The Loop

What a great year we’ve had! Our CoMo Cooks Shared Kitchen is bustling with new food start-ups, we’ve activated the street with family events and maker activities, and we partnered with the city on a $2.13 million dollar federal grant to help continue the planning process for the corridor. In the words of the US Department of Transportation, our team has “hit it out of the park.” We’re proud of our efforts to revitalize The Loop and we’re proud of all the successful businesses and institutions who continue to invest in our street. And with your help, we’ll have a gateway into the city that all of Columbia can be proud of. For a full list of Loop CID projects, visit?TheLoopCoMo.com, scroll to the bottom and click “Initiatives.” And for a list of all our food start-ups, visit?CoMoCooks.com?and click on “Food Vendors.”? #LoopProud #thingsaremadehere

It’s hard not to notice?that change is afoot along the Business Loop 70 corridor. Commissioned artwork offsets the brick-and-mortar cityscape while colorful banners proclaiming the thoroughfare as a destination for doers and makers affirm that “You Are Here.” Such signs are just the tip of the iceberg, for what started years ago as a grassroots effort by business and property owners along this roadway has metamorphosized into its own independent government agency known as The Business Loop Community Improvement District (CID) — and it means business.? https://lnkd.in/g5D32Ti4

The Loop CID Awards Two Minority Scholarships The Loop Community Improvement District is proud to announce the latest recipients of their CoMo Cooks Minority Scholarships, Anitial’A Ware of His Alkaline Angel and Jayco Jones of Big Nose BBQ. Anitial’A Ware has long cooked for both her friends and family as well as sports teams she has coached. She discovered the power of sea moss while researching healthful foods and now makes sea moss gels—a mixture of this power food and fresh fruit. Anitial’A will start with gels and move into sea moss smoothies. Anitial’A is in the process of building her new website so find her at https://lnkd.in/gYG8KsCy. Jayco Jones learned to cook by watching his mother, aunts, and grandmother in the kitchen— and earned his nickname Big Nose for always getting his nose into things. Jayco is upgrading his new food trailer and is putting together his BBQ menu now. And it won’t just be St. Louis style BBQ, he’s got a passion for Korean BBQ as well. The CoMo Cooks Shared Kitchen is a commercial kitchen and food business incubator located on The Loop. Our mission is to encourage the growth of local food entrepreneurs by creating opportunities for those without easy access to a commercial kitchen, including those who have been historically impacted by racial, social, and economic inequality. One way we’re lowering barriers to entry for food-based businesses is through our minority scholarship program. Thanks to the support of the City of Columbia, we are able to offer two scholarships of $2500 each plus a 6-month, Tier 1 membership in the kitchen. We are also partnering with the Missouri Women’s Business Center for free business coaching for our recipients. Both Anitial’A and Jayco will be staring in the?CoMo Cooks Shared Kitchen?immediately so keep an eye on our website—comocooks.com--and our socials to follow their progress and learn new ways to find their delicious offerings. And it you're interested in ordering from our more than 37 small food businesses,?visit our website www.comocooks.com for a list of clients and helpful how-to-order instructions.?

The large kitchen space at 14 Business Loop E. houses the sights and scents of varied cuisine. Whether it’s the Shiro Wot from?Mahi’s Ethiopian Kitchen?or the Coconut Shrimp from?Abbey’s Swahili Delights, the shared kitchen run by The Loop CID makes it possible for chefs to cook up small businesses when it would otherwise be out of reach. In doing so, CoMo Cooks enriches the city's culinary culture and diversifies its business scene. https://lnkd.in/gDNXdpAm

It's almost time to harvest your garlic--but peeling it all is such a pain. We've got a solution for you! Check out our super-fancy Omcam Garlic Peeler and find out how you can peel hundreds of cloves in a matter of minutes. Watch our how-to video on YouTube and then see how farmers and restaurants can use our CoMo Cooks Shared Kitchen right here on The Loop. We offer low rates, limited paperwork, and no long-term commitments. Contact us at [email protected]. #thingsaremadehere https://lnkd.in/d4TBprYd

Do you have a great cookie recipe? Skill with catering events? A plan to open a food truck? If you're dreaming about opening your own food-based business, take a look at our CoMo Cooks Minority Business Owner Scholarship Program. Find details at: https://lnkd.in/gMP7Gh5V

Check out Executive Director Carrie Gartner chatting with Ted Farnen yesterday on KFRU. They chatted about pop-up parks, Loop events, and what amazing things we can accomplish with the $2.13 million USDOT Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant the City of Columbia just received for the Business Loop. https://lnkd.in/gHTw-bRp

Did you hear? The US Department of Transportation is investing $2.13 million into The Loop to start the long process of reconnecting and rebuilding the area. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gq68Nmas

The City of Columbia has been awarded a $2.13 Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help restore a sense of neighborhood and community to The Loop. Gartner said getting these studies funded has been a long-time goal of the Business Loop CID. "It's difficult," Gartner said. "It's been neglected for decades. This grant really gives us the opportunity to move this project forward." https://lnkd.in/gXP772u4

Wondering what MODoT has planned for the I70-63 interchange? Check out this visualization and then read the details at: https://lnkd.in/gCTYmYZx