Plus, Break Points celebrates one year in Five Points.
 
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📈 Rising rates

The rising cost of Liquor Liability Insurance
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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
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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

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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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