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
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Food
U-pick strawberries in the Midlands
Fresh fruits make the spring season even sweeter.
April 9, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
A white brick building with a stepped roofline houses a bookstore named "All Good Books." The store's name is painted in bold, dark blue letters with a small lantern logo on the left. A leafless tree casts branch-like shadows on the facade under a clear blue sky.
Culture
5 independently owned bookstores in Columbia
Find your next page-turner at these bookstores in Columbia where you can browse titles and literally support small businesses.
April 1, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
The exterior of the Richland main library with a banner for Read Freely Fest hanging about the rounded, glass front doors.
Culture
Richland Library’s inaugural Read Freely Fest coming to Columbia
The library’s free, family-friendly festival will feature author talks, book sales, and entertainment across across three day.
March 25, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Village Idiot
Live
A guide to Columbia’s pizza scene
Dig into Columbia’s must-try pizza shops including local legends, fancier fare, cross-country crusts, and more.
March 20, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
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 19, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
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Work
The top industries and employers in the Columbia metro area
The Columbia metro area covers Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Richland counties.
March 10, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
Femme Film Fest marquee outside of the Nickelodeon in Columbia
Culture
Femme Film Fest coming to The Nick
The three-day festival will honor International Women’s Day and showcase inspiring works highlighting female filmmakers.
February 25, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
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Small Business
Wingard’s Market announces annual Spring Fling
Wingard’s Market’s Spring Fling blooms Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15, with plant discounts, local vendors, and seasonal finds in Lexington.
February 24, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Everplay Softball | Cola Today
Culture
An introvert’s guide to Columbia
Looking to break out of your comfort zone as an introvert? Follow your interests and partake in these groups and gatherings.
February 21, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
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Business
Building a startup in 24 Hours at the Boyd Innovation Center
Startup Sprint at the Boyd Innovation Center challenged entrepreneurs to build startups in 24 hours.
February 19, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Food
Gather COLA set to open in December
Gather COLA officially opens Friday, Dec. 5 with a day long celebration that’s even bringing Santa out.
November 10, 2025
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City
Kick off the holiday season at Devine Night Out
Devine Street transforms into a holiday block party with shopping deals, live music, food, and snow.
November 10, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
A map of the United States calling out 6AM City's markets.
City
Local news, powered by readers like you
Over the next 10 days, we’re launching a reader-driven campaign to sustain what we do best.
November 10, 2025
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Staff
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City
Craig Melvin’s Columbia homecoming tour
Columbia looked good on national TV this week.
November 6, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
Two lion sisters interact playfully on a rocky habitat at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
Hello and goodbye at Riverbanks Zoo
Get ready to say hello to some new zoo friends and bid farewell to a few others.
November 6, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Business
A first look at the Grand Willow Hotel planned for BullStreet
Renderings show plans for the seven-story Grand Willow Hotel behind REI in Columbia’s BullStreet District.
November 5, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Food
Two Vista restaurants earn spots in inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South
Columbia’s fine-dining scene gets a boost as two Vista staples earn a spot in the MICHELIN Guide.
November 4, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Business
Can you build a startup in 24 hours?
Startup Sprint returns for a free 24-hour challenge at Boyd Innovation Center where teams build and pitch startup business ideas.
November 3, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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City

Beat the end of daylight saving scaries with these activities in Columbia
The sun may be setting earlier, but Columbia still has plenty to do.
October 30, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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City

Just how bad is the traffic in Columbia?
Spoiler alert: Traffic isn’t great. We dove into the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s congestion data so you don’t have to.
October 28, 2025
 · 
David Stringer