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City
COLAtoday 2025 Recap: The big news stories of 2025
It’s not just your year in music — we’ve also rounded up your year in local news.
December 04, 2025 01:08 PM
 · 
David Stringer
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Business
Publix to open new downtown store in BullStreet District
Publix will open a new 50,000-sqft downtown store in the BullStreet District, expanding walkable grocery access with construction starting in 2026.
December 3, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Business
Slip 53 to open in Five Points in spring 2026
Slip 53, a coastal-inspired oyster and seafood spot, will open in the former Pecknel Music Co. building.
December 2, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Business
How to shop local on Small Business Saturday
The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on November 29 — the perfect time to help you add a local sparkle into your holiday shopping.
November 26, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Development
All aboard Seaboard Vista, a new mixed-use redevelopment
Seaboard Vista will restore four historic Vista buildings into a 47,590-sqft mixed-use district with dining, retail, offices, and lofts.
November 20, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Events
Prepare for the holidays with these local markets and pop-ups
The holidays are just around the corner in Columbia, and these local vendors are offering food, drinks, and decor perfect for each seasonal festivity.
November 18, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Food
Gather COLA set to open in December
Gather COLA officially opens Friday, Dec. 5 with a day long celebration that’s even bringing Santa out.
November 10, 2025
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Business
A first look at the Grand Willow Hotel planned for BullStreet
Renderings show plans for the seven-story Grand Willow Hotel behind REI in Columbia’s BullStreet District.
November 5, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Food
Two Vista restaurants earn spots in inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South
Columbia’s fine-dining scene gets a boost as two Vista staples earn a spot in the MICHELIN Guide.
November 4, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Business
Can you build a startup in 24 hours?
Startup Sprint returns for a free 24-hour challenge at Boyd Innovation Center where teams build and pitch startup business ideas.
November 3, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Business
The local wish list: What Columbia readers say we’re missing
Columbia readers shared their wish list of new businesses they’d like to see in the Midlands.
October 27, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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A guide to the grand re-opening weekend at Finlay Park
Explore all 18 acres of the freshly renovated park and enjoy two days of free live music.
November 12, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Food
Where to pre-order your Thanksgiving dinner
Allergic to your stove? No problem — here’s where to go.
November 12, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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City
Kick off the holiday season at Devine Night Out
Devine Street transforms into a holiday block party with shopping deals, live music, food, and snow.
November 10, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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City
Local news, powered by readers like you
Over the next 10 days, we’re launching a reader-driven campaign to sustain what we do best.
November 10, 2025
 · 
Staff
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City
Craig Melvin’s Columbia homecoming tour
Columbia looked good on national TV this week.
November 6, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Two lion sisters interact playfully on a rocky habitat at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
Hello and goodbye at Riverbanks Zoo
Get ready to say hello to some new zoo friends and bid farewell to a few others.
November 6, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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City

Beat the end of daylight saving scaries with these activities in Columbia
The sun may be setting earlier, but Columbia still has plenty to do.
October 30, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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City

Just how bad is the traffic in Columbia?
Spoiler alert: Traffic isn’t great. We dove into the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s congestion data so you don’t have to.
October 28, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
A pothole in the middle of concrete, filled with water.
City

Who ya gonna call? Jot down contact info for these Midlands resources
Don’t be afraid. Concerns about everything from flood damage to environmental health can be solved by getting in touch not with the Ghostbusters, but with these Midlands resources.
October 27, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Small Business
COLAtoday’s 2025 holiday gift guide: 90+ finds for everyone you love
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
October 24, 2025
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen