{From left, co-owner Corey Smale, chef Mary Boehne, co-owner Jason Bockman}
Strange Donuts and Seoul Taco are expanding into Mizzou territory. The owners of both businesses are finalizing negotiations to rent the former Panera Bread space at 102 S. Ninth St., in downtown Columbia. Each restaurant will operate its own kitchen and counter, but will share a dining area. The restaurants are slated to open in December or January, before the start of the spring semester at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Seoul Taco owner David Choi and Strange Donuts co-owners Corey Smale and Jason Bockman hit it off when they collaborated to create the “Seoul Done,” a savory doughnut sandwich filled with Seoul Taco’s Korean bulgogi and glazed with a chili sauce. At the time, the owners of both eateries were aggressively searching for spaces in downtown Columbia in which to bring their concept to that city. Both parties liked the Hall Theater Space at 102 S. Ninth St., which was too large for them individually but could accommodate both restaurants nicely.
“We thought it would be a cool concept to bring something new and fresh to the area,” Choi said.
The two businesses have a lot in common. “Our businesses and personalities are really similar,” Smale said. “We are all young. We have a concept right now that’s hot, so we’re going to push it as far as we can.”
Seoul Taco’s Columbia location will offer the same menu as that available at its St. Louis location, which is relocating to the former Ginger Bistro spot at 6665 Delmar Blvd., in The Loop in December and adding a second concept at its new space – a cook-at-the-table Korean barbecue and hotpot restaurant, Seoul Q. The Scoop reported this news yesterday, Oct. 3.
Strange Donuts will likewise serve the same menu at its location in Columbia that it offers to done-lovers in The Lou, including its biggest hit, the gooey butter doughnut. “Our goal is to continue the Strangers there (like the chicken and waffle, hog burger and pizza donuts) and collaborate with some Columbia restaurants,” Smale said regarding the expansion into the Columbia market. “I also want to bring out St. Louis restaurants that aren’t represented in the Columbia market.” He’s already lining up a collaborative doughnut with Sugarfire Smokehouse. Strange Donuts currently operates a shop at 2709 Sutton Blvd., in Maplewood and will be unlocking doors at 107½ E. Argonne Drive in Kirkwood within the next two weeks. Plans for a fourth location are also in the works.
-photo by Adrian O. Walker
This article appears in October 2014.