Carolina Pongs installations helped bring table tennis matches to the public, potentially creating a third place in Cola. | Photo by Carolina Pong
We’ve been asked how + where locals make friends around Columbia. If one of your 2025 resolutions is to put yourself out there more, we recommend finding a local third place.
Take a moment to reflect. Besides your home (first space) and workplace (second space), where do you go throughout the week? Whose faces do you see and who do you talk to when you go there? Is the vibe at this space easy, non-pressuring, and potentially playful? Do you look forward to going and feel welcome?
If you could easily picture faces in this space + answered “yes” to the ease of the gathering, congratulations, you have found a third place in your local community. If you couldn’t, that’s okay. We’ll give you some ideas for finding one.
Third places?
Ray Oldenburg, a sociologist who wrote about third places in his book, “The Great Good Place” shares that third places — public, informal gathering spaces that you frequent in your community (think: coffee shops, parks, libraries, churches, breweries, bookstores, salons... etc.) — are important for many reasons, but particularly for promoting social vitality + a sense of community.
Wine Tasting: High-End, Exclusive, and Rare Varietals | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Sour & Salt Bakery Event Space | $25 | Taste four high-end, exclusive, and rare varietal wines — plus, your ticket will go towards $10 off a purchase of a bottle of wine.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Yoga into the Lunar New Year | 6-6:45 p.m. | Loveland Coffee, Irmo | $30 | Join Good Company Yoga for a special Lunar New Year yoga class upstairs.
Comedy + Beer at Old Mill Brewpub | 6:30-9 p.m. | Old Mill Brewpub, Lexington | $15 | Laugh along with SC comedians and get there early to order pre-show food.
Thursday, Jan. 30
SC Farmer Resource Rodeo | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | The Senate | $25 | Enjoy this in-person networking gathering of over 35 farm resource providers — open to all aspiring, beginning, and small-scale farmers.
Book Talk + Signing | 6 p.m. | All Good Books | Free | Arthur Turfa is a Lexington, SC-based poet/writer and is active in the South Carolina Writers Association.
Friday, Jan. 31
Joe Gatto: Let’s Get Into It Tour | 7-9 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $18.87+ | This comedian is best known from the hit TV shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Misery Index.”
Winter Sidewalk Sale | Friday, Jan. 31, Saturday, Feb. 1 | The Devine District | Free | Shop ‘til you drop as local merchants offer the best post-holiday deals to make room for spring inventory.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Savage Craft’s 4th Anniversary | 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works, West Columbia | Free | The brewery will have games, live music, a mechanical bull, and more.
Sunday, Feb. 2
Chili Cook-Off | 1-4 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | $15 | Be sure to show up hungry to this annual fundraiser.
Friday, February 14
The Venue Valentine’s Day Dinner | Fri., Feb. 14 | 7-9 p.m. | The Venue, 1626 Main Street, Columbia | $110.00 - $200.00 | Make this Valentine’s Day magical with an elegant evening featuring a romantic five-course dinner, optional wine pairing, and more.*
$8.15 million — that is the amount Gamecock football’s head coach Shane Beamer is now making, thanks to a raise with a contract extension that runs through 2030. His contract is set to grow by $100,000 each year, meaning he is slated to earn $8.65 million by the end of the contract. (On3.com)
Closed
The Pelican’s SnoBalls located on North Main Street in Columbia has permanently closed. The Rosewood location, which celebrated 10 years in 2024, is currently hiring and looking to expand its management team as it gears up for warmer weather.
Biz
Hazelwood Brewery is getting a new kitchen, allowing the local brewery to expand its services and offer food beginning Tuesday, Feb. 4. Guests can expect to order food via their phones + pick it up at a window — almost like an “on-premise food truck.” (Free Times)
Job
Ahead of the 2025 baseball season, the Columbia Fireflies are hosting its annual job fair, looking to hire ~300 seasonal and part-time staff. Fill out the seasonal employment application and head to Segra Park on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. if interested.
Mansion Monday
Marbled floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, painted murals, high ceilings — oh! We’re just describing this five-bed, five-bath, single-family residence that’s sitting on 1.24 acres in the heart of Heathwood. Does this French chateaux-inspired home sound like your style? Take a peek — you know we already did.
Listen
Game recap: Mark Williams career-high 38 points in Charlotte Hornets loss to Memphis Grizzlies. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Home
Leaks don’t just ruin your day — they can damage your home. Get a free quote from Remodel Your Home to connect with roofing pros who specialize in leak-proof solutions.*
Category
Edu
Gray Collegiate Academy is expanding
The Irmo campus will open in August of 2025 with three permanent modulars and an airnasium/weightroom. | Rendering provided via Gray Collegiate Academy
Gray Collegiate Academy announced the August 2025 opening of its new satellite campus, slated for 617 Koon Road in Irmo, that will initially host ~600 students, grades six through 10, with plans to include grades 11 + 12 in the future.
The expansion
The tuition-free, public charter school located on Leaphart Road in West Columbia will remain the main campus, hosting all athletic practices and events, and a shuttle will transport students between campuses every afternoon, if needed.
“This expansion marks an incredible milestone for Gray Collegiate Academy as we bring our commitment to academic excellence and dual-credit opportunities to even more students,” said Principal Dr. Brian Newsome. “We are excited to offer families in Irmo the same high-quality education and college prep focus that has defined our success, while maintaining the strong sense of community that makes our school unique.”
The perfect Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t exi… Enter: Squishmallows. From ages three to 103, we’re pretty sure these ultra-soft, best-selling stuffed animals will make any age smile. We’re loving these five love day-inspired Squishmallows:
Well, you may not see my face at the bottom of this newsletter for just a little while, because I am going on maternity leave — surprise! Don’t worry, I’m leaving you in the best hands. Of course, City Editor David will be around + I’m excited that you’ll have the privilege of getting to know some of my wonderful coworkers at 6AM City that are a part of our Product Studio team. I can’t wait to explore this city through the lens of parenthood, and I have a feeling I’ll be referring to this kid-friendly activities guide + our parks guide a little more often.
Answered
Answered
Third places in Columbia: Reader recommendations
If you like supporting local businesses and getting a caffeine fix, maybe become a regular at a local coffee shop. | Photo by the COLAtoday team
When we asked our readers where they had found Third Spaces in Columbia, several mentioned their church communities, local coffee shops, or the riverwalks. Keep reading to see what a few others said + hopefully get inspired to try a few out.
“Amsa Yoga on Pelham Drive is my home away from home, a space to breathe and restore and share a peace-making practice and community with wonderful, open-minded, big-hearted souls.” — Nicola W.
“Transmission arcade, Bang Back pinball bar, Firefly toys and games, Side Deck gaming cafe” — AL
“Lowes beer den” — Mary B.
“The Lourie Center” — S. Ward
“Soda City Market + Indah Coffee!” — Kelsey B.
“Riverfront Park around dawn has a vibrant community of walkers” — Kathryn F.
“Barre 3! I am a member at the Lake Murray Studio, and it’s SUCH a family there! I feel supported and encouraged by both staff and other members. It’s a great way to plug into the community!” — Stephanie G.
“Any of our Richland County libraries! If you are a senior, the Lourie Center is my second home!” — Anonymous
}})
