Plus, Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) has opened submissions for its 2024-2025 Art in the Airport program
 
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Today’s Forecast

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

🏗️ Dreaming of developments

Lexington County’s development growth and dreaming of Columbia’s future
Virginia Hylton Park
The groundbreaking that took place at Virginia Hylton Park last August. | Photo provided by the Town of Lexington
About a month ago, we wrote a conversation about developments coming to or that are under construction in West Columbia. Recently, there has been news about Lexington County’s development growth.

Let’s do a quick recap of a few new businesses.

In July, Sully’s Steamers — a regional chain known for its steamed bagel sandwiches — announced its expansion to Lexington County after its opening on Devine Street + will be located beside Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt.

Joining Main Street businesses like Keg Cowboy, Nicky’s Pizzeria, O’Hara’s Public House, and Bodhi Thai Dining, Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey — a build-your-own taco restaurant — opened last month at 105 W. Main St.

Moltó Vino — a private wine club that started in Forest Acres — announced it’s also expanding to Lexington’s Main Street in September. The wine bar is set to open in a development that can hold up to three tenants; one of them being TakoSushi. A third tenant is still to be determined.

In August of last year, The Town of Lexington began a $7 million renovation of Virginia Hylton Park and hosted a groundbreaking ceremony.

According to a press release from the Town of Lexington, the renovations and expansion will almost double the size of the park, adding 8.25 acres. An updated reopening date is set for February 2024.

But what about future development for Columbia? Just this week, the decade-long effort to remove toxic coal tar from Columbia’s Congaree River finished up. The project began in 2022 and removed 38,000 tons of tar. The cleanup is expected to create opportunities for future riverfront development.

Many readers have reached out via email or on social media to ask about or mention a desire for river development. But what would that really look like — restaurants, parks, markets?

Join the conversation in the module below.
Asked

Dare to dream — What is your dream river development project? What does it look like and how would it be enjoyed by locals?
Share your thoughts
 
Events
Monday, Nov. 6
  • Mahjong 101 with Soda City Mahj | Monday, Nov. 6, Monday, Nov. 6 | Times vary | A Little Happy, 707 Saluda Ave., Columbia | $50 | Consider this your introductory crash course to learn all of the basics of Mahjong.
Tuesday, Nov. 7
  • Play Freely: Chess Meetup | Tuesday, Nov. 7 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Richland Library Northeast, Columbia | Free | Play chess against some local opponents — all skill levels are welcome.
  • Backyard Beekeeping For The Curious | Tuesday, Nov. 7 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $35 | In this class, you’ll be introduced to the basics of what it takes to start and maintain a beehive in your yard.
Wednesday, Nov. 8
  • Silent Book Club | Wednesday, Nov. 8, Tuesday, Dec. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | Graduate Hotel - Columbia, 1619 Pendleton St., Columbia | Free | Grab your favorite book and join The Graduate Hotel for this non-social, but can-be social reading event.
Thursday, Nov. 9
  • Devine Night Out | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 5-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost Shandon, 709 Woodrow St., Columbia | Free | While you’re knocking out holiday shopping, make sure to check out the other local businesses that will be open late.
Friday, Nov. 10
Saturday, Nov. 11
Calendar events here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Community

How you can support COLAtoday’s 2024 vision

City Editor Sam’s 3 favorite Columbia news stories from 2023
City Editor Sam walking with her dog Casper on a sidewalk in Five Points.
Becoming a member is a powerful way to support our local news team. | Photo by COLAtoday
It’s hard to believe it’s almost a wrap on 2023 — and what a year it’s been. We’ve been privileged enough to bring you incredible Columbia news stories straight to your inbox.

Check out some of City Editor Sam’s favorites:
We’re asking for your support to bring you even more stories like these next year.

We’re passionate about our approach to local news. In 2024, you can depend on us for newsletters free of divisive political content. Instead, we’ll deepen your Columbia roots, celebrate our city, and tell you ways to get involved with our community.

Joining our membership club is a powerful way to support our mission and keep our free newsletters hitting your inbox. Join and support us today.
Learn about member benefits
News Notes
Civic
  • Tomorrow is Election Day. Over 200 local elections are scheduled for Municipal Election Day across South Carolina. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. See sample ballots + other election-related information before heading out to vote.
Show
  • Yule be sorry if you don’t attend some of these local shows before the new year. The Post and Courier lists off 12 holiday shows to plan for and attend, including SC Philharmonic, Broadway in Columbia, South Carolina Ballet, and more.
Seasonal
  • Heads up — Beginning today, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will operate on winter hours until Sunday, Jan. 14. Enjoy the zoo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Outdoors
  • Get outside, Soda Citizens. SC Parks is offering free admission to all SC state parks, including tours of historic homes, on Black Friday — Friday, Nov. 24. Use its park finder tool to explore parks around Cola.
Eat
  • Attend the Taste of the World Dinner at Bierkeller Columbia, happening on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. Experience authentic German beer + cuisine, overlooking the Congaree River. Scott Burgess, the founder, will share insights into German Biergarten culture and tickets are $25.
Community
  • This year’s special edition of Devine Night Out, happening Thursday, Nov. 9 from 5 to 8 p.m., features two closed-off blocks with food trucks, live music, and vendors. There will be a children’s area with activities + we suggest attending the tree-lighting ceremony before browsing over 50 participating merchants.
Eat
Travel
  • Weekend trip, here you come: Fayetteville, NC is chock full of things to do in November — savor the fall weather and enjoy street plays, shopping, live theater, hockey + more, all just a short drive away. Plan your trip.*
Finance
  • Billionaires wanted this painting, but 54,538 everyday investors got it first — all thanks to Masterworks, the award-winning platform for investing in blue-chip art. Investors have benefited from 16 sales with returns including 17.8%, 21.5%, and 35.0%. Interested? 6AM City readers can skip the waitlist to join. †*
† See important Masterworks disclosures.
 
Arts

🖼️ Calling all artists

Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) has opened submissions for its 2024-2025 Art in the Airport program
Sunrise at Columbia Metropolitan Airport
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new look… for CAE. | Photo provided
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) has opened submissions for its 2024-2025 Art in the Airport program, calling on local artists to display their work in the airport. The airport’s initiative aims to offer artists the opportunity to showcase their work to a broad audience traveling through the airport.

How to apply

Artists must send their information to submissions@flycae.com by Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. Submissions must include:
  • Contact details (Name, address, phone, email, and website)
  • An artist bio
  • An artist’s statement
  • At least five images representing the artist’s artwork
Note: artists must reside in a Midlands county to be eligible and selected exhibits must contain a minimum of twelve pieces. The selected artists will be notified on Friday, Dec. 15, and a public announcement will be made on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

If interested, read through all exhibit requirements and more.
The Buy

The Buy 11.06.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Cuisinart’s 16-inch roaster and rack — because you deserve an easy-to-clean roaster this year, and this one’s big enough for a Thanksgiving turkey and has a nearly five-star rating.
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The Wrap
 
Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam
From the editor
Happy Monday, Soda Citizens. I always feel better beginning a week after a South Carolina win. It wasn’t always pretty, but a win is a win. Don’t forget — USC men’s basketball kicks off tonight inside Colonial Life as the team takes on USC Upstate starting at 7 p.m.
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