Black Dog Pizza is one of them, opening downtown in the former spot occupied by The Woody with a Neo-Neapolitan approach. The pizzas lean on the classic Neapolitan technique — airy dough, charred edges, and simple toppings — but with a sturdier crust that works better for slices, sharing, and takeout.
Black Dog Pizza serves traditional Neapolitan pies. | Photo by Lynn Luc
The new restaurant comes from the same group behind Hendrix (its upstairs neighbor), Jake’s, and No Name Deli, adding another dining option on the north end of Main Street. The menu also includes sandwiches, salads, and small plates, along with a full bar with cocktails, beer, and wine.
Black Dog Pizza is expected to open later this month, and its hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Stay tuned for the exact date.
Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency ahead of this weekend’s winter weather. This activates SC’s emergency operations plan and mobilizes resources. “Team South Carolina is ready to respond and support communities as conditions develop,” he said.
Development
Columbia is moving forward with plans to redevelop 19 acres near North Main Street and River Drive. The site, part of 30+ acres formerly owned by SCDOT, will focus on walkability and future greenway access.
Sports
Tune into ESPN tonight, Jan. 22, to watch the No. 2 Gamecocks women’s basketball team take on No. 16 Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. USC is 8-2 in ranked road matchups over the past five seasons.
Number
10,000 — that’s how many tons of salt are stored at SCDOT’s central Columbia dome to prep roads for winter weather. With 1,200+ snow response vehicles statewide, crews use salt brine to pretreat roads, lowering the freezing point and helping prevent ice. (WLTX)
Eat
No Name Deli topped The State’s 2026 Sandwich Shop Poll with 36% of over 8,300 votes. Groucho’s Deli placed second + Andy’s Deli third. No Name has locations on Marion Street and Forest Drive — with the Marion spot set to move to Laurel Street by mid-February.
Theater
South Carolina Ballet will perform “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Koger Center on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 3 and 7:30 p.m. The ballet, choreographed by William Starrett, features Mendelssohn’s score played live by the SC Ballet Orchestra.
Try This
Wingard’s Market will host a Valentine’s Dinner with Vera Stewart on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. The four-course, locally sourced meal includes live jazz and a signed cookbook. Stewart will also demo her Choco-Latte Layer Cake.
Learn
Landscaping pros are invited to a free event on Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hosted by Columbia Water and Richland County Stormwater, this collaborative workshop offers practical tips and insights for professionals. Registration is required — learn more + sign up.*
Seasonal
Don’t let tax season be a stressor. If you owe more than $10,000, reference Money’s list of best tax relief companies that can support you with everything from mediating payment plans to applying for penalty abatement. Learn more and get your finances back on track.*
Edu
As a parent, it’s hard to know what moves the needle in college admissions. Empowerly starts with a free 30-minute consultation to honestly assess your student’s college profile — from there, you’ll get matched with a counselor, receive data-backed insights, and construct a plan. Get your free consult.*
Category
City
🚒 New Vista hotel opens
The Lantern spans three historic buildings that once housed the city’s central fire station. | Photo by City Social
A new boutique hotel is now welcoming guests inside the former Columbia Central Fire Station in the Vista. As The Post and Courier recently explored, the downtown district is once again in the middle of a major period of change.
That new addition is The Lantern Columbia, which is officially open inside the former Columbia Central Fire Station. The 59-room hotel reimagines the long-standing landmark near the State House, adding another layer to the Vista’s mix of history, hospitality, and entertainment.
The project comes from Raines, a hospitality group known for adaptive reuse projects across the Southeast.
Also on site is Ladder 13, serving Mediterranean-inspired food and cocktails. The hotel is now welcoming guests, with a grand opening planned for March.
The Buy
A great dermaplaning razor for unwanted facial hair. This reusable, plastic-free one comes with 11 refill blades and can remove dead skin cells, peach fuzz, and hair on the upper lip, cheeks, and eyebrows.
Well, the Midlands didn’t land any semifinalists on this year’s James Beard award lists, but Greenville and Charleston did. Closer to home, last year’s Best of winners highlight the depth of talent we have here.
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