ROCHEPORT — While many businesses and attractions along the Missouri River are closed for the weekend due to flooding, The Rest Stop in Rocheport hosted a grand opening party Friday night.
The brand new business is located off mile 178 along the historic Katy Trail. The building was once a little-used jail in the 1950s and is being transformed into a venue where hikers can enjoy food and drinks with live music.
The Rest Stop is the latest expansion of the Leitza family business. Vanessa Leitza and her son, Jake Leitza, currently own the Old Neighborhood Cafe and also previously worked at Katfish Katy’s in the neighborhood.
Vanessa’s daughter, Autumn Leitza, will run The Rest Stop, which will sell food from the Old Neighborhood Cafe. “I love that I can keep the culinary element and represent their restaurant so we can really create some kind of legacy,” Leitza said.
The rest area will mimic a picnic area along the Katy Trail, something the area has long needed, Leitza said. “There’s nothing open after 4 p.m. in Rocheport some days of the week,” Leitza said. “So they needed more options for people who are coming to stay at this bed and breakfast.”
For anyone who has never visited the Rocheport area or the Katy Trail, Leitza said it’s a trip worth taking. “We’re a very inclusive environment, so people can come and stay for a while. Being on the trail means something and we’re very happy to be a part of it.”
Downstream, the owner of Cooper’s Landing announced that the business would remain closed for the weekend due to flooding in the area.
Officials predicted last week that the Missouri River would flood as waters flowed in from other states. Water levels were expected to peak Thursday, according to previous reports by KOMU 8Officials said June 26 that the crest was expected to rise a few feet above flood stage, but any additional rain could raise that level. Heavy rains fell earlier this week, causing more river flooding in central Missouri.
