6AM City In-house

5 reasons to fly local out of CAE đŸ›«
Exterior of Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Fly local: Two words that carry a lot of weight — or should we say “baggage.” | Photo provided by Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Attention, COLA travelers: Want more nonstop flights from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)? Then you’ll need to do one thing: Fly local.

If you’re a Soda Citizen, then flying out of CAE should be your go-to choice when taking to the skies. Driving to airports outside of Columbia is not only time consuming, but also reduces the number of passengers utilizing CAE — something airlines and network planners watch to determine flight routes + options.

Here are five reasons why you should consider flying local on your next trip:

1. Flying out of CAE increases the possibility of new routes and new airlines added to the schedule. Airlines are constantly monitoring passenger traffic at airports to gauge sustainability and viability of possible new services. The more people fly, the more flight options are offered. It’s that simple.

2. It strengthens our local economy. Keeping dollars in our community only bolsters our local economy — making the Midlands financially healthier and more attractive to those looking to possibly relocate to SC’s capital city.
Two women looking at flight schedule

The more people use an airport, the more options become available at that airport.

Photo provided by Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3. It creates a sense of community. We’re all encouraged to eat local, buy local, and shop local. And we do that well here in the Midlands. Shouldn’t we also fly local, too?

4. It drives airfare down. Airlines want your business. And when there are several options available, it naturally creates competition — which in turn, drives ticket prices down. So the more you fly local, the less you pay.

5. It makes your parking bill less expensive. Believe it or not, CAE’s parking rates are some of the lowest in the state. And with the option to pre-book your parking, you can get an even greater discount on long-term parking. Park with ease, and then fly with ease at CAE.

Traveling soon? Explore CAE’s nonstop destinations and book flights below.*

This content was created in partnership with Columbia Metropolitan Airport and written by Rachel Taylor-Northam.*
PLAN A TRIP

Which airport do you typically use when traveling?

A. CAE
B. CLT (Charlotte)
C. CHS (Charleston)
D. GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg Airport)
E. ATL (Atlanta)
F. Other

LET US KNOW

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Today
  • The Irmo Okra Strut | Fri., Sept. 23 | 6 p.m. | Okra Strut Festival, 7505 Eastview Dr., Irmo | Free | Louisiana band Cowboy Mouth headlines opening night festivities at this year’s Okra Strut Festival. 🎑
  • The Music Man at Town Theatre | Fri., Sept. 23 - Sun., Sept. 25 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. | $15-$25 | When a con man tries to swindle an entire town out of their money to start a boys’ band, it leads to an old-fashioned love story.
  • Village Square Theatre Presents Clue on Stage | Fri., Sept. 23-Sun., Sept. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Village Square Theatre, 105 Caughman Rd., Lexington | $19 | Watch the classic board game come to life in this murder mystery. đŸ—ïž
Saturday
  • ColaJazz Fest Gala | Sat., Sept. 24 | 6-10 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. | $45-$76.50 | Music Saturday night is headlined by Carl Allen who is joined by opening acts Aimee Nolte and The Organa Trio. đŸŽș
  • COLAughs Comedy @ NoMa Warehouse | Sat., Sept. 24 | 8 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | $15.50 | Jas Gill from Greenville, headlines COLAughs at NoMa Warehouse and is joined by Melanie Goldey, Shaine Laine, host/producer Allie Johns, and emcee Topher Riddle.
  • Stagbriar | Sat., Sept. 24 | 7 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $15 | Columbia Americana band Stagbriar headline the night performing new songs off their upcoming album. 🎾
  • South Carolina Gamecocks Football vs. Charlotte | Sat., Sept. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Williams-Brice Stadium | $50-$100 | The Gamecock football team looks to get back on track with a game under the lights against the Charlotte 49ers.
Sunday
  • ColaJazz Fest Sunday Funday | Sun., Sept. 25 | 1-8 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion, 1615 Blanding St. | $15-$20 | Stroll the gardens of the mansion as you take in the sounds of bluegrass, blues, fusion, and Cuban jazz.
  • Public Tour: Behind the Collection | Sun., Sept. 25 | 1-2 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. | Get a glimpse into the story behind the art: the science to create the materials, the lives that shaped the artists’ views, and the thinking that leads a museum to acquire a piece.
  • Steel Paws - Special Needs Canine Event | Sun., Sept. 25 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Steel Paws is a charitable mission created to provide year-round support for canine initiatives focused on public safety, special needs, service, and rescue shelters. 🐕
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
100+ MORE EVENTS

One robot with unlimited potential in Columbia? đŸ€–
A GIF of lab technology in action.
Most robotic automation is complex and expensive, but Ally Robotics programming-free robots represent a step forward for affordable automation. | GIF provided by Ally Robotics
Did you know? Your next order at your favorite fast food restaurant could be cooked by an AI-powered robot.

That’s because Ally Robotics created a programming-free robot that learns by watching humans to solve the $300 billion fast food industry’s biggest problem: the labor shortage.

Now, they’re inviting Soda Citizens to invest in the growing business as these bots expand to other industries (think: construction and agriculture).

Invest by Thurs., Sept. 29 to get a piece of the (automated) pie.*
INVEST
Weather
  • 79Âș | Sunny | 0% chance of rain
Transit
  • The 16-mile stretch of Interstate 26 between Irmo and Little Mountain is close to 60% complete and three years ahead of schedule. By the end of 2024, four miles of interstate will be widened to eight lanes and the remaining 12 will be widened to six lanes. 🚧 (The Post and Courier)
Community
  • An ace of an upgrade. The Richland County Recreation Commission (RCRC) is hosting a grand re-opening of the RCRC Tennis Center on Tues., Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. 12 tennis courts have been resurfaced and stripes have been added. Fencing and bleachers have also been repaired. đŸŽŸ
  • Show your support for local journalism by joining the COLAtoday membership program. Membership has some awesome perks like exclusive birthday deals, discounts from our online shop, Six & Main + more. Plus, 100% of membership funds help support our local editors — that’s us, David + Samantha. Learn more + sign up. đŸ’»
Announced
  • The Fireflies announced the 2023 schedule, including a three-game weekend series to open the season at Segra Park on Thurs., April 6 against the Augusta GreenJackets. In total, the Fireflies will play 132 games, including 66 home games and 12 weekends of action in the BullStreet District. ⚟
Sports
  • The Phoenix Bass Fishing League will finish out its 2022 season on Oct. 6-8 with a regional championship at Lake Murray. Hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board, the three-day event will feature the top 45 boaters + co-anglers hoping to reel in a prize of $60,000. 🐟
Soda Citizen
  • The Columbia Chamber will honor David Pankau with the Ambassador of the Year Award presented to a community member who exemplifies outstanding business ethics and promotes the Midlands. David spent 30 years with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and served as President and CEO from 2010 until his retirement in July.
Outdoors
  • Looking to show off all of your hard work in the yard this summer? The State is looking for beautiful front yards and ornately trimmed hedges around the Midlands. Share your favorite front yard and what you love about it here. 🏡 (The State)
Eat
  • Scoopy Doo + Reservoir Dogs, located next door to Drip in Five Points, are hosting a $5 lunch special through the end of October. The special includes a Naked Beef Dog, chips, and a drink with options to upgrade to one of the specialty franks — like the Mr. Blonde with pickled veggies + sriracha. 🌭
Shop
  • Time to feel the fall breeze + enjoy the autumn leaves with the Fall For Your City Sale happening now on Six & Main, COLAtoday’s online shop. Take 20% off the entire Fall For Your City Collection now through Sun., Sept. 25.
Health
  • With testing sites closing and lab staffing decreasing to almost pre-pandemic levels, are we finally moving into a COVID-19 endemic? Find out what Julie Hirschhorn, Ph.D., director of the Molecular Pathology Lab at MUSC, says about where we’re at with the pandemic.*
Job
  • How does working for one of the fastest-growing (and women-owned) companies in South Carolina sound? Visit Nephron Pharmaceuticals’ state-of-the-art facility and find out how to join a team of 2,500 employees at the Nephron Career Fair on Thurs., Sept. 29. Learn more + register.*
Wellness
  • There’s nothing worse than tossing and turning because you can’t fall asleep — especially when you have a big day coming up that you won’t be well-rested for. If you’re looking for a natural solution to help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeply + wake up refreshed, this supplement can help. Use code code 6AM for 20% off.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Smoked to porkfection đŸœ

518 Smokehouse coming to Chapin, SC
518 smokehouse
The new 518 Smokehouse is being constructed in Chapin. | Rendering provided by LTCHS
LTC Hospitality Services — the group behind downtown restaurants Smoked, Good Life Cafe, and The Grand — shared renderings of the new 518 Smokehouse expected to open in fall 2023.

The new BBQ restaurant will be located at 673 Chapin Road, just outside of the downtown area.

In addition to the BBQ, the new restaurant will also feature live music, a family-friendly atmosphere, and foods sourced from local farms.

This will be the group’s first restaurant outside of Columbia in the quickly growing Chapin area.
THE WRAP
David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt
Today’s issue was written by David.

Editor’s pick: I hope you’re enjoying the cooler weather this morning and for the upcoming week. I tried to work outside yesterday at The Hideout in West Columbia, but the heat drove me inside after about 20 minutes. Also, thank you to The Hideout for not kicking me out when I accidentally stayed past closing time.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read about Columbia Girls Who Walk and what they’re doing to create community, here.
Read More
Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith| Advertise with us.

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