Get your eyes checked or new frames. | Photo by Vista Vision
As part of Small Business Week, we asked participating local businesses to name another local business everyone should know about — and they delivered. The result? A community-powered list of must-visit shops, cafés, creatives, and hidden gems, straight from the folks who know the small business scene best.
Below, you’ll find the business names in bold, followed by their local recommendations.
Retail favorites
Hammered Daisy lifted up Cobble & Vine Candles, Seminole Candle Company, Ageless Vintage, Bee Bottom Art, and My Cheesecake Lady: “Sooo many of the Soda City vendors!”
Jackie’s Workstyles gave high praise to Tacos El Puebla: “I’m guilty of having lunch and dinner there on the same day.”
Food + beverage shoutouts
Curiosity Coffee Bar — “Oh, just too many great Columbia spots to name,” it said, before listing: Transmission Arcade, Bluetile, Rosewood Market, Ratio, Gardener’s Outpost, The War Mouth, and Dragon Room.
Sweet Cream Company returned the love to Curiosity Coffee Bar: “Amazing people and coffee!”
Preservation Month: Researching Your House History | 12-1 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Discover tools and methods for researching your historic Columbia home in the Walker Local and Family History Center.
Gather & Grow: Procurement Series Part 1 | 9 a.m. | Segra Park | Free with registration | Learn how to bid on contracts and grow your bottom line at this Columbia Chamber event.
Thursday, May 8
Open House at the Columbia Visitors Center | 12-7 p.m. | Columbia SC Visitors Center | Free | Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week with local attractions, light refreshments, raffles, and giveaways.
Friday, May 9
City of Columbia’s 12th Annual Small Business Week Conference | 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Marriott Columbia | $25 | Participate in breakout sessions that focus on the growth of small businesses and provide tools and resources from community resource partners.
Mom and Me: Group Partner Yoga Class | Saturday, May 10-Sunday, May 11 | 12-1 p.m. | The BullStreet District | $30 | In this guided, beginner-friendly session, you’ll support each other in poses that encourage communication, cooperation, and balance.
The exhibition’s 70 costumes represent nearly six decades of film and television production at Disney. | Photos provided by the South Carolina State Museum
“Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume” — an exhibit, created by the Walt Disney Archives, highlighting how iconic characters are brought to life through costumes — is now on view at the South Carolina State Museum.
A 55-unit, four-story apartment building has been proposed for Devine Street, near Five Points. Columbia-based Estates & Companies aims to replace three homes with mixed-size apartments and a 76-space rear lot across the street from Publick House. (The Post and Courier)
Watch
Columbia’s own A’ja Wilson stars in Nike’s new “One of A’Kind” video, directed by Malia Obama. The short film blends Wilson’s childhood memories — from church pews to double-dutch — with cameos by Dawn Staley and dancers from Benedict College. (The Grio)
Coming Soon
Mother’s Oysters + Pies is set to open this September in Lexington’s Shoppes at Flight Deck. The restaurant will offer a rotating raw bar, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and pasta in a coastal Mediterranean-inspired setting.
Tech
QWERKY AI, a Columbia-based company building practical, human-centered AI tools for creatives, small businesses, and knowledge workers, has opened a new office. The Huger Street space will support the company’s growth and collaboration with local tech talent.
Arts
Paint the town at West Columbia’s Art on State, returning Friday, May 9 from 5:30–9:30 p.m. The free event features muralists, live bands, sidewalk chalk, artisan vendors, and bites from spots like Savage Craft Ale Works + Terra.
Kids
The third annual Kids’ Summer Book Club is back at All Good Books, hosted by A.C. Moore librarian Jessica Warren. It’s free for ages 7+ with monthly meetups happening on June 10, July 8, and August 1.
Sports
Where do the Gamecocks rank after the spring transfer portal? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Now through May 15, Planet Fitness is offering memberships for just $1 down, $15 per month (with the option to cancel at any time). Read: No need to choose between strength and savings. Learn more + snag the deal.*
Arts
Support local farms and markets at the Richland County Ag + Art Tour — a free, self-guided event happening Saturday, June 7-Sunday, June 8. See where your food comes from, shop local art by talented artisans, enjoy live music, and learn more about rural life. See the full list of tour sites.*
Biz
You know that moment when a company goes from “never heard of” to “suddenly everywhere?”That’s RAD Intel — and you can still invest. Join their supporters like Adobe and Fidelity by May 8.†‡*
Pets
Pumpkin, blueberries, quinoa, USDA-grade meat — those are the air-dried ingredients in Sundays For Dogs, a shelf-stable fresh dog food. Save 50% on your pup’s first order.*
Category
Edu
Toss those tassles
A graduate posing by Williams-Brice Stadium. | Photo by @findyara
More than 8,300 USC grads will walk the stage Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, with ceremonies on campus. They’re not alone — graduation season is in full swing across Columbia. Consider this your graduation cheat sheet.
Commencement highlights
Midlands Tech: Wednesday, May 7, Colonial Life Arena
USC: Friday, May 9–10, Colonial Life Arena + Koger Center
Benedict College: Friday, May 9, 7 p.m., Charlie W. Johnson Stadium
Support small businesses and artisans across the country when you shop Amazon Handmade. We love these aromatherapy shower steamers that are USA-made with plant-powered scents like peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, and lemon.
If It’s Paper has been my go-to spot for years for stationery runs, but its rebrand makes it even more helpful for party planning. Think balloons, gifts, catering supplies, and a refreshed layout.
‡This offering is made pursuant to Regulation A Round and involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Company valuation is set by RAD Intel. Please review all offering materials before making an investment decision.
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