You’ll find whatever fruits are ripe and in season like the summer peaches seen here. | Photo by COLAtoday
About a month ago, we shared on our socials that Soda City Market was one of 20 farmers markets nominated for USA Today 10Best + encouraged folks to vote. Well, Cola, we did it! Soda City Market was named the No. 1 Farmers Market in the nation by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, 200+ vendors and thousands of visitors transform Columbia’s Main Street, and now, the rest of the country is taking note. With each visit, you’ll see dozens of dogs on leashes, families with strollers, and the sounds of performers ringing through the streets. Take a look at some of our readers’ favorite Soda City Market vendors that they shared with us.
Interested in other local farmers markets? Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 10+ farmers markets around Columbia in this guide.
2024 wasn’t the first time Hotel Trundle won a USA Today’s 10Best recognition. Which year did the historic accommodation destination win two awards, ranking No. 4 for Best Boutique Hotel and No. 9 Best Historic Hotel?
Kane Brown | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $33+ | The Grave Digger monster truck will make a special appearance outside the concert to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands.
Birdwatching in the Gardens | Thursday, April 24-Thursday, June 12 | 8-9 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | Free | With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the year, participants will learn how to identify birds by sight, sound, and behavior.
The ART of Real Estate’s Karma Keg | 4:30-7 p.m. | Craft and Draft | Free | Donate to a local nonprofit, sip on free beer, and support a worthy cause.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Carolina Mudcats | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | It’s USC Night: The first 1,000 fans through the gates will score a free T-shirt, presented by EF Martin.*
Friday, April 25
SC Orchid Society Show and Sale | Friday, April 25-Sunday, April 27 | Times vary | The Garden Club Council of Columbia Building | Free entry | See what’s in bloom, browse plants for sale, and attend classes on orchid care.
Author Talk with Amanda Gross | 7 p.m. | All Good Books | Free | The author of “White Women, Get Ready” shares her stories and discusses antiracist education to build better relationships.
Saturday, April 26
Historic Camden Fishing Rodeo | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Historic Camden War Park, Camden | Free | This community fishing event provides those 17 years of age and younger the opportunity to catch fish in Historic Camden.
Cocky Trot 5K & Fun Run/Walk | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Williams-Brice Stadium Area | $22+ | Enjoy a 5K route starting at Gamecock Park, winding through the football practice fields, and finishing on the field inside Williams-Brice Stadium.
Puppy Power Yoga Event | Saturday, April 26, Saturday, April 26 | Times vary | EdVenture Children’s Museum | $30+ | The yoga event will include 45 minutes of beginner’s level yoga with puppies, coming from Final Victory Animal Rescue, followed by 30 minutes of social time and bottomless mockmosas.
Our bundles secure your business more advertising space for less. | Graphic by 6AM City
The newest addition to our self-service ad portal — our advertising marketplace with no long-term contracts — is bundles. We’ve put some of our most popular products into two different offerings — each with a savings of 20%. Here’s the rundown:
Branded Content Bundle: Three placements in our newsletter, including a 75-word article and two text ads in the News Notes section.
$75 million — that’s the amount Bonnie and Peter McCausland and The McCausland Foundation gifted USC, renaming the largest college at the university. Introducing the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. The financial gift will support career development, internships, neuroscience, research, and more.
Real Estate
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held today at 3:30 p.m. to celebrate Sandpiper Square — a new village-style neighborhood featuring 29 cottages, two mixed-use homes, and over 30% dedicated open space located at 109 Old Chapin Rd., in Lexington. Per its website, the anticipated completion date of the entire Sandpiper Square community is late 2026.
Traffic
SCDOT announced nighttime detours at Colonial Life Boulevard and the I-126 Interchange in Richland County. The detours are part of the Carolina Crossroads Project and will run daily from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday, April 25.
Community
Children’s Charities of the Midlands raised $139,000 during the 2024-25 season through community events like a corn hole tournament, a golf tournament, a 5k turkey trot, the Lake Carolina Polar Bear Plunge, an oyster roast, and more. The donations will be presented to 18 non-profit organizations that focus on helping children.
Community
This Saturday, April 26, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day — a biannual event that encourages community members to safely dispose of unwanted, unneeded, and expired prescription medications. Visit any of the nine locations around Columbia within a 10-mile radius of downtown this weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or find a drop-off location near you.
Sports
Last-minute Carolina Panthers draft thoughts with the Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Read
Looking for an informative, faith-based newsletter? The Pour Over delivers current events with a Christian perspective, perfect for staying informed. Subscribe to our newsletter to join the community.*
The Word
Unlimited. As in, the limit does not exist when it comes to how many job listings you can post on the COLAtoday Job Board. Get started today + watch the applications roll in. Psst — upgrade your job posting and it will be featured right here in the newsletter.
Number
$5,000. That’s how much your dog’s ACL surgery could cost if you don’t have pet insurance. With this plan, 90% of that could be reimbursed.*
Shop
These cannabis gummies keep selling out — just one can get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.†*
Category
Coming Soon
Meat lovers will say “well done”
Steve Cook, Ryan Jones, Joe Walker, and Brian Boyer outside of the new steakhouse coming to downtown Lexington. | Photo by Forrest Clonts
The new steakhouse coming to downtown Lexington is officially named Ember and is set to open in late May. It will be located in the former Alodia’s Cucina Italiana spot, which closed last year. The project is led by Midlands restaurateurs Steve Cook, Joe Walker, and Ryan Jones.
“We believe a steakhouse should be more than just a meal — it should be an experience,” says Cook. “We are honoring tradition while embracing innovation, with seasonal ingredients, classic techniques, and a commitment to sourcing with integrity.”
The restaurant’s name, Ember, stems from the restaurant’s signature wood ember grill, which will infuse steaks and seafood to create a deep, rich flavor.
What to expect
The restaurant will feature hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, homemade pastas, seasonal dishes, a curated wine list, and cocktails. Final touches are currently underway, with Boyer Construction preserving the building’s historic features. Designed by 1X1 Design, Inc., the restaurant will include a main dining room + private areas, featuring warm elements with pops of mixed metals.
A smart bird feeder that auto-captures and identifies 10,000+ bird species. It features an HD camera with a wide angle lens and full color night vision, Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to receive real-time messages when a bird is detected, and a sturdy, waterproof fabrication for long-term use.
Good morning, Soda Citizens, I’ve missed you. It feels good to be back and to hear the click-clack of my computer keys again. I was so excited, but not in the least bit surprised, that Soda City Market was named best in the nation. My food recommendation? It’s got to be Mary’s Arepas. I can’t get enough of that melty cheese, spicy chicken, and green verde sauce stacked up in a toasty, warm arepa.
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