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💙 Spread the local love
Soda City Market vendors go all out for each season. | Photo by COLAtoday
We want to celebrate all the businesses that make the Midlands so special.
In honor of our many movers and shakers, we’re asking readers to nominate small businesses they love so we can share them with the whole audience.
We’ll be here to share a new batch of small businesses every month, so bookmark this page to come back for more, especially if you’ve enjoyed our Small Business Week and Today’s Best coverage.
Editor David’s picks
City Art | Arts + Craft Store
Tucked beneath its gallery space in the Vista behind Blue Marlin, this shop has everything you need to explore your creative side. It has served USC students and local creatives for years with frames, canvases, paints, and more. I like to dabble in watercolor.
The Book Dispensary | Bookstore
You could spend hours exploring used gems and rare finds. The local section, featuring books by area authors and books rooted in local topics, is especially worth browsing.
Asked
Asked
Is there a business you’d like to see in COLAtoday?
Whether you’re a Midlands-based business owner or just a fan of supporting local, we want to hear your recs.
Britney Spears recently sold the rights to her entire music catalog for an estimated $200 million. For considerably less money, you could buy this recently listed mid-century modern gem with 4,700+ sqft of living space, a pool, and an exquisite outdoor garden. (NBC News)
Eat
Tomorrow, Feb. 17, is Mardi Gras, the annual pre-Lent celebration set to take over streets across the world. If you aren’t joining the 1.4 million expected visitors at the country’s biggest celebration in New Orleans, you can get a taste of the fun with some Cajun cuisine at Bourbon.
Drink
The most expensive US whiskey sale ever — a bottle of 1982 Kentucky bourbon — recently sold for ~$162,000 in New York City. You won’t need pockets anywhere near as deep at one of the Vista’s buzzy happy hours. (Southern Living)
Try This
Can’t get enough of the Winter Olympics? You’ve still got time to emulate Team USA’s success by trying out a winter sport of your own at Flight Adventure Park, where skating lessons, open sessions, and hockey are all on the schedule.
Real Estate
Stability is in style. US homeowners are setting new records for staying put, with the average homeowner now living in their house for about nine years. While your moving boxes gather dust, who says you can’t have a little fun browsing Columbia’s real estate? (Axios)
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of Nourish patients pay out of pocket to talk to a dietitian covered by their insurance. You could be covered, too — check your coverage + get matched with a dietitian who can cut through the food noise and build you a plan to thrive.*
Job
POV: You’re in a bind trying to fill an important role for your local biz. We can help. Post your opening on our Job Board and get connected to top local talent.
Health
Your heart may be sending signals you didn’t expect. Understanding your risk factors and recognizing less obvious symptoms can make a life-saving difference. Take Prisma Health’s free, fast Heart Health Assessment to learn your heart age.*
Learn
Garden design, color theory, calligraphy, portrait photography, embroidery. These are just a handful of the expert-led, creative classes available on Skillshare, an online learning community recognized by The New York Times and Forbes. Start a one month free trial + dive into new skills.*
If there’s a new restaurant open in the Midlands (and beyond) there’s a good chance that local foodie David McNamara will try it and share it with his followers. This slice of ‘za from Black Dog Pizza stopped us mid-scroll.
Now open downtown in the former spot occupied by The Woody, add it to your list of new restaurants to try.
Tired of being … tired? You’re not alone. For millions of people over 35, the problem isn’t stress, late nights, or a busy schedule — it’s mineral deficiency. That’s where Organixx Magnesium 7 comes in. The doctor-formulated supplement features seven highly absorbable forms of magnesium to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep through the night, and wake up feeling well-rested.
Looking for a way to share your skills and help shape Columbia’s future? The City of Columbia is accepting applications for seats on various boards and commissions, including the Climate Protection Action Committee, Municipal Election Commission, and Richland Lexington Airport District Commission. Applications are due Friday, Feb. 20.
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