Retail

Three people are working together in what appears to be a warehouse or workshop with doors and windows. Two individuals wear blue "volunteer" shirts, while one person in a hoodie uses tape and a marker. They seem to be organizing or preparing materials for a project.
Culture
Where to make spring cleaning donations in Columbia
Doing some spring cleaning and have items to donate? Check out these 14 spots in the Columbia area accepting clothing and supply donations.
March 25, 2026 02:02 PM
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David Stringer
W.B. Whaley House
City
Construction is done on the W. B. Smith Whaley House
Take a look and get excited for what’s to come for the historic property.
February 24, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Ivy House expansion colatoday
City
Ivy House is opening another location in Columbia, SC
Read about this seven-year journey for this local business.
January 11, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Waterfront park in Forest Acres
City
Introducing Gills Creek Memorial Park coming to Columbia, SC
Explore the plans the City of Forest Acres has for its new Gills Creek Memorial Park.
January 11, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Columbia, S.C. city flag
History
How Columbia’s flag came to be
Read through the timeline of our city flag.
January 9, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Vista-Guild-Columbia-SC-parking
Arts
Columbia’s inaugural t-shirt contest
Proceeds of the contest help your community.
January 5, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Development
Richland Mall Redevelopment deal is official
Take a look into the largest development project in 35+ years coming soon to Forest Acres.
January 5, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Real Estate
2023 predictions for Columbia real estate
Real estate experts explain what Columbia home buyers should know and predict whether we’ll see prices rise in 2023.
December 21, 2022
 · 
David Stringer
Etsy coasters
Culture
Win the holidays with gifts from these local Etsy sellers
Whether your budget is $10, $20, or $200, find a completely unique gift for everyone on your list. 🎁
November 22, 2022
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
A farmer harvesting hemp.
Sponsored
Local (and family-owned) CBD company producing organic hemp products
Sponsored by
Late night bites around Columbia, SC
Food
Late night bites spots around Columbia, SC
Get your grub on 🍟
October 19, 2022
 · 
David Stringer
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Events
Read Freely Fest unveils 2026 lineup
More than 40 authors are headed to Richland Library Main Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29.
February 16, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Thomas Cooper library
History
USC exhibit marks America’s 250th
A new USC exhibit explores 250 years of revolution and rare South Carolina artifacts.
February 16, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
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City
The Great Backyard Bird Count in Columbia
The Great Backyard Bird Count invites participants to observe and report birds to help track global populations.
February 12, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
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Sports
What’s new at Founders Park for South Carolina Baseball
Opening Weekend begins Friday, Feb. 13 with a Friday doubleheader and new upgrades at Founders Park.
February 11, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
Shade Lovers COLA-Lead Story Image Crop.png
Travel and Outdoors
Grow some shade in Columbia, SC 🌳
Join in on the initiative created by Columbia Green.
February 10, 2026
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Sugar Ray flies into WECO
Sugar Ray headlines the free, two-day Meeting Street Music Festival, bringing live music, food, and spring block-party energy to WECO.
February 9, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
1200px-Independence_Square,_Accra,_Ghana
City
Visiting 3 of Columbia’s sister cities
Columbia has seven sister cities worldwide, fostering cultural ties. Explore Cola’s connections to Accra, Ghana; Kaiserslautern, Germany; and Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
February 6, 2026
 · 
David Stringer
A photograph of the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, lit up at night. The sky is cloudy and dark blue overhead, with the stadium lit up by a flurry of lights on its concourses. Empty entrance gates are in front of the giant structure.
What would a Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony look like in Columbia?
The grand opening of the winter event is today in Northern Italy. We’re imagining how it would go down in the Columbia area.
February 5, 2026
 · 
STAFF
Giant wooden sculpture of a seated, gentle-looking troll amidst lush green forest.
Arts
South Carolina’s first Thomas Dambo troll is coming to Cayce
Danish artist Thomas Dambo is bringing one of his famous upcycled trolls to the Cayce Riverwalk, just minutes from downtown Columbia.
February 4, 2026
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
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History
5 ways to honor Black history in Columbia
Discover more about Columbia’s African American history.
February 4, 2026
 · 
David Stringer