Made in MO

For salsa devotees looking to shop and eat local, 5Gen Salsa has what you need. This sweet and spicy salsa first took fans by surprise when Harrisburg resident Kim Ham-Lanes started bottling and selling the salsa. Since 2011, 5Gen’s lineup of bloody mary mix and mild and medium salsas has won its fair share of awards, and for good reason. This family recipe has been a winner for five generations.

Artist and retired teacher Laura Richardson uses fabric and beads to create blooming beautiful 3D art that adds a touch of summertime color to any season. Learn about the women who inspired her to pursue the dream she never let wilt away.

Columbia, MO artist Kevin Begley makes the most incredible wooden Santas you have ever seen. Stop my Missouri Life Mercantile in Rocheport to see them in person. You will want to start a family tradition with these noteworthy beards.

Missouri Life’s inaugural year was 1973. We wrote an article on roadside stands back then and we revisited them again in the September 2023 issue. Roadside stands are seeing a comeback. Find out where these stands are and visit one near you.

This young man makes hand-crafted jams to raise money for Special Olympics as a thank you for how they affected his life. Taste something good—or give as a gift—while doing something good!

Once seated on my loaner Soul Seat, I knew I needed to make a couple of adjustments to the height of the lower platform, as well as the upper one, also called “the perch.” After these quick customizations, I was ready to roll. Or not. 

Matt Castilleja creates world-class bespoke furniture in the heart of Kansas City.

A Beaufort distiller makes French-style island spirits from raw sugarcane.

A St. Louis company reimagines the bottle opener.

A brand new bagel shop opens in Chesterfield.