January 7, 2022 - Skate Station USA rolls on + new businesses coming

Hello Monday.

January 17 2022

The 35-year-old local legend rolls on 🛼

A local Lexington landmark, Skate Station USA — that opened in 1987 — is getting a major makeover + will reopen next week as Sports & Skate Station.

Skate Station USA | Photo by Ashley Steele

Here’s what we know:

The revitalization of Skate Station USA is the vision of Columbia resident, Steve Ware — owner of River’s Edge Retreat.
The renovated skating rink will also include batting cages, basketball, and an inside golf driving range.
The grand re-opening will take place on Jan., 13 from 6-9 p.m.
The night of the grand opening through the weekend will feature special skating competitions + DJs.
To celebrate the re-opening, anyone born in 1987 or earlier can be entered into a raffle to win a prize.

The inside of the new rink being renovated | Photo provided by Sports & Skate Station

Here’s what we don’t know:

Which City Editor would win in a roller skating race, David or Sam? Stay tuned on the results, but until then, we’re wheely excited.

Use the buttons below to share this story with your BFFs, your neighbors, and anyone else

who had a birthday party at Skate Station USA as a kid.

EVENTS

Today

Archer Ave Showcase | Fri., Jan. 7 | Doors open at 7 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern | $10 | A lineup featuring Ben Walker, Pullover, Whistler, and Paisley & the Birdwalkers.
The Boozy Cauldron Pop-Up Tavern | Fri., Jan. 7 | 7-10:30 p.m. | Whaley House, 701 Whaley St. | $40 | Make reservations for the magical four-part cocktail experience, each session lasting 90-minutes.

Saturday

Jimbo Chapman | Sat., Jan. 8 | 7-10 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works | Free
22nd Annual Millrace Massacre and Iceman Championships | Sat., Jan. 8 | 10 a.m. | Saluda Riverwalk | Free
2022 Astrological Planning Workshop | Sat., Jan. 8 | 3-6 p.m. | femme x COLUMBIA, 1501 Richland St. | $45 members + $65 non-members
COLAlaughs Standup Comedy | Sat., Jan. 8 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Noma Warehouse | $10.50 | Local stand-up comedian Allie Johns will host and has put together a lineup including Jenn Snyder, Erin Lok, and Mona Bender.

Sunday

UofSC Women’s Basketball vs. Kentucky | Sun., Jan. 9 | 1 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $6+ 🏀
Stagbriar, Jenny Besetzt | Sun., Jan. 9 | Transmission Arcade | 10 p.m. | Free 🎶
Tommy Stinson Solo Show | Sun., Jan. 9 | Cola Town Bike Collective, 711 Elmwood Ave. | 7-10 p.m. | $25+ | American rock musician who came to prominence as bass player for The Replacements.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE JANUARY EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

50º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️

Coming Soon

Publico Kitchen and Tap, a popular Latin-Asian influenced restaurant, will open its second Columbia location in the BullStreet District’s historic Ensor Building in spring 2022. The 3,600 sqft restaurant will have an industrial feel with exposed brick + the menu will be similar to the Five Points location. 🌮
Swiff — a local sportswear brand that’s been sold in Soda City for nearly two years — is opening up shop at 736 Harden St. in Five Points. Swiff sweats are constructed of 100% organic cotton. The shop is expected to open Feb. 26. 👕 (The Post and Courier)

Health

Richland County Council voted to extend an emergency mask requirement through the first week of March. Masks will continue to be required in Richland County for ages 11 and older. (The Post and Courier)

Eat

Restaurant Week South Carolina returns Jan. 13 with a brand new look. Browse the new website for 17 restaurants in Columbia that will participate to make reservations + place to-go orders. 🍽️

Sports

Dakereon Joyner — UofSC’s quarterback — accepted a name, image and likeness deal to become the Duke’s Mayo Bowl ambassador. The NIL deal will include a few social media posts documenting his time playing in the bowl game. The contract Dakereon accepted is $5,000, per news release. 🏈 (The State)
Mark your calendar: The Columbia Fireflies recently unveiled their full schedule for the 2022 season. Season tickets are currently on sale, and individual game tickets will go on sale closer to the start of the season. Stay tuned. ⚾ *

Try This

SCDNR created an Archaeology A to Z Coloring Book to print, learn, and enjoy. The coloring book was illustrated in 2020 by SCDNR Archaeology intern, Ashley Dale Henslee. Archaeology vocabulary + definitions are provided in both English and Spanish. 🖍️

Community

Richland County Recreation Commission announced a Teen Nighthawk Program starting Jan., 14 at the Denny Terrace Gym, located at 6429 Bishop Ave. The program includes basketball, games, team building activities, music, and refreshments for ages 14-18. It will take place on the second Fridays of the month from 7-10 p.m.

Outdoors

Want to explore the great outdoors more in 2022? Great news: the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at US park sites on five days this year, starting with MLK Day, Mon., Jan. 17. Psst. Congaree National Park in Cola is always free. Get deets here. 🌲 (Southern Living)

Listen

In this episode of the Health Focus podcast from MUSC Health, host Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Louis Gerena — a non-surgical, orthopaedic and sports medicine physician at MUSC — about managing knee osteoarthritis and incorporating low-impact exercise to help. 🎧*

*This paid content, brought to you by our advertising partners, helps make this newsletter free.

POST OF THE DAY

L8r Sk8r 🛼

📸 @glow.skate

Speaking of roller skating, there are some clubs + sports around Columbia you can get involved with if you’re interested in roller skating like Richland County Regulators Derby Team or CIB Soda City.

Carly, the roller skater in the video, is doing a yearlong challenge where she skates every day for a year. Check out her shredding on day five and her Etsy Shop for all things roller skating.

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THE WRAP

Editor’s pick: When I saw that Skate Station USA was getting a makeover, I felt transported back in time to birthday parties, end-of-year soccer parties, first dates… etc.

I can bet there are so many other citizens who share similar memories. So, I would love for you to share with us your favorite memories + pictures that you made at the local rink.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? See just a few of the restaurants around Columbia with heated outdoor seating.