Travel

The School House

A Historic Stay in Rocheport Where Missouri's Past and Present Meet Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by The School House The bell that once called students to class now greets visitors arriving at the School House in Rocheport. More than a century after it first opened as a school, the historic building continues welcoming guests, offering a stay rooted in Missouri history, hospitality, and small-town charm. For Andy and Chandrika Hickman the School House wasn't part of a long-term...

Arts + Culture

ART Off the Trail

Where visitors experience the creative process behind Gloria Gaus' landscape paintings. Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography On weekends in Rocheport, Missouri, visitors biking the Katy Trail or exploring the historic river town often find Gloria Gaus at work. Sometimes she's at the easel, working on a landscape painting. Other times she's organizing the gallery, greeting visitors, or talking with travelers about the favorite places they've explored. In fact, some...

Professional Services

Built to Last

A man cave project reveals Burns’ approach to building spaces people love Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography In Columbia’s tight-knit community, trust is built through relationships, consistency, and quality work. For Garrett Burns, founder of Built By Burns, that foundation was first forged alongside his father on job sites that still stand strong today and strengthened through 10 years at Shindler Homes alongside mentor Phillip Shindler. Now building his own...

Health + Wellness

Men's Health Crisis: A Different Approach

A conversation with Dr. Jeremy Maxwell, Chiropractor, The Wellness Way–Columbia Article by Dr. Jeremy Maxwell | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography Stop Waiting Until You Break Most men don’t wake up one day and suddenly fall apart. It’s gradual. Subtle. Easy to ignore. You start waking up more tired. You don’t recover like you used to. The weight creeps up. Your drive mentally, physically, even in your relationships starts to fade. But you push through. You tell yourself it’s normal...

Shopping

Binghams: Four Decades of Style

A Columbia staple delivering timeless style and service Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography Since 1981, Binghams Traditional Clothing has been a staple in Columbia’s retail scene. What began as a small shop on South Ninth Street has grown into a downtown institution, now located at Ninth and Broadway. While the store has evolved over the years, its mission has remained the same: provide the best quality menswear at competitive prices with exceptional personal...

Home Services

Beyond the Blinds

A mother‑daughter duo bringing heart, design, and connection to every Columbia home Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography Some businesses are built on strategy. The best ones are built on something deeper. For Terrie and Abbie, that something is each other. A mother and daughter connected by more than family, but by a shared vision to bring elevated, custom window treatments to the Columbia community with a level of personal service rarely found locally. Together...

Style + Beauty

Living Amini

Cierra Porter creates ethical swimwear that honors people and planet. Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Cierra Jade Productions What started as a shared dream between childhood friends Cierra Porter and Aubrey Maggard began with sketches and early designs in their homes in Denver and Kansas City. Today, it’s grown into a thoughtful lifestyle brand built on faith, sustainability, and connection. The name Amini means “believe” in Swahili, and for Cierra, that meaning runs deeper than...

Home Services

Two Paths, One Partnership

Kris Ballage and Patricia Maurer built a real estate partnership on two continents, two generations, and one shared belief: every home is someone’s dream. Article by Shea Sullivan | Photography by Sarah Jane Photography Kris Ballage didn't plan on real estate. She planned on finding a home. When she and her husband relocated to Missouri, they fell into something bigger than expected — a sprawling estate acreage, too large for a young family, too full of possibility to ignore. With her husband...

Local Services

Celebrating Our Women-Owned Business Partners

Honoring the women-owned businesses of Columbia City Lifestyle who trust us as partners and continue making a meaningful impact across Columbia. Article and Photography by Art Off the Trail ARTOFFTHETRAIL.COM Owned by Gloria Gaus Betz Jewelers BETZJEWELERS.COM Owned by Rachel Betz Budget Blinds of Columbia BUDGETBLINDS.COM/COLUMBIAMO Owned by Abbie Barchet & Terrie Johnson Drybar DRYBARSHOPS.COM Owned by Angie Nelson Executive Cleaning EXECUTIVECLEAN365@GMAIL.COM Owned by...

Education

Wealth Needs Wisdom

The investment most families avoid is costing them everything. Article by Julia Myers Most successful families are building wealth and losing it at the same time. Just not in the way they expect. Retirement accounts are funded. College savings plans are open. Real estate and business ventures are growing. But very few families talk about money in a way that builds maturity. We tend to focus on external investments. These matter. They build financial independence. Yet there is another category...