Shop for all of your tennis and pickleball needs at Break Point Cola. | Photo by Break Point Cola
Small Business Saturday, an initiative dedicated to celebrating and supporting small and locally-owned businesses + the impact they have in our communities, is on Saturday, Nov. 30.
The day falls between two of the biggest shopping days of the year — Black Friday and Cyber Monday — and has become an annual shopping tradition for many since its establishment by American Express in 2010.
If you’re looking to join in on the festivities this year, check out our list of some of City Editor Sam + City Editor David’s favorite small businesses in town — and some extra suggestions from our followers.
Break Point Cola | City Editor David here — I recently purchased a new tennis racket here and it’s become my go-to spot for all my tennis needs. The shop has you covered for anything pickleball-related as well.
All Good Books | Order a book from the local bookstore, stock up, and get ahead on your 2025 reading tbr (to be read) list. City Editor Sam here — you can order items online, pick them up in-store (my personal favorite option because I love walking around bookstores), or deliver books to your house.
Looking for more spots for your shopping spree? Check out these small businesses our followers love:
Want to share some more small business love? Make sure to tag your favorite local businesses in the comments of our post.
Reminder: Shopping + supporting small isn’t limited to just this day — we love letting our local businesses shine all year long in our collection of City Guides.
Paw Print Turkey Making | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Modern Companion, Chapin | $5 | Stamp your pet’s paw using a mess-free method and draw an adorable turkey on the print.
Friday, Nov. 29
Free Locals Giving Show | 6:30 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern | Free | Hear music from local artistsYosef, Mel Washington, Hillmouse, and Whistler.
Saturday, Nov. 30
Mandala Magic: A Mindful Drawing Workshop | 2:30-5 p.m. | Loveland Coffee, Irmo | $59 | Explore the art of mandala drawing, a form of mindful meditation that focuses the mind and relaxes the spirit through intricate, repetitive patterns, and designs.
Santa Saturdays | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $10 | Meet Santa at the museum and enjoy holiday fun with friends and family during Santa Saturdays.
Sunday, Dec. 1
Boston Brass “Christmas Bells Are Swingin’” | 4 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $35+ | Hear a one-of-a-kind musical experience featuring colorful classical arrangements, burning jazz standards, and the best of original brass repertoire.
Experience fine dining and casual sophistication at Solina Golf Club. | Photo provided by LTC Hospitality Services
Exceptional cuisine meets relaxed elegance at Gregory’s at Solina. With breathtaking golf course views and a menu crafted from locally-sourced ingredients, Gregory’s caters to every taste. Think:
Fried green tomatoes
The Solina Burger (made with a ribeye-brisket blend patty)
Cajun shrimp and grits
Whether you’re enjoying a post-golf lunch, hosting a family gathering, or holding a business dinner, every visit feels like a special occasion.
The world’s largest bounce house, spanning 24,000 sqft and standing 32 ft tall, is heading to Columbia, Friday-Sunday, April 18-20. No location has been announced, but it will feature slides, ball pits, and DJ-led dance sessions. (The State)
Concert
December brings big-name concerts to Columbia, including Darius Rucker on Friday, Dec. 6, Trans-Siberian Orchestra on Thursday, Dec. 12, and Rod Wave on Friday, Dec. 20. From country to rock and hip-hop, find more in the Free Time’s roundup.
Cause
Columbia Children’s Theatre launched a fundraising campaign to raise $50,000 by Wednesday, Jan. 1, after relocating due to Richland Mall’s closure. Funds will ensure its 20th season and future operations. Donations, sponsorships, and playbill ads are welcome.
Edu
Richland One’s Interview Night is Thursday, Dec. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Watkins-Nance Elementary. Apply via Frontline to secure an appointment. Certified teachers earn $2,000 bonuses; classified roles include bus drivers, and nurses.
Tech
USC hosted the Call for Code: IBM watsonx competition, where a team, including five USC students, won $10,000 for designing an AI-powered audiobook app to help children read. The event highlighted AI’s potential in addressing social challenges. (The Daily Gamecock)
Sports
The Clemson Tigers are building toward an ACC Championship. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Clemson Tigerswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (Yes, it sounds peppermint-mocha nuts. But it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*
Try This
You know how awesome your business is, but do our 53,000+ readers? Visit our self-service ad portal to learn how COLAtoday can help connect your business with our local audience — no long-term contract required.
A really good pickleball paddle — it’s rated 4.8 stars and is 62% off for early Black Friday. Notable features include: a larger sweet spot on the paddle + a handle with sweat-wicking ventilation for an anti-slip grip.
I stopped into Ageless, a new vintage clothes store on Harden Street Monday afternoon and loved their collection of classic sports gear. Whether it’s an old Outback Bowl shirt, a 1977 Gamecock windbreaker, or a Clemson Starter jacket, the shop will have you covered.
Answered
Answered
What do you envision for the historic 17-acre campus of the former Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary on North Main Street?
“Mixed use with Columbia College taking on the more already Educationally Oriented properties.” — Charles D.
“This could be a great spot for a magnet or private school! The beautiful chapel should remain as some kind of arts performance space.” — Allison L.
“I recently moved to the neighborhood; it’s a food desert. One grocery store in the area and it is probably the worst store in the city. I’d guess and transformation of the building into apts would immediately fill with students.” — Jay D.
“A “third place” for youth and young adults of the local community: a common space to grow in health, meaningfully learn, enrich lives, build relationships, receive mentorship, and enhance trust within the local community.” — Julia B.
