You can order a sandwich at a bakery counter and carry it straight into a movie theater. That’s not a loophole.
It’s how this building works.
The brick structure went up in 1935 to bottle Coca-Cola. Today it smells like fresh bread, and bakers often work through the night to keep it that way.
A record store shares the same roof, stacked across two floors.
I love that a single Missouri address can cover breakfast, a documentary, and a stack of vinyl. I can’t imagine a better way to spend a slow Saturday.
You barely need to move your car.
I believe great buildings deserve second acts. This one got three at once.
What does an old soda plant feel like when it runs on sourdough instead of syrup?
Your Nose Will Find The Front Door Before Your Eyes Do
Fresh bread drifts out of a former soda factory every morning. That smell belongs to Uprise Bakery, the heart of a busy little building on Hitt Street in Columbia.
The bakery opened here in 2008, back when the old plant was just starting its new life. It quickly became the anchor for everything else that moved in later.
Locals call the whole building Hittsville. The name came from a group of a dozen local investors who bought the place in 2005.
It stuck, and honestly, it sounds like a town you’d want to visit.
Uprise sits at the center of that little world. You can grab coffee, buy a loaf, or eat lunch before wandering next door.
The bakery doesn’t feel walled off from its neighbors.
That shared setup is the real charm. A bakery alone is nice, but a bakery plugged into a cinema and record store feels like a hangout.
You come for a scone and leave with plans.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays are closed, so plan your bread run accordingly.
Nobody wants to show up craving sourdough to a locked door.
Coca-Cola Once Owned This Address, And The Story Gets Better
Back in 1935, this brick building was built for the Columbia Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Soda flowed out of here for three decades before the plant moved to a bigger spot in 1966.
The architecture explains a lot. Builders chose a Colonial Revival style with a 1.5-story front, a side gable roof, and three gabled dormers.
Why so homey? Hitt Street was largely residential back then, so the plant likely dressed to fit in.
It’s a factory in a cardigan, basically.
After Coke left, a printing company moved in. E.S.
Brown Printing, later called Kelly Press, used the building until 2005. So the place went from bottles to presses to pastries.
Here’s a fun one for trivia night. It’s the only surviving downtown building tied to Columbia’s original Coca-Cola franchise.
Every other link from that era is gone.
In 2006, it landed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its official listing name is still the Coca-Cola Bottling Company Building.
That’s a pretty fancy title for a spot where you can now buy a muffin.
The Sourdough Gets A Night Shift Of Its Own
Bread is the main event at Uprise Bakery, and it shows. The bakers focus on naturally leavened loaves that are shaped by hand and baked on the hearth.
Sourdough leads the lineup. The Columbia Sourdough carries the town’s name, which feels like a bold promise for a loaf to make.
Olive bread also appears among the favorites.
Natural leavening takes patience. Instead of a quick packet of yeast, the dough rises slowly with a starter.
That slow process builds flavor and a sturdy crust.
The bakers often work overnight to keep the shelves full. While Columbia sleeps, dough is getting shaped and loaded into the oven.
That’s dedication most of us save for finishing a good book.
A practical tip helps here. Baked goods can go fast, so earlier visits usually mean more choices.
Showing up near closing is a gamble.
Buying a whole loaf is the smart move if you cook at home. Good sourdough makes great toast, sturdy sandwiches, and a solid partner for soup.
One trip can upgrade a whole week of meals.
Morning Pastries Make Early Alarms Feel Worth It
Croissants, scones, muffins, and cookies all come out of the same ovens as the bread. Everything gets baked fresh each day, so the case changes with the hours.
Scones get plenty of attention at Uprise. Muffins and cookies round things out for anyone who wants something sweet with less commitment.
Breakfast goes beyond pastries too. Biscuits and gravy and quiche show up on the menu, which makes the bakery a solid pick for a real morning meal.
Coffee and espresso drinks keep things moving. A maple latte and a honey lavender latte are among the house options.
Both sound like they’d convince a sleepy person to get out of bed.
One small heads-up saves stress at the register. The bakery doesn’t take tap payments or American Express.
Bring another card so your scone plans stay on track.
Doors open at 7 a.m., which suits students, commuters, and early risers. A quick coffee and pastry here can turn an ordinary weekday into something you actually look forward to.
Not bad for a former soda plant.
Lunch Here Comes Stacked On Bread Baked A Few Feet Away
Sandwiches taste better when the bread never had to travel. At Uprise Bakery, the loaves come straight from the in-house ovens to your plate.
The menu includes specialty sandwiches like a Reuben made with homemade corned beef and a pulled pork Cuban. A big tomato sandwich and a grilled chicken option also appear.
Soup gets its own fan club. The bakery makes homemade soups, and a bowl pairs naturally with a thick slice of sourdough.
Broccoli cheddar is one example that has turned up.
Plant-based eaters have options too. Dishes like black bean and hummus choices can work for vegetarian and vegan diets.
That makes group lunches much easier to plan.
Salads fill out the lineup for lighter appetites. Pairing half a soup with a salad is a nice middle ground when you want variety.
One house rule matters here. Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed in the bakery, so finish that other coffee before coming in.
Then you can focus fully on the sandwich in front of you, which is really the point.
Yes, You Can Take That Soup Into The Movie
Popcorn has competition inside this building. Ragtag Cinema, a nonprofit independent theater, moved into 10 Hitt Street in 2009 and shares space with the bakery.
Moviegoers can order soups, sandwiches, and popcorn from Uprise Bakery and bring them into the theater. Non-alcoholic drinks are part of the deal too.
That changes the whole idea of dinner and a movie. You don’t need two separate stops anymore.
One line, one building, one very relaxed evening.
The seating helps. Couches sit up front, while arena-style seats fill the back.
Many seats have side tables, which is great news for anyone balancing a bowl of soup.
Ragtag focuses on independent films and media art. Expect thoughtful picks rather than just the biggest blockbuster of the week.
It also serves as a main venue for the True/False Film Fest, a documentary festival held each year in Columbia, Missouri. The festival draws attention from far beyond the state.
Having a fresh sandwich on hand during a packed screening day sounds like a pretty smart survival plan.
Vinyl Hunters Get Two Whole Floors Next Door
Records joined the party in 2013. Hitt Records sits right alongside Uprise Bakery, so a coffee and a crate dig make an easy pair.
The shop is locally owned and spreads across two floors. Shelves hold new and used records, CDs, and cassettes, plus audio gear.
The store describes a soft spot for the weird and overlooked. That’s music-nerd code for surprises.
You might show up for a classic and leave with a band you’ve never heard of.
Hitt Records isn’t only a shop, either. It works as a record label and sometimes hosts pop-up live music.
Few bakeries can claim a neighbor like that.
Hours differ from the bakery’s schedule. The store generally opens Tuesday through Sunday and closes Mondays, with later hours on Friday and Saturday nights.
Planning helps you get the full Hittsville experience. A weekday lunch at Uprise followed by browsing upstairs makes a great afternoon.
Just remember that buttery croissant fingers and vintage album covers aren’t friends. Wipe up first, then flip through the stacks.
Bring A Laptop, A Journal, Or Just Good People-Watching Skills
Seating is generous inside and out, which matters at a place this popular. Uprise Bakery works well for a quick bite or a long, lazy stay.
A handy detail sits along the wall that borders the record shop. Outlets line that wall, so charging your phone or laptop is easy.
The lighting leans warm and low. Some folks love that cozy glow, while others might find it a little dim.
Grab a window seat if you plan to read fine print.
Outdoor seating gives another option on nice days. Columbia weather can swing wildly, so having choices is a real perk.
Students from the nearby University of Missouri area make natural fans of a place like this. Families fit in too, since the menu covers simple sandwiches, cookies, and soups that most kids happily eat.
The atmosphere ties back to the building itself. Old brick, shared walls, and the hum of three businesses create a lively mood.
It feels less like a chain cafe and more like a community living room that happens to sell excellent bread.
Plan A Full Hittsville Day And Thank Yourself Later
Finding it is simple. Uprise Bakery sits at 10 Hitt Street, Columbia, MO 65201, close to downtown and the university area.
Columbia lies roughly between Kansas City and St. Louis, making it an easy Missouri road trip stop. A detour here feels much better than another fast-food exit.
Start with breakfast when doors open at 7 a.m. Grab a pastry and a latte while the bread selection is still deep.
Browse Hitt Records next if it’s open that day. Then circle back for lunch, because a Reuben or bowl of soup is calling.
Pace yourself, though.
Wrap things up with a film at Ragtag Cinema. Order snacks from the bakery and carry them in.
It’s a full day without ever needing a parking meter refill, hopefully.
Before leaving, buy a loaf to take home. That sourdough stretches the trip into tomorrow’s toast and next week’s sandwiches.
It’s a delicious souvenir that beats a keychain.
Three businesses in one old Coca-Cola plant could have felt like a gimmick. Instead, it feels like Columbia figured out the perfect afternoon.
