Plus, Trader Joe's opens next week on Harbison Boulevard.
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GATHER COLA will be located next door to REI on Bull Street. | Rendering by Garvin Design Group
Spotify dropped its 2025 Wrapped report, showing users how their year looked for their listening habits, but two can play that game.

We’re here to bring you our COLAtoday Rewind, in which we share one of the top stories from each month. Let’s jump in.

January

Assembly Street Railroad Separation Project moves forward with funding | The plan to reduce rail congestion on Assembly Street, funded with $204 million in federal funding, aims to improve safety and connectivity, and reduce delays.

February

Gather COLA coming to BullStreet District | Columbians love a major project that’s announced and completed in the same year. Gather COLA food hall will celebrate its grand opening today, Friday, Dec. 5.
Toolbox in foreground of photo featuring a group of people wearing white hard hats in museum undergoing renovation

We went on a hard hat tour led by CMA Executive Director Della Watkins for a behind-the-scenes look at the current renovation.

Photo by COLAtoday

March

The CMA’s galleries are temporarily closed — here’s why | We shed a little light on the museum’s major lighting update and renovations. Now you can celebrate it at the 75th Anniversary Gala on Friday, Jan. 16, from 7 to 11 p.m.
Relive 2025 news

Asked

Which color is the Pantone color of the year for 2026?

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Dance this way
Town Theatre

Events

Friday, Dec. 5

Columbia Classical Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” | 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Koger Center | $20+

Lattes and Littles | 8-9:30 a.m. | Lazy Daisy Coffee Co | Price of purchase

2025 Holiday Market | 11 a.m. | Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County, Camden | Price of purchase

Winter Concert | 6-9 p.m. | Cayce Historical Museum, Cayce | Free

Saturday, Dec. 6

Steve Ray Ladson Welcome Home Parade | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | St John Baptist Church Parking Lot, Hopkins | Free

Meeting Street Artisan Markets - Holiday Edition | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, West Columbia | Free

Pups & Pints Adoption Event and Donation Drive | 12-3 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free

2nd Annual Uptown Holiday Hop | 4-8 p.m. | Uptown Columbia Businessess | Free

Sunday, Dec. 7

Sippin’ Santa Holiday Pop-Up at Prohibition | 11 a.m. | Prohibition | Free

A Vibe Called Yoga - SoulHaus | 1 p.m. | SoulHaus Gallery | $20
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Opening

Trader Joe’s will open its second Columbia-area store on Thursday, Dec. 12 on Harbison Boulevard. A 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting will kick off the celebration. The store hired 50+ local crew members and will participate in the company’s Neighborhood Shares Program. (Cola Daily)

Coming Soon

Black Dog Pizza is opening the first week of January on Main Street in the former home of The Woody. From the team behind Hendrix, Jake’s, and No Name Deli, the shop will serve Neo-Neapolitan pies made with a new $50,000 oven. (Free Times)

History

The McKissick Museum on the Horseshoe at USC will close Monday, Dec. 8 ahead of a major renovation. The 1940s building will be updated to include classrooms, lounges, and an embedded exhibition space. The renovation is part of the campus core revitalization.

Sports

Four-star Dutch Fork defensive end Julian Walker flipped his commitment from Michigan to South Carolina on Day 2 of the Early Signing Period. He is the No. 85 overall recruit in the country and is the son of Gamecocks assistant strength coach Jamil Walker.

Development

Sumter is investing $4 million into upgrades at Swan Lake Iris Gardens ahead of its 100-year anniversary. The project includes a redesigned north entrance and a new inclusive Sister Wimberly Playground. Work begins in early 2026 and is expected to finish in 2027.

State

The South Carolina Civil Rights Museum received the 2025 David W. Robinson Catalyst Award from Central Carolina Community Foundation. Honored for its digital innovation, education tools, and upcoming Railroad Corner expansion, the Museum preserves SC’s civil rights legacy.

Home

Do you have one (or two) rooms you only enter once a year, squint at like an archeological dig, and then quietly back out of? It might be time to “right-size.” Learn more.*

Pets

Cats are naturally mysterious — but their health doesn’t have to be. With Basepaws Cat DNA Test, you’ll uncover your cat’s breed mix, genetic traits, and potential health risks that other tests miss. Get 47% off for Cyber Week and gain science-backed insights into your feline’s health.*

Post of the Day

Columbia is one step closer to connecting its riverwalks. Phase 2 of the Saluda Riverwalk has begun, linking the existing Saluda Riverwalk and Boyd Island to the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park. Concrete pathways are complete, with boardwalk sections to follow.

A construction bid from earlier this year called for the greenway to include lighting, call boxes, overlooks, and signage.

The Buy

A foaming toilet cleaner that tackles stains, rings, and odors with zero scrubbing. Splash Foam Cleaner offers a hands-free way to achieve a sparkling clean toilet in three easy steps: pour, let it foam, and flush. It’s that easy.
Get Splash Foam Cleaner
COLAtoday Games

The Wrap

If you beat me to this, save a wreath for me. Boone Fox Farm is hosting its final Farm Stand of the season on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Holiday Wreaths are available for purchase with prices ranging from $55 to $75. No preorders, so get there early before they sell out.
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