Plus, Read through the advice you would give to a freshman living in Columbia.
 
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🎶 We found love in a local place

Date night ideas for every type of Columbian

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Find ways to fall in love around Columbia. | Photo by @brett.cr3
Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to COLAtoday.

Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time). Regardless of whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 25+ local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.

For the ones who want a night out on the town

Immerse yourselves in local theater events, experiencing live performances or indie movies. Purchase tickets from Town Theatre, The Nick, Koger Center for the Arts, Harbison Theater, and The Township Auditorium.

S.C. State Museum Boeing Observatory

SC State Museum Boeing Observatory | Photo by @rea_mass

Stargaze as a couple at two local observatories — one at the South Carolina State Museum and the Melton Observatory on USC’s campus.

If the way to their heart is through their stomach

Pro tip: Go to Saluda’s in Five Points. It’s on OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in the US list. Based on over 12 million diner reviews, these restaurants offer cozy atmospheres and yummy cuisine.

If you love the great outdoors

Embark on kayaking tours, and paddling together through scenic waterways with help from Palmetto Outdoor, Carolina Outdoor Adventures, or follow our guide on how to float down the river.

River

Take a stroll with your date along one of Columbia’s rivers. | Photo by @thanamesjames

If you’re really hoping that it works out

Looking to embrace a healthy lifestyle together? Check out our full gym guide and our yoga guide.

If you want an “old fashioned”-style date

Don’t want the night to end? Go grab dessert from Kaminsky’s, The Robinson Room, Sweet Cream Co., or O’Hara’s Bakery Cafe and take a leisurely stroll while you finish dessert.
20+ more date night options
Prisma Health
 
Events
Wednesday, Aug. 14
  • Career Ready: Resumé Help | Wednesday, Aug. 14-Wednesday, Dec. 11 | Times vary | Richland Library Main | Free | Career coaches will be available in person to answer your questions on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Silent Book Club | Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 6-8 p.m. | Graduate Columbia | Free | Silent reading will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. with optional mingling before and after.
Thursday, Aug. 15
  • Third Thursday | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 5-7 p.m. | Boyd Innovation Center | Free | Connect with members of a tech startup community, learn about innovative projects, enjoy live music, and admire the work of talented local artists in Five Points.
  • Flower Cutting | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Carriage House at Robert Mills | $35-$45 | Attendees will use a variety of seasonal flowers and foliage from the gardens of Historic Columbia to create a floral masterpiece to take home.
  • Poetry Reading with Tayler Simon | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | All Good Books | Free | Join All Good Books for a poetry reading with Tayler Simon, who will be signing and reading from her most recent book, “Love and Other Forms of Heartbreak.”
  • Make and Take: Candlewicking | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Historic Camden | $15 | Join in on Candlewicking — a form of whitework embroidery.
Friday, Aug. 16
  • Jubiläumsbier | Friday, Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 18 | Times vary | Bierkeller | Free | Celebrate Bierkeller’s one-year anniversary all weekend with live music and vendors.
  • Friday Night Laser Lights | Friday, Aug. 16, Friday, Sept. 20 | 6-10 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $10-$12 | Friday Night Laser Light at the State Museum returns for cosmically cool fun, featuring the music of Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, and more.
There's plenty more to do
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Real Estate

Be the Broker: What should move into the former Henry’s?

The exterior of the restaurant building at the corner of Frink Street and State Street.
What do you think should open its doors in this second generation restaurant? | Photo by Trinity Partners
Good morning, Cola — ready to help shape Soda City?

A vacant restaurant is for sale via Trinity Partners at the corner of Frink Street and State Street in Cayce, and we want to know what you think should move in.

You may recognize this building as the former home of Henry’s Restaurant & Bar, which closed earlier this year (don’t worry — it’s still open at two other locations).

The amenities

The property is turnkey. Read: All fixtures, furniture, and electronics are included, so your favorite eatery or an exciting new concept could move right in. Plus, there’s a bar, ample parking, and a spacious outdoor patio.

The details

  • Address: 2108 State St., Cayce (right down the road from Piecewise Coffee Co.)
  • Lot size: 0.51 acre
  • Restaurant space: 5,000 sqft
  • Flex/warehouse space: 2,000 sqft
Be the broker and weigh in on what you’d like to see in the restaurant building.
See inside the property
Asked

What do you want to see move into the Cayce restaurant building?

The building formerly housed Henry’s Restaurant & Bar.
Let us know
News Notes
Biz
  • US Brick — founded as Carolina Ceramics in Columbia in 1939 + currently headquartered in Charleston — is expanding its Richland County operations. The $5.5 million investment will create 33 new jobs.
Development
  • A new strip mall is coming soon to Platt Springs Road in Lexington and the ground has been broken on the 57-acre, $65 million development, set to be anchored by Lowes Foods. Several retail chains and 142 townhomes are expected to be open late 2025. (The Post and Courier)
Closing
  • Steve’s Classic Burgers, a St. Andrews Road burger staple that has been open since 2015, announced it will close its doors in April 2025. The owners cited medical issues + are reaching retirement age. (The Post and Courier)
Coming Soon
  • Surcheros — a fast, casual fresh Mexican restaurant — is coming soon to Forest Acres, near Boca Grande Burritos. The location in Forest Acres is the first of four planned for Columbia over the next few years. The opening timeline could be as soon as November. (The State)
Sports
  • Clemson football’s expected starting cornerback Shelton Lewis was injured during a scrimmage this week. It’s three weeks until the opening game and he is seen using crutches. The extent and timeline for the injury is unknown. (The State)
Asked
  • What’s your go-to activity for a memorable date? Whether it’s a romantic candlelit dinner, a cozy movie night at home, an adventurous activity, or something else, we want to know your preferences.
Listen
  • Locked On is recapping the good, the bad, and the ugly from the Carolina Panthers’ preseason opener. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Try This
    • It’s no secret that lifestyle changes can have a tremendous influence on your health. So, where do you start? Discover a few simple changes.*
    Finance
    • Good news: Rates are expected to go down soon. Compare fixed-rate loans and HELOCs to find your best way to borrow — calculate your payment.*
    Shop
    • These THC gummies tap into the body’s endocannabinoid system and get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*†
     
    The Buy

    The Buy 8.14.24 (Affiliate)

    A KeySmart SmartCard. Push aside the stress of losing your wallet with this ultra-slim, rechargeable SmartCard that slots into your wallet like a credit card. If your purse or wallet is ever lost, activate Apple’s “Find My” app and locate it instantly (woah).
    More worth The Buy
    Answered

    If you’ve graduated from a local college or university, what Columbia advice would you give to a freshman?


    Students walking on campus at the University of South Carolina.

    Take advantage of everything USC has to offer.

    |

    Photo provided by University of South Carolina Continuing Education and Conferences

    On Monday, we offered incoming freshmen 10 tips for living in Cola + extended the question to our readers: If you’ve graduated from a local college or university, what Columbia advice would you give to a freshman?

    Here’s what a few of you said — psst, send this newsletter to a freshman who may need to hear some of this advice.

    “Stay true to yourself.” — Susan B.

    “I wish I had taken advantage of the many clubs available at USC. I basically stuck with my dorm friends.” — Kathryn F.

    “Pick and chose your friends wisely. Never give up keep your goal in site!” — Crystal C.

    “Get involved and participate! Go to sporting events, attend cultural fairs, try out new experiences with friends, and make time for those you care about! Four years goes by so fast!” — Robert T.

    “GO. TO. CLASS! Get to know your professor + classmates (for notes/study groups.) Your parents paid a LOT of money to get you here!” — Sal D.

    “Don’t try to get four years of partying into one semester!” — Jim P.

    “Avoid jaywalking. Campus is located within a city with high vehicular traffic. Use crosswalks and cross only when lights change and you have the signal to walk.” — Jenn M.

    “Get involved and ask for help!” — B. Small
     
    The Wrap
     
    Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

    Today’s edition by:
    Sam

    From the editor
    Last week, we also asked our readers which Olympic sporting events they kept up with the most this year. Out of almost 100 responses, 57.4% of you said gymnastics, 14.9% said swimming, 10.6% of you said track and field, 7.4% said volleyball, and 9.6% were other. Our readers who clicked “other” said they kept up with events like sport climbing, kayaking, equestrian, basketball, heavy lifting, and biking.

    The Paralympics begins on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Keep up with Ellen Geddes from Aiken, SC, who will compete in wheelchair fencing.
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