Theirclosures have left a hole in our hearts and our stomachs.
As 2021 draws to a close, the Tribune looks back at five Columbia restaurants that have shut their doors over the past 12 months, even if just one of multiplelocations.
The following list is ordered by date of closing and does not reflect all local closures:
Harold's Doughnuts
The shop first opened its doors in January 2015 and became a hub for pick-me-up treats for college students, locals and visitors in town for Saturday football games.
There were once two Harold's locations, but the first on Ninth Street closed last year due to issues relatedto the COVID-19 pandemic.
Its final location at 204 E. Nifong Blvd. closed the last week of August.
"We realized success together and created something fun, treasured, and above all else, unique to Columbia," the shop said in its announcement this summer. "We will never forget how so many of you embraced our journey and helped build a doughnut shop that meant so much to so many.We simply can’t thank you enough."
The business, owned by Michael Urban, was best known for its made-from-scratch doughnuts in flavors like maple bacon, white chocolate peppermint and apple fritter.
More:These 5 entertainment stories changed Columbia in 2021
B&B Bagel Company: Downtown
B&B Bagel Company announcedSept. 9that its downtown location at 904 Elm St. would close due to"restructuring."
The restaurant, known for its boiled bagels and eggwiches, still conducts business out of its southlocation on Nifong Boulevard, serving what it calls "the only real New York style bagels in middle MO."
Owner Brad Newkirk is focusing the business' full attention on thesingle location.
"Please visit our South location 6am to 2pm daily," the company wrote on Facebook. "You can also find our Bagels downtown at Lakota and Coffee Zone, or on campus at the Student Center, Wheatstone Bistro and The Mark."
Coley's American Bistro
After 13 years in business, owners Brian and Kerri Coley announced their decision to close their doors in mid-November.
"Restaurant ownership has been great to us, which makes the decision a difficult one at best," the couple wrote in a Facebook post. "Throughout the pandemic, we have been strongly supported by our community. The last year has been our busiest one on the books so in a way it feels right — we’re going out with a bang."
The restaurant, which opened its doors in 2008, had the self-proclaimed mission of being an "inviting, unassuming eatery," per its website.
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The bistrowas located at 15 S. Sixth St., just south of Broadway.
"Our hearts extend a great big thank you to our community for your support, to all those who have been part of our team and helped shape our business, and to our friends and family who have celebrated with us during good times and propped us up during the bad," they wrote in the announcement.
La Siesta: Downtown
The downtown location of La Siesta Mexican Cuisine closed Dec. 22 after 12 years serving at the center of town at 33 N. Ninth St.
"Sad to say ... we will close our downtown location," the business wrote on Facebook two weeks ago.
But have no fear, customers can still enjoy the restaurant's tasty Mexican dishes and large margaritas at its Rangeline Streetlocation.
Owners Francisco and Benjamin Guillen, who are brothers,hail from the central highlands state of Guanajuato in Mexico, according to the restaurant's website. Francisco has worked in the restaurant industry for about two decades, starting at El Jimador. Benjamin entered the industry in recent years.
La Siesta's Facebook announcementabout the downtown closure received about 70 comments from fans of the local favorite. Many people offeredwell-wishes for the brothers' success in theirnow-lone location and sadness over the chapter of fond memories that closed with the Ninth Streetrestaurant's doors.
International Café
After serving Mediterranean food to Columbia for over 32 years, the owners of International Café are closing their doors for good this week.
"We have made the difficult decision and have decided to retire and close the restaurant at the end of December 2021," co-ownersElizabeth Hernandez-Gumati and Mohamed Gumati wrote on Facebook earlier this month.
The Gumatissaid in a recent interview that closing their restaurant is bittersweet. They are appreciative of all the customers who have wished them well and shared fond memories from over the years, they said.
Customers raveabout the gyros, falafels and lentil soup, among other menu items.
More:'Exhausting but beautiful': International Cafe closing after 32 years of food, family and new friends
"We don't have to say what makes this place special," said customerCarol Greenspan. "Our smiles say it all."
