Like our city, we’re growing each and every day — and our team needed to build some new infrastructure.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be putting on a fresh coat of paint. Thank you for your patience + please reply to this email if anything looks wonky.
Editor’s Pick
Search trends around taxes and income are shifting: “1040 form” is now searched more than “W-2 form,” while “1099 form” and “side hustle income” are hitting record highs.
Learn: A W-2 form is for traditional employees with taxes withheld by an employer, while a 1099 form is for independent contractors who handle their own taxes. The 1040 form is the main tax return where all income is reported.
What does increased search interest in both “1099 form” and “1040 form” most likely indicate?
A. Fewer people are paying taxes B. More people are managing multiple income types when filing taxes C. Simpler tax filing processes D. A decline in freelance work
Last week, we asked: What is the median salary for nonprofit CEOs in Columbia? 47% of you correctly guessed $107,000. Missed it? Last week’s newsletter featured six great local group volunteer opportunities.
Civic
If you’re a business owner, now’s the time to check your to-do list — all 2025 City of Columbia business licenses expire Thursday, April 30. Renewals not submitted by May 1 will begin accruing a 5% monthly late penalty. Renew here.
State
Chick-fil-A has taken the lead as the top-searched fast food chain in South Carolina, beating out Bojangles. Have you considered applying to be a franchise owner? Sure, it’s competitive — but maybe now’s the time. (Greenville Online)
Development
In case you missed it, Development Seaboard Vista broke ground earlier this month in the Vista, with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann joining developers on-site. The adaptive reuse project will restore four buildings on Gervais and Lady Streets listed on the National Register of Historic Places — dating back to the Seaboard Air Line Railroad era — into restaurants, retail, office, and apartments.
Biz
In other Seaboard Vista news, builder Move Mashburn Construction is marking its 50th year in Columbia by relocating its headquarters to the second floor of the development. The firm will move in later this year. (Columbia Business Monthly)
Shop
Open Belk launched its BEAUTYSPACE shop-in-shop at Columbiana Mall — a new experiential retail concept built around prestige beauty brands. Worth a visit if beauty retail is your beat. (HEREColumbia)
Tech
Infrastructure Tesla recently opened a new Supercharger station at 8910 Farrow Rd., featuring eight 500 kW chargers, available 24/7. It’s among the most powerful charging infrastructure in the Midlands — useful, since EV adoption in SC continues to climb. (SC Daily Gazette)
Development
A nearly 519,000-sqftt speculative distribution facility — Project Playa — is underway in Sandy Run Industrial Park as part of a broader wave of last-mile logistics buildout reshaping the Midlands. Why it matters: the project signals sustained investor confidence in Columbia’s industrial corridor. (HEREColumbia)
Try This
Got a product parents will tot-ally love? Add it to our upcoming Parents Gift Guide, publishing in May + June. Your product will be featured in our online guide where we’re highlighting products that make parenting easier. In other words: a little extra visibility to help your brand earn some serious parent points. Add your product.*
Events
Agenda
We’re on the lookout for top networking events each week. Reply to this email, add your event to our website for free, or submit a paid listing for guaranteed inclusion.
Editor’s Pick
WhatWorksSC Celebration | Thursday, April 23 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | $27 | Join the Riley Institute to celebrate three exceptional programs making a meaningful impact on South Carolina public education.
Prime Commercial Land Available, 490 Jamil Rd. | 26 acres | Contact for rate | Prime site in Columbia’s growing corridor, minutes from downtown and the University of South Carolina, with high visibility and flexible options for retail, multifamily, hospitality, medical, or entertainment.
Retail, for lease
2728 Devine St. | 2,940 sqft | $26 sqft | Located on Devine Street, this freestanding retail building offers strong visibility, walkable foot traffic, and convenient on-site and street parking in a community-focused corridor.
810 Harden St. | 1,108 sqft | $34 sqft/yr | Located in Five Points, this property offers prime retail frontage with CAC zoning and access to city water and sewer.
Land/Redevelopment, for lease
Corner of Rosewood Dr. & S. Beltline Blvd. | 3.14 acres | $225,000/year | High-traffic redevelopment site located across from Midlands Technical College’s Beltline campus, positioned along one of Columbia’s busiest commercial corridors. Flexible use potential for retail, service, or mixed-use. NAI Columbia is the listing agent.
Flex/Office, for sale
Stephenson Center — 714 Betsy Dr. & 720 Gracern Rd. | 102,141 sqft | Contact broker | A two-building flex/office portfolio in Columbia under new ownership following a Colliers-facilitated sale in 2025. Worth watching for availability as the new owner evaluates the asset — currently 98% leased at time of acquisition.
Cat is on a well-earned vacation this week and next — can you guess where she is? I’ll give you a hint: this European city is home to nearly 2,000 startups. Reply to this email + send in your guess.
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