia retailers have adapted by running their own online stores.

“I don’t think there’s going to be any let down of online shopping, especially as transportation costs get higher and gas prices go up,” Jackson says.

The mall continues to see high rates in daily traffic, Strodtman says, but many mall businesses will have to adjust strategies to keep this trend going. With the 21st-century rise in online shopping and advertising, businesses in the mall will have to stand out and prioritize customer convenience. •

bitter Sweet

In one last round, Vox writer Ally Schniepp visits four wineries and leaves her Missouri memories on the vine.

I sat down on the couch in my Columbia apartment and watched my roommate, Brynn, shut the front door. The click of the lock signaled my first night alone in weeks. With time and quiet to write, I pulled out the bulky cardboard box with a Columbia Missourian newspaper draped over the top (aka my makeshift coffee table and workstation), set down a glass of Stone Hill Rosé Montaigne on a coaster, opened my trusty MacBook and prepared to write this article.

I watched the cursor blink, blink, blink. But I wasn’t sure where to start. That’s because I knew this wasn’t going to be a story just about Missouri wineries — it had become a journey of accepting the conclusion of my college chapter. The assignment had morphed into a goodbye to my home state, to college and to some of my closest friends. All while I also was documenting experiences at four wineries, all within two hours of Columbia.

Design and illustrations: Abigail

Before I started reporting for this story, I had an expectation of what visiting a winery would be like, based largely on TV and movie images of sun-dappled California or French vineyards and sunny tasting rooms. But I’d never been to a winery before and, at 22, had only just started to explore wine in general, much less focus on varietals produced in my home state.

St. James Winery

540 State Route B, St. James

Wines to try: Cherry Blossom and Bubbly Pineapple Mango

Feels like: A casual backyard party where you don’t want to let your dad beat you in bags

Perfect for: A day trip

Soundtrack: “Strawberry Wine” by Noah Kahan and “Baby Steps” by Olivia Dean

Little did I know, Missouri has a rich wine history — despite a lack of A-List celebrities and common knowledge wine regions. There are 116 wineries in the state of Missouri and over 1,800 acres of vineyards. There are five different American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs, throughout the state where the grapes are grown: Augusta, Ozark Mountain, Hermann, Ozark Highlands and the Loess Hills District. The largest of these grape-growing regions is Ozark Mountain, which spans over 3.5 million acres in southern Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. And the first AVA in the country was Augusta, a 15-square-mile region in eastern Missouri, designated in 1980. (The second one was Napa Valley, by the way.)

In other words, Missouri wine is a big deal.

I decided to visit four wineries: The Blufftop at Rocheport, Serenity Valley, St. James and Stone Hill. I would tour them with Brynn, my roommate of four years and friend since middle school. We’d been through everything together during our time at Mizzou — from the dorms to our beloved little apartment on the south side — and long before that growing up together in O’Fallon. This would be a final adventure to commemorate our time here.

By the end of the last winery visit, I’d accepted a job in Wisconsin, so we knew we’d soon be living in different states. That made each second more fragile and cherished. Every uncertainty about map directions, every glass of sweet wine, every laugh was precious.

The start of the journey: St. James Winery

Our first stop was St. James Winery in St. James, which was founded in 1970 by owner and marketing director Brandon Hofherr’s grandparents, Jim and Pat Hofherr. Although the official opening date was in 1970, St. James Winery’s history began long before that, dating back to the late 1800s when Italian immigrants settled in the Meramec Highlands and started creating Missouri wine before Prohibition.

Now, St. James is the largest winery in Missouri.

The ride to St. James from Columbia — just short of two hours — was bright and encouraging. Fluffy, Toy Story-esque clouds begged to be followed as we drove the twisting road that is U.S. 63.

With my preconceived notions about what a winery is supposed to be like, I was a little underwhelmed when we pulled up to St. James. Looking back, St. James is charming and beautiful — a sweet, family-owned winery that wasn’t intended for superficial Instagram aesthetics but instead a space that can stand the test of time.

“We’re just kind of approachable,” Hofherr says. “We don’t really judge anybody about what they like. We love sweet wine, we love dry wine. If you want ice cubes for

your wine, that’s great. We love that for you. We just like having fun and enjoying what nature gives us.”

And that’s exactly what Brynn and I did as we sat at one of the numerous tables on a small yet spacious patio. We drank our flights of seasonal and year-round wines. I liked the sweet Cherry Blossom, and she preferred the carbonated Bubbly Pineapple Mango. We talked through our most treasured memories from the past four years and our ugliest fears for the future ahead. We said aloud our biggest dreams and what it would take to achieve them — or what would happen if we couldn’t.

A

“Six Flags” experience:

Stone Hill Winery

About an hour into our drive from St. James to Stone Hill in Hermann, we started seeing them: grapevines. Rows and rows of grapevines on either side of the road. Brynn and I laughed, feeling rejuvenated about the adventure and seeing another winery.

Stone Hill was founded in 1847 by German immigrants, starting out as Missouri’s largest winery before production halted during Prohibition. In 1965, Jim and Betty Held took on the challenge of restoring Stone Hill Winery, fixing up the old buildings and starting to grow grapes once again after vineyards sat dormant for 45 years. Today, Stone Hill is the most awarded winery in Missouri and the second-largest behind St. James.

Mo’ grapes

Despite an atypical climate for grape-growing, Missouri has been in the business of vinification since the 19th century. The tenacious Norton, Chardonel and Catawba wine grapes are all native to the state.

journalism job and would be moving away from my home state for the first time.

The A-Frame Wine Garden on the Blufftop is the original location for Les Bourgeois Winery that started in 1985, which has now expanded to include the Bistro, tasting room and distillery that make up The Blufftop at Rocheport. Each location has its own vibe depending what wine mood you are in, from a bigger celebration space at the Bistro or expanding your wine palate at the tasting room.

“We have the best sunsets in the state,” says Christina Kelley, marketing director at The Blufftop at Rocheport. “So it certainly is the place to spend an afternoon and evening and really enjoy just the beautiful Missouri River, watch the birds and enjoy that nature.”

The A-Frame has stunning views and a more relaxed atmosphere. It was perfect for unpacking the fears that had been circling in my head since I accepted the out-of-state job. The fear of having a job and a destination, but not much else. The fear of leaving everyone behind or being left behind myself after moving on from Mizzou and Missouri.

Brynn and I walked down the wooden steps to an overlook near the river. The air felt lighter as we sat down, covered by the shade of the wooden roof. I took a deep breath and let it out, feeling at home despite being in a brand-new place. We sat side by side, splitting a bottle of Les Bourgeois’ famous Pink Fizz, just talking into the wind. “It felt like how drinking wine is supposed to be,” Brynn said later.

As I looked around, I realized this was what I had envisioned for a winery. Looks like a Hallmark movie set, check. Women in springy sundresses, check. Outdoor seating, rows of grapevines and a friendly sommelier in an elegant tasting room — check, check and check. We each left with three bottles of wine apiece.

But there were so many people there on that busy Saturday afternoon. For me, that made the experience a bit anxiety-inducing. Stone Hill delivered on our checklist in full with a beautiful space that felt like a slice of a movie universe instead of the real world. But next time I’d go back during a quieter time.

Front porch sipping: The A-Frame

Wine Garden on the Blufftop

About three weeks later we set our sights on The Blufftop at Rocheport with a visit to the A-Frame. This trip was special. It was the first winery Brynn and I visited after I found out I’d gotten my first real

A-Frame Wine Garden on the Blufftop 14020 W. Missouri Highway Bb, Rocheport Wines to try: Feels like: a well-deserved vacation Perfect for:

Soundtrack: Sheryl Crow and “Keep Driving” by Harry Styles

The last stop: Serenity Valley Winery

Two days later, our final stop was Serenity Valley in Fulton, where grazing cows greeted us at the gates. Brynn’s Subaru ambled on, gravel crunching under the tires, revealing a large pond in front of a house and large barnlike building. A gazebo sat at the edge of the water, bringing a smile to my face — I’m a sucker for a good gazebo. For a moment I worried we had ended up on some one’s personal property. But we were in just the right place.

Serenity Valley Winery

1888 County Road 342, Fulton Wines to try: Spring Blossoms and Sigh No More

Feels like: A calm summer party featuring feathered friends

Perfect for: Animal lovers

Soundtrack: “Rein Me In” by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean and “This Is the Life” by Hannah Montana

Serenity Valley is owned and operated by Lee and Regina Ruppert, who opened the win ery in 2011 after Regina was diagnosed with cancer. The winery sits about 20 minutes outside of Columbia on 60 acres of land that create a rich green backdrop until the grass meets the sky — save for the 5-acre lake in the mid dle of the property.

For our final wine pick, we ended up going with a bot tle of Spring Blossoms, as both Brynn and I are partial to sweeter wines with pretty labels.

Walking out of the barn felt like arriving at a backyard party that hadn’t started yet. Tables, chairs and picnic benches

were planted around the yard in no particular order, just enough space for each table to have some privacy but not enough that you couldn’t overhear your neighbor’s conver-

The few hours we spent at Serenity Valley lived up to its name — serene. We chatted over glasses of sweet wine before we were pleasantly surprised by four ducks

While reporting for this story, my final , I learned about my home state’s wine history and notched my first four winery visits. And though I am grateful to have traveled to places in Missouri I’d never seen before, I was more grateful for the excuse to spend time with the friends I would be leaving, day drinking in the middle of the week surrounded by nature and unpacking the swirl of emotions

At the start of the journey, I wanted to write a travel story as part of the long road to 12-year-old Ally’s biggest dream of becoming a travel journalist. And while I did check that one off for little Ally, I also checked off something for this version

The tea on Columbia’s new sip spot

The Herbal Joint offers a variety of tea, juice and smoothie drinks in a space curated to build community.

BY EMILY EARLY

Missing Main Squeeze’s juices and smoothies? The Herbal Joint is here to quench your thirst.

Erica Dickson, the founder and CEO of the Mid-Missouri Black Doula Collective, and Matthew Smith, certified personal trainer and former NCAA athlete, share a passion for herbal wellness. Dickson is certified in herbalism through PrairieWise Herbal School. When Dickson spotted a “for lease” sign downtown, they decided to share their

mutual interest with Columbia.

Within the store is an elixir bar, where customers can choose drinks from a hand-drawn menu: herbal teas, lemonades, smoothies, pressed juices and wellness shots. Upstairs, almost 100 jars of dried herbs line the loft’s shelves.

But The Herbal Joint is more than just a juice bar. Dickson and Smith wanted to create a space to educate others on starting their herbal journeys. The pair works to ensure their business con-

Matthew Smith (above) curated The Herbal Joint’s drink menu with Erica Dickson, his partner in life and business. Some of their favorite “clas-sip” teas and lemonades are infused with supplements such as bee pollen.

nects with the local community. They partner with local businesses such as Como Beach, Raw Roots Turmeric, N’Spired Scents and Bawsology to sell other herb-related products and merchandise. Also, the duo host open-mic nights, teach workshops about herbs and schedule events like hot yoga — all open to the public.

Beyond the drinks, Dickson and Smith carefully decorated the store, choosing couches, tables and basket

chairs for customers to unwind. They tucked plants into every corner, hung artwork and created a community herbal recipe blackboard.

Regulars like Aaliyah Beck often use the space to relax with friends. From the constant stream of music to a puzzle on the coffee table by the couch, the owners have worked to make the space inviting. “It’s more of an intimate business, and it feels like we come here for conversations, and the drinks just happen to be good,” Beck says.

The drinks are where the atmosphere and purpose come together. The owners picked out three drinks from their menu to recommend to Vox readers: a lemonade, a tea and a pressed juice.

Try the Tiger Lemonade

Fresh blackberries, blackberry syrup, dill, bee pollen, signature house lemonade Blackberry and nutrient-dense bee pollen mimic tiger stripes in The Herbal Joint’s signature lemonade. Citric tanginess is met by sweet, tart blackberries. Dill tops it all off, creating a sharp but pleasant drink.

Dickson says this drink is a springboard for incorporating herbal ingredients. “A lot of times when you introduce people to the herbalism journey, you

want to introduce it in ways that don’t completely turn them off,” Dickson says. “I thought that lemonades would be a good way to add things to something that’s tasty.”

Dickson and Smith wanted to honor Columbia and celebrate all things Mizzou with the drink’s colors. “The name is a nod to Mizzou and the fan base and the local community,” Smith says.

Sip on the Minty Sweet Escape

Iced green tea, fresh spearmint, raw honey, chamomile

This drink isn’t cool just because it’s iced; the mix of green tea and chamomile forms a stage where the spearmint and honey can flourish. It’s sweet, it’s minty, and it’s a great refresher.

“The chamomile kind of softens the mint,” Dickson says. “It’s a softer flavor, and the mint adds a little bit of a punch to it, but it’s still pretty subtle.”

The Herbal Joint offers a variety of teas, from black and green tea to matcha and lemonade-tea mixes. Customers can create their own tea mix, too, by selecting dried herbs from the almost 100 options displayed upstairs.

“We wanted to have a decent mix between black tea and green tea offerings, so this was more of a traditional

DID YOU KNOW?

Drinks at The Herbal Joint are made with intentional practices and ingredients. For instance, its green tea is brewed at cooler temperatures to preserve the leaves’ natural antioxidants. Its apple cider vinegar comes with the mother, the byproduct of fermentation. Most store-bought apple cider vinegar removes the mother because of the cloudy appearance it creates, but yeast and “good bacteria” (probiotics) provide benefits for immune and digestive systems.

green tea with a honey base to balance it,” Smith says. “We have a very laidback, chill vibe in the location. It’s a stress reducer, and it aids digestion as well. So, it’s just a drink that matches the vibe of the location.”

Imbibe the Octavia Elixir

Fresh beet juice, apple juice, apple cider vinegar (with the mother), cinnamon

This juice combines earthy beets and the sweetness of apples to create a deep flavor with a dash of cinnamon.

“We named this elixir after visionary writer Octavia Butler — it’s bold and nourishing,” Dickson says. “The deep crimson beet color and the tangy-sweet complexity make it a go-to for customers looking for something unique, grounding and refreshing.”

As she practices herbalism in her work and life, Dickson keeps the individual in mind. “I wanted people to be able to have a small experience in what it is like to have your own autonomy and what the journey looks like for you,” Dickson says. “I think that’s something that doesn’t happen a lot in our Western medical system.” While she provides guidance, Dickson wants everyone to experience their own herbal journey.

STEEP UP

What: The Herbal Joint

Where: 12 S. Ninth St. When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed.–Thurs.; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri.–Sat.; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Contact: theherbaljoint.com

Flavors swirl together in (from left) Tiger Lemonade, Minty Sweet Escape and Octavia Elixir — three popular drinks at The Herbal Joint.

Melting pot on wheels

City of Refuge’s food truck, City Cuisine, serves global fusion fare two Fridays a month.

BY ACIYA EL TAJOURY

Behind the City of Refuge building, in an outdoor space lined by fairy lights and long wooden tables, sits the City Cuisine food truck. Two Fridays a month, you’ll find a long line of customers: university staff and employees from the library across the street, people living nearby or those who’ve made the drive to try it. While they wait, customers discuss menu items worth trying, suggest ordering extra sauce on the side or testify that the chai ice cream is to die for.

City of Refuge opened the City Cuisine food truck in March 2025. It began operations two times a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as taking catering orders regularly. The truck accelerates City of Refuge’s nonprofit mission to help refugees gain employment skills and integrate into our community.

City Cuisine is one part of City of Refuge’s incoming funds, alongside the City Boutique thrift store, donations and grants. Last year, President Trump’s administration halted the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and all funding to agencies that support refugees.

But running a food truck can feel more like spinning wheels. “We have inconsistency with scheduling, and the food truck has some natural challenges like, you can’t be open when it’s 90 degrees because then it’s 100 degrees on the food truck or the pipes freeze in the winter,” says Debbie Beal, executive director of City of Refuge. “So having consistent employment opportunities has been tricky.”

These speed bumps led to the truck eventually reducing operations to two Fridays a month and catering opportunities.

The food truck serves up a global fusion menu curated by Nathan Lehr, the facilities manager and City Cuisine supervisor.

City Cuisine supervisor Nathan Lehr (at right, front) works with Eraste Bishazi inside the food truck. Below, Abigail Hake-Sheller works the window.

GLOBAL MENU

City Cuisne’s menu offers a taste of different cultural dishes.

Vietnamese: Bánh mì smash tacos — bánh mì seasoned beef, provolone, pickled vegetables and red curry aioli rolled in a tortilla.

Egyptian: Egyptian smash tacos — ras el hanout seasoned beef, provolone, pickled vegetables and red curry aioli rolled in a tortilla.

Peruvian: Peruvian chicken poutine — chicken, solterito, crumbled feta and aji verde sauce on waffle fries.

Greek: Gyro — gyro beef, tomatoes, cucumbers, carmelized onions, feta cheese and tzatziki sauce on pita bread.

Mexican: Street corn — corn in creamy spiced cheese sauce, feta cheese, fresh cilantro and Tajin.

African: Peri Peri burrito — chicken, basmati rice, salada and Peri Peri sauce rolled in a tortilla.

Chinese: Bang Bang chicken sandwich — fried chicken with slaw, pickles and Bang Bang sauce.

TRUCKS

Dishes such as Egyptian smash tacos and Peruvian chicken poutine — with recipes created on-site by Lehr and tested by the staff until they’re just right — allow customers to sample global flavors in a format that feels familiar and approachable.

“Basically, the fusion is taking somewhere else’s recipe and making it more of an American medium,” Lehr says. “So the gyro burger: It’s a gyro, but it’s in burger form. Or it’s Egyptian hanout seasoning for beef, but we make it into a smash taco. Or a bánh mì Vietnamese sandwich, which is pickled vegetables and all these flavors, and we make it into a smash taco.”

With internationally inspired dishes, City Cuisine can “bridge the gap and provide an introduction to more global foods” to American-born people, Beal says. Hopefully, the food truck’s menu will lead more Columbians to seek out refugee- and immigrant-owned food businesses.

But there’s a balance to consider. “We don’t want to try to be a competi-

tor of someone’s native food, essentially,” Beal says. “We’re not trying to recreate what people can cook themselves, especially because some of them want to go start their own businesses.” City of Refuge highlights Tiger Chef and Myanmar Kitchen (both Burmese-Thai restaurants) and The Syrian Kitchen as refugee-owned eateries in town, as well as refugee-owned Shwe Market International Foods and African Market International.

Cooking flavorful food is just part of the battle — there’s a lot to learn. “Everybody knows how to cook, and they have incredible food and incredible recipes,” Beal says. “But part of the learning curve is: What’s the health code? And what are the standards? And how do you light the pilot light in your own stove?”

The truck gives refugees looking to work in the food industry the opportunity to gain the experience needed for future employment or entrepreneurship with cooking classes and training on commercial kitchen equipment.

Beyond the dollars and cents, the

The City Cuisine food truck is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. two Fridays a month outside City of Refuge, 10 N. Garth Ave. Find its open dates on Instagram @citycuisine_como.

City Cuisine food truck helps refugees learn more about their new communities. “When you grow up in one culture, you’re used to only cooking a certain kind of food,” Beal says. But refugee family members — especially kids — are adapting to pizza and chicken nuggets and hamburgers. Parents want to “learn how to cook foods they’re learning to enjoy,” Beal says. “There’s a cultural food learning piece that’s been really important.”

by Sam Brusven

Your mid-Missouri flower fields guide

Looking to grow your appreciation for flowers? Let Vox plant the seed.

BY LORELEI SKURZEWSKI

Bloom seasons in mid-Missouri can be just as fleeting as they are vibrant. Many local flower farms open their fields for just a few short weeks. Vox gathered a bouquet of six local growers for flower seekers. Some of the pick-your-own options have passed, but there still is plenty to explore with local flower farms.

Battlefield Lavender

Lavender blooms in early spring, but it’s not too late to visit the farm for a “show and smell” tour of the dried harvest or to shop for lavender-inspired gifts. Visit the Centralia farm in late August for a secondary bloom, or catch Battlefield at the Columbia Farmers Market most Saturdays. battlefieldlavender.com

Cultivate Co.

The Columbia farm has been in owner

Joan Dyer’s family for three generations and offers fresh flowers three seasons of the year, from poppies in the spring to summer zinnias and fall-time dahlias. Join the flower club for seasonal market events. cultivateco.org

Fleur de Lis

Rachel Guerrier started Fleur de Lis in a converted garage in Warrenton, turning a family space into a makeshift floral studio before expanding to offer full farm experiences. Attend a workshop on bouquet arranging or learn the buzz about the farm’s pollinators. fleurdelisflowerfarm.com

Happy Hollow Farm

Flowers are one piece of Happy Hollow Farm owner Liz Graznak’s much larger ecosystem centered on feeding people. Shop from the Jamestown farm online

SEASONAL SELECTIONS

The Missouri Botanical Garden has compiled a list of 198 different plant species and peak bloom times throughout the year. For July and August, check out blue cardinal flower, sunflower and hydrangea. To complete your late-summer shopping list, visit missouribotanical garden.org.

for local delivery and pickup or visit its stand at the Columbia Farmers Market. happyhollowfarm-mo.com

Lavender Rhapsody

Cathy Smith, owner of Lavender Rhapsody in Bland, says it was her “farm kid’s soul” that drew her and her husband back to the land. Visit the farm on pick-yourown days in May and early June or shop products online. lavenderrhapsody.com

Old Plank Peony Farm

First-generation farmer and owner of Old Plank Peony Farm Lindsey Naumann says she jumped into peony farming with thousands of plants and learned through trial and error. In its first season the farm offered peony bouquets during May. Sign up for the email list to stay informed for 2027. oldplankpeonyfarm.com

AGenerations flock up

From seasoned naturalists to first-time birders, mid-Missourians of all ages find connection through bird-watching.

BY GRACE ROMINE

n elementary school student and a 71-year-old Columbia hobby shop owner walk onto the 3M Wetland Trail. No, it’s not the beginning of a poor joke — it’s a typical first Friday of the month.

When the Columbia Audubon Society hosts its monthly First Friday Bird Hike, dozens of birders flock to the scene for their chance to see or hear different songbirds, hawks and waterfowl. Some have more than 50 years of experience bird-watching; others are less than a quarter of that in age alone. But they come with their life lists and fine-tuned binoculars in tow, ready to inventory. They share a mutual fervor for birding.

Vox spoke to four generations of birders in mid-Missouri. Here’s what they have to share about their favorite hobby. These conversations have been condensed and edited for clarity.

Kylee McBride

9 years old

Birding for: One and a half years McBride got into birding after making suet during a visit to the Boone County Nature School, which is home to four native ecosystems local students can explore.

Favorite birds to see: Owls, kinglets and waterfowl

Q: What local, native bird would you most like to see?

A: I had one, but now I don’t have it anymore because we saw it last night. It was the great horned owl. There was a lady who told us about an owl that hung out down by a creek somewhere. So, as we were driving down there, and I was keeping an eye out for owls, I had seen things on the power line that looked like owls, but they were just part of the power line. But as we got closer, I actually saw eyes, and I’m like, “Mom, there’s a great horned owl,” and she’s like, “Where?” We turned around and went to see it. It flew into a field, and then it flew back onto a different power line. We sat there for a while watching it. And then it flew into the field, and we lost it.

We went down to see the creek. We didn’t see any owls. We were heading back, and we didn’t see that great horned owl. We saw another great horned owl — we think it was the same one — fly into another field, and we watched it until we couldn’t see it anymore. Then we were turning around again, and there was another one on the power line, and it didn’t fly off.

What a night! I could barely sleep.

Janice Balraj

22 years old

Birding for: Less than one year

Balraj is vice president of the MU Bird Club and interned with the Missouri Department of Conservation last sum

recently spotted her first great horned owl. Some of the most common birds in mid-Missouri include the house finch (above) and northern mockingbird (below).

BIRD WORDS

Some common lingo for birdwatchers:

Suet: Used as a bird food, birders often make suet mixes using suet (the hard fat around the kidneys of cows and sheep) or lard with add-ins such as bird seed, peanut butter and cornmeal.

Life list: A record of every species a bird-watcher has seen in their lifetime.

mer, where she participated in a “goose roundup” to band and monitor the state’s geese populations.

see: Canada goose

Q: Do you like to watch birds from your backyard or scope out new spots?

Definitely go out and scope. I’m a big walking birder. When it’s cold, and you have to drive your car and bird — that is not for me. I like to treat it as a mental health thing. I love being outdoors. It helps me connect with myself. Birding is something that I picked up that helps me be present. Go out, walk around. I go to a lot of familiar spots. I’m not a very big lister. I don’t collect new species or anything. I just go and see what’s there and like to observe the behavior and see what I can see.

Q: Bird-watching hot take?

A: I think geese are really sweet. The only reason that they hiss and attack people is because they’re very protective over their little babies. They’re very good parents. I live in a place where my apartment overlooks a lake, and I get to watch breeding pairs come in and lay their eggs. I get to watch the young ones hatch and watch them parent their babies. It’s like the sweetest thing. So every time I get hissed at by a goose, I’m like: “You know what? You just love so much.”

Emma Buckingham 38 years old

Birding for: 33 years

When Buckingham was growing up in Houston, her father passed down his father’s field guide to Texas birds. The

Red-headed wood-

Q: What piece of bird-watching equipment is worth the investment?

When I was a kid, my parents bought me binoculars. I got a pair of high-end binoculars when I was

Q: Bird-watching hot take?

A: I think it’s really great that technology has opened up birding to people who might have never thought that they would ever do it. A lot of people might complain that nowadays, you don’t need to learn the bird names or bird calls because you have (the app) Merlin. The old-timers might grumble about the fact that technology has fundamentally changed the birding landscape, but I think it’s been really great because it has made it so much more accessible

and introduced this whole new thing to a lot of people who have been put off by it because it is a lot to learn.

Mel Toellner, aka “Bird Man Mel”

71 years old Birding for: 54 years

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Toellner became a bird-watcher in 1972 when he attended an Audubon camp in Wisconsin on scholarship. He and his family founded the Songbird Station hobby shop in Columbia. Toellner also cowrote Making Bird-Friendly Birdhouses with Matt Maguire, the shop manager for Songbird Essentials in Mexico, Missouri. Favorite bird to see: Northern cardinals in the winter, eastern bluebirds in the spring and ruby-throated hummingbirds during the summer.

Q: Where’s your favorite local spot for birding?

A: My backyard. Just this morning on our deck, we saw hundreds of goldfinches. I mean, it’s amazing. I got videos and photos, and over six different birds came to one suet feeder.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has several resources to help you find or identify birds. For locations where others have seen certain birds, check out its database at eBird. org. To identify birds by sound or sight, the Merlin Bird ID app is a go-to tool.

Jim Gast leads a group of birdwatchers during the Audubon Society’s First Friday Bird Walk. Red-winged blackbirds (above left) are a common sight in Missouri marshlands.

I’ve gotten to know Stan Tekiela, and he has a great book called Birds of Missouri. That’s a goto. It sits where my binoculars sit on a little table where my wife and I eat each morning. We play a little game of cards, and we have our coffee.

Q: What local, native bird would you most like to see?

A: My heart probably jumps the most — and I see them all the time, we see them on the bird walk — for the pileated woodpeckers. They remind me of a prehistoric bird, just the way they make their call and the way they flap their wings. It kind of reminds me I’m a small speck of time. But it’s more about doing it with my wife and my kids. It’s just the dream of my kids seeing a new bird. We had a little girl on the Columbia Audubon Society bird walk, and when she saw a new bird, that made me happier than any bird I could see.

Bring on the birds

More than 260 bird species call our area home. Grab some binoculars and get ready to find these top sightings.

BY C.J. HANAUER

Whether you’re an aspiring birder or a certified bird nerd, Columbia has plentiful opportunities to spot feathered friends in its many nature areas or even your own backyard. “We’re surrounded by these gorgeous creatures pretty much everywhere we go if we’re willing to pay attention,” says former Audubon Society President Lottie Bushmann. With input from expert birders and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Vox put together a guide of 11 common species to look for and where to spot them around town.

WOODLAND DWELLERS

Blue jay

ed areas, where they drill holes to find insects or make nests.

Bird nerd fact: Woodpeckers have long tongues to reach into trees to access insects. Those tongues also wrap around their brains, providing protection from injury while pecking at high speeds.

BACKYARD SONGBIRDS

American goldfinch

WINGIN’ IT

This chaotic corvid is instantly recognizable thanks to its vibrant blue plumage, a head crest and loud, harsh calls. You’ll find blue jays in forested or urban areas. Bird nerd fact: Blue jays are omnivores but eat mostly seeds and nuts.

Carolina wren

This bird makes up for its small stature with sonorous songs, though only the male birds sing. Seek them out: Look for these birds hopping in short grasses or low branches, eating primarily small insects.

Northern mockingbird

As its name indicates, the northern mockingbird is an exceptional mimic — copying the sounds of many bird species, plus making a wide array of its own. Seek them out: Look for these conspicuous copycats at the tops of tall trees, poles and utility lines.

Red-bellied woodpecker

One of the most common woodpeckers in Missouri, these birds frequent wood-

This bird’s brilliant yellow stands out among shrubs and low branches, and they’re almost sure to frequent a backyard nyjer seed feeder. Bird nerd fact: “They exclusively feed seed to their young,” Bushmann says. “So they are very late nesters, often waiting until August (or) Sep tember to ensure a strong food supply.”

House finch

Recognize the male by its red head and breast, while the brown females share the characteristic chest stripes. Seek them out: Look for these plant and seed eaters in urban areas, where they’ll visit feeders and nest in birdhouses.

Mourning dove

The mourning dove’s distinct, soothing coo is a staple of the early morning soundscape. Look for them foraging on the ground in urban and grassy areas.

The Columbia Audubon Society co-sponsors a bird walk the first Friday of every month, meeting at 8 a.m. at Songbird Station, 2010 Chapel Plaza Court. “These walks are for any birder but are geared to beginners,” Lottie Bushmann says. If you’re looking to explore on your own, Bushmann recommends 3M Wetland Trail, Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary, Eagle Bluffs and Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.

Bird nerd fact: When a mourning dove flies, the sound of air rushing through its wing feathers creates a shrill whistle.

Northern cardinal

One of the most common birds in Columbia, northern cardinals often perch in low tree branches or shrubbery. Seek them out: Set up a bird feeder with black-oil sunflower seed or fill a bird bath to attract them.

WETLAND AND WATER BIRDS

Bald eagle

Find the U.S. national bird high in the trees near forested lakes and ponds. Seek them out: A pair of bald eagles has nested every spring along the 3M Wetland Trail.

Red-winged blackbird

With just a stripe of bright color, redwinged blackbirds can be hard to spot but easy to hear. Seek them out: With a distinctive, metallic call, find these birds in any marshland — or if you wander too close to the nests of this fiercely protective species.

Wood duck

A flashy fowl, wood ducks frequent the city’s many ponds and lakes. Males have ornate markings, and females sport just a dab of color on their wings. Bird nerd fact: Wood duck ducklings sometimes jump as far as 65 feet to reach the water from their nests.

TO-DO LIST

Your curated guide of what to do in Columbia this month.

ARTS

Mid-Mo Pride Royalty Pageant Devils, angels and everyone in between are invited to tuck themselves into The Blue Note for the annual showcase of talent, sequins and hip pads. Themed “Heaven and Hell,” the pageant crowns the ruling party of Columbia’s Mid-Missouri PrideFest, held this year Sept. 26-27. 6 p.m. June 28, The Blue Note, $19.25, thebluenote.com

Agatha Christie: The Mother of the Cozy Mystery book launch Amateur sleuths and gumshoes, gather ’round for this release party. Local author and Mizzou professor Nancy West takes a magnifying glass to the “Queen of Crime” in the latest Pocket Portrait installment from Simon & Schuster. (See also: Jane Austen: The Original Romance Novelist by Mizzou

professor Janet Saidi) 6:30 p.m. July 14, Skylark Bookshop, free, skylarkbookshop.com

UpDating

Would you go on a blind date in front of a live audience? Oh, yeah, you’ll also be blindfolded. That’s the gist of UpDating, a New York-based comedy show created by Harrison Forman and Brandon Berman that invites romantic hopefuls on stage to flirt sight unseen. With millions of subscribers on social media, the show swiped right on a partnership with ITV America, the production company behind Love Island USA, earlier this year. 8 p.m. Aug. 27, The Blue Note, $47-$107, thebluenote.com

Guys and Dolls

The hottest stage play in Columbia this summer

is a Jazz Age romantic comedy. This musical has everything: rockin’ boats, missionaries, gambling debts, long-term engagements and a Cuban milkshake (it’s that thing that has rum in it and leads to bell-ringing smooches). 8 p.m. July 2326 and July 30-Aug. 2, Maplewood Barn Theatre, $16.30 adults, $5.49 children, $13.24 seniors, maplewoodbarn.org

CIVIC

Fire in the Sky

Celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with a free fireworks display at Stephens Lake Park. Before dark, enjoy snacks from food trucks, activities for kids and live music performances at the amphitheater. 6:30 p.m. July 4, Stephens Lake Park, free, como.gov/parks-and-recreation

SOME PARENTS WANT THEIR KIDS TO TRY HARDER. SOME KIDS ARE TRYING AS HARD AS THEY CAN.

Movies in the Park: Parent Trap

Lounge on your favorite lawn chair or picnic blanket while enjoying a classic summer film in Cosmo Park. The film, Parent Trap — the one starring a young Lindsay Lohan — will be screened after dark. Grab some movie-time grub from concessions and food trucks. Screening begins at 8:45 p.m. July 10, free, Cosmopolitan Park, como. gov/parks-and-recreation

FOOD

Dining in the Alley

Enjoy dinner, drinks and three rounds of glamorous drag performances, hosted by local Missouri queen Artemis Grey, at Hexagon Alley. Food and drink will be available to purchase. You can snag tickets online or at the door. 5 p.m. July 26, $12-$15, Hexagon Alley, nclusionplus.com

MUSIC

Country Royale

Grab your friends in low places and take them two doors down instead. Local musicians Meredith Shaw and the Borrowed Band, The Stardust Cowboys and more will tip their hats to some of country’s greatest acts . 8 p.m. July 17, The Blue Note, $13.30-$31.60, thebluenote.com

Compass Music Camp Showcase

Do you smell that? It’s teen spirit, and it’s ready to rock The Blue Note’s stage. Each summer, the nonprofit Compass Inc. hosts weeklong immersive music camps, and this year’s Compass Music Camp — for kids ages 8-18 — will crescendo with a final, show-stopping showcase. 5:30 p.m. July 19, The Blue Note, $14-$42, thebluenote.com

Hang Your Hate album release show

Fresh off its first regional tour, the hard rock group is back home in Columbia and dropping its first album, Projections of Misery. Midwest- and Missouribased acts Alborn, Last American Cowboy, Orphan Source and Pomfret will join the party. 7 p.m. July 24, The Blue Note, $14-$42, thebluenote.com

RECREATION

A Night at OurZou

Join the Mizzou women’s basketball team in the Mizzou Arena to shop local vendor booths, tour the newly renovated locker room, take pictures with a team-themed photo shoot setup and get to know members of the team in a Q&A. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks, and each attendee will receive a specialized gift at check-in. 6-8 p.m. June 30, $57.32, Mizzou Arena, gofevo. com/event/OurZouNightWBB

PROMOTED TO THE BIG LEAGUES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

HANNAH HENDERSON

The 2026 FIFA World Cup began June 11, and for the first time in history, it’s being hosted across three nations: the United States, Mexico and Canada. Kansas City’s GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, currently renamed Kansas City Stadium for the games, will host six of the tournament’s 104 matches. Two hours away, Columbia has caught the soccer bug. Logboat Brewing Co., Witches and Wizards and Trail Stop Brewery are among those hosting watch parties and events. At Logboat’s June 12 watch party, Ruben Ubiñas (left), 10, plays soccer with Jackson Varnum, 4.

The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau has organized an Adopt-a-Team program, pairing local bars and restaurants with participating nations. The lineup includes: the downtown Addison’s with Argentina, The Heidelberg with Germany, Hooters with Mexico, Rio Grande with the U.S., The Deuce Pub & Pit with Brazil, The Roof with New Zealand and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux with France. Matthew Jenne, owner of Addison’s, says he wasn’t going to pass up the chance to participate. “This is something that we probably won’t witness again in our lifetime — maybe for another 30 years — to have a World Cup game right in our backyard,” Jenne says. See VoxMagazine.com for more information about Columbia’s plans for the World Cup.

Save a life. Don’t D rive H o M e buzze D. BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING.