Construction is underway at the Melrose Heights Retail Center on Gervais Street, the future home of Melrose Market. | Photo by COLAtoday
By early 2026, neighbors from Melrose Heights, Shandon, Forest Acres, and beyond will have a new place for coffee, lunch, or an evening drink — plus a market stocked with wine, fresh ingredients, and pantry staples for dinner at home — all just off Gervais Street. Melrose Market, a 5,000-sqft European café–inspired American brasserie and market, is coming to the Melrose Heights Retail Center, next door to New York Butcher Shoppe.
Rendering of Melrose Market’s planned exterior, featuring a covered patio and market entrance. | Image via Studio 2LR
“Opening a café-style restaurant is something I’ve wanted to do for years, and I am excited to be able to do it in my own backyard,” says Chad Elsey, Melrose Market owner and managing partner. “We wanted to bring something to Melrose Heights that feels fresh and modern but is still connected to the neighborhood’s character.”
Nashville Nights | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free | Kevin Mac brings his full band to town for this Friday night country music series.
Laughs At Babylon | 8-10 p.m. | Babylon Kino | $18 | Don Garrett and Leah Lynn headline the night of comedy in Five Points.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | To infinity and beyond: Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Buzz and Woody’s first adventure at Segra Park.*
$1 Down $15 per month | Planet Fitness | Planet Fitness is offering memberships for just $1 down, $15 per month — offer expires Wednesday, Aug. 20.*
Saturday, Aug. 16
Indoor Yard Sale at Crooked Creek Park | 7-11 a.m. | Crooked Creek Park, Chapin | Price of purchase | Drop by to shop for some great bargains and treasures.
The Animal Experience Tour | 10 a.m. | Goat Daddy’s Farm, Elgin | $25 | Feed and interact with rescued animals, sample goat cheese, and even try milking a goat at this hands-on farm tour.
Garnet and Black Bash | 5 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free | Celebrate the start of football season with live music, tailgate eats, and garnet + black pride at Steel Hands.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans | 6:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | It’s Faith + Family Night: Enjoy some family time at Segra Park with a pre-game concert by Caleb & John and a post-game fireworks show.*
Sunday, Aug. 17
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | 1-4 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site | Free | On the third Sunday of the month, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for free.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans | 5:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | It’s Women in Sports Night: Join the Fireflies as they celebrate women trailblazers in the sports industry.*
The Serum, powered by clinically proven Mitopure. | Photo by Timeline
As we age, skin loses the firmness and elasticity that gives it a youthful appearance. A key reason? Skin cells lose energy, hindering essential functions like collagen production.
After 14 years of open-air meals, Farm to Table Event Co. is ending its long-running dinner series this fall. The team will host three final gatherings at City Roots before shifting focus to festivals like the Great American Whiskey Fair, Drink Pink, and the annual Pig and Oyster Roast.
Arts
The SC State Museum will host “Storied Threads” on Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Presented with the Columbia Design League, the event features a panel on SC’s textile and fashion history with curators and designers from across the state.
Job
Richland Library Main will host Plugged In: Music Industry Fair on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees can connect with SC music professionals, hiring employers, and career resources.
Trending
Actor Dolph Lundgren is in town filming “Straight Shot,” a new action movie. He shared a photo at USC with the Cocky statue, joking, “Not to be mixed up with my Italian friend” — a nod to Rocky Balboa, his on-screen rival in “Rocky IV.” (Cola Daily)
Learn
First Priority Garden Center is hosting a Houseplant Social on Friday, Aug. 29. The event features three sessions: Propagation 101 at 12 p.m., Houseplant Care 101 at 2 p.m., and a Make + Take terrarium workshop at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include supplies.
Try This
Riverbanks Zoo is hosting College Student BOGO Days from Sunday, Aug. 17 through Thursday, Aug. 28. Show a valid student ID at the gate to get buy-one-get-one-free general admission.
Featured Deal
Put your business’s message here in as little as two days when you score 15% off your first ad buy on our self-service ad portal. Redeem your discount with code NEW15 at checkout.
Post of the Day
Methodical Coffee’s BullStreet location is in the home stretch, with kitchen equipment, HVAC, and a few punch-list items to wrap before opening this fall. The Greenville-based roaster is brewing up its new team — job openings include line cooks, bakers, and baristas with competitive pay, healthcare, and profit sharing.
Our favorite back-to-school find for college students: an upholstered storage ottoman. Dorm rooms don’t offer much space, so smart storage solutions are a must. This ottoman delivers with a roomy interior and soft teddy velvet fabric — combining function with style.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Thanks to an abundance of recent rain, mushrooms of all kinds are popping up everywhere. I’ve seen red, white, and brown ones sprout in my yard over the last week. Did you know that at Congaree National Park, you might spot bright cinnabar chanterelles? These edible mushrooms fruit from May–October, but only harvest what you can positively identify — and park rules limit collecting to one liter per person, per day.
Cinnabar chanterelles (Cantharellus cinnabarinus) spotted at Congaree National Park. | Photo by Congaree National Park
‡The Serum disclaimer: Based on an 8-week randomized controlled clinical trial of 36 healthy women aged 40 to 65 years.
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