06.17.2024

Today’s Forecast

91º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:12 a.m. | Sunset 8:37 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

💻 Talking all things tech

Gadgetboy, a new boutique gadget store is open in Columbia

Gadegetboy sells, repairs, consults, and even develops its own tech products. | Photo by COLAtoday team

City Editor Sam here — While casually enjoying a cup of Joe from Piecewise Coffee Co. on Devine Street, I noticed a new sign for a local business, “Gadgetboy.” Naturally, I had to explore the new store.

Upon entering 2822 Devine St., I was welcomed by a large internal mural created by local artist Ija Monet — whose name you may recognize from other works around town. Check out the process of Ija creating the mural inside Gadgetboy. Soon after, I was greeted by Fox Black and Ahmed Robertson, who are the driving forces behind Gadgetboy. Robertson described himself as the “Steve Jobs of Gadgetboy.”

From left to right: Ahmed Robertson and Fox Black *(the faces of and Steve Jobs of Gadgetboy)* standing in front of Ija Monet’s mural.| Photo by COLAtoday team

Gadgetboy speaks all things tech, selling and repairing computers, phones, accessories, speakers, gaming consoles, headphones, tablets, and more. It even develops its own Gadgetboy-branded products — think: computer, headphone, and accessory prototypes — and helps with business solutions, dabbling in consultation where you can troubleshoot + employees will teach you about your tech.

*A buying local opportunity* — ask about Gadgetboy’s products. | Photo by COLAtoday team

As someone who finds tech fairly intimidating, I felt completely at ease within a few minutes. When I commented on how comfortable the tech store felt, Robertson said, “You’re not walking into a Verizon or an Apple Store. This is different and we want it to feel different.” Black then chimed in on how surrounding local businesses along Devine Street, like neighbors Brittons of Columbia + Piecewise, have been welcoming and helpful.

It’s currently open but plans to host a grand opening on Thursday, Aug. 1, and have its website up and running within a few weeks.

Events

Monday, June 3

Stargazing at the Melton Observatory | Monday, June 3-Monday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | USC campus, 1429 Greene St., Columbia | Free | Observe through the 16-inch Cassegrain telescope in the dome and other small telescopes on the observatory deck

Tuesday, June 18

Backyard Beekeeping for the Curious Workshop | Tuesday, June 18 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $35 | Learn all about the fascinating world of beekeeping in your own backyard.
Broadway In Columbia Presents: Shrek the Musical | Tuesday, June 18-Friday, June 21 | Times vary | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $22-$75 | Enjoy the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey.

Wednesday, June 19

Juneteenth at the CMA | Wednesday, June 19 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | In celebration of Juneteenth, the CMA is offering free admission and activities centered on Black art.
Black Excellence In Opera | Wednesday, June 19 | 7 p.m. | Ascension Lutheran Church, 827 Wildwood Ave., Columbia | Free | This concert of arias, art songs, spirituals, and other favorite tunes features a number of the Midlands’ favorite local artists.
Village Idiot Tasting Event with Steel Hands Brewing | Wednesday, June 19 | 7-10 p.m. | Village Idiot Pizza, 2009 Devine St., Columbia | Free | Test your knowledge at trivia night and sip on Steel Hands Brewing’s iced tea ale on tap.

Thursday, June 20

Drag Bingo at the CMA | Thursday, June 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | $28-$210 | Celebrate Pride Month at the CMA with the return of drag bingo.
Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More | Thursday, June 20 | 9-10:15 p.m. | Junction 800, 800 Gervais St., Columbia | $33.79 | Experience a live, multi-sensory musical experience under the gentle glow of candlelight.

New week, new events

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

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Laptop screen showing female, 30-something patient video chatting with her similarly-aged female therapist via BetterHelp.

Picture this: Professional therapy, done from the comfort of your home. | Image by BetterHelp

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News Notes

Number

~200 — That’s the number of new homes that are potentially coming to Northeast Columbia. The neighborhood received initial approval last week, and if it receives final approval from City Council, ~60 acres will be developed into single-family homes. (The Post and Courier)

Development

Speaking of development — West Columbia’s Guignard neighborhood may be seeing the development of ~30 homes after West Cola’s City Council granted initial approval of the project. Home prices are estimated between $325,000 and $375,000. (The State)

Open

Adecco — a temp agency — just opened a new branch in West Columbia (2203 Augusta Rd.). Its goal is to promote business and help match local job seekers to their dream jobs. (Cola Daily)

Arts

Are you a poet and know it? Richland Library is hosting the Soda City Poetry Festival on Saturday, June 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This a one-day, inter-celebration of poetry features panels, workshops + open mic sessions, and promotes Columbia’s vibrant poetry community.

Sports

What stood out at Carolina Panthers Mandatory Minicamp. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Try This

Planning an upcoming party — or looking for gardening tools to spruce up your yard? Browse Richland Library’s Library of Things, a collection of useful items for your creative endeavors + home projects. Borrow bubble machines, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and more. Learn more.*

Finance

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Outdoors

🎣 5 places to tackle fishing

5 places to fish around Columbia, including rivers, lakes, and shorelines

Fishing at Lake Murray | Photo via @julianachitolina

Fishing is a great way to get outside whether you make it a family affair or use it as an oppor-tuna-ty to snag some much-needed alone time out in nature. Don’t know where to go? We put together a list of local fishing spots + resources for you to have a reely good time while you fish around Columbia.

Lake Murray

The 50,000-acre man-made lake has over 650 miles of shoreline waiting for you to cast a line. Pro tip: Check out Capital City Lake Murray Country’s many guides to fishing or if you’re just getting started, head out on the lake with Captain Terry Caulder for a guided fishing session to catch bass.

What you’ll catch

Striped bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Redear sunfish
The elusive catfish

Pro tip: See multiple marina locations and 11 public lake access areas around Lake Murray.

Click the button below for four more spots and tips for local fishing.

Go fish

City Guide presented by AllSouth Federal Credit Union.

Asked

Where is your favorite place to fish around Cola?

Bonus points if you share where you locally buy your bait.

Let minnow

The Buy

The Buy 6.17.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These best-selling men’s swim trunks — they’re lined, quick drying, and come in any fun pattern you can dream up (we like the little sharks).

The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

Just as a reminder — you can always submit your upcoming events to our events platform for free. Just head to our events page, click “add event” in the right-hand corner, and follow the prompts to fill out the information. While you’re perusing our website... have you noticed we added a new “Games” tab? It’s worth a peek.

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