GATHER COLA coming to BullStreet District | GATHER COLA, a 32,286-sqft open-air food hall with dining, retail, bars, and office space, opens later this year in The BullStreet District.
Where to find last-minute Valentine’s gifts | There are many local spots selling flowers, chocolates, and other sweets that make perfect gifts for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
Asked
Asked
What local shops and restaurants would you like to see open in the new GATHER COLA food hall?
Co-Intelligence: AI and Human in Collaboration | 2-4 p.m. | USC Tech Incubator, 4th floor conference room | Free, registration required | The Cola Makerspace presents this hands-on seminar exploring how AI can enhance creativity and productivity.
Parent’s Night Out | 5-10 p.m. | Seven Oaks Park | $25 | Parents, this is for you — drop off the kids for a night of games, crafts, movies, and pizza.
“Quilters; The Musical” | Saturday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 16 | Times vary | Broad River Arts Center | $20 | This play follows a series of stories from pioneer women sewn together to represent pieces of their lives.
Valentine’s Oyster Roast | 12 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Price of purchase | Try the new Steel Stout and enjoy oysters while they last.
Sunday, Feb. 16
Free Sundays: Mann-Simons Site | 1-4 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site | Free | Richland + Lexington County residents can tour the historic site known for its role in local African American history.
A new app called WikiTok allows users to scroll through Wikipedia articles without end. Of course, our Instagram page is basically the local equivalent; just scroll through our Reels to learn new things about Columbia every day. (Ars Technica)
Fun Fact
Planning a wedding? You’re in luck — Taco Bell recently launched a $777 Vegas-themed wedding package featuring all the bells and whistles, like an Elvis impersonator and a Taco Bell hot sauce bouquet. For those who don’t see the vision, we’ve got a guide to local venues.
Drink
The results are in. We asked if you preferred Pepsi or Coca-Cola and 79% said Coke. That’s a little higher than the findings from the University of South Carolina, where 61% of participants preferred Coca-Cola.
Real Estate
Would you live in a six-bedroom home located 656 ft under the water? A project called Deep, backed by an anonymous investor, is working to create a permanent “human settlement” under the sea. We’ll just take this Soda City home with a pool, for now, thanks. (The Guardian)
Sports
Is LaMelo Ball still the franchise cornerstone? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Category
City Guide
♥️ Will you accept this date idea?
Find ways to fall in love around Columbia. | Photo by @brett.cr3
Regardless, of whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 20+ local date night ideas.
If the way to their heart is through their stomach
Pro tip: Go to Saluda’s in Five Points. It’s on OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in the US list. Based on over 12 million diner reviews, these restaurants offer cozy atmospheres and yummy cuisine.
Step into Columbia’s first James Beard Award winner + historic wine bar, sipping wines with a selection of fancy cheeses, creating an unforgettable evening at Lula Drake Wine Parlour.
If you love the great outdoors
Take romantic strolls along one of Columbia’s rivers, enjoying the tranquil ambiance and the company of one another.
A zero waste lotion bar that’s perfect for on-the-go use. It’s formulated with non-toxic ingredients that soothe dry skin and provide long-lasting hydration.
I grew up in a house divided — Pepsi on Dad’s side, Coke on Mom’s side, glass bottles only. Nothing beat an ice-cold Pepsi after a long day playing outside, but when it comes down to it, I’m still team Coca-Cola.
}})
