06.07.2023

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Today’s Forecast

66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.

Remembering Joyful Alternative

Remembering the Joyful Alternative 20 years after its closure

A black and white photo of a man standing outside the Joyful Alternative's Greene Street shop front.

Joyful Alternative was originally located at 2009 Greene St. | Courtesy of Richland Library.

The beginning of June marks the 20th anniversary of the Joyful Alternative’s closing. Opened in 1970 by eight friends — including owners Barbara Howell and Dale Bailes (credited for giving the store its name) — the gift shop offered everything from candles to Kerouac. It was known as the locus of all things counter-culture and is remembered for both the smell of incense + sense of community.

After 33 years, the shop closed in 2003. The store filled with customers one last time on Saturday, May 31 for music and poetry readings. The location at 747 Saluda Ave. was later taken over by the first Starbucks in Columbia which closed this year on Sunday, April 2.

Black and white photo of Barbara Howell in a patterned shirt, standing inside the Joyful Alternative shop. — Joyful Alternative owner Barbara Howell was also a member Trenholm Artists Guild
|
Photo courtesy of Richland Library.

We asked you to share the best part of the Joyful Alternative. You did not disappoint. Here are a few of our favorite reader memories:

“Just one? The variety. The staff. The vibe.” — @jaime_mostly
“Barbara always played a game with my husband who would come in looking for a gift. I had already been there and picked out what I liked and Barbara would suggest it to him. Saddest day in Columbia when it closed the doors for good.” — Sue B.
“As a gay man just coming out in the late 70s/early 80s, the Joyful was the only place I knew where you could find ‘The Advocate.’ I always found it to be a very affirming place for queer folks.” — Walter B.
“EVERYTHING. I loved to listen to Dale Bailes tell stories and hear his laugh.” — Amy K.

Since the space is now available, what should go in that location next? A Joyful Alternative revival? Or maybe a bar and music venue? Whatever occupies the space there next, it will have big shoes to fill.

8 more joyful memories

Asked

What should take over the former Joyful Alternative space on Saluda Avenue?

A. Joyful Alternative revival
B. Bar and music venue
C. Coffee shop
D. Something else

Let us know

Events

Wednesday, June 7

The Market at Richland Library | Wednesday, June 7-Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Shop your community to get fresh produce, meet your new favorite author, or pick out an interesting piece of art.
Artists and Autocrats | Wednesday, June 7-Sunday, July 2 | 6-8 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts Gallery, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | Free | This exhibition includes homages to modernists as well as depictions of autocrats and dictators.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Salem Red Sox | Wednesday, June 7 | 12:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Cheer on the Fireflies as they take on the Salem Red Sox, plus enjoy $5 White Claws for White Claw Wednesday.*

Thursday, June 8

Vanderpump Rules Reunion Part 3 Watch Party | Thursday, June 8 | 7-10 p.m. | femme x Columbia, 1501 Richland St., Columbia | $10 | Watch an extended, uncensored version of the final reunion episode, plus snacks, drinks, and VPR Bingo.

Friday, June 9

Couples Cooking Italian Class | Friday, June 9 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Let’s Cook Culinary Studio, 1305 Assembly St., Columbia | $75 | Learn to cook a three-course meal including a burrata salad, flatbread, gnocchi with shrimp, and a lemon sorbetto.
The NoMa Flea | Friday, June 9-Friday, Dec. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | The market features several anchor vendors and at least 10 rotating, pop-up vendors each week.

Saturday, June 10

Accessibility Morning – Dragons Love Tacos | Saturday, June 10 | 9-11 a.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | This program designed for guests who are neurodiverse will feature sensory-friendly activities plus a character meet-and-greet with the beloved dragon from “Dragon Loves Tacos”

Calendar events here

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Show

Culture

Friday Night Laser Lights are back for the summer

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

Crowd experiencing a laser light show at a concert

Experience the energy of a rock concert with stunning visuals at Friday Night Laser Lights, back at SCSM starting Friday, June 16. | Photo via Unsplash

The South Carolina State Museum’s rockin’ tradition returns Friday, June 16 with a stacked lineup of thrilling laser light shows, including Jimi Hendrix, the Eagles, and Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” (celebrating the 50th anniversary of its release).

See your favorite band’s music in a new light as a stunning display of lasers choreographed to music fills the museum’s 55-foot digital dome planetarium. In addition to laser light shows, these special evening events also feature local food trucks and a cash bar with beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages available to purchase.

Learn more (and prepare to rock)

News Notes

Opening

The Hoot, a bar swooping into the Rosewood neighborhood, announced its opening date will be Friday, June 9. The drink and dinner spot took over the space at 2910 Rosewood Dr., Ste. 1 — formerly The Kraken Gastropub. Look forward to great decor and an “incidentally plant based” menu. (The State)

Biz

AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm, is moving into the BullStreet District this fall. It will be located on the third floor of the WestLawn building. Check out job opportunities.

Number

$5 million. The amount awarded to USC for the rehabilitation of the Booker T. Washington High School Auditorium. The funding is a part of the Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights grant program — which awarded $8 million in total to five sites across SC. (WLTX)

Civic

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is looking for input on the Hurricane Evacuation plan. The study helps make life-saving decisions like evacuation zones and how to communicate emergency information to the community. Take the survey. (WOLO)

Try This

Groovin’ in the Garden is back for another free concert in the NOMA Community Garden. On Saturday, June 17 from 5 to 9 p.m., bring your blanket and tap your toes to performances by Southern Soul Artist Joston Case, Sounds of Legacy Band, and more.

For Family

Hey, moms + dads — we know having kids can impact your savings. This card is extra helpful to on-the-go families, offering 2% flat-rate cash rewards and a generous welcome bonus. Learn more.*

Health

Ah, June — summer, sunshine, and… skin cancer? That’s right, those glorious rays carry an increased risk of the most common kind of cancer in the US (and no one is immune). Here are three easy ways to reduce your risk of skin cancer this summer.*

The Buy

Turn misplaced keys into a thing of the past with the Apple AirTag. The button-sized tracking device can give you step-by-step directions to your lost keys (or phone…or wallet…) and has a battery life of one year. Pro tip: Put one in your checked luggage and never worry about lost baggage again.*

Shop

Need to find your dad the perfect Father’s Day gift? You’re in luck. Check out gifts from our online store (Six & Main) that will make for a great surprise. From the outdoor explorer to the foodie dad, there’s a present for every type of father. Shop now.

Wellness

Thinning hair? Take this quiz.

Rotating images of women, Nutrafol hair growth supplement bottles

In a clinical study, 90% of women saw overall improvement in their hair after six months of taking Nutrafol Womens Hair Growth Supplement. | Photos provided by Nutrafol

Which root causes are affecting your hair health?

A. Stress
B. Nutrition
C. Hormones
D. All of the above

You’re not alone.

Enter: Nutrafol. The No. 1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand* is physician-formulated with science-backed ingredients to target root causes of thinning to result in faster-growing, visibly thicker hair. (And it’s an effortless addition to your wellness routine.)

But first — figure out what formula is right for you with this five-minute quiz.*

Take this quiz to get to the root of the thinning

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jessalin

From the editor

Craving a hit of 1990s nostalgia in Five Points? Loose Lucy’s — a mom and pop hippie shop — has been around since 1992 and just got a fresh sign. Groovy.

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