6AM City In-house

Back on the rise 📈

A look at tourism in Columbia, SC
Columbia SC Oct 2022-3745.jpg

The Lincoln Street tunnel in The Vista has hotels on both sides and helps with the walkability of the district. | Photo by COLAtoday

15.1 million. That’s how many visitors the Soda City welcomed in 2021, according to the latest numbers from Experience Columbia SC — the marketing organization for the Columbia region.

The economic impact of tourism on our region is substantial. It generates $2.4 billion annually, $120 million in state and local taxes, and creates 21,000 jobs.

Compiled by Longwoods Internation and Tourism Economics, the statistics show numbers comparable to pre-pandemic levels of 2019. That year was a record-setting year thanks in part to Colonial Life Arena hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. You may remember, the Soda City went all out.

Experience Columbia’s President and CEO Bill Ellen credits recovery strategy and funding from key stakeholders for the 15.1 million visitors.

Key sporting events
  • SC High School Football State Championships | Attendees: 20,000
  • NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament | Attendees: 18,295
  • Battle at BullStreet | Attendees: 9,070
  • Chick-fil-A Classic | Attendees: 6,600
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center’s key events
  • Soda City Comic Con | Attendees: 7,500
  • USC Darla Moore School of Business 2021 Fall Business Expo | Attendees: 1,200
  • SC Music Educators Association | Attendees: 800
Of the 15.1 million visitors, 5.4 million were overnight visitors.

Booking hotel rooms is a large part of Experience Columbia’s efforts, generating accommodations tax that feeds increased livability, demand for development, and business development.

Several new hotels have been announced, and one recently opened within walking distance of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Here’s a quick rundown.
There is talk of more downtown development projects on the Gervais Street side of the convention center, but no concrete plans have been shared.
MUSC Health

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Nov. 4
  • Holiday Open House | Friday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 6 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Uptown Gifts on Main, 1204 Main St., Columbia | Free | Pick and ornament off of the tree to reveal your discount of up to 20% off your purchase.
  • Wingard’s Market Holiday Soiree | Friday, Nov. 4-Saturday, Nov. 5 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Wingards Market, 1430 N Lake Dr. , Lexington | Free | Celebrate the holiday season with cocktails and charcuterie at Wingard’s Market.
Saturday, Nov. 5
  • 4th Annual Biscuits & Bluegrass | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Hunter-Gatherer Brewery at the Hangar, 1402 Jim Hamilton Blvd. , Columbia | $20-$40 | Feel good, do good at the Biscuits & Bluegrass brunch, benefiting Senior Resources.
  • Meeting Street Artisan Market | Saturday, Nov. 5, Thursday, Nov. 10, Saturday, Dec. 3 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West, Columbia | The market includes vendors selling original art, crafts, foods, and produce.
  • OSO OSO | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 7-10 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St, West Columbia | $19 | Long Beach, New York emo band Oso Oso is currently on your in support of their 2022 album “Sore Thumb” and is joined by rising act M.A.G.S.
  • Vintage Con 2022: Time Warp | Saturday, Nov. 5-Sunday, Nov. 6 | 6-9 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St, Columbia | Vintage Con will be a two-day event, kicking off Saturday with a Vintage Fashion Show, followed by a moderated panel discussion with NoMa Warehouse’s vintage collectors and curators.
  • Where’s Waldo? Scavenger Hunt | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Odd Bird Books, 1332 Main St., Ste. 105, Columbia | Free | Waldo will be hidden not only in the bookstore, but throughout the Arcade Mall as well for prizes.
Sunday, Nov. 6
  • Junior Astronomers | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 6 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St, West Columbia | For fans of high-energy indie rock bands, Charlote-based band Junior Astronomers have made Cola a second home over the past decade.
  • Sesqui Artisans Market | Sun., Nov. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Rd | Free | This juried arts and crafts festival will be filled with art, food, and music in the serene setting on Sesqui State Park.
Monday, Nov. 7
  • CMA Chamber Music on Main | Monday, Nov. 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St, Columbia | $35-$42 | Kick off the newest season of Chamber Music on Main with an all-star cast of six magnificent musicians.*
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.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Vista Guild

Fact or Fiction: Think you know what prevents hair loss? Think again. 👀
A man faces the ground with his hand in hair.
ATXtoday readers can grab 15% off on Revela’s restorative serums with code 6AMCITY. | Photo provided by Revela
60% of men experience hair loss by age 50. You might think you know what causes it — but do you really?

Test your knowledge. Are these Fact or Fiction?
THIS SERUM CAN HELP

Weather
  • 79º | Mostly sunny | 8% chance of rain
Closed
  • Constan Car Wash (1950 Gervais St.) has closed after 73 years. The iconic Cola car wash and Mobil 1 Lube Express simply shared on its website, “It has been our pleasure to serve you for 73 years. We will miss you!” 🐅
Development
  • The 12-foot wide greenway connecting Columbia to Lake Murray received $24 million in funding from various local, state, and federal sources. Now that funding is secured, the “40-year-long dream” is beginning to come to fruition. (The Post and Courier)
Traffic
  • Exit 91 off of I-26 in Chapin will close and a temporary eastbound ramp to Columbia Avenue will open on Saturday. This is part of the Midlands Connection Project, improving a 16-mile segment of the I-26 roadway from Exit 85 in Little Mountain to Exit 101 in Irmo. 🚗
Community
  • Wokka this way to Hyatt Park (950 Jackson Ave.) and step into Richland Library’s newly installed StoryWalk featuring “How Do You Wokka-Wokka?” by Elizabeth Bluemle and illustrated by Randy Cecil. This is the library’s fourth StoryWalk that provides families the opportunity to read, keep moving, and enjoy our local parks. 📚
Theater
  • Columbia Children’s Theatre’s (CCT) November musical production of “James and the Giant Peach Jr.” begins Fri. Nov. 11-Sun., Nov. 13 at CA Johnson High School (2219 Barhamville Rd.). Directed by CCT’s Paul Lindley, the musical is a new take on Roald Dahl’s “masterpeach” of a tale. Buy your tickets here.
Arts
  • The Crooked Creek Art League is teaming up with Friends of the Irmo Branch Library to present an exhibition of 50 works of art on display through Fri., Nov. 25. Library patrons can vote for The People’s Choice Award and purchase art with a percentage of each piece going towards library projects.
Announced
  • 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, Sam + David. Learn more + sign up. 💻
Health
  • While hospitals aren’t currently overwhelmed with COVID patients, MUSC Health’s COVID-19 tracking team leader, Dr. Michael Sweat, says now is not the time for indifference. The reason: Science indicates we’re due for a new variant in the coming weeks. Learn more.*
Award
  • Time to celebrate, COLA — Garvin Design was awarded three AIA Columbia Awards for their COLA-inspired architecture. See their work, including the Hammond School’s Science & Innovation Center and Homeless No More’s Education Facility, which was inspired by SC’s historic Rosenwald Schools.*
Travel
  • Dreaming up a trip to the Bahamas? This Spanish Wells private cottage might just be your new happy place. It’s steps from the turquoise water, fully air conditioned, and is rated five stars. Book it as a January getaway or the best holiday gift ever for $299 avg/night. 🌊*
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Steel Hands Brewing

Quick pick and multiply ⚽

Powerball hits 1.5 billion
4.5 million.jpg

The most expensive home for sale in the Midlands is on 3.5 acres on Lake Tucker in Elgin. | Photo via Zillow

The Powerball jackpot is up to $1.5 billion and approaching a record amount. If you think you don’t have a chance, remember back in 2019 when a $1.5 billion Mega Millions ticket was sold in Simpsonville, SC at the KC Mart.

That winner chose the cash option. A one-time payment of $877,784,124. In Columbia, that money would go a long way.

We took a look at the three most expensive homes for sale in the Midlands in case you win and want to upgrade your digs.

$4.5 million | 102 Island View Cir, Elgin | This five-bedroom, 10-bath, 17,228 sqft villa features a saltwater pool + a waterfront view.
$3.8 million | 209 Old Summer Pl, Chapin | This 5-bedroom, seven-bath, 10,286 sqft has a private boat ramp on Lake Murray and a negative edge pool.
$3.5 million | 1057 Will Frick Rd, Blythewood | Only five bedrooms, six-bath, and 7,000 sqft, but is on 56 acres with a large barn and of course, a swimming pool.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by David.

Editor’s pick: I’ve rarely had to wait in line at QT, but on Wednesday I had to wait for about five minutes as everyone in front of me purchased Powerball tickets. If you are the big winner, I hope you purchase one of the above houses and invite me over for a day on the lake.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out our thrift store rundown of stores around the Midlands, here.
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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