Support Us Button Widget

Business

AllSouth Federal Credit Union
Finance
3 ways to prep for holiday spending
Sponsored by
Julie K. Art local artist stickers Columbia, SC
Small Business
Local stocking stuffer guide for Columbia, SC
We want to see those socks sag after being filled to the brim with local stocking stuffer gifsts from around Columbia.
December 18, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Segra-Park-Columbia-Fireflies-stadium
Small Business
A guide to the best giftable experiences in Columbia
Let’s try something new. Instead of gifting someone a material item, allow them to unwrap the best giftable experiences in Columbia.
December 7, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Four horses graze in a field.
Sponsored
Meet Hickory Top Farm, LS3P Columbia’s latest Design In-Kind project
Since its founding, LS3P has been committed to pro bono work for a broad range of community partners, including over 25 projects in the last two years.
Sponsored by
SC State House
Business
Meet the inaugural class of South Carolina’s 50 Most Influential business leaders
Discover the inaugural class of South Carolina’s 50 Most Influential business leaders who have provided insights and contributions while shaping South Carolina’s economic growth.
December 5, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Slideshow of the contents of cheer boxes from Lowes Foods.
Sponsored
5 local gift boxes we’d love to unwrap this season
Sponsored by
A watercolor patterned present image with blue florals.
Retail
Gift Guide: Our Editors’ picks for the 2023 holiday season
See what Editors Sam and David are shopping this year.
November 30, 2023
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
A group photo of the representatives at Lourie Life & Health.
Sponsored
A local resource for Medicare and health insurance
Lourie Life & Health aims to be an advocate and resource for questions regarding coverage.
Sponsored by
A boat on the water.
Sponsored
Did you know? 1 in 9 SC jobs are tied to our ports.
The South Carolina Ports Authority supports 1 in 9 jobs statewide — and those jobs pay 23% higher than the state average wage.
Sponsored by
Happy friends having holiday dinner sitting around a table.
Sponsored
4 tips to host a holiday party (without breaking the bank)
Holiday hosting doesn’t have to be costly.
Sponsored by
Metallic watercolor presents and stars with the text "unwrap carefully curated gift guides this season"
Retail
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: 39 gifts you can buy right now
Shop the most popular gifts of the 2023 holiday season, plus gifts that support small businesses and the best holiday wrapping paper to tie it all up in.
November 1, 2023
Load More
Latest News
More from COLAtoday
Conagree National Park
Events
Catch Congaree’s fireflies glow
Enter the lottery for a chance to experience Congaree National Park’s synchronous firefly display.
April 3, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
A black and white photo of a man standing outside the Joyful Alternative's Greene Street shop front.
History
Celebrating 8 with stories of Columbia’s past
To celebrate COLAtoday’s eighth anniversary, we’re highlighting eight favorite local history stories that shaped Columbia’s past and present.
April 2, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
City
Columbia’s April Fools’ roundup
Columbia businesses brought the laughs this April Fools’ Day with fake expansions, secret snacks, and imaginative (but fake) announcements.
April 2, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
A white brick building with a stepped roofline houses a bookstore named "All Good Books." The store's name is painted in bold, dark blue letters with a small lantern logo on the left. A leafless tree casts branch-like shadows on the facade under a clear blue sky.
Culture
5 independently owned bookstores in Columbia
Find your next page-turner at these bookstores in Columbia where you can browse titles and literally support small businesses.
April 1, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Yellow flowers outside
Sponsored
Dig into sustainable gardening at this free workshop
Sponsored by
The Columbia skyline | Photo by COLAtoday team
Culture
6 unbelievable Columbia and South Carolina headlines
These stories look like they’re stranger than fiction, but there are no jokes here. All of these headlines really found their way into the news.
March 31, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Bartell Boykin (photo by Lester Boykin).jpeg
Arts
Meet Columbia’s Poet Laureate
Jennifer Bartell Boykin is currently in a four-year role where she uses her background in poetry to encourage appreciation for the art.
March 31, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
koshka.jpeg
City
Riverbanks Reflects on Koshka’s Life and Legacy
Riverbanks Zoo reflects on the life of Koshka, a nearly 20-year-old Amur tiger and symbol of conservation efforts.
March 28, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Tables with white tablecloths line the streets with dozens of people facing the stage. The stage has two visible performers, two singers and a person on the keyboard.
Culture
Live on Lincoln 2025 lineup announced
The showcase of local talent will feature over 10 organizations to raise funds supporting local art and cultural organizations
March 27, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
CLTtoday_Carolina Cup_March 2025
Tourism and Hospitality
The Carolina Cup gallops toward its 90th year
The horses and pageantry of the annual Carolina Cup return to Camden, SC on Saturday, March 29.
March 26, 2025
 · 
Jack VanderToll