Small Business Saturday is next Saturday, Nov. 24. As every COLAtoday reader knows, Columbia is full of small businesses that make the city an interesting + unique place to do life. New small businesses are opening in Cola all the time – helping boost not only our quality of life, but our economy.
This is something called the “Multiplier Effect.” According to American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), the multiplier effect is the boost to your local economy that results from locally-owned, independent businesses, owners + employees spending business revenue within the region. In several studies on AMIBA’s site, a proven 48% financial return to the community occurs when you spend locally – vs. a 13.6% return when shopping with national/chain retailers.
In S.C., more than 97% of all businesses are considered small businesses, and 46.7% of the S.C. workforce is employed by small businesses. Nationwide, small businesses employ almost half of the U.S. workforce.
We asked you to tell us which small businesses you would be heartbroken over if they closed to help remind us all to support these local businesses on Small Biz Saturday + throughout the rest of the holiday shopping season. Click here or on the button below to see which 10 local businesses would be your most-missed. 💙
#ProTip: These are perfect places to shop for gifts or take the visiting fam during the holidays.
💙Cafe Strudel
“Honestly my @gamecockfb away game tailgate ritual would never be the same if @cafe_strudel were to take away my fresh squeezed OJ + single cinnamon pancake.” –Beth M.
We agree with our readers – we couldn’t live without Cafe Strudel’s hangover hashbrowns or quirky coffee mugs. Even though the wait is often long, it’s worth it every time — plus their Bloody Marys are massive.
💙Drip
“@dripcoffeecolumbia gives me life. Couldn’t do the daily grind without my daily grind. 😏” – Sam K.
Drip has that just-right combo of atmosphere + drinks that keep you going back time and time again. And their gluten-free chocolate chip cookies are a staple sweet.
💙Immaculate Consumption
“I’ve tried for years to copy their iced mocha and pasta salad!” –Ashley M.
“My favorite coffee shop and it’s been there 20+ years!” –Hailey C.
The creaky floors, the LED coffee light, the cool decor… Immaculate Consumption is a Cola classic with bites + drinks that y’all say you couldn’t live without. P.S. — Their daily specials are always our go-to.
💙The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
This unique deli not only has cinnamon rolls galore, but a lunch menu filled with guilty pleasures — hello, Chicago-style hot dogs.
💙The Gourmet Shop
“Honestly if anything ever happens to The Gourmet Shop I’m not sure life will go on…” –Cameron D.
If The Gourmet Shop ever closed, I don’t think Five Points would ever look the same. You said their food is fancy, tasty + looks amazing on Instagram, too. Another mimosa kit, please.
💙Silver Spoon Bake Shop
IMO, you haven’t lived if you haven’t taken advantage of croissant Friday, and once you do, you won’t be able to have a croissant-less Friday…
💙Spotted Salamander Catering
“don’t go anywhere EVER!!!” –Kristen S.
A classic go-to for many of our readers + followers (here at COLAtoday), Spotted Salamander showcases Southern food with style. We would be lost without their deviled eggs.
💙Blue Flour Bakery
“We’d be lost without them and their delicious goodies!” –Nicole W.
Themed sugar cookies, seasonal lattes, quiches — what more do you want?
💙The Whig
“We never wanna see The Whig go anywhere. Best dive bar ever.” – Terra + Tessa
“I’d chain myself to the door” – Mollie S.
Have you had the Whig Burger? Some say it’s the best in town. This dive bar is for sure a Cola classic with dark lighting, craft beer + obscure decor.
💙El Burrito
“STILL MAD about el burrito” –Sally M.
“Will never get over el burrito being gone 🌯💔” –Anne H.
“I really hated that El Burrito closed. They had one of the best salads in town. There other menu items were just as delicious.” – Ebonn T.
Even though El Burrito has been closed for a while, y’all had to lament in the comments one more time. Petition to open the doors again?
Your honorable mentions: Indah Coffee Co., Yesterday’s, Good Life Cafe, Papa Jazz Record Shoppe + Craft and Draft
Our team agrees that Columbia would be a completely different city without the funky small businesses that it boasts. Here’s a shout out to the local businesses that would break COLAtodays’ hearts if they closed:
Beth: My mental + physical health would greatly suffer if City Yoga in Five Points were to ever close. (This might sound dramatic, but I don’t know what I would do without you, Stacey!) I would also be completely heartbroken if my post-yoga Matcha Sunrise smoothie (or vegan cheesecake, because my diet is #balanced) from Rosewood Market was ever to be taken away from me.
Shayla: I would be heartbroken if Indah Coffee Co. closed; it’s become my home away from home ft. endless caffeine. I’d also have curl up and mourn Papa Jazz if it ever closed; I’ve scored some amazing $1 records there.
Chloe: I couldn’t look at Cola the same if Drip in Five Points ever closed. But judging by the line I stand in every time I visit, that’s not happening. Other small bizzes I can’t live without: our downtown Barre3 (locally-owned franchise) and Metropolis Salon and Dry Bar, owned by my impressive friend Greg. I’ve been a customer since its founding. 💇
Gray: Ed’s Editions in West Columbia is the best book store I’ve been able to find anywhere. I could spend hours there.
Sam: I would probably actually shed tears if Spotted Salamander closed (I already did when they stopped dinner service...) because their deviled egg recipes are a work of art. I also second Drip in Five Points. I love it so much that I drive all the way from Lexington on the weekends just to get my dirty chai fix.
Keep showing our small businesses the love they deserve by joining the conversation and tagging them in comments on our Instagram, Twitter + Facebook posts. 💙
And if you’re into making a whole weekend out of your holiday shopping, check out these small businesses to support across the Southeast.
– Shayla + the COLAtoday team
