September 6, 2024

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📈 Rising rates

The next legislative session begins in January. | Photo by COLAtoday

Locally-owned businesses have been sounding the alarm for over a year. Restaurants, bars, and third places across SC are closing, citing rising liquor liability insurance premiums.

It’s a complex issue, and we’re trying to help make it easier to understand.

A 2017 law

Let’s go back to 2017 when a new state law required businesses serving alcohol after 5 p.m. to carry at least $1 million in liability insurance.

“This bill will, quite literally, be a lifesaver for many families,” said SC Association for Justice President Alex Cash, when it was signed by Governor Henry McMaster seven years ago.

While the law was designed to protect victims of alcohol-related incidents, it has led to financial strain on small businesses and driven insurers out of the state, causing rates to spike.

Local businesses were hit hard

Liquor liability premiums have skyrocketed:

WECO Bottle Shop and Biergarten owner Phill Blair said it’s “nearing catastrophic levels for independent businesses” and many are “clinging on here hoping something gets done in the next legislative session.”
Transmission Arcade has seen its rates jump from $6,000 to $65,000.
New Brookland Tavern saw its premiums rise to $70,000, threatening its future.

Are you a local business owner dealing with rising liquor liability insurance rates? Let us know about your experience.

SC’s insurance market

A SC Department of Insurance report reveals liquor liability insurance is unprofitable for insurers, leading to fewer carriers + leaving small businesses with rising premiums and limited options.

“Most insurance companies don’t respond at all,” Blair said. “Our rates are 300% higher than they were a short time ago.”

Next steps

How will SC protect its local businesses while maintaining safety and responsibility? In the best-case scenario, lawmakers could reach a compromise in early 2025. However, the worst case scenario could see the issue delayed until May 2026.

Asked

Are you a local business owner?

Share your personal experiences with liquor liability insurance and if your rates have increased.

Let us know

Events

Friday, Sept. 6

Vintage Market Days “A Carolina Fall” - Fall Market | Friday, Sept. 6-Sunday, Sept. 8 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | SC State Fair Grounds | $10-$42 | Vintage Market Days provides an opportunity for vendors to showcase their passions, crafts, and more.
City of Columbia Food Truck Fridays | Friday, Sept. 6-Friday, April 11 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | REI Co-Op Parking Lot | Grab lunch from a variety of local food trucks lined up at the REI Co-op parking lot.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | Friday, Sept. 6 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $6-$18 | Calling all Deadheads: Join the Fireflies as they celebrate the legendary band on Grateful Dead Night, featuring a Grateful Dead T-Shirt giveaway to the first 1,000 fans in attendance.*

Saturday, Sept. 7

Soda City Market | Saturday, Sept. 7-Saturday, Nov. 30 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Street | Free | Find everything to satisfy your brain, body, and belly — and made with love by local vendors.
Martin Lawrence with special guest Deon Cole | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 8 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $39.50-$129.50 | See the comedy legend on his first national arena tour since 2016.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 6:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $6-$18 | Wingardium Leviosa: Travel to the Wizarding World of Segra Park and join the Fireflies as they work their magic at Harry Potter Night.*

Sunday, Sept. 8

Car Cruise-In + Cookout | Sunday, Sept. 8 | 12-4 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing | Free | Calling all hotrods, classics, and muscle cars — enjoy cool cars and a cookout at Steel Hands Brewing.
Koger Center Presents: Live Outside 2024 Season | Sunday, Sept. 8-Sunday, Oct. 20 | Times vary | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Relax with a free outdoor concert on Sunday evenings from 5-7 p.m.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | Sunday, Sept. 8 | 5:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $6-$18 | It’s Fan Appreciation Night: Join the Fireflies as they close out the season by showing appreciation to their incredible fans.*

More weekend fun

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

Steel Hands Brewing is opening a new location in the Vista, adding small-batch spirits to its beer offerings. The 5,000 sqft space will feature a restaurant, bar, and distillery. This will be the brewery’s third location, with no opening date announced. (The Post and Courier)

Tech

There’s an app for that. The City of Columbia launched the MyColaSC app to help citizens stay connected. Submit service requests, track garbage schedules, and access city information easily.

Biz

Scout Motors will unveil its next-generation SUV concept on Thursday, Oct. 24, according to CEO Scott Keogh. Built at the $2B facility in Blythewood, the SUV will be the first Scout vehicle in 44 years.

Shop

Break Point, a tennis and pickleball shop in Five Points, is celebrating its first anniversary this weekend with a Fastest Racquet Stringer contest. Compete for a $200 gift card and year-long bragging rights, or just watch the US Open on the big screen in-store and cheer on your friends.

Arts

The Buddies, Not Bullies Rally and Parade on Main is seeking student artwork for its Mobile Art Show and competition. Open to students in SC and NC, all forms of art are welcome. Submit by Wednesday, Sept. 18 for a chance to win

Announced

We crunched the numbers and compiled your official COLAtoday’s Best nominees. Now comes the fun part: voting. Now through Friday, Sept. 20 you can vote for your favorites in each category. Winners will be announced Friday, Oct. 4.

Sports

How will the Carolina Panthers perform in Dave Canales’ debut this Sunday in New Orleans? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Older Adults

Think you’re too old for your old hobbies? Think again. Still Hopes resident Ann Kibler recently rekindled her love of ping-pong — at age 97. You can live a retirement full of vitality and enjoyment, too. Learn how.*

Seasonal

Imagine the crunch of crisp autumn leaves underfoot, the cries of geese flying south, the crackle of a bonfire. What if you couldn’t hear the sounds of fall clearly? This revolutionary hearing device makes sure that you can. (Test it out for 45 days with zero risk.)*

Biz

Be part of positive conversations

In an era of fragmentation, we’re focused on uniting the community. | Graphic by 6AM City

In a time where we’re being inundated by political agendas and polarizing ads, COLAtoday proudly serves you positive media on the daily that focuses on all the good that’s happening in Columbia.

We’re a place where people come to learn and fall in love with what’s local, from dining options to community events. We never accept political advertising, so if your brand is tired of being constantly bumped by those ads, consider us your safe space.

Explore our advertising options

The Buy

These shoe freshener balls. They can eliminate even the toughest of footgear odors for up to six months.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

I was picking up my new tennis racket from Break Point in Five Points earlier this week when I learned about its one year anniversary celebration this weekend. I’ve never restrung a racket, but I think my last name naturally gives me a leg up.

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