Plus, share a horror date night story of your own.
 
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Today’s Forecast

71º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:29 a.m. | Sunset 6:49 p.m.
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A Message From Our Team
Please join us in supporting recovery efforts for our neighbors in Western NC. Our hearts are heavy for our friends, family, and team members affected by the destruction of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath. 100% of donations will be sent to BeLoved Asheville, supporting food and water distribution, clothing and supply deliveries, and debris cleanup across the region. Donate now.
 

👻 The horrors of dating

Our readers’ local horror date stories
Fall in Columbia, SC
Hey, we get it — dating can be scary, but you’re not alone. Unburden yourself and share a date story that still haunts you to this day. | Photo by COLAtoday
For Valentine’s Day, we created a map of local stories sharing where our readers fell in love and made memories. We asked for your help compiling everything from proposals to making friends. You did not disappoint.

But what about those date stories that still haunt you to this day — you know, like if you were ever ghosted or thought you were getting ready to meet the love of your life but ended the night with a date night story that your friends still bring up + will never let you live down?

Well, gather ‘round, Soda Citizens. Turn off the lights and cue the perfectly timed lightning — it’s time to share your top horror date night stories that took place around Columbia; just in time for Halloween.

Here are the rules

  • This is supposed to be a commiserative + fairly light-hearted story. Unburden yourselves of embarrassing date nights, cringe moments you’ll never forget... etc.
  • Keep your stories PG-rated.
  • Don’t use real names. Keep everyone anonymous; even you will be kept anonymous.
Pro tip: For bonus points, use some classic Halloween character names like “Charlie Brown,” “Casper,” “Frankenstein,” “Wednesday,” “Carrie,” “Sabrina”… etc. You get the picture.

Share your local horror date night stories with us + your story may be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
 
Events
Tuesday, Oct. 15
  • How to Start a Nonprofit | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | During this seminar, Benjamin Bullock from Together SC will outline the steps in the nonprofit “birthing” process.
  • Tea 4 Tea + Girls & Games | 6 p.m. | Hoot Columbia | Free | Our monthly mixers are joining forces for one major sapphic, femme, trans, and nonbinary social gathering during Pride Week.
  • Prosecco Tuesdays | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Grill Marks - COLA | Bring on the bubbly and enjoy $2 glasses of Prosecco all day, every Tuesday — perfect for a midweek treat or fun night out with friends.*
Wednesday, Oct. 16
  • Garden Asana Grass Roots Yoga | Wednesday, Oct. 16-Thursday, Oct. 17 | 8:15-9:15 a.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | $15 | Join us for a transformative experience that celebrates yoga’s beauty and the natural world’s tranquility.
  • Bird ID Class | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Friends of Sandhill Childrens Garden | Free | This class will talk about backyard birds as well as a couple birds that will be migrating here for the winter.
  • “Queens and Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo” | 6 p.m. | Nickelodeon Theatre | $5 | This documentary follows a year in the lives of LGBTQ+ cowboys and cowgirls as they compete in the International Gay Rodeo Association circuit.
Thursday, Oct. 17
  • Barenaked Ladies: In Flight Tour | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $39.50+ | The popular 1990s band is back with a new album, which means you can hear brand new music alongside classic hits like “One Week” and “Pinch Me.”
  • Book Talk + Signing with Nicholas Delbanco | 6 p.m. | All Good Books | Free | In his new book, “Still Life at Eighty,” Delbanco recalls his life through the homes he has occupied, the friends he has made, and the art and artifacts that have inhabited his life.
Friday, Oct. 18
Plenty more to do
Click here to have your event featured.
Town Theatre
 
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Real Estate
 

Be the Broker: What should move into this prime Main Street space?
The exterior of the available retail space on Main Street.
What do you think should move in on Main Street?  | Photo by Trinity Partners
Been dreaming of a new cafe, restaurant, or clothing shop downtown? Now’s your chance to weigh in on what moves in.

A premier retail space — located next to the Moxy Hotel, less than a block from the South Carolina State House, and steps away from numerous dining and entertainment options — is for lease via Trinity Partners. This Main Street property encompasses the entire first floor of a historic building (think: erected in the 1930s) and would be perfect for any boutique retail concept.

Psst... You may recognize the highly-visible space as the former home of Uptown Gifts, which moved to Five Points last July.

The details

  • Property type: Retail
  • Address: 1204 Main St., Columbia
  • Size: 2,274 sqft
  • Available for lease
Be the broker and weigh in on what you’d like to see in the available space below.
 
Asked

What would you like to see move into the historic Main Street building?
The retail space formerly housed Uptown Gifts.
Let us know
News Notes
Ranked
  • Wallet Hub released a list of 2025’s Best College and University Rankings based on 30 key measures — like admission rate, cost, diversity, and more — grouped into seven categories. For SC, the top five are Wofford College, Furman University, Clemson University, Presbyterian College, and USC. Take a look.
Open
  • In case you missed it — Steel Hands Brewing expanded to the Vista where Twisted Spur used to be and is now open. This location will offer curated cocktails, experimental craft beers, a restaurant, and indoor or outdoor seating. Check here for this location’s hours.
Civic
  • Curious about what Richland County + Columbia city officials make? The Post and Courier rounded up some of the 2024 salaries of the highest-paid public servants, including the Mayor, the Sheriff, City Managers, and more.
Try This
  • The Cola Rosé Shower — an organization that celebrates women and promotes awareness of women’s healthcare issues in the Greater Columbia community — is hosting a networking mixer and a panel discussion, shedding light on the struggles of infertility on Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Columbia Museum of Art. Tickets are $10.
Sports
  • Listen to a live postgame reaction show after South Carolina lost a heartbreaking game to Alabama on Saturday. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Cause
  • We’ve raised $15,600+ for BeLoved Asheville from readers across North and South Carolina — thank you. 100% of donations go toward supporting food and water distribution, clothing and supply deliveries, and debris cleanup across the region.
Wellness
  • Meet Calmind, a groundbreaking mental wellness app that transforms your phone into a tool for better sleep. For a limited time, get a lifetime subscription at 83% off.*
Seasonal
  • Looking to boost your brand’s visibility? Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is the perfect place to showcase your gift-worthy products. With thousands of engaged readers, you will be seen by the right audience just in time for holiday shopping. Get in the guide.
 
Seasonal

💡 Segra Park is going to be lit

Preview of this year’s Fireflies Holiday Lights
Holiday light display Columbia Fireflies segra park
See over one million lights at Fireflies Holiday Lights | Photo by @colafireflies
The Columbia Fireflies announced tickets for 2024 Fireflies Holiday Lights go on sale today at 10 a.m. Here’s what you can expect at this year’s holiday light show. Spoiler alert — it will feature more lights + entertainment for the whole family.

What’s new

The Fireflies added a new VIP experience with Igloos on the infield, giving visitors a chance to be and dine amid the lights. Each Igloo on the infield package is $180 per night, seats six + comes with:
  • Six general admission tickets
  • A charcuterie board
  • Bottomless hot chocolate and coffee
  • Six bottled waters
  • 12 freshly baked cookies
Bonus: Guests can also purchase beer, wine, and canned cocktails.

Food

The concession stands are also getting an upgrade, serving cookies, bowls of homemade chili + chicken noodle soup, s’mores, and more.

Activities

  • Write letters to Santa
  • Go on a scavenger hunt
  • Create fun crafts
  • Roast s’mores at fire pits
  • Ride around the concourse in the Thermal Technologies Fireflies Express
The Fireflies Holiday Lights will run nightly from Friday, Nov. 15 to Saturday, Jan. 4 — exclusion dates apply. Purchase tickets in November for $10 + in December and January for $12.
The Buy
 
A coffin letter board — perfect for writing out “Let’s go ghouls,” “Witch, please,” or whatever Halloween pun you love at your next October party.
 
 
The Wrap
 
Sam Robertson

Today’s edition by:
Sam
From the editor
Sigh.... I guess I’ll go first. I don’t want you to think I’d ask you to share an embarrassing story without being willing to share one of my own. Keep in mind, I’m breaking the keep-things-anonymous rule.

While I was dating my now husband in college, we decided to go to the Columbia Riverwalk and beat the heat in the river during a famously hot Cola summer. We were jumping rocks + got pretty far out into the river. We had a picnic and I remember feeling something on my knee but not thinking much of it. As he leaned in to kiss me, I simultaneously pulled my knee out of the water to brush off some algae that had floated onto my knee — or what I thought was algae. Turns out, it was a leech. Poor guy. I scared him so badly with a murderous screech that he fell into the water + I was thrashing around until he got the leech off. We still laugh about it.
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