Ricky’s Deli & Ice Cream held its grand opening Saturday, providing Higbee residents a new spot for made-to-order sandwiches, fresh-sliced deli meats, and homemade ice cream while continuing a three-generation family tradition of small-town business.

Higbee Mayor Rick Switzer said he “just decided to go for it.”

“I’m third generation. My grandparents ran a grocery store here from 1976 into the 90s,” he explained. “My parents had a deli until around 2020. I just decided I was going to go for it,” he said. “I built a new building. New everything. I just went for it.”

Joining Switzerland and his wife, Amy, in the new red building at 100 Randolph Street is M&J’s German-American Foods, operated by Jerry and Marina Trumbo. The two businesses celebrated a joint grand opening, with M&J’s providing full-service restaurant fare from the kitchen and Ricky’s handling the deli and ice cream counter.

“Jerry and Marina approached me about renting part of the building and opening the kitchen,” Switzerland said. M&J’s previously operated out of a food truck.

Switzer is now the third generation to operate such a business in Higbee. His grandparents, James and Evelyn, purchased Boggs Grocery in 1969 and operated it for years despite challenges that included a fire in 1970. His aunt and uncle, Rita and Tony Lyons, later ran the business, followed by his mother and stepfather, Janet and Bill, who opened the Higbee Depot Deli.

Both businesses served to a packed house Saturday morning. Howard County Circuit Clerk Teresa Syferd was among those placing early orders and raved about M&J’s smash burgers. The restaurant serves standard American fare along with German favorites such as schnitzel and spätzle.

Switzer credits Paul Zacharias of the Mizzou Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) for guidance and resources during the startup process.

“I met with Ricky in the early days,” Zacharias said. “He was very motivated, and he serves as the mayor of Higbee. He knew what he had to do from day one, and he got it done.”

Zacharias and the MSBDC assist entrepreneurs across eight counties, including Randolph and Howard. In recent years, he worked with Elijah Nagbe to open The Gym in downtown Fayette.

“Starting a good business, helping the community, employing people, generating a greater tax base, it’s just a great win-win all around for the community,” Zacharias said. “Especially small, rural communities. He’s got a packed house today. What more could you ask for?”

Ricky’s offers fresh-sliced meats and cheeses, made-to-order sandwiches, homemade ice cream, and various other items. The grand opening on April 25 featured prizes, drawings, and giveaways. M&J’s and Ricky’s is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday in downtown Higbee.

Switzer can be reached at (660) 883-8662 or rickysscoops@gmail.com. More information is available at rickysscoops.com.