Quonset Hut: MFA Feed and Seed, Koonse Glass, Acola Coffee

The historic quonset hut at 300 North 10th Street and Park Avenue is a prime example of how historic buildings have been reused in Columbia. A quonset hut is a lightweight prefabricated building made of corrugated metal with a semi-circular cross section, with the name coming from the first site of manufacture at Quonset Point at the Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center in Davisville, Rhode Island. The architecture style is “utilitarian.” The Quonset hut was developed and based on the Nissen hut built by the British during World War I for barracks. Many were built and used during and after World War II to use as barracks and later to house returning military on campuses across the country. The building has seen a lot of changes over the years, but it continues to be an integral part of life in downtown Columbia. 

Image courtesy of Stephen Bybee. Black and White photo of Koonse Glass at 300 N Tenth Steet.

On September 17, 2016, the Columbia Tribune reported that at one time the building housed a feed and seed store. Next, the building was occupied by Koonse Glass. The Koonse Glass website explains that “Melvin and Mary Sue Koonse opened Koonse Glass Company in 1967.” After nearly 50 years at this location, in the spring of 2016, Koonse Glass moved to a new larger facility on Paris Road where it continues to operate. According to the Koonse Glass website, that business is now owned and operated by Silas Koonse and Tom Fiegel.  

On September 17, 2016, the Columbia Tribune reported that the Root Cellar was planning to move from its 1023 East Walnut location to the northeast corner of Park Avenue and North Tenth Street. On March 28, 2017, the Feast Magazine reported that Root Cellar owner Chelsea Davis described the move as an act of historic “preservation.” “Before it was Koonse Glass, it was actually an MFA feed and seed store,” Davis says. “That is a really cool note about the building.” Feast Magazine noted that the Root Cellar planned to “embrace many original aspects of the feed store, including the hardwood floors and other rustic elements.”

On August 23, 2018, the Columbia Missourian reported that DrinKraft, a  kombucha bar, was opening at 300 North Tenth and using items salvaged from historic buildings for its decor. Since 2020, the location has been known for good coffee. On February 16, 2020, the Columbia Missourian noted the January 23, 2020, “soft opening” of Three Story Coffee. 

New ownership and a name change to Acola Coffee was reported in the April 18, 2022, Columbia Tribune. You can still start your day with great coffee, but you now have the opportunity to try a variety of delicious crepes in Acola Coffee’s recently opened Eat. Crepe. Love. with a choice of sweet or savory options.  

Sources:

Connors, Siobhan (August 23, 2018) Columbia’s new kombucha bar takes root downtown. Columbia, Missouri: Columbia Missourian. Accessed April 15, 2024. 

Koonse Glass. About us. https://www.koonseglass.com/about/ Accessed April 15, 2024.

Labbate, Mariana (February 16, 2020) Three Story Coffee has soft opening on Tenth Street. Columbia, Missouri: Columbia Missourian. Accessed April 15, 2024.

McDermott, Brenna (May 30, 2019) Passing the Torch. Columbia, Missouri: Como Magazine. Accessed April 15, 2024.

Rock Island, Illinois Government. "Quonset Hut Primer." URL: https://www.rigov.org/1048/Quonset-Hut#:~:text=Quonset%20Hut%20Primer&text=The%20name%20comes%20from%20their,men%20in%20a%20single%20day. Accessed April 15, 2024.

Staff writer (September 17, 2016) Root Cellar plans move to former Koonse Glass building. Columbia, Missouri: Columbia Tribune. Accessed April 15, 2024. 

Tronstad, Lauren ( April 18, 2022) Newly renamed Acola Coffee Company branches out from Three Story Coffee partnership. Columbia, Missouri: Columbia Tribune. Accessed April 15, 2024.

Vaughn Martin, Jessica (March 28, 2017) Root Cellar to open in new Columbia location on April 6. Columbia, Missouri: Feast Magazine. Accessed April 15, 2024.

CoMo Preservation is devoted to helping homeowners, landlords, and institutions prevent the destruction of historic architecture. Original period styles might be replicated, but will forever lack the social history of authentic structures. The preservation of historic places and spaces gives people a sense of place and boosts Columbia’s economy. You can get involved by volunteering, signing up for our mailing list, attending an event, becoming a member or donating.

Questions? Suggestions for speakers or events? Email CoMoPreservation@gmail.com.