Southern Provisions is more than a shop—it’s a reflection of Southern hospitality, curated with care by owner Caitlin Foster. Inspired by years of travel through the South, she brought that warmth to Rocheport, a place she’s cherished since childhood. Inside, you’ll find candles, cigars, home décor, and unique gifts—but what keeps people coming back is how it feels. This November, Southern Provisions reminds us that thankfulness isn’t just seasonal—it’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, welcome, and connected every day.
For Caitlin, opening Southern Provisions was about blending the two places she loves most: the South and Rocheport. She grew up traveling to Mississippi and Louisiana, later exploring Georgia and South Carolina, falling in love with the region’s charm, hospitality, and design. “Rocheport was a no-brainer,” she says. “I’ve been coming here since I was seven. It’s always been my oasis—an eclectic, welcoming place that draws people from all over the world because of the Katy Trail.”
That sense of welcome is the heartbeat of her shop. “I don’t care how you’re dressed, what you look like, or how much money you have—I want you to feel like you belong here, because you do,” Caitlin says. Over the years, she’s built friendships with customers, celebrating their milestones and walking with them through difficult times. “I’ve celebrated marriages and births and mourned losses. I’m lucky to do what I do.”
The store itself is a reflection of that spirit. Every detail is intentional, from the mix of artisan candles and accessories to the selection of cigars and men’s gifts. Caitlin carefully curates every item—sourcing pieces from Mid-Missouri to Scotland and beyond. The shelves are a blend of cozy, classic, and unexpected finds. “I want couples who come in to each find something they love,” she explains. It’s a thoughtful approach that makes the shop feel personal, not transactional.
Recently, Caitlin has added new ventures like a mobile cigar bar—already booked for events ranging from baby showers to corporate parties. It’s an extension of the same hospitality, designed to create connection and community in unexpected places. She hopes to expand it into weddings, bachelor parties, and corporate retreats, sharing the same welcoming energy of the shop in new settings.
Across the street, Southern Gent Candles adds another layer of creativity. The shop is open Saturdays for DIY pours and also hosts private parties by appointment. Guests choose from more than 30 rotating “clean” scents—everything from bakery notes to masculine blends—and walk away with candles made by their own hands. Retirement celebrations, birthdays, and girls’ weekends have all found their way into the candle studio, filling the space with laughter, stories, and signature scents to take home.
Beneath it all is one of Rocheport’s best-kept secrets: Scandlebar, a membership-only whiskey and bourbon speakeasy. Members pay a small monthly fee and contribute a bottle each month, creating a communal collection to enjoy in the cozy basement space. Leather chairs, dim lighting, and a friendly, come-as-you-are vibe make it the perfect hideaway. “It’s been a blast,” Caitlin says with a smile. “It’s grown completely by word-of-mouth.”
Design has always been part of her story, too. Before opening Southern Provisions, Caitlin worked in interiors and still offers consulting for those who want to create spaces that feel authentic. She starts with a simple walk-through, noting what clients love, what they don’t, and any pieces that hold sentimental value. “People get too hung up on categories,” she explains. “If you love it, I’ll help you make it cohesive.”
Her passion for Rocheport runs just as deep as her eye for design. Each morning, she sets out her sign and waves to neighbors, grateful for the town that has embraced her vision. Renovating her historic building has been her way of preserving that charm for years to come, ensuring that future generations will continue to experience Rocheport’s unique character.
This season, her gratitude is rooted in family and community. “My family helps run things around here—from my stepdaughters walking the dog so I can wick candles, to my husband helping with candle classes, to my parents running the shop,” Caitlin says. Friends and patrons have become an extended family as well. “We often chuckle at the cast of characters we’ve assembled,” she laughs.
Looking ahead, Caitlin is focused on keeping things fresh—bringing in new finds while holding onto staples customers can’t live without, like Whiskey Fire pecans and bacon jam. The mobile cigar bar is next on her list of ventures to grow. “I think it has wheels,” she jokes.
In the end, Southern Provisions is more than a boutique. It’s a living expression of gratitude, rooted in hospitality, community, and joy. In Rocheport’s historic heart, Caitlin has created a place where every guest feels at home—and that may be the most Southern thing of all.
Southern Provisions
110 Central St, Rocheport, MO 65279
573-993-3101
"I don’t care how you’re dressed, what you look like, or how much money you have—I want you to feel like you belong here, because you do.” — Caitlin Foster