Your favorite brunch spot deserves the spotlight — cast your vote and give it the recognition it deserves. Vote for the best businesses around Columbia.
The wait’s almost over for Gather COLA, Columbia’s first open air food hall. | Photo provided by Gather COLA
Gather COLA, the Capital City’s first open-air food hall, is set to open on Friday, Dec. 5 in the BullStreet District. It features ten restaurants, three retail vendors, and two beverage spots with open courtyards, all set in a laid-back setting just a block from Segra Park.
You can do a little shopping or grab a drink while you wait for your food. Ageless Vintage and The Avenue Events’ flower pop-up join the lineup alongside Session Taproom for brews and Remedy for cocktails. Don’t forget to save room for your Crumbl Cookies dessert. SOCO will also add coworking spaces upstairs early next year.
Veterans Day, a federal holiday commemorating people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Expect various closures related to the holiday, and help honor our military personnel at the 47th annual Veterans Day parade in downtown Columbia. (WLTX)
Shop
The 24th annual Midlands Clay Arts Society Holiday Sale returns Thursday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 6 at Stormwater Studios in the Vista. The sale features handmade ceramics, including mugs, bowls, jewelry, and sculptural pieces, by local artists.
Plan Ahead
Tickets are on sale for Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo, riding into Colonial Life Arena March 27–28. Dust off your boots to watch bull riding, broncs, and barrel racing. Pre-show starts at 6 p.m. with free pony rides + photo ops.
Arts
Submissions are open for next year’s Artista Vista juried exhibition, “Rooted,” running April 17–May 29 at Richland Library Main. Midlands artists can enter up to two works in any medium by February 2026. A $10 fee applies per entry.
Job
Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church in West Columbia is hiring a part-time Financial Secretary to manage bookkeeping, reporting, and accounting duties. A degree in accounting and 2–4 years’ experience preferred. Reach out to Pat Lawter for more details.
Number
$1.1 million — that’s how much the Sisters of Charity Foundation of SC awarded to 119 nonprofits working to reduce poverty across all 46 counties. Grants support housing, healthcare, education, and food access. Since 1996, grants have totaled over $83 million.
Home
Moving can be stressful, but MovEase makes it simple. The platform helps users quickly connect with trusted movers, request quotes in just a few clicks, and save time compared to traditional calls or emails. Spend less time searching and more time settling in.*
Real Estate
During Vista Lights on Nov. 20, stop by the historic Palmetto Candy & Tobacco Building (1225-1229 Lincoln St.) from 6-9 p.m. for an open house. Guests can enjoy charcuterie, cocktails, and a tour of the newly renovated space while taking in all the Vista Lights festivities.*
Job
Looking for a remote opportunity to lead and inspire a winning team? We’re hiring a Sales Director to fuel our fast-paced sales team, with a competitive salary, premium benefits, unlimited PTO, and real growth opportunities to boot. Apply to join our team.
Read
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It’s free to subscribe.*
Category
City
Have a Devine Night Out
‘Tis the season to shop local in the Devine District. | Photo by COLAtoday
The holiday season officially begins on Devine Street on Thursday with Devine Night Out. The annual festive event takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, with shopping discounts at local stores, live music, and a visit from Santa at the tree lighting ceremony at the Firehouse.
What to look out for
Not only will the kids get to see Santa, which should have them on their best behavior, but there will be a “winter wonderland” with a snow-making machine, along with face painting and balloon artists.
Local deals + pop-ups
Fern’s flower bar
Monkee’s festive holiday market
Cantina 76’s all-day happy hour spilling onto the sidewalk
Craft and Draft hosting live music and local brews
Know before you go
Devine Street closes from Woodrow to Holly Streets to keep you safe while you’re sipping, shopping, and socializing. Nearby parking lots and side-street spaces are open, and admission is free.
Nordstrom Rack’s Holiday Gift Guide is here. Shop some of the season’s best deals on stocking stuffers, top-rated gift sets, cashmere favorites, and unique fashion finds. Five can’t-miss deals from the guide include:
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.
This year’s State House tree arrived on Monday morning, all the way from Henderson Tree Farms in Morgantown, NC. Now the Columbia Garden Club will get to work on the 35-foot-tall Norway Spruce, adding 13,000 lights and 900 ornaments ahead of the 59th Annual Governor’s Carolighting on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m.
}})
