Small Business

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Events
12 New Year’s Eve events in Columbia to ring in 2026
Block parties, early ball drops, free games — whatever your vibe, there’s a Columbia-area New Year’s Eve for you.
December 16, 2025 01:00 PM
 · 
David Stringer
Piecewise Coffee Co.
Business
Piecewise Coffee Co. expands and is taking over a Devine Street location
Blūm Coffee bids farewell as Piecewise Coffee Co. expands and opens its second location in the heart of the Devine District
January 12, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Small Business
TikTok recognizes local greeting card shop
Sparks of Joy Co, a local greeting card company founded during the pandemic, is featured on the #YearOnTikTok list by @tiktok in the Loved by Locals category.
December 20, 2023
 · 
David Stringer
Julie K. Art local artist stickers Columbia, SC
Small Business
Local stocking stuffer guide for Columbia, SC
We want to see those socks sag after being filled to the brim with local stocking stuffer gifsts from around Columbia.
December 18, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
State House Christmas
Culture
Answered: What if a Hallmark holiday movie was filmed in Columbia?
We asked and you answered. Our readers brainstormed locations + plots for a potential future movie filmed in the festive Soda City. We present — the Hallmark movie set in Columbia that was written by you.
December 13, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
State House Christmas
Culture
What if a Hallmark holiday movie was filmed in Columbia?
Columbia hasn’t been the filming location for a Hallmark holiday movie — yet. We’re asking our readers to brainstorm locations + plots for a potential future movie filmed in the festive Soda City.
December 11, 2023
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Samantha Robertson
Segra-Park-Columbia-Fireflies-stadium
Small Business
A guide to the best giftable experiences in Columbia
Let’s try something new. Instead of gifting someone a material item, allow them to unwrap the best giftable experiences in Columbia.
December 7, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
SC State House
Business
Meet the inaugural class of South Carolina’s 50 Most Influential business leaders
Discover the inaugural class of South Carolina’s 50 Most Influential business leaders who have provided insights and contributions while shaping South Carolina’s economic growth.
December 5, 2023
 · 
Samantha Robertson
City Editor David sits with a table of community members.
City
City Editor David’s 3 favorite Columbia news stories from 2023
Take a look at some of our favorite stories we brought you in 2023 — and learn about how you can keep them coming by supporting COLAtoday with the gift of your membership.
November 6, 2023
Sunrise at Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Arts
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) has opened submissions for its 2024-2025 Art in the Airport program
Calling all artists — the local airport’s initiative aims to offer local artists the opportunity to showcase their work to a broad audience traveling through the airport.
November 3, 2023
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Samantha Robertson
Virginia Hylton Park
City
Lexington County’s development growth and dreaming of Columbia’s future
Lexington County is ushering in new businesses. Take a look at its recent growth and let’s dream about Columbia’s river development.
November 3, 2023
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City
Lake Murray Independence Day celebration returns with fireworks and festivities
Celebrate Independence Day early with SC’s biggest fireworks show — best viewed by boat or from Dreher Island State Park.
June 17, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Festivals
Columbia’s guide to commemorate Juneteenth and the SC Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Every year, Columbia hosts the SC Juneteenth Freedom Festival (SCJFF) and we’re breaking down how you can get involved around town.
June 16, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Fishing-at-Lake-Murray
Play
5 places to fish around Columbia, including rivers, lakes, and shorelines
Rivers, lakes + streams, oh my. The Midlands has some pretty great freshwater fishing spots and is only about an hour from saltwater. Reference this guide before you fish around Columbia.
June 13, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Small Business
Your guide to summer reading in Columbia
Local recommendations, library challenges, and book clubs to keep your reading list hot this summer
June 10, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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History
Deconstruction begins at historic 900 Main St.
Deconstruction is underway on the historic 900 Main St. building, preserving materials, memories, and a mural.
June 9, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
downtown-columbia-sc
City
How much does it cost to rent in Columbia, SC?
Curious about rent in Columbia? We broke down how local prices compare to national averages and trends.
June 5, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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History
5 objects in town that are older than Columbia
Although 239 years might seem like a long time, it is relatively young for a city, so let’s take a look at some objects you can see in Columbia that are older than the Capital City.
June 3, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Small Business
What South Carolina’s new liquor liability law means for local businesses
SC small businesses are facing closures due to rising liquor liability insurance premiums. A new law hopes to address that.
May 29, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Initial renderings of the new development project proposed for the block bordered by Main, Hampton, Washington, and Assembly streets.
Development
Answered: our readers’ thoughts on Columbia’s changing skyline
Columbia’s skyline may soon see its tallest addition in nearly 40 years. Developer Core Spaces is planning new 26 and 22-story towers, reaching ~300 feet tall, for the block bordered by Main, Hampton, Washington, and Assembly streets. Here’s what our readers think about the new development.
May 27, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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Play
10+ pools, water parks, and splash pools in Columbia
Do you need more ways to beat the heat? Check out our list of pools, water parks, and splash pools in Columbia.
May 23, 2025
 · 
David Stringer