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2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
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6 City Map & Neighborhoods 18 Government & Nonprofits 26 Jobs, Economy & Demographics 32 Shopping 48 Outdoors & Recreation 54 Festivals & Events 66 Music & Nightlife 82 Arts & Culture 94 Food & Dining 112 Attractions
ast year, Free Times tried an experiment: We launched our firstever Annual Manual, a one-stop guide to this place we call Columbia. From a calendar of local festivals to tips on the hottest spots for shopping, the Annual Manual is an orientation packet to the Capital City, designed to help both newcomers and old-timers get the most out of their city. The experiment worked. Readers loved the Annual Manual; even longtime residents told us they found new nuggets of insight about the Columbia area within its 132 pages. The biggest complaint we heard about the Annual Manual? That it was missing the Rant & Rave page. Well, this year we’ve got you covered: Turn to page 134. Our regular mix of news, politics, arts and entertainment coverage will return next week. You can also read select sections of our regular weekly content — including News, 8 Days and Music — online at free-times.com. Every issue of Free Times is designed to help you become more engaged with your city, but perhaps none has ever done so quite on the scale of Annual Manual. Thanks for reading. — Dan Cook
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enjoy happy hour like a local. It’s always best when you visit a new place and end up hanging out where the local folks and insiders do. You know, the crowd that really knows the most happening spots in town. All you need to know in Columbia is The Vista. In our neighborhood, you’ll find our city's best restaurants, art galleries, nightlife and shopping. One stop and you’re in. Just like that.
THE VISTA.
where the locals go.
vistacolumbia.com
2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
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January 30, 2013
5 Minutes to LMC!
From the $120s 803.661.9988
January 30, 2013
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elcome to Columbia, where you’re never quite sure when you’re “there” — which is both a strength and a shortcoming, depending on your perspective. Unlike some other cities, Columbia isn’t built around one core downtown area. Instead, the city has three primary downtown districts: Downtown (i.e., Main Street), the Vista and Five Points. Each area has its own distinct feel. Downtown is where you’ll find the State House, City Hall and lots of lawyers — but also a burgeoning arts scene. In the Vista, you’ll find dozens of restaurants, retail spots and galleries. In Five Points, there’s a college-village vibe, with coffee shops, a hip record store and vintage clothes.
CITY MAP & NEIGHBORHOODS 9
Beyond these three districts, you’ll find numerous other areas of the greater Columbia area — Lake Murray, Harbison/Irmo and the Northeast, among others — each with its own distinct characteristics. But don’t be too quick to stereotype: Five Points isn’t just for college students, downtown has its own hip coffee shop, and you’ll sometimes find hidden culinary gems in the suburbs. So, take a look around, and keep your mind open — you might find some surprises.
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City Map & Neighborhoods
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January 30, 2013
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2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
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Five Points
Hip-Wa-Zee
El Burrito Cycle Center
AR ST
KS
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Bombshell Beauty City Yoga Five Points Animal Clinic
Chick-fil-A
GE LLE CO
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EGE
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D HAR
PA VI
ST EN
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Pawleys Front Porch Group Therapy Saloon ST
Immaculate Piercing The Inn at Claussen’s
ENE G RE
Garibaldi Café
Mr. Friendly’s
BL VD
Saludas
US Post Office
Five Points Fountain
Delaney’s
Baan Sawan
ST
Speakeasy
Harper’s DEN
Drip Coffee
Pecknel Music Natural Vibrations
HAR
Revente Sid & Nancy
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Salty Nut Café
Papa Blue Jazz Cactus
DA AV E
photo by sean rayford
SA LU
Saluda Avenue in Five Points
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AVE DA
ENE G RE
DEVINE ST
Goatfeathers Village Idiot ST INE D EV Yesterdays
High Life
AV E TEE
Jake’s
Lucky’s
Five Points Pub
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OT I
photo by sean rayford
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Saluda Avenue in Five Points
U SAL
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Food Lion
Bluetile Skateshop
Sharky’s Bar None
Groucho’s BLOSSO M ST BLOSSOM ST
1 Five Points /
Devine Street / Shandon
Harden Street and Devine Street in Five Points photo by jonathan sharpe
2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
City Map & Neighborhoods
There’s a bustling energy to the Five Points area, fueled by a steady stream of visitors from the University of South Carolina and surrounding neighborhoods. In the daytime, you’ll find college hipsters, strolling shoppers and hungry businesspeople occupying the area’s eclectic mix of independent
retailers, restaurants and coffee shops. At night, the area’s bars and clubs get busy, as Five Points is the place to party in Columbia, as least for younger partiers. Five Points is also close to the coveted tree-lined streets and bungalows of Shandon, whose residents help support some higher-end restaurants and retail boutiques along Devine Street. Of particular note on Devine Street: home furnishings store Bohemian Home; outdoor clothing store Half Moon Outfitters; and @116 Express serving coffee at Salty’s surf and skate shop.
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How to buy the perfect home. Jump on the web and visit essexhomes.net Our website allows you to easily search by price, number of beds, baths, square footage, area of town, neighborhood, and more.
Find the home that’s right for you With over 30 Columbia Area neighborhoods, and over 60 home plans to choose from in our award-winning collection, we’re sure to have the right plan for you.
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Talk to an Essex Homes agent They’ll get the ball rolling with loads of information about financing, features, promotions, and answer any questions you may have. Yeah... It’s just that easy.
The right home, in the right location, at a price that will make you smile.
essexhomes.net January 30, 2013
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the vista
Cola’s
City Art Wild Wing
YS L AD
Cupcake
Pearlz
N ST SDE
T LY S EMB ASS
GAD
Ristorante Divino E YN WA
Hampton Inn
Wet Willie’s
Columbia Regional Visitors Center
Takosushi PT’s 1109
Oyster Bar
Liberty Tap Room
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Flying Saucer Longhorn Steakhouse
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S ATE
SEN
Tin Roof OCCO Skin Studio
Jillian’s
SEN
Adluh Flour
S ATE
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Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Allen Brothers Milling ST NE WAY
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ST
Nonnah’s Uncle Motor Louie’s Supply Co.
SakiTumi
The Backpacker
ST
Mojito’s
River Runner VAIS GER
City Market Antique Mall
VAIS
Whit Ash
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Cline’s Salon Vista
GER
T LY S EMB ASS
The Woody
Garden Bistro
Blue Marlin S OLN LINC
if ART Gallery
Carolina Ale House
Mellow Mushroom
Art Bar
Vista Studios/ Gallery 80808
K ST PAR
Blue
T
Hilton Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Gervais Street bridge photo by sean rayford
2 The Vista If Five Points is Columbia’s primary district for college students, then the Vista offers the same for post-college professionals. This converted warehouse district is largely known for its many dining options and art galleries, but it’s also home to the city’s leading progressive theater company (Trustus); a grocery store converted from a former Confederate printing plant (Publix); and some of the city’s key clubs and bars. Just beyond the Vista’s core are several of the city’s primary attractions: the Colonial Life Arena, S.C. State Museum and EdVenture Children’s Museum. The Vista also has an increasing number of residential options, making the area a prime component of downtown development.
2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
City Map & Neighborhoods
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The view from the State House steps down Main Street file photo
3 Downtown
USC’s Horseshoe photo by sean rayford
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If you haven’t been down to Main Street lately, you should take a look: Drip on Main is feeding the area’s caffeine addiction; the Soda City Market has livened up the street on Saturdays; the city-sponsored ice rink brought thousands of families to the area this winter; Mast General Store is drawing new foot traffic; the First Thursday series brings artists and their supporters to the area; and the Nickelodeon Theatre has completed its move. Plus, the Columbia Museum of Art has a steady stream of excellent exhibitions and events; there’s jazz and blues at Mac’s on Main; and other retail and residential developments are on the horizon. Bottom line: One small step at a time, things are happening downtown.
4 USC / South Main Village at Sandhill courtesy photo
2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
City Map & Neighborhoods
The ever-sprawling University of South Carolina campus dominates the landscape south of the State House, so many of the nearby streets are peppered with establishments looking to nab some of the students’ so-called “disposable” income. Whether it’s coffee, frozen yogurt, bagels, sandwiches, locally brewed beers — or the massive Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center to work off the calories accrued at some of these places — students in this area can have plenty of fun without need of a car. The Hunter-Gatherer is not to be missed. If you (or your parents) like the area enough — and have
the cash — set your sights on a luxury condo at Adesso.
5 Fort Jackson Where do half of the Army’s soldiers do their basic training? At Fort Jackson, that’s where. Fort Jackson is huge, encompassing more than 52,000 acres, 1,160 buildings and employing about 3,500 active-duty soldiers and an equal number of civilians. Opened in 1917, about 36,000 soldiers come through for basic training each year and 8,000 more come for advanced training. Fort Jackson is also home to the Army’s Drill Sergeant School, the Armed Forces Army Chaplaincy Center and School and the National Center for Credibility Assessment (formerly the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute) — so, you know, don’t try to lie to them.
6 Northeast /
Clemson Road / Blythewood
The Northeast part of town is a sprawling region of good schools, reasonably priced homes and national retailers and restaurants extending out to the Town of Blythewood, one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the state. Home to the 1,419-acre Sesquicentennial State Park, the popular planned community Lake Carolina and the expansive Village at Sandhill retail complex, the Northeast also boasts some major employers, including
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State Street file photo
Saluda Shoals Park Photo by austin price
Providence Northeast. Also sports such unique local spots as Solstice Kitchen and Wine Bar and its own seasonal farmers market.
7 St. Andrews / Broad and Bush River Roads Don’t let the gritty sprawl fool you: If you look closely, there are hidden gems in this area — especially if you like ethnic foods. Among the treats: Elie’s Authentic Lebanese Cuisine, Bombay Grill, Panjabi Dhaba, Delhi Palace, Inakaya Sushi and the Indian Grocery. It’s not all food, either: Manifest Discs, Sims Music, Heroes & Dragons comic shop and the Ole Towne Antique Mall also call this area home.
8 State Street /
West Columbia / Vista West
Just across the Gervais Street bridge sits an eclectic mix of nightspots, galleries, gift shops and restaurants — among them the recently relocated
2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
City Map & Neighborhoods
Café Strudel on State Street and, a little further out, the incredible Spice Junction in the Westside Plaza Shopping Center on Highway 1. Of particular note to music fans: the long-running New Brookland Tavern; Bill’s Music Shop, the home of local bluegrass; and Conundrum Music Hall, which caters to experimental tastes. Neighborhoods along the Avenues and Sunset Boulevard are popular with city-minded people who don’t want to pay downtown prices.
9 Irmo / Harbison / Dutch Fork
Big-name retailers like Lowe’s, Target, Best Buy and Barnes and Noble — and that’s not even mentioning Columbiana Centre — make this area a necessary stop for many Columbians from all areas of town. Along with extensive shopping options, good neighborhoods keep drawing people to the area. There are also a couple of amenities you might not expect in a generally suburban area: Saluda Shoals Park and Harbison State Forest, which offers more than 16 miles of roads and trails weaving through a pine and hardwood forest.
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Take advantage of our
$5,000 MOVE-IN READY
Package and start enjoying your new home today! You’ll find inspiration for your lifestyle in both our convenient in-town neighborhoods where home prices have been reduced UP TO $10,000. Don’t wait. Contact one of our Sales Professionals today.
MOVE-IN READY PACKAGE INCLUDES: REFRIGERATOR • WASHER • DRYER • BLINDS AND UP TO $2,500 IN CLOSING COSTS!! Certain rules and restrictions apply. Good on contracts written and closed by 1/31/13. See Sales Professional for details.
Hampton Forest 113 Top Forest Drive (803) 540-3411
The Battery at Arsenal Hill 107 Arsenal Academy Place (803) 540-3411
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January 30, 2013
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1/24/13 3:24 PM
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701 Whaley Photo by austin price
10 Lexington Which county consistently has the lowest unemployment rate in South Carolina? That would be Lexington. In many ways, Lexington County is the foil to Richland County: It’s more conservative both culturally and politically, it’s aggressively anti-tax, and many of its residents staunchly defend their distinctly non-Columbia identity. City types might balk at the relative scarcity of cultural amenities in Lexington, but the basics are here — good schools, reasonably priced housing and a strong economy.
11 Lake Murray
Brand New Luxury Living
Ask anyone who lives on Lake Murray, and they’ll tell you it’s more than just a lake — it’s a state of mind; a haven away from the city, offering its own bucolic worldview. With more than 500 miles of shoreline, most of it privately owned, Lake Murray is South Carolina’s largest man-made lake and offers seasonal recreation and a huge July 4 fireworks display, as well as hosting major fishing tournaments. Public access is limited to the few parks and marinas scattered around the lake, so your best bet is buy a boat or befriend someone who has one.
Spacious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments Carefree living on Lake Murray Amazing views Heated resort-style pool Clubhouse with billiards room Media theater and internet café Body Shop fitness center Liberty on the Lake Restaurant State-of-the-art marina with fueling dock On-site boat rentals Professionally managed by InterMark Management Corporation
1600 Marina Road | Irmo, SC 29063 | (803) 732-1322 | www.livemarinabay.com
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12 Forest Acres Housing options abound in the treefilled neighborhoods of this city within a city, which is close to downtown and to Fort Jackson. Morning people best know the area for its breakfast food
2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
City Map & Neighborhoods
at The Original Pancake House, and it’s also quite popular for the high-end grocery next door, The Fresh Market — so popular that developers scoped out this area of town for a new Trader Joe’s. And while you might not think of Forest Acres for its lunch options, try pulling into the Five Guys parking lot midday on a weekday. Mmm … Five Guys.
13 Rosewood Anchored by Publix and the fantastic Rosewood Elementary, this neighborhood is a good place for young professionals and families who want to be downtown but don’t want to pay Shandon-sized prices. The area also has a slowly burgeoning restaurant and entertainment scene, including the The Kraken Gastropub, the Rosewood Crawfish Festival, an annual Mardi Gras parade and the small but popular Cock ‘n’ Bull Pub. Other draws: Owens Field, Williams-Brice Stadium and City Roots sustainable farm.
14 Olympia Train tracks, football traffic, mosquitoes, old mill housing … how could this possibly be an up-and-coming area? Ah, but it is. With the mill villages and Aspyre providing residential anchors and a beautifully renovated 701 Whaley hosting events and contemporary art, Olympia’s cachet is on the rise. Add in riverfront development and Carolina Stadium, home to the two-time national champion USC baseball team, and you’ve practically got a full-scale renaissance.
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C
olumbia is a political city. As the state capital, it’s where lawmakers from all over the state gather. It’s where presidential campaign fortunes are decided. And it’s a hotbed of local politics, too. And all this happens in a city that, compared with other Southern cities, is not all that big. All this means it’s easy to make your voice heard, to get right up close with decision-makers and tell them what you want. Whether you’re new to the area or just looking to become more
government & nonprofits
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active in your community, here are some things you need to know about the voting process, your government representatives, what local government does for you and how you can influence it.
VOTING
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
If there’s one thing South Carolinians like to do, it’s vote. We elect not just city council members and state legislators, but also county sheriffs and coroners, soil and water commissioners, the comptroller general, the secretary of state, the adjutant general — just about everything but the town dogcatcher. And as an early primary state, we’re a key proving ground for presidential primary candidates — especially for Republicans. To get in on the fun, you must be a U.S. citizen at least 18 years old and a legal resident of South Carolina. Also, you must be registered to vote 30 days prior to an election. If you are not a South Carolina resident and want to vote in presidential elections, you must contact your resident state and request an absentee ballot. If you move to a different home and don’t get your voter registration changed, go to your new precinct anyway: You can vote a failsafe ballot that doesn’t include the local offices affected by your move. To check your South Carolina voter registration information online, visit scvotes.org. For more information, contact your local voter registration office.
U.S. Senators South Carolina has the distinction of being the only state with two unmarried senators. We don’t know what that means, but there you have it.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R)
933-0112, (202) 224-5972 lgraham.senate.gov
Sen. Tim Scott (R)
771-6112, (202) 224-6121 scott.senate.gov
U.S. House Members (Midlands area) If you live in the Midlands, you’re represented by one of three House members, whose districts weave in and around various towns and neighborhoods: Jim Clyburn, a 20-year congressman and the third-ranking Democrat in the House; Republican Joe Wilson, best known for yelling “You lie!” during Obama’s first State of the Union address; or tea partier Mick Mulvaney.
District 2: Joe Wilson (R)
939-0041, (202) 225-2452 joewilson.house.gov
Richland County 2020 Hampton St., 576-2240 richlandonline.com/departments/ elections
Lexington County Lexington: 605 West Main St., Suite 105, 785-8361 lex-co.com/departments/ RegistrationAndElections
District 5: Mick Mulvaney (R)
(803) 327-1114, (202) 225-5501 mulvaney.house.gov
District 6: James Clyburn (D) 799-1100, (202) 225-3315 clyburn.house.gov
South Carolina State House photo by patrick wall
2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
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COLUMBIA LINEUP: JAN 31ST - FEB 3RD lineups
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
THE VISTA
TOKYO JOE ACOUSTIC
MY FAT RICHARD
HIGH MAINTENANCE
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January 30, 2013
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VISTA • 252-WING
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VILLAGE AT SANDHILL • 865-3365
| HARBISON • 749-WING 2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
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Downtown Columbia file Photo
STATE GOVERNMENT sc.gov
The state’s bicameral legislature is dominated by Republicans, but that doesn’t mean it’s a model of smallgovernment efficiency. The Budget and Control Board actually wields much of the power in this state; unique to South Carolina, the board is a hybrid legislative-executive body composed of the governor, the treasurer, the comptroller general, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and the chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Previous attempts by the legislature to reform it have fallen flat. The state’s website, sc.gov, offers links to state agencies, services such as driver’s license renewal and fishing license applications, the latest environmental advisories and more.
Governor
governor.sc.gov Republican Nikki Haley sailed into office in 2011, fending off scandals and beating a field of good ol’ boy career
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Republican politicians and fresh-faced Democrat Vincent Sheheen to become the first female and first Indian-American governor of South Carolina, as well as the nation’s youngest governor. Ever since, she’s been busy busting unions and charming the national press.
State Legislature scstatehouse.gov
The Midlands’ state senators and representatives run pretty moderate, often teaming up across party lines to give attention to local issues.
State Senators (Midlands area) John Courson, R-Richland, 212-6250 Darrell Jackson, D-Richland, 212-6048 Joel Lourie, D-Richland, 212-6116 John Scott, D-Richland, 212-6048 Ronnie Cromer, R-Lexington, 212-6330 Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington, 212-6140 Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, 212-6056
State Representatives (Midlands area) Jimmy Bales, D-Richland, 734-3058 Beth Bernstein, D-Richland, 212-6940 Kirkman Finlay III, R-Richland, 212-6943 Chris Hart, D-Richland, 734-3061 Leon Howard, D-Richland, 734-3046 Joe McEachern, D-Richland, 212-6875 Mia McLeod, D-Richland, 212-6794 Joe Neal, D-Richland, 734-2804 Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, 734-9441 James Smith, D-Richland, 734-2997 Todd Atwater, R-Lexington, 212-6924 Nathan Ballentine, R-Lexington, 734-2969 Kenny Bingham, R-Lexington, 734-3138 Chip Huggins, R-Lexington, 734-2971 Rick Quinn, R-Lexington, 212-6897 Kit Spires, R-Lexington, 734-3010 Mac Toole, R-Lexington, 734-2973
CITY OF COLUMBIA columbiasc.net
Columbia’s government wields more symbolic power than actual power: with just 130,000 residents in the actual city
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT
ONE HAS EVER THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE REMEMBER THAT NO I SHOULD REALLY WRITE THIS DOWN
limits, the city is small — less than half the size of Richland County. But as the capital city, it sets important standards for the region and state. Its website is your starting point for navigating the city bureaucracy, whether the issue is water service, trash pickup or crime.
City Council
Steve Benjamin was elected mayor in 2010 after the previous mayor, Bob Coble, served for 20 years. Downtown revitalization and economic development have been Benjamin’s big buzzwords. He’s up for re-election in November of 2013. Four of the city’s council members are elected from geographic districts, two of which are majority-black. Two more members and the mayor are elected citywide. Mayor Steve Benjamin: 545-3075, skbenjamin@columbiasc.net At-large: Tameika Isaac Devine: 254-8868, tidevine@columbiasc.net At-large: Cameron Runyan: 545-4401, carunyan@columbiasc.net District 1: Sam Davis: 754-0525, sdavis@columbiasc.net
DUST IT OFF. IT’S TIME.
ONE-IN-A-MILLION BUSINESS IDEA?
Clemson MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation ∙ Info session 2/11 ∙ ColumbiaFeb11Info.eventbrite.com 2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
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District 2: Brian Newman, 414-2031, bdnewman@columbiasc.net District 3: Moe Baddourah, 545-4424, mobaddourah@columbiasc.net District 4: Leona Plaugh, 782-1947, lkplaugh@columbiasc.net
RICHLAND COUNTY richlandonline.com
To find out about property tax assessments, marriage licenses, voter registration or registering a new car, the county web site is a good place to start.
Bill Malinowski (R): 932-7919, malinowskib@rcgov.us Jim Manning (D): 787-2896, manningjim@rcgov.us Greg Pearce (R): 783-8792, gpearce@rcgov.us Seth Rose (D): 361-2360, sethrose@rcgov.us Kelvin Washington (D): 404-1530, washingtonk@rcgov.us
LEXINGTON COUNTY lex-co.com
One-stop site for info on property tax, marriage licenses, vehicle registration and more.
County Council Who makes all those important decisions about land use, zoning and property taxes? Richland County Council, that’s who. Joyce Dickerson (D): 750-0154, jdickerson@rcgov.us Julie Ann Dixon (D): 576-2050, dixonj@rcgov.us Norman Jackson (D): 223-4974, jacksonn@rcgov.us Damon Jeter (D): 254-0358, jeterd@rcgov.us Torrey Rush (D): 576-2050, rusht@rcgov.us Paul Livingston (D): 765-1192, livingstonp@rcgov.us
County Council Bill Banning (R): 4661-4822, bbanning@lex-co.com M. Kent Collins (R): 808-0905, mkcollins@lex-co.com Todd Cullum (R): 794-6930, tcullum@lex-co.com Johnny Jeffcoat (R): 509-3089, jjeffcoat@lex-co.com Bobby “Gravedigger” Keisler (R): 359-6033, bkeisler@lex-co.com Jim Kinard Jr. (R): 407-0135, jimkinard@fpsb.com Brad Matthews (R): 466-5995, kbmatthews@lex-co.com
Debbie Summers (R): 518-6858, dsummers@lex-co.com Frank J. Townsend III (R): 800-1766, ftownsend@lex-co.com
OTHER LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES Cayce
cityofcayce-sc.gov This once sleepy Lexington County city has a young mayor and big plans.
Forest Acres
forestacressouthcarolina.com A tree-lined community between Columbia and Fort Jackson to the east.
Irmo
townofirmosc.com The self-described gateway to Lake Murray.
Lexington (Town)
lexsc.com As with Lexington County, the town of Lexington is growing rapidly.
West Columbia
westcolumbiasc.gov Experiencing a nice little renaissance along the State Street corridor bordering the Congaree River.
LOCAL LAWS TO KNOW ABOUT Booze and Nightlife
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In one sense, Columbia has gotten a lot more progressive at the local level, as we’ve voted out a lot of our strange laws over the past decade. No longer must bars only serve alcohol from airline-style minibottles. Beer and wine sales on Sundays are (finally!) allowed. And the blue laws that kept some retail sales off limits until after church hours on Sundays are gone, too. However, in the name of public safety, the City of Columbia has slowly rolled back some of those gains. Bars are forbidden from staying open past 2 a.m. unless they have a special city permit. And young college students take note: The city voted in a curfew that makes Five Points and surrounding areas off-limits to anyone under 17 between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The city also tightened up its open container laws so it’s easier to make drinking tickets hold up in court. And there’s one South Carolina law that still holds a grip statewide: all bars must stop serving at 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Smoking: You can’t smoke in local bars and restaurants, nor in other businesses. Texting: City Council has banned sending and receiving text messages while driv-
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ing. You can, however, still look things up on your GPS and talk on your cell phone.
Code Enforcement: Columbia has a crew of
code enforcement inspectors who can ticket you for such things as letting your lawn grow higher than one foot tall, failing to pull your garbage cans up toward your house after 7:30 p.m. on trash day, putting a couch on your porch or letting your window screens hang askew. So, uh, watch out for that.
Municipal Services Garbage and Recycling
The City of Columbia provides blue recycling bins to homes and empties them curbside weekly. The city collects plastics 1 through 7 (look for the number on the bottom); aluminum; steel food cans and lids; glass (clear, brown and green); newspaper; cardboard and paperboard; and magazines. The city also recycles electronics at its solid waste headquarters (2910 Colonial Drive): People can drop off virtually anything that plugs in, as well as cell phones and household batteries, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every weekday except Wednesday. Richland County also offers curbside recycling via red bins the county provides. The county and city both provide roll carts for trash and pick them up weekly; they also collect yard waste on a separate day of the week, which is taken to composting facilities. For more on recycling or garbage pickup, call the city at 545-3800 or the county at 929-6000. Lexington County contracts with companies for solid waste disposal and recycling. Call 755-3325 for more information.
NONPROFITS If you want to make an impact on your community, one good place to start is by volunteering for or donating to a local nonprofit. Here are places you could start.
Animal Mission of the Midlands
animalmission.com Adopts out pets, works for better conditions in area animal shelters and promotes spay/neuter awareness.
Appleseed Legal Justice Center
scjustice.org Lobbies on public policy affecting low-income Americans, children and immigrants. Provides legal services and education for the underserved.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia
Columbia Urban League
columbiaurbanleague.org Empowers blacks through education, civic engagement and working for racial justice.
Columbia World Affairs Council
columbiawac.org Expands local awareness of internationally related business, trade, culinary and cultural activities in the Midlands and promotes ties between Columbia and the rest of the world.
bbbs.org Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. Serves children ages 6 through 18.
Common Cause of South Carolina
Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands
congareeriverkeeper.org What are you worried about: Stormwater runoff? The trout stock in the Lower Saluda? The environmental impact of new nuclear reactors? The Congaree Riverkeeper has a finger on the pulse of issues affecting the region’s rivers and speaks out to protect them.
bgcmidland.org Formed in 1959, operates 31 clubs, eight summer camps, a teen center and a Zoo Teen program serving youth and families from Fairfield, Lexington and Richland Counties.
Central Carolina Community Foundation
yourfoundation.org Leverages its $79 million endowment to make grants to address critical needs in an 11-county area.
776-2592 A good-government and clean-elections watchdog group.
Congaree Riverkeeper
Family Service Center of South Carolina
fsconline.org Programs range from credit counseling and foreclosure mitigation to dental
clinics and workforce development training.
Gills Creek Watershed Association
gillscreekwatershed.org Attempts to restore and protect Gills Creek, one of several important but impaired creeks running through the city.
Harvest Hope Food Bank
harvesthope.org The need for food assistance skyrocketed in the recession and remains high. Harvest Hope relies on volunteers in order to keep its staff costs down and devote more money to direct assistance.
Historic Columbia
historiccolumbia.org Promotes and protects the historic properties of Columbia. Offers tours, maintains house museums and works to raise historical awareness.
Keep the Midlands Beautiful
keepthemidlandsbeautiful.com Organizes and promotes recycling, cleanup and beautification efforts.
League of Women Voters of South Carolina
lwvsc.org Nonpartisan group promotes access to government and voting, and provides
Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity habitatcsc.org Founded in 1985, the Central South Carolina branch of Habitat for Humanity has built more than 200 homes for Midlands families.
Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR)
ourcor.org Provides volunteer opportunities to help young professionals improve their community through board service, events and leadership programs. Key events COR works with include the World Beer Festival and the USMC Mud Run.
Building with Integrity since 1976
General Contracting Construction Management Preconstruction Design Build www.MashburnConstruction.com n 803.400.1000
January 30, 2013
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public information to educate voters.
ity; promotes spaying and neutering.
Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc.
River Alliance
mirci.org Provides community-based services to individuals recovering from severe mental illness or emotional disorders through counseling, housing and financial management initiatives.
Newcomers of Greater Columbia
newcomersofgreatercolumbia.com New to town? There’s a club specifically for you. Some of you might be better off just picking up a Free Times and heading to Drip Coffee for your orientation, but for you joiners out there it couldn’t hurt to contact this self-described “fun-filled group of ladies.”
Palmetto Cycling Coalition
pccsc.net Promotes bicycling safety and better access for bicyclists across the state.
Pawmetto Lifeline
projectpet.com Promotes adoption and spaying/neutering. Raising funds to build a shelter.
Pets, Inc.
petsinc.org Operates a shelter and adoption facil-
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riveralliance.org It’s taken a long time for Columbia to wake up to the potential of its three rivers. This group is the reason it did.
Rocky Branch Watershed Alliance
rockybranchcreek.org Seeks to protect Rocky Branch — an urban stream with major flooding problems — from development and pollution.
SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
teenpregnancysc.org Educates teens and parents about pregnancy prevention and lobbies for research-based approaches to reducing teen pregnancy.
SC Equality
scequality.org The Pride movement’s legislative cousin, SC Equality is dedicated to lobbying for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered civil rights in South Carolina.
Sistercare
sistercare.com Provides services to battered women and their children. Educates the community, advocates in court on behalf of
domestic abuse victims and provides counseling and shelter to victims.
South Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program scgal.org Guardians ad litem are volunteers who represent the interests of a minor child in court — not as lawyers, but as advocates for the child’s needs.
South Carolina Pride Movement
scpride.org Operates the Harriet Hancock Community Center, a safe haven and resource hub for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered South Carolinians. Sponsors the Pride festival in Columbia, one of the Southeast’s biggest.
Tell Them SC
tellthemsc.org Grassroots advocates for age-appropriate sex education and access to reproductive health counseling and services — areas in which South Carolina lags.
Transitions
transitionssc.org Privately funded program helps the homeless move from the streets into permanent housing with a tiered program of increasing responsibility.
United Way of the Midlands
Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics scelectswomen.com South Carolina only has one female senator. We could do a lot better.
uway.org Works on critical needs in a multicounty area. Key areas include education (adult literacy, dropout prevention, afterschool programs), financial stability (food and shelter programs) and health (health care access, senior independence, dental care and chronic disease management).
Sustainable Midlands
Women in Philanthropy
sustainablemidlands.org If there’s an issue related to healthy, green, livable communities in the Midlands, Sustainable Midlands is involved in it. Brings together environmental organizations with various agendas, finding the common threads and acting for change. Sponsors a popular local holiday shopping event, political debates and more.
get involved: government & nonprofits
womeninphilanthropy.com Works in collaboration with the United Way of the Midlands and the Central Carolina Community Foundation to encourage women to take an activist role in philanthropy. Funds grants to benefit women and children.
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Amick Farms amickfarms.com Sector/industry: Poultry processing Employees: 1,700 Location: Batesburg-Leesville Type: Headquarters Founded in 1941 with one chicken house and 500 baby chicks, Amick Farms now runs state-of-the-art processing facilities in Batesburg, S.C, and Hurlock, Md.
AT&T att.com Sector/industry: Cellular and other
communications
Employees: 2,400 Location: 1201 Main St. Type: Branch
Columbia boasts just about 1 percent of AT&T’s global workforce of 266,590. Headquartered in Dallas, AT&T’s business ranges from smartphones to next-generation TV services and communications solutions for multinationals.
Jobs, Economy & Demographics S
urely you know that the Columbia area is home to Fort Jackson, the University of South Carolina and SCANA — the city’s only Fortune 500 company. But there are other big players in the region, too: insurers, hospitals, banks, manufacturing plants and more. Add in the fact that Columbia is the seat of state government — not to mention county and city government — and what you have is a well-diversified economy that tends to weather economic ups and downs better than many other midsized cities. For its part, Lexington County consistently maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. Columbia is also mak-
ing a play for knowledge-economy workers, particularly in such sectors as insurance technology; hydrogen and fuel cells; and nuclear energy. Here’s a look at the companies and institutions that drive the economy of Richland, Lexington and Kershaw counties, as well as some of the key demographic characteristics of the region.
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Major Regional Employers Allied Barton alliedbarton.com Sector/industry: Private security services Location: 140 Stoneridge Dr. Employees: 1,200 Type: Branch Offers armed and unarmed security services to all types of businesses and institutions.
Amazon.com Fulfillment Center Sector/industry: Distribution Location: 4400 12th St. Extension (West
Columbia)
Employees: 1,000 Type: Branch
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina southcarolinablues.com Sector/industry: Finance and insurance Employees: 6,459 Location: I-20 at Alpine Rd. (Richland County) Type: Headquarters Founded in 1946 by the General Assembly as the South Carolina Hospital Service Plan, BlueCross BlueShield of SC is the only South Carolina-owned and operated health insurance carrier. (Yeah, we note the irony of the current General Assembly’s stance toward health insurance.) Today, the company’s reach extends far beyond the state, with numerous subsidiary businesses offering non-health insurance products and services outside the state. Moved from Greenville to Columbia in 1957 and to its current location in 1966. Statewide, BCBS of SC has more than 11,000 employees.
City of Columbia columbiasc.net Sector/industry: Municipal government Employees: 2,157 Location: 1737 Main St. Type: Headquarters
From business licenses to parking tickets, water bills to trash pick-up and park maintenance to police protection, it takes a lot of people to keep the streets — and the sewers under them — functioning properly.
Order something from Amazon? Somebody is busting their ass running around a warehouse in Lexington County right now trying to get it out to you.
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Small Bank. Big Difference. 1201 Knox Abbott Drive • Cayce, SC 29033 2023 Sunset Boulevard • West Columbia, SC 29169
803.794.BANK (2265)
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jobs, economy & demographics
Colonial Life coloniallife.com Sector/industry: Life insurance Employees: 1,032 Location: 1200 Colonial Life Blvd. Type: Headquarters
Established in 1939, Colonial Life specializes in supplemental insurance products such as accident, disability, life, hospital confinement, cancer and critical illness coverage.
Computer Sciences Corporation csc.com
Sector/industry: Data processing, hosting
and related services
Employees: 1,345 Location: 10301 Wilson Blvd.
(Blythewood)
Type: Branch
CSC is a global technology corporation offering business solutions in a wide range of industries; its Blythewood center is home to the Insurance Innovation Center.
Dorn VA Medical Center columbiasc.va.gov Sector/industry: Health care Employees: 1,457 Location: 6439 Garners Ferry Rd. Type: Headquarters Operates a 216-bed facility encompassing acute medical, surgical, psychiatric and long-term care. Provides primary, secondary and some tertiary care. In 2009, the medical center served 65,730 patients.
First Citizens Bank firstcitizensonline.com Sector/industry: Commercial banking Employees: 1,662 (statewide) Location: 1230 Main St. Type: Headquarters Headquartered in Columbia, First Citizens is a subsidiary of First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc., a bank holding company with more than $8 billion in assets. Founded in 1913, it serves customers in South Carolina and Georgia with a wide range of banking services for individuals and businesses, including brokerage and investment services through First Citizens Securities Corporation.
(Not) Living the American Dream The homeownership rate in Columbia is just 48 percent. Nationally, 67 percent of the population owns a home. Source: American Community Survey 2005-09
Where We Work Palmetto Health 8,033 Fort Jackson 7,000* BlueCross BlueShield of SC 6,459 Lexington Medical Center 5,900 S.C. Dept. of Corrections 5,722 University of South Carolina 5,148 S.C. Dept. of Transportation 4,553 Richland School District One 4,036 S.C. Dept. of Mental Health 3,751 S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control 4,127** Lexington School District One 3,403 Richland School District Two 3,300 SCANA 2,485 AT&T 2,400 Lexington School District Five 2,354 Providence Hospitals 2,255 City of Columbia 2,157 Michelin 1,960 Palmetto GBA 1,900 Richland County 1,700 Midlands Tech 1,600 Wells Fargo 1,475 Dorn VA Medical Center 1,457 United Postal Service 1,423 Computer Sciences Corporation 1,345 Lexington County 1,270 First Citizens Bank 1,662 Allied Barton Security Services 1,200 Westinghouse 1,200 KershawHealth 1,134 Lexington School District Two 1,083 Colonial Life 1,032 Amazon.com Fulfillment Center 1,000 *Includes approximately 3,500 activeduty soldiers and 3,500 civilians. **Includes temporary and grant-funded postions
Fort Jackson jackson.army.mil Sector/industry: Military Employees: 7,000 Location: Exit 12 off I-77 Founded in 1917, Fort Jackson encompasses more than 52,000 acres and is the U.S. Army’s main production center for basic combat training, training half of all Army recruits. On an annual basis, the Fort sends 36,000 soldiers through basic training and 8,000 through advanced individual training. Also home to the Drill Sergeant School, the U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute, the Armed Forces Army Chaplaincy Center and School and the National Center for Credibility Assessment.
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International Paper
internationalpaper.com Sector/industry: Paper mill Employees: 700 Location: 4001 McCords Ferry Rd. (Eastover) Type: Branch International Paper’s Eastover mill is one of the most technologically advanced pulp and paper mills in the world and the lowest-cost producer of uncoated freesheet in North America.
Columbia in Black & White Columbia’s population is made up of 51.7 percent whites and 42.2 percent blacks. In recent years, the proportion of whites in the city limits has been gradually increasing. Just over 4 percent of the city’s residents are Hispanic or Latino. Source: quickfacts.census.gov
Michelin
Invista invista.com Sector/industry: Polymers and fibers Employees: 800 Location : 643 Highway 1 South (Lugoff) Type: Branch
Sector/industry: Tire manufacturing Employees: 1,960 Location: Lexington (two locations) Type: Branch
You think spandex is dead? Think again. Invista is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, primarily for nylon, spandex and polyester applications.
Michelin is big in the Southeast, but it’s particularly big in South Carolina. Michelin North America is headquartered in Greenville, and that’s good for our region, too, as the company recently expanded its Lexington-area production.
KershawHealth Medical Center
Midlands Tech
kershawhealth.org Sector/industry: Health care Employees: 1,134 Location: 1315 Roberts St. (Camden) Type: Headquarters Provides a broad range of health, wellness and medical services at locations all across the Kershaw County area.
Lexington County lex-co.com Sector/industry: Municipal government Employees: 1,270 Location: 206 East Main St. (Lexington) Type: Headquarters
Nobody likes taxes, but people in Lexington County really don’t like taxes. Nonetheless, even Lexington County residents will pony up for the basics like trash collection, water service and probate courts.
Lexington Medical Center lexmed.com Sector/industry: Health care Employees: 5,900 Location: 2720 Sunset Blvd. (West
Columbia)
Type: Headquarters
Lexington Medical Center is a major medical complex anchoring a comprehensive network of more than 600 affiliated physicians, including six community medical and urgent care centers, an occupational health center, the largest extended care facility in the Carolinas and an Alzheimer’s care center. Ranks in the top 10 percent on patient satisfaction surveys and performs more surgeries than any other local hospital.
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midlandstech.edu Sector/industry: Higher education Employees: 1,600 Location: 316 S. Beltline Type: Headquarters Midlands Technical College is a multicampus public institution offering nearly 100 career-oriented programs. Growing number of online classes. Primarily serves the region of Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties.
Palmetto GBA Sector/industry: Heath care, technology Employees: 1,900 Location: 17 Technology Circle (Columbia) Type: Headquarters
Helps businesses reduce costs through streamlining technology, training, finance and customer service. Services include call centers, transaction processing, professional education and training, clinical decision management and more. Has particular expertise in Medicaid and Medicare transaction processing.
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Palmetto Health Sector/industry: Health care Employees: 8,033 Location: 5 Richland Medical Park Type: Headquarters
Has 4,938 employees in Richland County, 2,050 in Lexington County and 369 in Kershaw County. Paid $558 million in salaries and benefits in 2011 and purchased $405 million in goods and services.
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Second Planned City Created by the S.C. General Assembly in 1786, Columbia was the second planned city in the United States. (The first was Savannah, Ga.). It took 15 years before the city hit the 1,000-citizen mark. In 1816, there were just 250 homes in Columbia. Source: www.columbiasc.net
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providencehospitals.com Sector/industry: Health care Employees: 2,255 Location: 2435 Forest Dr. Type: Headquarters Why is it called Providence Hospitals instead of Providence Hospital? Because there are, in fact, a bunch of Providence facilities: Providence Hospital, Providence Heart & Vascular Institute, Providence Hospital Northeast and Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute. Altogether, these facilities are licensed for 304 beds. Recently ranked in the top 15 percent of open-heart surgery programs for the fifth straight year.
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russellandjeffcoat.com Sector/industry: Real estate Employees: 600 Location: 1022 Calhoun St. Type: Headquarters Founded in 1965, Russell & Jeffcoat has become one of the largest residential real estate firms in the Southeast.
S.C. Dept. of Corrections
www.allsouth.org
doc.sc.gov Sector/industry: Government/Public
safety
Employees: 5,722 (statewide) Location: 1735 Haviland Circle Type: District Office
What a raw deal: First some punks rob you, then you have to pay to lock them up. Of course, you’d probably prefer paying twice to leaving the bad guys on the streets. The Department of Corrections oversees roughly 22,000 inmates and operates 27 institutions.
S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control scdhec.gov Sector/industry: Public health Employees: 3,193 (statewide) Location: 2600 Bull St. Type: Headquarters
From air quality to pandemic flu, hospital-acquired infections to oozing landfills, mercury in fish to leaky under-
2013 ANNUAL MANUAL
jobs, economy & demographics
ground fuel tanks, these are the folks charged with looking out for your health. Given this agency’s far-reaching mandate — and the propensity of some corporations to flout the rules — DHEC could probably use twice as many employees.
S.C. Dept. of Mental Health state.sc.us/dmh Sector/industry: Social services Employees: 4,127 Location: 2414 Bull St. Type: Headquarters Develops mental health services that build upon critical local supports: family, friends, faith communities, health care providers and other community services that offer employment, learning, leisure pursuits and other human or clinical supports.
S.C. Dept. of Transportation scdot.org Sector/industry: Government/
Transportation
Employees: 4,553 Location: 955 Park St. Type: Headquarters
When it’s not busy trying to wrangle funds from the General Assembly or contend with that body’s restructuring proposals, the S.C. Dept. of Transportation fixes the state’s roads and bridges, which are in dire need of it.
SCANA Corporation scana.com Sector/industry: Utility Employees: 2,485 Location: 220 Operation Way (Cayce) Type: Headquarters
SCANA is the Midlands’ only Fortune 500 company, generating and selling electricity to 669,000 customers in South Carolina and others in North Carolina and Georgia, as well as buying, selling and transporting natural gas. SCANA also holds investments in telecommunications companies and provides fiber optic communications. The company’s move from Main Street to Cayce has been a boon to Lexington County, which collected $26 million in property taxes from SCANA in 2012.
Schneider Electric schneider-electric.com Sector/industry: Energy management Employees: 530 Location: 8821 Garners Ferry Rd. (Hopkins) Type: Branch Sells a wide range of energy-management equipment, from automation hardware and software to metering equipment, circuit breakers, lighting control systems and more.
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January 30, 2013
Shaw Industries
We Need a Raise
shawfloors.com Sector/industry: Floor-covering
manufacturing Employees: 258 Location: 202 Browning Ct. (Lexington) Type: Branch Manufactures flooring products including carpet, hardwood, laminate, resilient, tile and stone.
Southeastern Freight Lines sefl.com Sector/industry: Transportation and
warehousing
Employees: 587 Location: 420 Davega Rd. (Lexington) Type: Headquarters
Southeastern Freight Lines is a trucking company, yes, but it also offers a full range of logistics solutions.
Target Corporation Sector/industry: Transportation and
warehousing
Employees: 580 Location: 22 Corporate Dr. (Lugoff) Type: Branch
All that stuff you buy at Target doesn’t get on the shelves by itself; it has to go through a distribution center like this one first.
United Postal Service Sector/industry: Distribution and logistics Employees: 1,423 Location: 100 Enterprise Way (West
Columbia)
Type: Branch
You want to get something from one place to another? That’s what these people do — rather efficiently, too. There’s a reason why they’re near the airport.
An Educated Workforce Thirty-nine percent of Columbians have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nationwide, the figure is 27.5 percent. Source: quickfacts.census.gov
University of South Carolina Sector/industry: Educational services Employees: 5,148 Location: Downtown Columbia Type: Flagship university
What’s the impact of USC on the economy of the Midlands? We’re so glad you asked: In November 2011, the university released a study on just this very topic (you can read it at sc.edu/impact). Here’s the cheat sheet: Spending by USC
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The median household income in Columbia is $38,995, compared to the statewide median of $44,587 and a national median income of $52,762. To learn more about raising South Carolinians’ income, visit palmettoinstitute.org. Source: U.S. Census Bureau
U. S. SECURITY ASSOCIAT ASSOCI ATES AT ES
and its alumni pumps $1.3 billion into the regional economy each year and supports 11,362 jobs.
V.C. Summer Nuclear Station Sector/industry: Nuclear utility Employees: 926 Location: Jenkinsville (Fairfield County) Type: Branch (of SCANA)
The nuclear industry is in a deep freeze in a lot of places, but not in South Carolina: The state already gets 51 percent of its power from nuclear plants, and two new Westinghouse AP1000 units are in the works at V.C. Summer. The feds gave final approval to the AP1000 design in December 2011; Unit 2 and Unit 3 should be up and running between 2016 and 2019.
Verizon Communications Sector/industry: Cellular and other
wireless communications
Employees: 1,500 Location: 565 Spears Church Rd. (Elgin) Type: Branch
Elgin location is a 24-hour call center. Can you hear me now?
Wells Fargo wellsfargo.com Sector/industry: Banking Employees: 1,475 Location: 1441 Main St. Type: Branch
Wells Fargo gobbled up Wachovia back in the fall of 2008 at the height of the financial meltdown. Aside from the trademark stagecoach signs, most customers probably haven’t noticed much difference. Supports community initiatives in such areas as housing, education, arts and culture, and more.
Westinghouse Electric westinghouse.com Sector/industry: Engineering services Employees: 1,200 Location: 5801 Bluff Road (Hopkins) Type: Branch Designer of the AP1000 nuclear plant being built at V.C. Summer, Westinghouse provides fuel, services, technology, plant design and equipment for the commercial nuclear electric power industry.
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CMA Museum Shop Downtown: 1515 Main St., 343-2159 columbiamuseum.org From coffee-table-worthy tomes to toys, books, puzzles and kits for the kids in your life, the Museum Shop at Columbia Museum of Art has some of the most unique gifts in the city. Pick up a few postcards to remember the museum’s latest exhibition or a one-of-a-kind gift by a local artist.
Cotton Mill Exchange at the S.C. State Museum Vista: 301 Gervais St., 898-4967 scmuseum.org/store Features an array of South Carolinathemed items. From ties to holiday ornaments to gourmet food and jewelry, it’s one of the best museum shops around.
The Crescent Olive
shopping
Kelli Rego, Hip-Wa-Zee photo by seth gadsden
T
here are a few things that come to mind when you try to define Columbia: It’s the state capital; it’s the home of the Gamecocks; it’s home to Fort Jackson; and it has lots of bars and restaurants in Five Points and The Vista. But shopping? If you’ve been in Columbia long enough, you’ve heard people talk about everywhere else they go to shop. The IKEA in Charlotte probably tops the list, but you’ll also hear people plotting shopping trips to Charleston, Atlanta and virtually every other Southeastern city that isn’t Columbia. Hey, everybody needs to get out of town once in awhile. But don’t overlook your own backyard: Columbia has a lot of interesting and eclectic locally owned shops, and they deserve your attention — and your cash. Plus, we’re attracting new
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national retailers all the time. (Yes, we know Whole Foods has practically made your life.) So, what is it you’re looking for? Some vintage clothing? Local pottery? A party dress? A good bottle of wine? Furniture? Records? A gift? A kayak? Our city has it all and a lot more. You can look at a phone book if you want to see a list of every business in town; here, you’ll find a few highlights to get you started. Read on; our shopping guide is full of original Columbia shopping destinations.
shopping
Gifts & Galleries Artizan Downtown: 1217 Bull St., 728-0282 artizansc.com Offers creative gifts in various media including glass, textiles, wood, photography, pottery and more. Especially known for its jewelry, including a wide array of pearls: cultured freshwater, cultured saltwater (Akoya), South Seas and Tahitian.
Carol Saunders Gallery Vista: 922 Gervais St., 256-3046 From fine jewelry to holiday ornaments and unique glassware, Carol Saunders is an excellent spot for gifts. Don’t miss the gallery space in the back of the shop, where there’s always an interesting artist’s work hanging.
Devine Street: 2901-C Devine St., 771-7774 facebook.com/thecrescentolive The Crescent Olive is a welcome addition to Devine Street, offering premium olive oils and aged vinegars — along with a helpful, knowledgeable staff to help you find your way around. If you haven’t tried a few drops of blackberry-ginger vinegar on vanilla ice cream, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Edible Arrangements Five Points: 605 Harden St., 251-2544 ediblearrangements.com Sure, you could send flowers, but who would eat those? Edible arrangements — think chocolate-dipped fruit or fresh fruit arrangements — are visually attractive, and, you know, delicious, which is pretty awesome. Additional locations on Saint Andrews Road and Forum Drive.
Finleaf Gallery Devine Street: 2323 Devine St., 254-8327 finleaf.com Located in a historic Shandon home, Finleaf offers fine loose-leaf teas, original artwork and unique hand-selected gifts from throughout the world.
if ART Gallery Vista: 1223 Lincoln St., 238-2351 ifartgallery.blogspot.com If ART shows contemporary art by artists from South Carolina, the United States and Europe.
One-Eared Cow Glass
City Art Vista: 1224 Lincoln St., 252-3613 cityartonline.com With two floors full of art, City Art sets itself apart from other Vista galleries not only with its size but also with its wide selection of art supplies. Also has a frequent buyer program.
Vista: 1001 Huger St., 254-2444 oneearedcow.com A hand-blown glass studio and gallery, One-Eared Cow offers colorful vases, bowls, birdfeeders, chandeliers — even sinks — made by the artists who own the shop.
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Portfolio Art Gallery
Southern Pottery
Five Points: 2007 Devine St., 256-2434 portfolioartgal.com A Five Points landmark, Portfolio offers handmade jewelry and crafts, and art by local artists at a variety of price points, which makes it great for gift shopping.
Shandon: 3105 Devine St., 251-3001 southern-pottery.com Southern Pottery displays pottery from pots to sculpture by different artists in a quirky Devine Street house, where owner Donna Green is always willing to give you a piece’s backstory. Southern Pottery also offers wheel throwing and hand building classes in the studio space behind the gallery.
Pupcakes Pet Boutique
Five Points: 625 Harden St., 461-0236 pupcakespetboutique.com Pupcakes stocks chic dog carriers, designer dog beds, collars and leashes, dog bowls, and yes, clothing. Did we mention the fresh-baked (dog) treats?
Redbird Studio & Gallery
Rosewood: 2757 Rosewood Drive, 727-2955 redbirdstudioandgallery.com Offers ceramics, sculpture, prints, drawings and wearable art by local and regional artists. Also offers classes.
S&S Art Supply
Downtown: 1633 Main St., 661-9700 sandsartsupply.com From paint, brushes, pens, pencils, pastels, clay and drafting materials to tools, tapes, adhesives and easels, S&S has art supplies for professionals, students and hobbyists. Art students, teachers and military personnel get a 15 percent discount with identification.
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Tapp’s Arts Center Downtown: 1644 Main St., 609-3479 tappsartscenter.com Displays and sells works by local artists. Participates in monthly First Thursdays on Main series with exhibitions and performances. Studio space available for artists.
Clothing & Accessories B.E.E. Maternal/Bumble Boutique Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Drive, 834-7225 beematernal.com These two side-by-side shops have you stylishly covered from maternity wear to children’s clothing. B.E.E. maternal leads the pack for maternity clothing in Columbia, and Bumble Boutique’s classic
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children’s lines make it a favorite in Forest Acres.
tion of shoes and jewelry, too.
Cho on Main Salon & Boutique
Bella Vista Vista: 929 Gervais St., 251-3336 bellavistabridal.com Upscale bridal boutique offering designers like Lazaro and Augusta Jones, and suggests making an appointment for bridal consultations. The shop also has a full range of wedding accessories and bridesmaid and wedding party dresses.
Lexington: 127 E. Main St., 356-1111 choonmain.com This full-service salon offers more than haircuts and color. With a small boutique offering trendy clothing and shoes, Cho on Main stocks brands like Velvet and Sweet Pea and also the manicurists’ favorite, Essie nail polish.
Circa 1332
Bluestein’s Vista: 933 Gervais St., 779-2244 bluesteinsinthevista.com What does Bluestein’s stock? What doesn’t Bluestein’s stock is a better question. From aprons, uniforms and blankets to jackets, sweatshirts and umbrellas, this family-owned institution is known for textiles, and insiders know it’s the place for kitchen towels on the cheap.
Bohemian
Five Points: 707 Saluda Avenue, 256-0629 facebook.com/shopbohemian Shop-bohemian.com Like its furniture-oriented counterpart, Bohemian specializes in having well-edited and contemporary tastes. Stocks stylish women’s clothing and accessories that 20-somethings scoop up at various price points. Don’t miss the shop’s astute selec-
shopping
Downtown: 1332 Main St., 252-6714 facebook.com/circa1332 A 2012 addition to the downtown retail scene, Circa 1332 offers men’s fashion for the younger set. Launched by the nearby Granger Owings, Circa 1332 should do especially well once the new dorms open in the Palmetto Center.
Coplon’s Forest Acres: 4825 Forest Drive, 790-0015 coplons.com From Jason Wu and Oscar de la Renta to coveted Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo shoes, Coplon’s is Columbia’s highend women’s clothing shop that also sells handbags, jewelry and cosmetics.
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of all kinds and has three other locations. Super-low prices, also.
Revente Five Points: 737 Saluda Ave., 256-3076 shoprevente.com Revente is Columbia’s designer consignment shop. And with labels like Chanel, Christian Dior, Tory Burch, Louis Vuitton, Prada and much more, regulars know that visiting frequently is key to scoring big at Revente.
Sid Nancy Five Points: 733 Saluda Ave., 779-6454 shopsidnancy.com Want to know where the cool clothes are? You need to know Sid Nancy. A buy-trade-sell store, Sid Nancy carries affordable clothes, jewelry, accessories, gifts and more. Recycle vintage clothing for cash, or trade in a book and check out another for free.
Sylvan’s
Jessica Gorham, Double Takes photo by seth gadsden
Dems Jewelers
Irmo: 1068 Lake Murray Blvd., 407-5290 Founded in 1969, Dems Fine Jewelers relocated to the Irmo area in 2004. Prides itself on having a casual, friendly atmosphere and offering quality, fashionable jewelry, watches and gifts.
Double Takes
Vista: 1211 Lincoln St., 771-2335 facebook.com/doubletakesvista Owned by William Starrett, artistic director of the Columbia City Ballet and co-owner of the Columbia Conservatory of Dance, Double Takes offers new, vintage and recycled clothing. Customers can consign clothes for cash or store credit.
Frame of Mind
place; you’ll likely leave happy.
Good for the Sole Five Points: 631 Harden St., 254-9488 You need shoes, but you don’t want to drive to a mall. So don’t. Carries brands like Jack Rogers, Naot, Cushe, Sperry, Taos, Rainbow, OTZ and Fly London.
Granger Owings Downtown: 1333 Main St., 252-6714 grangerowings.com Are you a working stiff? Granger Owings caters to the Main Street business crowd with fine clothing and top-notch customer service. With brands like Barbour, Corneliani, Southern Proper and Cole Haan, Granger Owings offers both business attire and casual clothing for men and women.
Downtown: 1520 Main St., 988-1065 artofeyewear.com With brands like Theo and Anne et Valentin, Frame of Mind stocks unique, highend glasses and sunglasses. But the shop has become a fixture on Main Street not only because of its impressive eyewear, but also because of owner Mark Plessinger’s role in creating the First Thursdays on Main Street art-crawl series.
Devine Street: 2822 Devine St., 251-2946 handpicked.com With three other locations in the Midlands, HandPicked sells trendy jewelry, with a great selection of sterling silver (which can be engraved) and a few home accessories too.
Gentleman’s Closet
Julia Neal Fashions
Five Points: 717 Saluda Ave., 256-3868 Need a vintage suit, a cool shirt or some dress shoes, but you don’t have a fortune to spend on it? Dig around in this
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HandPicked
Five Points: 721 Saluda Ave., 799-1616 Fashion and jewelry in the heart of Five Points; offers a high-end boutique feel without the sky-high prices.
shopping
Downtown: 1500 Main St., 779-2250 sylvans.com For special-occasion jewelry gifts, diamonds, estate pieces, watches, Sylvan’s is a Columbia institution for important jewelry purchases. Sells the likes of John Hardy, Mikimoto and Rolex.
Unforgettable Jewelry
Just the Thing Devine Street: 2732 Devine St., 771-9969 shopjustthething.com From jewelry and handbags to accessories and clothing, Just the Thing has plenty of fashion-savvy pieces to complete outfits at several price points.
Devine Street: 2511 Devine St., 779-3636, unforgettable-jewelry.com From diamonds and pearls to semi-precious jewelry, Unforgettable Jewelry is a young, hip jewelry store that offers classes each month on selecting diamonds.
Urban Thread
KD’s Treehouse Devine Street: 2911 Devine St., 748-0198 kdstreehouse.com This shop offers great selection of 100 percent organic cotton, eco-friendly and clothing lines for infants, toddlers and youth, as well as cloth diapers, products and toys made with eco-friendly materials and fair labor practices.
Kicks Devine Street: 2921 Devine St., 254-3937 shopatkicks.com Kicks is the place in Columbia for women’s shoes from rain boots to evening pumps. The shop stocks brands like Kate Spade and Michael Kors, and sales are not to be missed.
Five Points: 613 Harden St., 931-8800 A catalog outlet store for Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and J. Crew. Great prices for women’s clothing, shoes and accessories and a small selection of men’s clothing.
Van Jean Devine Street: 2734 Devine St., 252-4339, shopvanjean.com Van Jean stocks a well-edited selection of designer wares. From classically tailored looks to current trends, Van Jean also stocks Loeffler Randall Shoes and Jane Pope jewelry. Don’t miss Van Jean’s sales or the back room with marked-down inventory.
Wish
Loose Lucy’s Five Points: 709 Saluda Ave., 252-1390 looselucys.com Loose Lucy’s got its start in 1990 selling tie-dye shirts in the parking lot at Grateful Dead shows. More than 20 years later, it’s Columbia’s established venue for hippie and bohemian clothing and merchandise
Five Points: 713 Saluda Ave., 931-3247 ilovewish.com With well-priced trendy dresses, tops, handbags, jewelry and shoes, Gamecock undergrads flock to Wish.
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prepared foods and a wine shop with an knowledgeable staff, go for the shopping and stay for chicken salad or brunch in the Gourmet Shop’s café.
Hay Hill Garden Market Southeast: 1625 Bluff Road, 834-6652 hayhillgardenmarket.com Offers an extensive and thoughtful variety of plants, ranging from native flowering plants and shrubs to the odd and unusual. Also carries English-forged garden tools, outdoor furniture, top-of-the-line grills and accessories and select gifts.
Lewis + Clark Gallery Vista: 1221 Lincoln St., 765-2405 lewisandclarklamps.com Handmade postmodern art lamps made of paper, steel, glass and wood. A true Columbia original.
M Boutique Cross Hill Market: 702 Cross Hill Rd., Suite 400A, 765-2243, shopmboutique.com In the heart of Devine Street, M Boutique sells mid-priced trendy women’s clothing from brands like Joe’s Jeans, French Connection and BCBG Generation. Most tops are under $100.
MACK Home Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Drive, 790-9911 Handcrafted furniture, lighting, art and home accessories are all available at MACK. The interior designer-owned shop’s neutral, relaxing palate offers a welcome shopping experience in Forest Acres.
Dan Hare, Bluetile Skateshop photo by seth gadsden
Home & Garden Bohemian Home Devine Street: 2720 Devine St., 779-4966 bohemianhome.com It’s not always easy to find the contemporary furniture you’re looking for around here — until you check with Bohemian Home. With Columbia’s best selection of contemporary home furnishings and accessories, the huge Devine Street shop’s gift-worthy items are icing on the cake. Carries stylish contemporary lines from Stressless, Amisco, American Leather, BDI and Younger.
Bones, Rugs and Harmony
Five Points: 718 Santee Ave., 338-0545 bonesrugsandharmony.com This store’s tag line is “creative home consignment.” From vintage, modern and repurposed home décor to furniture, antiques or musical instruments, this is one of the places you just need to browse around in for awhile.
Carl Thomas Lamps Vista: 724 Lady Street, (803) 256-3713 The artful, traditional lamp is becoming
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a thing of the past, but not at Carl Thomas. This gallery of lighting also sells custom lamps and chandeliers and makes lamp repairs.
odds of a hit increase greatly. Dining room furniture, bunk beds — you name it, if it’s for your home, Consignment 1st probably has it, gently used, at a great price.
Carolina Imports
Ellen Taylor Interiors + Design
Vista: 705 Gervais St., 748-9889 carolinaimportsfurniture.com Like choices? Carolina Imports has a lot of them. From traditional heavy wood tables and accent pieces to on-trend chairs and bedroom furniture, Carolina Imports is also known for its good prices.
Vista: 807 Gervais St., Suite 100, 758-1007 ellentaylorinteriors.com Interior Designer Ellen Taylor’s Gervais Street retail shop and gallery has fine original art, a selection of furniture and accessories.
Columbia Antique Mall Vista: 602 Huger St., 765-1584 Twenty-five antique dealers in 25,000 square feet means Columbia Antique Mall has a wide selection of Americana collectibles, statuaries and fountains in addition to period furniture and accessories.
Consignment 1st Harbison: 281A Park Terrace, 749-7501 consignment1st.com In the middle of big-box land, the size of Consignment 1st, a home furnishings consignment shop is actually welcome. Consignment stores can be hit or miss, but the sheer size of this store means the
shopping
Forest Lake Gardens Forest Acres: 5210 N. Trenholm Rd., 787-2737 A garden center at the busiest intersection in Forest Acres? Absolutely. Forest Lake Gardens has a fine selection of ornamental shrubs and annuals. The employees are knowledgeable gardeners capable of helping the blackest of thumbs.
Gourmet Shop Five Points: 724 Saluda Ave., 799-3705 thegourmetshop.net If it has to do with food, wine or your kitchen, it’s at Gourmet Shop. With Lodge cast iron cookware, Riedel glassware, fine linens, cigars, kitchen accessories,
Non(e)such Devine Street: 2754 Devine St. 254-0772 nonesuchltd.com A favorite of brides forming their gift registries, Non(e)such also stocks antiques, jewelry, home accessories, linens and baby gifts.
Southern Vistas Rosewood: 2825 Commerce Dr., 609-0559 southernvistasinc.com If Southern Vistas is good enough to have done landscape architecture for Riverbanks Zoo and Asheville’s Grove Park Inn, we’re pretty sure they’re good enough for your needs, too. Offers a full range of flourishing plants, shrubbery, perennials and ground cover.
Strobler Forest Acres: 4721 Forest Drive, 790-6300 strobler.com With a 15,000-square-foot showroom, Strobler has an excellent selection of well-priced home furnishings, with several pieces that offer customizable fabric options. Don’t miss the clearance center in the back of the store for great prices on case goods and furniture.
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Half Moon Outfitters photo by austin price
The Urban Garden Hydroponics
Northeast: 9557 Two Notch Rd., Suite E, 788-9313, columbiahydroponics.net Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil, and it offers several advantages to growers: mobility; greater ability to control nutrient levels; stable and high yields; and greater control of pests and diseases. The Urban Garden sells everything you need to grow indoors and offers a range of free services, including grow room design, energy cost calculation, nutrient samples and more.
Westend
West Columbia: 830 Meeting St., 794-5010 westendluxury.com With furniture lines like Drexel Heritage, Baker, Henredon and Hickory Chair, Interior Designer Evon Kirkland’s large showroom is full of fine furniture, sprinkled with accessories, art and carefully selected antiques, to suit tastes from traditional to modern. Westend also offers bridal registry services.
Whit-Ash Furnishings
Vista: 919 Gervais St., 779-5123 whitash.net Whit-Ash is a mecca for affordable furniture in Columbia. The huge Vista warehouse also offers oriental rugs, mattresses and accessories.
Woodley’s Garden Center
Northeast: 10015 Two Notch Rd., 788-1487 Harbison/Irmo: 2840 Dreher Shoals Rd., 407-0601, woodleysgardencenter.com Whether you’re planning some major landscaping or just sprucing things up here and there, you’d be wise to check out the selection and talk to the experts at Woodley’s first.
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Outdoors & Sports Adventure Carolina Cayce: 1107 State St., 796-4505 adventurecarolina.com Specializing in canoeing and kayaking gear, Adventure Carolina also carries equipment and clothing for backpacking, rock climbing, camping and bicycling. The store’s commitment doesn’t end with gear, either: They also schedule regular trips down the Congaree and more; events change seasonally.
The Backpacker
Vista: 1215 Wayne St., 799-7571 backpackerqualitygear.com Established in 1973, The Backpacker carries all your favorites from Patagonia, The North Face and other top brands, including anything you could possibly need to go camping, hiking or climbing.
Bluetile Skateshop Five Points: 621 Harden St., 376-1880 bluetilesc.com A skater-owned skate shop, Bluetile carries a variety of skateboards, equipment, shoe and clothing brands.
Cycle Center Five Points: 1001 Harden St., 256-0557 cyclecenter.com Maybe you know brand names like Specialized, Cannondale, Pinarello, Fuji and Eddy Merckx. Maybe you don’t. Either way, Cycle Center can help you out. Second location at 9003 Two Notch Road.
Get Your Gear On Greystone/Zoo Area: 208 Candi Ln., 799-0999, getyourgearon.com With a stated mission of keeping the outdoors affordable, Get Your Gear On offers both new and consignment items for hiking, climbing, cycling, canoeing and kayaking.
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Fred Gantt, Hay Hill Market photo by kristine hartvigsen
Half Moon Outfitters Devine Street: 2912 Devine St., 929-0771 halfmoonoutfitters.com With outdoor gear and clothing and footwear for men, women and children, Half Moon Outfitters occupies an expansive space on Devine Street complete with a solar panel tree, which powers the store.
Mast General Downtown: 1601 Main St., 771-2300 mastgeneralstore.com Truth be told, Mast could also be listed under Gifts, Toys & Candy or Home & Garden. A key player in Columbia’s ongoing Main Street revitalization, Mast General stocks everything from outdoor gear to candy by the pound, clothing and kitchen tools. Of particular note is the children’s toy section, which stocks nostalgia-inducing toys like the old-school Jack in the Box, Pick-Up Sticks, Sock Monkeys and jacks sets.
Outspokin’ Devine Street: 3223 Devine St., 254-9797 outspokinbicycles.com Ever feel like your bike just doesn’t feel right? Outspokin’ owner Brian Curran has done fittings for literally thousands of riders. Wide selection of bicycles and accessories.
Palmetto Outdoor Center West Columbia: 731 Meeting St., 360-4697 palmettooutdoor.com Sells used kayaks, canoes, tubes, life jackets and paddles. Also rents full line of gear.
River Runner
Vista: 905 Gervais St., 771-0353 riverrunner.us With three rivers in the Midlands, River
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Runner has everything you need to tackle them, from kayaks and canoes to gear and car-top racks. River Runner also rents canoes and kayaks daily.
Salty’s Surf Shop Devine Street: 2712 Devine St., 748-9946 facebook.com/saltysboardshopcolumbia Salty’s is the place for board sports, gear, clothing and accessories. Surfboards, skateboards, snowboards and wake boards included. Salty’s also carries a full line of eyewear from the likes of Costa del Mar and Smith, as well as a wide selection of flip-flops and TOMS.
Summit Cycles Northeast: 10171 Two Notch Rd., 462-0380 summitcyclesbikeshop.com Whether you’re a hardcore mountain biker, a serious road cyclist, or just someone looking to have a lot of fun, Summit Cycles has you covered. Website features a bike-finder tool to help you narrow down what you’re looking for.
Todd & Moore Sporting Goods Vista: 620 Huger St., 765-0150 toddandmoore.com Todd & Moore offers a full range of athletic wear, equipment, shoes and sporting goods for baseball, football, soccer, tennis, lacrosse and more.
Toys & Candy Be Beep Toys Forest Acres: 4525 Forest Dr., 787-5772 bebeeptoys.com Legos, action figures, arts and crafts, puppets and stuffed animals: Be Beep has
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“The Best Kept Secret in Columbia”
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McNair Zervos (left) and Aya Alshafei (right), VanJean photo by seth gadsden it all, including stylish school supplies and of-the-moment toys on your child’s wish list.
Tic Toc Candy Shoppe Five Points: 730 Santee Ave., 708-9030 tictoccandy.com Twenty-one colors of M&Ms. Belgian chocolates. Customizable candy trays. Classic Mary Jane’s and Sugar Babies childhood favorites. Get to Five Points for a wall-to-wall shop full of candy you’ll crave long after you leave.
Uptown Downtown: 1204 Main St., 661-7651 uptownsc.com One of Main Street’s newest shopping spots, Uptown offers chocolate truffles (for those who need a lunchtime cocoa fix), greeting cards, stationery, baby gifts and more.
Party Time Vista: 1700 Huger St., 1-800-322-7688 cromers.com Popcorn! Boiled peanuts! Cotton candy! Caramel apples! Yes, it’s like having the fair in town all year around. Awesome. Also sells a variety of Carolina and Clemson party supplies, and anything else you need for tailgating.
Green’s Beverages Downtown: 400 Assembly St., 799-9499 greensbeverages.com Whether you’re frantically scurrying for the right wine to serve with dinner or heading to a tailgate, Green’s is one of the city’s go-to sources for all types of alcoholic beverages. With a regular tasting lineup,
shopping
If It’s Paper Downtown: 2429 Main St., 252-3636 ifitspaperstore.com Need wrapping paper, cake-decorating supplies or an envelope of a particular shade? If It’s Paper stocks party, wedding, catering and gift-packaging supplies. The store’s decor isn’t fancy, but the place is chock-full of difficult-to-find paper supplies.
Morganelli’s Party Store Forest Acres: 3155 Forest Dr., 738-2337 Ice, mixers, kegs, liquor and wine, everything you need for a party. Morganelli’s has a staff that’s particularly knowledgeable and helpful with wine selections.
The Peanut Man
Cromer’s
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hard-to-find wines and a growler service, Green’s is also conveniently located near USC (maybe a little too conveniently). Also has a location at 4012 Fernandina Road, 744-0570.
The Vista: 1215 Lincoln St., 799-9988 thepeanutman.com It’s called The Peanut Man, and sure, it sells boiled, raw, roasted and gourmet peanuts. But you’ll also find candy apples, cotton candy, fudge, popcorn and more here. Also has a location in the Village at Sandhill.
Total Wine Harbison: 275 Harbison Blvd. D, 407-3737 totalwine.com There’s a reason why Total Wine calls itself America’s Wine Superstore: Each location carries approximately 8,000 different types of wine, 3,000 types of spirits and 2,500 different beers. Overwhelmed? Its employees will be happy to help you out. Get your drink on.
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Alternative Cool clothes, piercings, bongs, tattoos, sex toys — no, they don’t necessarily all go together. But some folks in Columbia are pretty uptight about these kinds of things, so we’ve grouped them together to spare those people’s innocent little heads the agony — they can skip this section. But the truth is that people do get pierced and — gasp! —have sex; some of them even do it in, shall we say, unorthodox ways. Hey, we could’ve listed the adult stores in the Gifts section, but in this town we might have ended up with hundreds of protesters at our doors.
8 Sins Tattoo St. Andrews/Bush River: 2301 Bush River Rd., 750-2485 8sinstattoo.com Andy Spreeuwers of 8 Sins Tattoo nabbed runner-up for Free Times Best of Columbia Best Tattoo Experience last year, so you know this place is legit.
Animated Canvas Vista: 1209 Park St., 758-6002 animatedcanvas.com Animated Canvas’ Shane Anderson won runner-up for Best Tattoo Experience in the Free Times Best of Columbia poll in 2012. He’s inked people up and down the entire East Coast. So, he can handle that
Aaron Bayard, Cycle Center photo by seth gadsden
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shopping
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KD Safran, High Life Smoke Shop photo by seth gadsden butterfly, Celtic cross, dragon or whatever it is you want. Also has a location at 4325 Augusta Road in Lexington.
Devine Street Tattoo
Devine Street: 4451 Devine St., 782-0753 devinestreettattoo.com What do you want? An eagle? A ship? A milkshake? A gorilla? A beautiful woman? Ink artist Jonathan Cheston — winner of Best Tattoo Experience in our 2012 readers’ poll — has done them all, with a good eye for detail, color and shading. Tell him what you want, and odds are he can make it happen.
on Facebook, Instagram (@indigorosetattoo) or Twitter (@indigorosesc).
Knotty Headz 1608 Decker Blvd., 603-0641 knottyheadz.com Tattoos and body piercings. Additional location Broad River Road.
Lucky 7’s Tattoo West Columbia: 3937 Platt Springs Road, 755-7472 You don’t have to live near Five Points to get a tattoo.
High Life Smoke Shop
Nancy’s Nook
Five Points: 631-A Harden St., 255-3485 highlifesmokeusa.com A modern tobacco shop with a wide variety of hand pipes as well as water pipes, hookah supplies, T-shirts and jewelry.
St. Andrews: 3311 Broad River Rd., 798-1010 It’s not called the store for couples for nothing. Open 24 hours, Nancy’s Nook is Columbia’s established adult store (and the place for bachelor and bachelorette party planning).
Hip-Wa-Zee
Five Points: 940 Harden St., 376-1500 facebook.com/hipwazee This eclectic shop rents costumes of all kinds year round, but they also offer vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories.
Immaculate Body Piercing
Five Points: 2009 Greene St., 799-2877 immaculatepiercing.com This shop is all about safety. Their piercers are trained to exceed South Carolina requirements, and after your piercing has healed, Immaculate also offers a wide variety of jewelry, including custom settings and jeweler-quality pieces.
Natural Vibrations Five Points: 719 Harden St., 771-4144 Need a Marley poster? A tie-dyed shirt? Rolling papers? Natural Vibrations has been meeting the head-shop demand in Columbia since 1997.
Taboo Adult Superstore Devine Street: 4716 Devine St., 738-8307 Two words: Adult superstore. It’s a oneof-a-kind store in Columbia, and controversy surrounded the store’s opening near affluent Columbia neighborhoods, a fact that City Council has responded to by trying to zone the place out of existence. But yes, for now, there is an adult shop on Devine Street.
Indigo Rose Tattoo
Five Points: 2009 Greene St., Suite 112 facebook.com/indigorosetattoostudio Want to know what kind of work Indigo Rose does? That’s easy: Check them out
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Papa Jazz Record Shoppe
Brett J. Kent, Papa Jazz
Five Points: 2014 Greene St., 256-0095 papajazz.com If you’re new in town, this will be the first record store that your new hipster friends will direct you to. And with good reason — this charming hole in the wall has an international reputation due to its extensive inventory of jazz (duh!) and vinyl, and you can browse the new and used racks for both CDs and DVDs. Papa Jazz has a 25-year year history of selling rare music, particularly jazz, but it also carries R&B, hip-hop, indie rock, progressive rock, classic rock, reggae and more.
photo by seth gadsden
Pecknel Music Company Five Points: 732 Saluda Ave., 799-6860 pecknelmusic.com From guitars to keyboards to DJ & club gear, Pecknel has anything to do with making music, including sheet music and books.
Scratch N Spin West Columbia: 513 12th St., 794-8888 scratchnspin.com This Triangle City shop has just about everything an audiophile could want, from records and cassettes to and VHS tapes to CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray, and its used selection is top-notch. Also sells turntables, comic books, video games, action figures and clothing.
Silver City Comics
Music, Books, Comics & ‘Zines We know some of you believe that CDs and books are kind of passé what with all those iPads, iPods and Kindles, but others among you are still carrying the torch for the formats of yesteryear. Besides, bookstores and record stores are still good places to hit on bookstore and record store employees.
Addams University Bookstore (USC) Downtown: 152 Assembly St., 256-6666 Usc.bkstr.com Student-textbook store also offers Gamecock apparel and other miscellany.
Barnes & Noble 1400 Greene St. (Russell House University Union), 777-4160 3400 Forest Dr., 787-5600 278-A Harbison Blvd., 749-9009 barnesandnoble.com Fact: Columbia has the most Barnes & Noble locations in the state, each replete with its own Starbucks. Suck it, Charleston!
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Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor
Ed’s Editions
West Columbia: 710 Meeting St., 796-6477 billsmusicshop.com The place to go in Columbia if you’re looking for a dobro, banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar or any other old-timey instrument.
West Columbia: 406 Meeting St., 791-8002 edseditions.com Ed’s Editions has been voted Columbia’s Best Used Bookstore by Free Times readers several years in a row, and for good reason: Ed’s is organized, inviting and stocks a huge array of diverse books. Don’t miss the Rare Book room, which houses books ranging in value from $100 to $1,000.
The Book Dispensary St. Andrews/Broad River: 710-C Gracern Road, 798-4739 mybookdispensary.com Maybe you want to browse aisle upon aisle of used romance novels. Maybe you want to dig for an old South Carolina history book. Maybe you have a hankering for a gardening book, a philosophy book or a classic novel. Have at it: There are row upon rows of hardcovers, paperbacks and collectibles. Also offers book repair and rebinding.
Comic Nirvana Lexington: 5135 Sunset Blvd., 356-0605 comicnirvana.com With children’s comics, comic collecting supplies, graphic novels, Marvel Select action figures, T-shirts, and new and backissue comic books, it’s a comic lover’s paradise.
shopping
Cayce: 538 Knox Abbott Dr., 791-4021 Silver City’s quaint digs are packed to the gills with new and used comics and comic memorabilia.
Sims Music St. Andrews: 1110 St Andrews Rd., 772-1185 simsmusic.com Sure, you have to hoof it out to St. Andrews to get to Sims, but it’s worth the trek.
South Carolina Bookstore
Heroes & Dragons St. Andrews: 510 Bush River Rd., 731-4376 Facebook.com/heroesanddragons Heroes & Dragons buys, sells and trades used comics, books, games and toys. Looking for Star Wars collectibles or Mattel’s She-Ra? Look no further.
Manifest St. Andrews/Broad River: 1563-A Broad River Rd., 798-2606, manifestdisc.com With so few independent music shops, Manifest is a gem. The shop offers music, movies, vinyl, games and clothing. Also buys and trades.
USC/South Main: 801 Main St., 799-7406 scbookstore.com Student-textbook store also offers Gamecock apparel, school supplies and other miscellany.
Star Music starmusicshop.com Downtown: 1322 Assembly St., 252-8133 Carries guitars, band instruments, sheet music and accessories. String players take note: This is the place to get the old violin set up.
The Watershed Lexington: 711 E. Main St. (Lexington), 951-8944, watershedbooks.net Offers books, spiritual ministry and occasional live music.
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Adult Activity Center Northeast: 7494 Parklane Rd., 462-9995 richlandcountyrecreation.com Includes a fitness center staffed by a certified trainer and offering weights, treadmill, elliptical trainer and more. Offers classes year-round. Also offers banquet facilities for lease. Open to adults only.
Ballentine Community Center Irmo: 1009 Bickley Rd., 781-2031 richlandcountyrecreation.com Located on a 20.5-acre parcel, the Ballentine Community Center offers a recreation building with meeting rooms, a kitchen, a crafts room, a fitness room, basketball courts, soccer fields, playground and a walking trail. Hosts community activities including arts and crafts, dances, wedding receptions, baby showers, birthday celebrations, family reunions and meetings. Maximum capacity is 125.
The Caddy Shak
Riverfront Park PHOTO BY AUSTIN PRICE
Outdoors & Recreation
S
ailing on the sparkling blue waters of a pristine 50,000-acre lake? Check. Hiking through the largest old-growth floodplain forest on the continent? Check. Kayaking, tubing, canoeing or fishing for striped bass and trout on three different rivers? Check. Sports complexes for swimming, tennis, soccer and dodgeball? Check. When it comes to world-class outdoors and recreation options, Columbia offers more than you might imagine. Yes, really. Perhaps the biggest recent change in Columbia’s outdoor recreation is access to the Congaree River. Once harboring something of a laissez-faire attitude toward access to the riverbanks behind it, last year the Riverbanks Zoo erected a large fence in its parking lot to block access. Why? Because some folks who hung out down there were messy and unruly. So now one of the most popular free access points is closed. Some city leaders are trying to address this. In the meantime,
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you might be able to find your own creative way around the fence, but Free Times must warn you that you run the risk of having your car towed and/or getting a ticket. But we do wish you luck. Even with river access a bit of a hassle, there are lots of outdoor options and plenty of ways to learn more about them. State and national parks, for instance, host a wide variety of talks, walks and more; you can access those details on their websites. Outdoors and sports-
outdoors & recreation
related retail outlets are also great resources for tapping into the community: Bike stores can give you info on riding clubs; skate shops know the best parks and can help you find those unofficial hot spots, too; outdoors retailers can hook you up with kayaking and hiking and fishing activities, etc. — you get the idea. So, get out there and explore — there’s much to be found right here in the Midlands.
Lexington: 381 Pilgrim Church Rd., 356-2239, mycaddyshak.com Driving range and a Par 3 course at the StoneBridge Golf Club. On 381 Pilgrim Church Rd., off Highway 6 near Lake Murray.
Carolina Stadium Olympia: 431 Williams St. gamecocksonline.com University spokespeople will tell you that USC’s baseball stadium (which opened in 2009) is located in the Innovista district, but locals know the area as Olympia. Regardless of what you call it, the 9,000-seat baseball stadium is a bang-up place to watch USC’s incredible baseball team. Go Cocks!
The Club at Rawls Creek Northeast: 2121 Lake Murray Blvd., 781-0114, golfrawlscreek.com Built in the 1970s and renovated in 2006 with an ultra-dwarf Bermuda grass called MiniVerde, which makes the greens fast. In addition to the course, there’s the Creekside Bar and Grille and facilities for weddings, parties and events.
Cobblestone Park Golf Club Blythewood: 280 University Club Pkwy., 714-2620, cobblestoneparkgolfclub.com Voted one of the best golf courses in the Midlands, this 27-hole golf course, formerly known as the University Club, features panoramic views with rolling hills and beautiful oaks and pines.
Congaree National Park 776-4396, nps.gov/cong This 26,000-acre park boasts the largest old-growth floodplain forest on the continent. Yes, you read that right. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark. Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more. Located in Hopkins, 20
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Carolina Stadium photo by paul collins
Irmo PLEX Indoor Sports Harbison/Irmo: 1019 Broad Stone Rd., 732-1900, plexindoorsports.com/irmo The PLEX provides indoor soccer and sports recreation in a first-class facility with quality programs, services, and employee development, while emphasizing community involvement and family values. Among other sports, the PLEX provides public ice skating, flag football and lacrosse.
Jordan Memorial Boat Ramp Rosewood: 611 Rosewood Dr., 754-7275 richlandcountyrecreation.com This public boat ramp is located at the west end of Rosewood Drive where experienced boaters can enjoy free, safe and easy access to fishing and boating on one of Richland County’s more challenging waterways — the Congaree River. The area offers a large ramp that will allow multiple boats. It also has a fishing dock, picnic area and plenty of parking. Many canoes and kayaks put in here for a float down to the Cayce landing about four miles away.
Lake Murray miles southeast of Columbia (S.C. 48 from Bluff Rd. or Exit 5 off I-77).
Congaree Riverwalk Vista This section of the Three Rivers Greenway runs along the west side of Congaree River. It passes under two bridges — Gervais Street and Blossom Street — and offers some fantastic views. Even in cold weather, this is a popular place for people to jog and walk dogs. Amenities include picnic tables, a riverside amphitheater, and a canoe launch bay. The south end of this park connects to the Cayce Riverwalk.
Especially popular for fishing and boating (Lake Murray is a top destination for striped and largemouth bass), Dreher Island also offers lakefront camping, cabin and villa rentals, water skiing and picnicking. Also a quiet, peaceful place for spring walks.
Earlewood Park North Columbia: N. Main St., earlewood.org Located near the train trestle on North Main Street near Eau Claire and stretching up into the Earlewood neighborhood, Earlewood Park offers a brand-new dog park and a professional state-of-the-art disc golf course. Great for walking, hiking.
Crooked Creek Park
Frank’s Fly Arts
Chapin: 1098 Old Lexington Hwy., 345-6181, icrc.net “Crooked Creek” makes this park sound like it’s a dirt path next to a trickle of water. Actually, it’s got a 53,000-square-foot community center with a full gym and racquetball courts, along with tennis courts, athletics fields, picnic areas and, oh yeah, walking trails.
803-673-0238, franksflyarts.com Michael Frank offers a world-class fly-fishing guide service along a five-mile stretch of Columbia’s three rivers from above the zoo to near Williams-Brice Stadium. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can fish for rainbow trout, striped bass, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in a five-mile stretch of river. Pros and newbies alike are welcome. Frank weaves local history into his instruction, ties his own flies and provides lunch along the way.
Dreher Island State Recreation Area 3677 State Park Rd., exit 91 off I-26, 803-364-4152, southcarolinaparks.com Located 30 miles northwest of Columbia in Prosperity, the Dreher Island recreation area consists of three islands encompassing 12 miles of shoreline on Lake Murray.
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Road. But there it is — one of the largest public green spaces inside the city limits of a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. Features more than 16 miles of roads and trails (popular for biking) and a canoe landing.
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outdoors & recreation
Golden Hills Golf & Country Club Lexington: 100 Scotland Dr., 957-3355 goldenhillsgolf.com Located in the heart of the Town of Lexington, Golden Hills is an 18-hole championship course designed by golf architect Ron Garl. Considered challenging yet playable for all levels, the course is among the highestrated in the Midlands.
Golf Club at Crickentree Blythewood: 1084 Langford Rd., 754-8600 golfclubsc.com Operated by the Golf Club of South Carolina, Crickentree is a meticulously maintained course along Lake Carolina. Has hosted the U.S. Open qualifying round, the USGA Junior Tournament, Columbia’s City Amateur tournament and numerous tour events.
The Hangar Skate Park West Columbia: Wattling Rd. (off 12th St. extension) This modern public skate park is relatively new and is usually for skaters 14 or over.
Harbison State Forest Harbison/Irmo: Broad River Rd. (off I-26 ext 101), 896-8890 www.state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm If you didn’t know it was there, you’d never expect to find 2,177 acres of forest along the sprawling mess that is Broad River
Irmo/Chapin lakemurraycountry.com, lakemurray.com Located a few miles northwest of downtown Columbia, Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre lake offering boating, camping and other recreational activities. Lakemurraycountry.com lists public access points, as well as marinas and landing spots. Good striped bass fishing during the season.
Lanier Sailing Academy Irmo/Chapin: 317-9070 laniersail.com/columbia.htm Offers sailing courses and operates a sailing club. Basic keelboat classes include 20 hours of on-the-water instruction and are taught for American Sailing Association certification. Located at the Southshore Marina on Hwy. 378, west of Lexington.
Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission West Columbia: 485 Brooks Ave., 939-9311 lcrac.com Operates roughly 35 sports and recreation centers, including the Lexington County Tennis Complex, the Midlands Sports Complex (baseball, tennis), the West Columbia Soccer Complex, the Gilbert-Summit Sports Complex (football, baseball, softball, soccer and basketball) and many more.
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Columbia on Two Notch Road.
Seven Oaks Park St. Andrews: 200 Leisure Lane, 772-3336 icrc.net Built in 1973 and located in the St. Andrews area, Seven Oaks Park is a full-service recreation complex offering fitness, athletics and cultural arts programs. Features a dance studio, art gallery, picnic areas, tennis courts, walking trails and more.
Sunnyside Park Cayce: 1411 Sunnyside Dr. Lexington County park hosting baseball, football and soccer games; also has a playground and canteens.
Three Rivers Greenway riveralliance.org, 765-2200 Columbia has come a long way on its riverfront development in the past few years, and the designation of the Congaree River Blue Trail as a National Recreation Trail in 2008 underlines the point. The Three Rivers Greenway will eventually provide 12 miles of linked river access to citizens of Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia. The completed portions of the Greenway are already popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.
Three Rivers Greenway, under the Gervais Street bridge photo by Jonathan Sharpe
Northeast Columbia BMX
Palmetto Trail
Saluda Shoals Park
Northeast: 4651 Percival Rd., 807-7392 facebook.com/columbiabmx1 Bicycle motocross practices are every Sunday starting at 1 p.m. Scheduled races start at 3:30 p.m. with registration from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
palmettoconservation.org Conceived in 1994 as a statewide series of linked trails, the Palmetto Trail features almost 300 miles of completed paths thus far. The Palmetto Conservation Foundation opened two outdoor centers in 2008 to provide trail maps and to serve as start-off point for organized hikes.
Harbison/Irmo: 5605 Bush River Rd., 731-5208, 213-2050 (weekend), icrc.net Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, a 5,000-square-foot river center, an environmental education center, canoe trips, nature hikes, biking trails, fishing spots, picnic shelters, art exhibits, summer camps, health and wellness programs, meeting facilities and more. Good trout fishing if you like to wade. Also, horseback riding.
Owens Field Disc Golf Course Rosewood: 1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd., 343-8788, columbiadiscgolfclub.com Maybe you go to Owens Field for soccer, maybe you head there to skate or play basketball. Surrounding the fields and skate park, though, is also a popular disc golf course. Check out the Columbia Disc Golf club’s website and you can even download a PDF of the course layout.
Richland County Recreation Commission
Owens Field Skate Park
Riverfront Park
Rosewood: 1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd., 343-8788 Opened in 2010, this skate park was years in the making and represented a huge victory for the skating community. An all-concrete park built near Owens Field and designed by the legendary Wally Hollyday, it has one small bowl, a large bowl and a kidney bowl, plus fun boxes and a street course. The skate park is 16,000 square feet.
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Northeast: 7494 Parklane Rd., 462-9995 richlandcountyrecreation.com Operates the Adult Activity Center, the Caughman Road Tennis Center in Hopkins and numerous other county parks and recreational facilities.
Downtown: Laurel at Huger St., 545-3100 columbiasc.net Separating the Historic Columbia Canal and the Congaree River, Riverfront Park is a popular jogging and walking trail encompassing 167 acres just west of Huger Street. Bring your camera: In the summertime you might spot an urban alligator.
outdoors & recreation
Sandhills PLEX Indoor Sports Northeast: 741 Fashion Dr., 360-7300 plexindoorsports.com/sandhills Provides indoor soccer and sports recreation in a first-class facility. Among other sports, the PLEX hosts flag football and lacrosse. It also has an indoor skate park and coordinates dodgeball championships.
Sesquicentennial State Park Northeast: 9564 Two Notch Rd., 788-2706 southcarolinaparks.com This 1,419-acre park features a 30-acre lake surrounded by trails, picnic areas and campsites. Also offers boating, fishing, swimming, meeting facilities and trails. Trails include a 6.1-mile mountain bike trail, a 1.9mile nature trail, and a 3.5-mile walking and jogging trail. Located 13 miles northeast of
Williams-Brice Stadium Rosewood/Olympia: 1125 George Rogers Blvd., 777-4271, uscsports.cstv.com Situated close to both Rosewood and Olympia, Williams-Brice Stadium is party central during football season, with fans spilling into both Five Points and the Vista after games. Since being built in 1934 by the Works Progress Administration — you know, that leftist agency started by FDR — Williams-Brice has served as the site of lots of drunken football revelry, a U2 concert and an appearance by then-candidate Barack Obama and Oprah.
The Windermere Club Blythewood: 1101 Longtown Road East, 786-7888, windermereclubsc.com Designed by Pete Dye, the Windermere course prides itself on having as many truly unique, memorable holes as possible. A driving range and practice green offer opportunities to sharpen your game before you hit the course.
YMCA of Columbia Downtown: 1420 Sumter St., 799-9187 columbiaymca.org This is the central hub for the YMCA’s five regional branches, which serve Richland, Kershaw, Lancaster, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties. From swimming to soccer, kids to older adults, the YMCA offers a wide range of classes and programs.
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Year-Round Events Arts and Draughts Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org
Periodic art party series. Drink beer. See art. Hear music. Be happy.
First Thursday on Main Main Street, downtown Columbia firstthursdaysonmain.wordpress.com
Eclectic monthly arts series on Main Street. A loose collaboration between the merchants on Main Street, spearheaded primarily by Frame of Mind, anastasia & Friends, S&S Art Supply, and the Tapp’s Arts Center.
Festivals & Events
Five Points After Five Five Points, fivepointscolumbia.com
Weekly concert series during warmer months.
Rhythm on the River West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre, rorsc.com
Weekly concert series during warmer months.
St. Pat’s in Five Points Festival Photo by thomas hammond
I
f you can’t find anything to do in Columbia, you obviously aren’t reading Free Times.
Options for entertainment and cultural enlightenment are at an all-time high in the Capital City, with rock clubs like New Brookland Tavern and the Five Points Pub offering live music almost every night of the year (see Music & Nightlife); art galleries like if ART, Gallery 80808 and City Art showcasing fine exhibitions from local artists; the city’s numerous ballet companies mounting stellar productions; and big-time institutions like the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and Columbia Museum of Art pushing the cultural boundaries of Columbia (see Arts & Culture). More than that, though, are the special festivals and events unique
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to Columbia — like the ultra-awesome Indie Grits Festival, the wild and wacky Krewe de Columbi-ya-ya Mardi Gras and our own super-badass Free Times Music Crawl — taking place seemingly weekly. So what you’re going to do, Annual Manual reader, is take this compendium — which is but a small smattering of the marquee events taking place in Columbia in 2013 — tear it out of the paper you’re holding and plaster it on your bedroom wall, office cubicle or what-have-you. So the next time someone complains that nothing ever goes on in this town, you can point to this calendar. And that oughta shut ‘em up.
festivals & events
Monthly Events
February
Restaurant Week Columbia
Koger Center, auntiekaren.org Feb. 22. Signature fundraiser concert for The Auntie Karen Foundation. Features Gladys Knight. No Pips, though.
January
restaurantweeksouthcarolina.com 2014 date TBA. Restaurants offer deals, customers stream in to eat cheap. Works for us.
World Beer Festival Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, allaboutbeer.com 2014 date TBA. Mmm … beer! Sponsored by All About Beer Magazine, the World Beer Festival is one of the premier beer events in the country, offering samplings of literally hundreds of beers from around the world.
Auntie Karen Legends Of…
Benedict College Harambee Festival Benedict College, benedict.edu Feb. 28. One of the largest collegesponsored festivals in the country, the Harambee Festival features the awardwinning Benedict College Gospel Choir and other musical performers amid a slew of other offerings: food, dance, art, educational programs and much more.
Historic Columbia Palladium Society Chili Cook-Off South Carolina State Fairgrounds hcfchili2013.eventbrite.com Feb. 23. The average high temperature in February in Columbia is 63 F. Some might consider this warm
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South Carolina Jazz, Arts & Music Festival Koger Center facebook.com/SCJazzFestival Feb. 23. Proceeds from this event goes towards new band uniforms and band scholarships for the South Carolina State University marching band.
University of South Carolina Band Clinic Koger Center, koger.sc.edu Feb. 14-17. This one time, at band camp, numerous University of South Carolina ensembles — from the USC Wind Ensemble to the Palmetto Concert Band — offer free concerts at the Koger Center.
March Carolina Cup Springdale Race Course, carolina-cup.org Mar. 30. If you’re itchin’ to hobnob with high society — or if you’ve got a penchant for putting money on the ponies — toss on your tweed jacket and head out to Camden for the annual Carolina Cup horse races. We’re kidding about the gambling, but not about the tweed — there’s a dress code mandating tweed slacks at the very least.
Columbia Marathon
Krewe de Columbia-Ya-Ya Mardi Gras Photo by thomas hammond weather for chili — but, hey, the average in November for the Chili Cook-Off in Five Points is 69 F. Get over it — you’re in Columbia. Features a variety of chili recipes, judging by local celebrities and chefs, live music.
Junior League Clean Sweep South Carolina State Fairgrounds jlcolumbia.org Feb. 2. Held since 1998, this fundraiser is basically a massive yard sale offering up donated items ranging from clothes to furniture. Proceeds support the mission and community projects of the Junior League. Plus, we know how Columbians flock to yard sales.
Krewe de Columbi-YaYa Mardi Gras City Roots, mardigrascolumbia.org/ Feb. 9. A weird, wild, wacky and
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columbiascmarathon.com Mar. 9. Myth has it that Pheidippides collapsed and died after running the 26.2 miles from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon. Millennia later, people engage in such a venture for sport and leisure. The world’s a funny place.
Columbia Open Studios
wonderful Mardi Gras festival and parade in Rosewood. Lots of food, drink and fun, and proceeds benefit The Animal Mission.
701cca.org. Mar. 23-24. In which local artists open their studios to free public tours.
Monster Jam
Les Miserables
Colonial Life Arena, coloniallifearena.com Feb. 8-9. Giant trucks! Smashing lessgiant trucks! Woo!
SHE Columbia shecola.com Feb. 8-10. Fashion! Beauty! Cooking! Entertaining! Crafts! Healthy living! Shopping! Guests range from Columbia’s own ReFashionista and The Shop Tart to former American Idol participant Elise Testone, from Mount Pleasant. Held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
Koger Center, broadwayincolumbia.com. Mar. 19-24. I dreamed a dream that Les Mis came to the Koger Center. Hope is high. Life is worth living.
Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic South Carolina State Fairgrounds dnr.sc.gov/psc/ Mar. 22-24. Premier hunting and fishing outdoor show. Vendors, samples, demonstrations, more.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Dragons Colonial Life Arena, coloniallifearena.com
festivals & events
Major Exhibitions Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org
Oct. 5-Jan. 5. An evocative and deeply personal collection of photos by the noted photographer.
Cash Crop 701 Center for Contemporary Art 701cca.org
Through Mar. 3. Stephen Hayes’ life-sized sculptures examine the dark toll of the transatlantic slave trade.
Found in Translation: The Geometric Abstraction of Steven Naifeh Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org
May 18-Sept. 1. Powerful, largescale and colorful abstract art from Pulitzer Prize winner and South Carolina resident Steven Naifeh.
Monet to Matisse Columbia Museum of Art columbiamuseum.org
Through Apr. 21. Showcases paintings by well-known leaders of French Impressionism as well as paintings by America’s most noted Impressionists.
Secrets of the Maya South Carolina State Museum scmuseum.org Through June 9. Unearths the mysteries of the Maya from 2000 B.C. to the present.
Mar. 7-10. The Greatest Show on Earth celebrates the greatest beast in mythology. Here be dragons.
St. Pat’s in Five Points Five Points, stpatscolumbia.com Mar. 16. We could go on and on, telling you about the Get to the Green Race, the St. Pat’s Parade, the thousands of revelers, the green beer, the illustrious history of this festival in the city’s live music scene … but hey, you really just have to see this festival to believe it. It’s the single biggest party in this town all year, cramming 30,000 plowed partygoers into the square mile that is Five Points.
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January 30, 2013
Upcoming SHE Events
presents
Greenville
August 23-25, 2013 SHEgville.com
Charleston
Sept. 27–29, 2013 SHEchs.com
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March 28-30, 2014 SHEcola.com
Sponsored by
February 8-10, 2013
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center SHE is the Ultimate Girls’ weekend with fashion and style experts, entertainment and a shopping spree, all rolled into one. To reserve your exhibit space or for more information call Erica at
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Beneficiaries #SHEcolumbia
January 30, 2013
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Widespread Panic
Rosewood Crawfish Festival’s Crawdaddy Dash
Township Auditorium, thetownship.org Apr. 23-24. Popular jam band returns to town for two-night stand.
courtesy photo
May Black Expo Colonial Life Arena, coloniallifearena.com May 18. With over 200 exhibitors and vendors, the Columbia Black Expo is one of the largest yearly events in Columbia — organizers estimate the Expo should attract upwards of 26,000 people. Features exhibitors, vendors, seminars, workshops, youth activities, a health fair and local and national entertainment.
Eau Claire Fest Eau Claire Town Center facebook.com/EauClaireFest May 11. We all Claire for Eau Claire: Formerly the poorly named Ribs and Renaissance Festival, the Eau Claire festival celebrates the North Columbia neighborhood with a marketplace, music and food.
Kenny Chesney South Carolina Cornbread Festival
Columbia International Festival
Sparkleberry Country Fair
Main and Newman streets sccornbreadfestival.com Mar. 2. Mmm … cornbread!
South Carolina State Fairgrounds columbiainternationalfestival.org Apr. 13-14. Long-running annual international food and culture festival offers bazaars, ethnic foods, national exhibitions, a fashion show, cultural performances and culminates in a parade of nations. This year, the festival gives a special emphasis to the countries of South Asia.
Clemson Extension, Northeast Columbia sparkleberryfair.com April 26-27. Like the South Carolina State Fair, except way smaller: Amusement rides, food, crafts, vendors, etc. Plus, in true country style, lots of tractors.
Taylor Swift RED Tour Colonial Life Arena, coloniallifearena.com Mar. 23. Some longtime fans are lukewarm about Taylor Swift’s shift to a decidedly more pop and less country sound; others are more excited than ever.
April Artista Vista The Vista, artistavista.com Apr. 25-27. Columbia’s oldest and most celebrated gallery crawl.
(A)ugusta Baker’s Dozen Richland County Public Library richlandlibrary.com TBA. Annual storytelling festival, co-sponsored by the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science and the Friends of RCPL. Brings to life the world of storytelling and children’s literature.
Bark to the Park Finlay Park, barktothepark.com Apr. 20. One-mile dog walk and activities for canines. Oh, and people, too: food, entertainment, vendors, more.
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Indie Grits Festival indiegrits.com Apr. 12-21. Southern films on sovereign screens. Or so goes the motto of this Nickelodeon Theatre-curated and -directed independent film festival, which screens gritty films from Southern filmmakers at venues throughout downtown. Also offers extracurricular programming, including a host of concerts, a Slow Food Columbia eat-and-greet, the Crafty Feast craft fair and, like, tons of other stuff.
River Rocks Festival Riverfront Park, riverrocksfestival.com Apr. 13. Yes, River Rocks is a music festival, boasting easygoing rock bands, but it also supports the Congaree Riverkeeper’s efforts to keep our rivers clean.
Runaway Runway Township Auditorium columbiadesignleague.org/runaway-runway Apr. 6. One man’s trash is another’s haute couture, as this recycled fashion show proves.
festivals & events
Tartan Day South Historic Columbia Speedway tartandaysouth.com Apr. 4-7. A celebration of all things Celtic.
Carrie Underwood Colonial Life Arena, coloniallifearena.com Apr. 17. Country superstar blows in with Blown Away Tour.
Williams-Brice Stadium coloniallifeareana.com May 4. Last time Kenny Chesney played Williams-Brice, he broke his foot. Hopefully, he’ll avoid podiatric catastrophes on this stop of his No Shoes Nation tour.
Lexington Wine Walk lexingtonwinewalk.com May 11. Held on the 100 block of East Main Street in Lexington, the Lexington Wine Walk offers wine tastings, hors d’ouevres and live music. Fundraiser for the Lexington Beautification Foundation.
Rosewood Crawfish Festival
citycentercolumbia.sc TBA. Downtown Columbia is still working on getting its nightlife scene together, but on the night of the Urban Tour you’d think you’re partying in a major metropolis. Now, if we could just get all those suburbanites down here for other events.
Rosewood Drive rosewoodcrawfishfest.com May 4. Laissez les bon temps rouler! Key stat: The Crawfish Festival cooks up more than 7,000 pounds of Louisiana crawfish. This annual festival occupies Rosewood Drive for a day, offering Cajun and Creole cuisine (try the alligator sausage) in addition to samples from Rosewood restaurants. Oh, yeah, there’s lots of music, too, with two stages filled with classic alt-rock acts and local up-and-comers.
USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run
South Carolina Book Festival
Urban Tour
The Leatherneck, usmcmudrun.org Apr. 27. Think you’re tough? Test your mettle against this challenging 5.2-mile obstacle course, an all-terrain course including mud holes, walls, trenches, and other obstacles that require swimming, crawling, climbing, jumping and determination.
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, scbookfestival.org May 17-19. South Carolina’s premier literary festival. Workshops, readings and literary discussions.
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June
August
Conductors Institute
Justin Bieber
Koger Center conductorsinstitute.com TBA. If you’re a conductor, attending the Conductors Institute is, like, wicked expensive. If you’re just a classical music lover, however, attending the Institute’s conducting sessions is absolutely free, as the Koger Center offers gratis first-level seating for those interested in viewing these maturing Morihikos honing their craft.
Colonial Life Arena, coloniallifearena.com Aug. 5. OMG! We haz the Bieber fever! LOLZ!
South Carolina Black Pride southcarolinablackpride.com TBA. Like the annual Pride festival, but black-oriented.
South Carolina Bodybuilding Championships Koger Center, koger.sc.edu TBA. Witness physical manifestations of raw, animal power!
Southeastern Piano Festival sepf.music.sc.edu June 9-15. Standard lore has it that Columbia is dead in the summer. Tell that to the audiences at the Southeastern Piano Festival, who flock in to see some of the nation’s most talented up-andcoming pianists.
July Carolina Celebration of Liberty First Baptist Church firstbaptistcolumbia.com TBA. U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! Patriotic celebration and salute to the armed forces.
Lake Murray Independence Day Celebration Lake Murray, lakemurraycountry.com TBA. Boat parade and fireworks extravaganza.
Lexington County Peach Festival Gilbert lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com TBA. Millions of peaches. Peaches for you. Look out!
Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival City Roots, tastytomatofest.org TBA. Mmm … tomatoes!
Torchlight Tattoo Fort Jackson Hilton Field jackson.army.mil TBA. Fwsssssh! Booooooom! Aweinspiring fireworks display and patriotic celebration.
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festivals & events
Brew at the Zoo Riverbanks Zoo, riverbanks.org Aug. 2. Guzzle grog with gorillas! Sip suds with siamangs! Imbibe with ibexes! Meander through the Zoo or hang out in the plaza while sampling domestics and microbrews.
Famously Hot Music Festival
Finlay Park famouslyhotmusicfestival.com TBA. The first Famously Hot Music Festival met a chilly reception, but festival organizers have already started booking the second one.
Jubilee Festival of Heritage Mann-Simons Cottage historiccolumbia.org TBA. Features hands-on demonstrations from skilled artists and craftsmen; music ranging from African drumming to R&B, jazz and gospel; and vendors with African-influenced and traditional merchandise.
Palmetto Peanut Boil The Loose Cockaboose facebook.com/thepalmettopeanutboil TBA. Mmm … peanuts.
South Carolina Peanut Party Pelion, scpeanutparty.com TBA. The town of Pelion celebrates the peanut and all its edible varieties — Peanut butter! Boiled peanuts! Peanut brittle! Uh … spicy peanut sauce! We wonder if Mr. Peanut will show up.
September Cola Con cola-con.com TBA. Comics-and-hip-hop convention; the previous two were awesome.
Columbia Greek Festival
Sumter Street at Calhoun Street, downtown Columbia columbiasgreekfestival.com TBA. The Greek Festival is one of those things that always sneaks up on you; all of a sudden, in the middle of September, there it is, and you just have to have some spanakopita. The Greek Festival is Columbia at its best — multicultural, culinarily diverse and family friendly. Plus: Baklava!
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Congaree Swamp Fest Congaree National Park congareeswampfest.com TBA. Celebrates the rich heritage of Lower Richland County. Wide array of entertainment, food vendors, guided park tours, more.
Irmo Okra Strut Irmo, irmookrastrut.com TBA. Go ahead, we challenge you to find any other city with a festival dedicated to okra. There’s music, food, games — even an okra parade.
Jazz Under the Stars South Carolina State House jazzunderthestars.webs.com TBA. Led by South Carolina jazz man Skipp Pearson, Jazz Under the Stars celebrates jazz with free outdoor concerts on the State House lawn.
Main Street Latin Festival Main Street, downtown Columbia mainstreetlatinfestival.com TBA. Endorsed by the City of Columbia and supported by South Carolina Hispanic Outreach, the purpose of the Main Street Latin Festival is to showcase the culture and vitality of Columbia’s Latin community. What that means for you: A wide variety of Hispanic food, art, dance, culture and music.
Pride 2013 Finlay Park, scpride.org TBA. The South Carolina Pride Movement is a statewide organization dedicated to celebrating, advocating, educating and supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of South Carolina; the festival offers music, art, parties, parades and more.
October Boo at the Zoo Riverbanks Zoo, riverbanks.org Oct. 18-20. Trick-or-treat among the animals.
Carolina Down Home Blues Festival Downtown Camden camden.bluesbash.com TBA. A blues club crawl in historic Camden featuring musicians from as close as South Carolina to as far away as Australia.
Columbia Green Fair Finlay Park carolinagreenfair.com/columbia TBA. Intended to create excitement and enthusiasm for green practices, lifestyles, products, services and
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festivals & events
technologies available to the residents of South Carolina using an environmentally responsible forum of education and entertainment. Bands, too!
Free Times Music Crawl The Vista, musiccrawl.org TBA. We think Music Crawl, after 12 years still the only festival dedicated entirely to local music, is pretty awesome. Yeah, we’re biased. But this is our Annual Manual, so we get the final say. Jog on.
Italian Festival Main Street, downtown Columbia osiacolumbia.org TBA. A one-day passport to Italy, offering Italian food, Italian-American music, family-friendly Italian-American entertainment and an Italian fresh market. Plus: a bocce tournament!
Korean Fall Festival 1412 Richland St. TBA. Hosted by the Korean Community Presbyterian Church, this festival is in its seventh year and highlights Korean food, dance and culture. Bulgogi! Dukbogi! Kimchi! Mmm … kimchi.
Lexington Oktoberfest Downtown Lexington lexingtonoktoberfest.com TBA. Lexington has German roots? Who knew? Founded in 1735 as Saxe Gotha, the area was named for Princess Augusta of the German Duchy of Saxe-Gotha. Oktoberfest celebrates this German heritage with oom-pah bands, do-dah parades and plenty of German food and beer.
Oktoberfest Columbia Incarnation Lutheran Church oktoberfestcolumbia.com TBA. Holy schnitzel! German heritage festival — plus, you know, food and beer. Proceeds benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank, the Midlands Foundation for Foster Children and the Incarnation Lutheran Church Foundation.
South Carolina State Fair South Carolina State Fairgrounds scstatefair.org Oct. 9-20. Some people skip the fair because they think they’re too cool for that kind of thing. Some head to the fair out of a sense of ironic hipness — you know, getting in touch with the PBR-drinking working class and all that. Others just go because of the deep-fried goodness. And then there are those who have figured out that the Fair actually books some damn fine entertainment: previous years have boasted The Roots, Miranda Lambert and The Avett Brothers on the Pepsi Grandstand stage. Plus: That Crazy Mouse is cool, man!
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ONE LANE
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60 + UNITS
INSPECTION: Monday prior to sale
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General Services Administration
January 30, 2013
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USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run
Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas
The Leatherneck, usmcmudrun.org Oct. 12. Think you’re tough? Test your mettle against this challenging, twice-yearly 5.2-mile obstacle course, an all-terrain course including mud holes, walls, trenches, and other obstacles that require swimming, crawling, climbing, jumping and determination.
Riverbanks Zoo, riverbanks.org TBA. It’s not officially the holiday season in Columbia until the Riverbanks Zoo opens Lights Before Christmas, its annual holiday lights spectacular, which features nearly 1 million twinkling lights assembled into an array of dazzling images.
South Carolina Oyster Festival
Viva La Vista The Vista, vivalavistasc.com TBA. Columbia’s premier food festival, located in the heart of the Congaree Vista. Live music, beverages and, of course, a taste of The Vista’s most popular restaurants.
November
Vista Lights
Colonial Cup Springdale Race Course, carolina-cup.org TBA. If you’re itchin’ to hobnob with high society — or if you’ve got a penchant for putting money on the ponies — toss on your tweed jacket and head out to Camden for the annual Colonial Cup horse races. We’re kidding about the gambling, but not about the tweed — there’s a dress code mandating tweed slacks at the very least.
Columbia Blues Festival Martin Luther King Jr. Park wordofmouthproductions.org Nov. 9. This annual blues festival has been running strong since 1994, and in its 17 installments has brought some marquee bluesmen and women to the Capital City. Notable past performers include Etta Baker, Tab Benoit, Donna the Buffalo, Jorma Kaukonen, The Lee Boys, Otis Taylor and Johnny Winter, and the festival also regularly features local blues stars like Drink Small, Rev. Marv Ward and Mac Arnold. Always free.
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Robert Mills House, scoyster.com TBA. Mmm ... oysters! Columbia’s largest outdoor oyster roast — featuring more than 10,000 pounds of fresh steamed and fried bivalve mollusks — also features music, kids’ activities, arts and crafts vendors, historic house tours and more. Sponsored by Historic Columbia.
South Carolina State House TBA. In which the governor lights the State House Christmas tree, thus officially inaugurating the holiday season in South Carolina. Typically the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Chili Cook-Off in Five Points Group Therapy, fivepointscolumbia.com Nov. 9. Immensely popular Five Points food event. Recipes include vegetarian, traditional, wild things, exotic and hot stuff. Now where are our chili boots?
Holiday Lights on the River Saluda Shoals Park, icrc.net TBA. A dazzling, twinkling, massive drive-through light display along the Saluda River.
The Vista, vistalightssc.com TBA. Carriage rides, Christmas tree lighting, holiday music and more create the atmosphere for this annual open house for Vista businesses and galleries.
December Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade Gervais Street, downtown Columbia carolinacarillon.com TBA. Columbia’s annual and official holiday parade.
Columbia Christmas Pageant First Baptist Church firstbaptistcolumbia.org TBA. Annual Christmas pageant is a huge deal: It’s televised statewide.
Famously Hot New Year Main Street, downtown Columbia Dec. 31. Its first year, the inaugural city-sponsored Main Street New Year’s Eve soiree brought in George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. (But not enough beer.) Its second year, the city booked The Wallflowers. (And, graciously, more beer.) Who’ll the city bring this year? Hey, Mayor Benjamin, here’s a tip: Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince Prince. Just take his fee out of the water and sewer budget; no one will notice except Joe Azar and Kevin Fisher.
Junior League of Columbia Holiday Market South Carolina State Fairgrounds jlcolumbia.org TBA. How do you piss off a Junior Leaguer? By not shopping at this holiday market, which raises support for the Junior League of Columbia’s signature project: Smart Matters, an initiative for elementary schools in Richland District One to help meet basic needs of students, promote literacy, and improve parental involvement.
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Art Bar Photo by Christian Barker
South Main / USC Back Porch on Gervais
1616 Gervais St., 779-4626 Elegant bistro also offers swanky bar.
The Comedy Zone 1615 Gervais St., 744-7786 Need a laugh? This brand-new downtown comedy club in the Clarion Hotel books top-name comedians.
Hunter-Gatherer 900 Main St., 748-0540 huntergathererbrewery.com More than the token local microbrew joint, H-G offers awesome bartenders, scrumptious entrées and an excellent beer and liquor selection. Looking to impress your local-hipster date? You can’t go wrong here. Live jazz on Thursdays, and the occasional rock show on Fridays.
music & nightlife D
o you love the nightlife? Love to boogie on the disco ‘round? Or maybe you love rock ‘n’ roll, and putting dimes in the jukebox?
Or maybe you’re just looking for a place to watch the big game, or to take your special friend for a quiet (or notso-quiet) night on the town. No matter your preference, Columbia’s diverse nightlife scene has you covered. Whether it’s the beer list at Flying Saucer, the people at Art Bar, rock ‘n’ roll at the Five Points Pub or Thursday night jazz at Hunter-Gatherer, there’s plenty of entertainment in
these parts for all tastes and ages (well, all ages over 21, anyway). And even if you think you know the local scene, keep in mind that things are always changing — clubs open, close, change formats or managers, etc. So it’s a good idea to take a fresh look around every now and then and make sure you haven’t missed out on a new place you might love.
Main Street
Main Street
1710 Main St., 929-0037, macsjazznblues.com Yes, this Main Street institution is known for its scrumptious buffet during the day. But at night, Mac’s is a live music spot catering to blues and jazz aficionados.
The Oak Table
Mac’s on Main
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1400 Main St., 988-1400 A sports bar inside the Sheraton, Main Street offers a place to catch the game and a quick bite in addition to a stiff drink.
1221 Main St., 563-5006 theoaktablesc.com Come for the modern American cuisine (which is delicious), or just come for the deep bar and fantastic signature cocktails, including the rye-based MacHattan and the gin-based French Shogun.
music & Nightlife
Five Points / Shandon The Back Corner
634 Harden St., twitter.com/BackCornerCola A nightclub in the old Red Hot Tomatoes space. Eighteen-and-up are welcome, but those younger than 21 pay a $10 cover charge after 11 p.m. ($5 before). Always free for those 21 and older.
Sheraton Rooftop Lounge 1400 Main St., 988-1400 Not for the acrophobic, the Sheraton’s hip Rooftop Lounge offers a classy clientele, fine libations and desserts, plus a fine panoramic view of the Capital City.
Sheraton Vault Martini Bar
1400 Main St., 988-1400 Nestled within the bank’s original safe, the Vault Martini Bar is a popular hotspot for those who insist upon their martinis shaken, not stirred, and with a twist of sophistication.
The Whig 1200 Main St., 931-8852 thewhig.org Inhabited by hipsters young and old, this dark, underground bohemia offers good, cheap beer and good, cheap liquor to go along with cheap eats. Has an awesome jukebox filled with classic punk, Motown, jazz and much more. Also offers occasional DJs and live bands.
Wine Down on Main 1520 Main St., 673-4810 Wine Down on Main is small but ultra-cozy and way charming, offering a large selection of traditional and off-beat wines. Stocks a few select beers, too.
Bar None 620 Harden St., 254-3354 Since 1994, Bar None has been known as the last refuge of the late-night lush. Filled with shuffleboard tables, rock music and sloshed 20-somethings, what more could you ask for?
Breakers 801 Harden St., 771-6360 One of the biggest draws to Dr. Rocco’s was its outdoor patio, which offered an ideal Five Points people-watching spot. Breakers, now in the old Dr. Rocco’s space, keeps the patio, but the inside bar got a classy makeover.
Cantina 76
2901 Devine St., 708-6004 cantina76.com This Devine Street joint is abuzz with young women in cocktail dresses and couples on dates who come for the TexMex cuisine and stay for the excellent margaritas, made in all shapes, flavors and sizes with top-shelf tequilas.
CJ’s
749 Saluda Ave., 748-8694 Its retractable exterior wall opens to reveal the Five Points fountain plaza, thus
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January 30, 2013
Honker’s Ale
Inspired by visits to English country pubs, Honker’s Ale combines a fruity hop aroma with a rich malt middle to create a perfectly balanced beer. Immensely drinkable, Honker’s Ale is not only the beer you can trust but one you’ll look forward to time and again. Style: English Style Bitter Alcohol By Volume: 4.2%
312 Urban Wheat
Inspired by the city of Chicago and densely populated with flavor, 312’s spicy aroma of Cascade hops is followed by a crisp, fruity ale flavor delivered in a smooth, creamy body that’s immensely refreshing Style: Urban Wheat Alcohol by Volume: 4.2%
India Pale Ale
Our India Pale Ale recalls a time when ales shipped from England to India were highly hopped to preserve their distinct taste during the long journey. The result is a hop lover’s dream with a fruity aroma, set off by a dry malt middle, and long hop finish. Style: English Style India Pale Ale Alcohol by Volume: 5.9%
Available Here. Ask For It At Your Favorite Pub Or Specialty Store. Burger 77 C J’s Camden Wing Shack Carolina Ale House Cock N Bull Congaree Grill Flying Saucer Greens Beverage Warehouse Greens Discount Beverages Henry’s Liberty Taproom & Grille Lite Um Up Cigars Mellow Mushroom
Nickelodeon Theatre Old Armory Steakhouse Pearlz Piggly Wiggly #115 Pinch Sharky’s Speakeasy Spring Hill Ste/Marriott The Whig Total Wine & More Trader Of Camden Village Idiot Wild Hare Sports Cafe Wild Wing Cafe World Of Beer
HARDEN Red Hot Tomatoes
Sharkey’s Bar
Pinch Bar
BLOSSOM
DEVINE
Good for the Sole Shoes
Blue Tile Skate Shop
Call us!
We have MANY strains available!
making CJ’s a great spot for taking in this colorful corner of Columbia.
Concocktions
724 Harden St., 256-8860 Offers exactly what you’d want from a Five Points sports bar: Cheap drinks, good vibes, sports. Stays open late. Live DJs, too.
Delaney’s 741 Saluda Ave., 779-2345 delaneysspeakeasy.com Delaney’s is as Irish as it comes here in the Bible Belt. Of course it has Guinness, but it also has quite an assortment of classy imports and plenty of good ol’ Irish grub. Personable staff, live music and a vibrant atmosphere round out the package — but get there early, as it fills up fast, especially on pint nights.
Five Points Pub
Tin Roof
Photo by thomas hammond
Photo by Michael dantzler
an outdoor oasis to escape the crowd. Group wrote the book on college partying in Columbia.
Hair of the Dog 2303 Devine St., 834-5144 Just like the Publick House, Hair of the Dog is just far enough up Devine to be removed from the collegiate chicanery of Five Points. Also like the Publick House, it’s a friendly neighborhood tavern with premium craft brews on tap and top-shelf booze. Plus: Hot dogs!
Henry’s 2865 Devine St., 708-4705 henrysgrillandbar.com Henry’s champions the traditional bar — and, equally importantly, brings terrific bar food. Comfortable and classy.
Jake’s
Five Points Pub 2020 Devine St., 253-7888 The home of touring national and regional musicians in Five Points, the Pub also caters to the neighborhood crowd, with bountiful domestics and pool tables.
2112 Devine St., 252-5253 Meet the new Jake’s — same as the old Jake’s. But that’s a good thing: The renewed Five Points institution is as friendly as ever, and offers the same variety of televised sports and multiple bar stations.
Goatfeathers
Kildare’s Irish Pub
2017 Devine St., 256-3325 Goatfeathers is the ideal habitat if you’re looking for that dark and mysterious, film-noir kind of ambience. The delicious food and gourmet desserts, perennially attractive staff, romance-conducive lighting and convenient Five Points locale make Goatfeathers one of Columbia’s alltime favorite hangouts.
724 Harden St., 256-1390 Not, as far as we can tell, affiliated with the mid-Atlantic Irish pub chain of the same name. Nor, as far as we can tell, as frat-tastic as Grandma’s, which used to occupy the space, was. We bet it’ll be busy on St. Patrick’s Day.
Group Therapy
2107 Greene St., 256-1203 grouptherapybar.com Columbia’s quintessential college bar, with cheap drinks, loud music and
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The Library 805 Harden St., 929-6955 A classic Five Points college bar: Cheap drinks, cheap wings, good music. Stays open late.
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Lucky’s 2100-B Devine St., 929-1118 For the Vista experience in Five Points, Lucky’s is your place — good wine and beer selection and an outdoor patio.
Nightcaps 2722 Devine St., 771-6575 An out-of-the-way place with respect to Five Points, Nightcaps has a pool table, a big-screen television, comfy lounge chairs and a good late-night atmosphere. A popular haven for those not ready to let the night end — and for state politicos.
Overtimes Sports Bar
634 Harden St., twitter.com/OvertimeCola A sports bar? In Five Points? In the old Red Hot Tomatoes space? Yes, please.
Pavlov’s 2000-B Greene St. Tucked behind the Salty Nut, Pavlov’s is a long-time stomping ground of college revelers and serves as hallowed ground for many in the fraternity and sorority circles.
Pawley’s Front Porch
827 Harden St., 771-8001 pawleys5pts.com Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Pawley’s is primarily known for its behemoth specialty burgers, but it also caters to a late-night crowd on weekends. Especially good for game days, as it shows football games on its huge screen on its even huger deck.
Pinch
640 Harden St., 708-6838 Like Lucky’s next door, Pinch offers Vista atmosphere at Five Points prices.
On-tap beers are shuffled frequently, and often feature high-class offerings.
The Pour House 800 Harden St., 932-3033 Next to the always overflowing Group Therapy, The Pour House has a good drink selection at prices that won’t send you to the poor house.
Publick House
2307 Devine St., 256-2207 Exceptional beer selection, challenging trivia, hip music selection, über-friendly staff, good burgers and the best raw fries around.
The Saloon 812 Harden St., 779-4445 delaneyssaloon.com From the people that brought you Delaney’s and Speakeasy comes The Saloon — where beer comes in Mason jars and a city slicker can buy a cowboy hat to look the part.
Salty Nut Café 2000 Greene St., 256-4611 saltynut.com A beloved burger-serving, beer-slinging, big-porch-having college bar.
Senor O’Malley’s 715 Harden St., 733-5471 I’m at the Irish pub! I’m at the taco shack! I’m at the combination Irish pub and taco shack!
Sharky’s 636 Harden St., 799-8337 sharkyssc.com A favorite Five Points hangout since 1985, with numerous Best College Bar nods in our Best of Columbia poll.
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Speakeasy
The Kraken
711 Saluda Ave., 255-0869 delaneysspeakeasy.com Delaney’s classy, hip younger sibling boasts a fine liquor selection, great beers and a top-notch staff, as well as fine cigars, comfy couches and weekly jazz.
2910 Rosewood Dr., 955-7408 Rosewood’s hip new bar, The Kraken offers a wide swath of draft beers, signature beer-based cocktails, upscale barfood menu and a swanky, cozy-cool vibe.
The Tavern on Greene
2002-C Greene St., 252-7265 Perhaps unfairly labeled as a hippie bar — though it is especially welcoming to Dead, Spread and Phish heads — the Tavern on Greene is a late night hangout for local musicians and party people alike. An underrated and often overlooked Five Points institution.
The Thirsty Parrot 734 Harden St., 708-4768 Like Jimmy Buffett? You’ll most likely dig this place, which offers fine burgers and spirits in an easygoing atmosphere.
Village Idiot
2009 Devine St., 252-8646 villageidiotpizza.com Columbia’s quintessential collegetown pizza joint in a pub atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to enjoy delicious fare, cold beer, wallet-friendly weekly specials and a heaping helping of revelry. Serving New York-style pizza since 1990. Dine in, pick up or delivery, and menu also features salads, sandwiches and wings.
Yesterdays Restaurant and Tavern
2030 Devine St., 799-0196 yesterdayssc.com A great place for an undergrad to take his or her squeeze out for dinner without maxing out the credit card. Good food, above-average beer and liquor selection. Bar in the back has its own entrance on Devine Street. A veritable Columbia landmark since 1978.
Rosewood / Olympia Cock N Bull Pub
326 S. Edisto Ave., 251-4474 facebook.com/cocknbull.pub As British as you’ll get in Rosewood. Popular, laid-back Rosewood hangout with small but stellar beer menu, lots of soccer on TV.
406 Howard St., 728-0420 facebook.com/foxfieldbar Even the spirits are organic at this local green bar; offers organic wines, beers, sake and liquors. Creative cocktails, too.
music & Nightlife
2719 Rosewood Dr., 256-1075 Tasty burgers, low-key atmosphere and a nice, amply stocked bar. Plus, lots of sports on TV.
TLC Sports Bar and Grill 936 S. Stadium Rd., 251-3087 Built to withstand even the toughest of game days, this ultimate Gamecock bar, located within a stone’s throw of Williams-Brice, offers enough food, drink and fun to satisfy even the most orangeblooded Clemson fan.
Utopia 3830-A Rosewood Dr., 782-8522 Cozy is the name of the game here — this Rosewood neighborhood bar offers plush indoor and outdoor seating, both of which are perfect for catching its frequent singer-songwriter guests.
The Vista Art Bar
1211 Park St., 929-0198 artbarsc.com If you’re looking for a non-corporate nightspot where you can ditch the lawyers and get to know the artists and musicians, you need look no further than this eclectic Vista bar. Cool but never pretentious, the Art Bar is good for peoplewatching, conversation and music (both bands and DJs), not to mention open-mic poetry nights and improv comedy. Don’t miss Linda’s Carraoke on Wednesdays.
The Big Ugly 931A Senate St., 834-5496 thebiguglysc.com The Big Ugly’s tagline invites you to unleash your inner Cajun, but aside from the food, The Big Ugly’s as American as bars come: wing specials; dangerously cheap drink specials; and live music on the weekends.
Blue.
Foxfield
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Rockaway Athletic Club
721A Lady St., 251-4447 facebook.com/blueinthevista Blue, a tapas bar and cocktail lounge, features Columbia’s only ice bar and draws in big crowds for its popular ’80s night on Wednesdays. Cozy late-night spot as well.
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Flying Saucer Photo by Michael dantzler
Carolina Ale House
708 Lady St., 227-7150 carolinaalehouse.com Southeastern chain grille-andgroggery offers good eats, a good beer selection and plenty of televised sports. Features the Vista’s hottest rooftop bar and plenty of fun drink specials.
Jet Nightlife
620-A Gervais St., 799-8463 gervine.com
Jillian’s 800 Gervais St., 779-7789 columbia.jilliansbillards.com Offers billiard tables, an arcade, a beach volleyball court, ping-pong tables, walls of huge flat-screen televisions and more in addition to its extensive list of imports, domestics and other assorted cocktails and libations.
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WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM CAROLINA WALK CONDOS
GEORGE ROGERS BLVD
music & Nightlife
STATE FAIRGROUNDS
S. STADIUM ROAD
BLUFF ROAD
Gervais & Vine
700 Gervais St., 708-8208 jetnightlife.com Offers a big-city — think: Vegas-y — nightlife experience in sleepy Columbia. What this has to do with the Wings song of the same name, we have no idea.
SHOP ROAD
931 Senate St., 933-9997 beerknurd.com Beer nerds (or knurds) rejoiced when this renowned purveyor of draughts landed in Columbia; dudes rejoiced when they saw the waitresses in schoolgirl uniforms. Offering more selections than most commoners could imagine, this is a beer drinker’s paradise with a nice front porch, some live music and the occasional commemorative pint glass.
ASSEMBLY STREET
Flying Saucer
January 30, 2013
Gervais & Vine offers a sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere for its exquisite Southern fusion tapas. Its extensive wine selection separates it from most of Columbia’s metropolitan haunts, and the diversity and daring of the menu make it hard to dislike. Columbia needs more places like this.
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Kelly’s Deli & Pub
Nonnah’s
SakiTumi
Tsunami
1001 Washington St., 254-4464 If this converted fire station reminds you of Five Points, it’s probably because its owners cut their teeth working for places like Group Therapy and Jungle Jim’s. These Gamecock fans host regular acoustic performances in addition to karaoke and open mic contests.
930 Gervais St., 779-9599, nonnahs.com Best known for its desserts, Nonnah’s is a good place to stop for coffee and drinks after dinner or a show.
807 Gervais St., 931-0700 flyingnapkin.com Sushi, sake and salacious servers ... what else could you want out of an überhip Vista sushi bar?
700-C Gervais St., 312-9911 tsunamicompany.com Two chic sushi bars within two blocks of each other in the Vista? Be still our beating hearts! Tsunami’s elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating area complements its extensive sake, wine and beer selection.
Liberty Tap Room 828 Gervais St., 461-4677 libertytaproom.com Attention hipsters: If you’re looking for that hot roller derby girl, you might have taken a wrong turn. (She’s at Art Bar.) Young professionals, however, should find much to enjoy here between the clientele, much-acclaimed menu and massive beer list, which offers 75 tap and bottle varieties to choose from.
Mojito’s 1004 Gervais St., 779-1717 Last year, 400,000 Americans visited the Communist paradise of Cuba thanks to an easing of travel restrictions. But it’s a lot easier just visiting this enticing Vista locale for a taste of tropical nightlife.
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The Oyster Bar 1123 Park St., 799-4484 oysterbarcolumbia.com Serves oysters — duh — in a dresseddown atmosphere. Best of all: They schuck, you eat.
Pearlz 936 Gervais St., 661-7741 pearlzoysterbar.com As an oyster bar, Pearlz specializes in all things bivalve mollusk. But its hip, trendy ambience and signature martinis make it a hotspot for Columbia’s young, urban professional crowd. There’s a new upstairs bar, now, too, that offers live music occasionally.
PT’s 1109 1109 Assembly St., 253-8900, pts1109.com You could live your whole life in Columbia and not know this gay bar exists, and, frankly, its regulars probably wouldn’t mind all that much. Conversely, this haunt is a treasure to the folks who frequent it.
music & Nightlife
Social 918 Gervais St., socialcolumbia.com Per its website, Social aims to be a blend of worldwide hotspots: Panama’s Zona Viva; New York City’s Meat-Packing District; Havana’s El Diablo; Los Angeles; and Mediterranean party island Ibiza.
Thirsty Fellow 621 Gadsden St., 799-1311 thirstyfellow.com Launched by Willie Durkin — formerly of Shannon’s, Sneakers and Durkin’s — Thirsty Fellow serves up eclectic, delicious pizzas and offers a full bar.
Tin Roof 1022 Senate St., 771-1558 tinroof.com Started in Atlanta in 1996, Tin Roof now has five locations in the Southeast. Its calling cards: live music, good food and a laid-back atmosphere. Open for lunch, happy hour, dinner and into the night.
Uncle Fester’s 522 Devine St., 748-9897 While most of the Soda City’s bars are closing up shop on Sunday morning, this watering hole between Palmetto Pig and Todd & Moore keeps the party going. Always packed with a diverse clientele.
Uncle Louie’s 1125 Park St., 933-9833 The only dive bar in the Vista — and we mean that in th best possible way. Its no-frills, no-nonsense attitude has endeared this unassuming watering hole to a loyal legion of regulars, but there’s always room for more.
Wet Willie’s 800 Gervais St., 779-5650 wetwillies.com Serves grain alcohol slushies — er, daiquiris — and, as such, is a late-night
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Vista favorite.
The Wild Hare 902-B Gervais St., 929-0374 Three-time winner of the Best Sports Bar in the Best of Columbia poll. Serves up hefty portions of some hefty selections (try the potato cakes!), and earns points for televisions and attractive wait staff. Down-to-earth crowd.
Wild Wing Café 729 Lady St., 252-9464 wildwingcafe.com Sure, Wild Wing Café has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is their 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter. Also boasts a ton of TVs, a party atmosphere and a steady stream of regional rock bands.
The Woody
808 Lady St., 779-9663 woodyinthevista.com Named after a popular Columbia oldies-radio disc jockey — who DJs every night of the week here — The Woody is a new addition to The Vista. You have to duck through an alley, but don’t let that ward you off. Offers nightly drink specials.
World of Beer
Conundrum Music Hall
State Street Pub
902-F Gervais St., 509-6020 thevista.wobusa.com Offers over 500 different beers. Yes, Virginia: Five hundred beers on draft and in bottles. Wine and cigars, too.
626 Meeting St., 399-0397 conundrum.us Conundrum’s mission statement: Bringing you the music you know you need, as well as the music you don’t yet even know you need. What that means: Run by local impresario of the odd Tom Law, Conundrum is a hub for avant-garde music, offering weird, wild and wonderful avant-jazz, contemporary classical and out-there prog ensembles.
136 State St., 796-2006 Pool. Sports. Lots of beer — 22 varieties, to be exact — on tap. A dive bar, but one with plenty of charm.
New Brookland Tavern
12 Tommy Circle, 771-0161 Off-the-beaten path hole-in-the-wall not without its charms.
West Columbia / Vista West @116 Espresso & Wine Bar
116 State St., 791-5663, 116state.com A coffee shop that serves gourmet food and booze? Be still our beating hearts! Dig those specialty cocktails; also serves an extensive assortment of wines.
Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor West Columbia: 710 Meeting St., 796-6477, billsmusicshop.com Instrument store hosts weekly bluegrass jams, biweekly Opry-style country jams and occasional concerts featuring top-flight bluegrass and old-timey musicians.
Calloway’s Bar & Grill 2410 Augusta Rd., 926-1199 Pool tables. Big-screen TVs. What more do you want from a sports bar?
122 State St., 791-4413 newbrooklandtavern.com New Brookland Tavern is best known for being Columbia’s go-to spot for live local, regional and national live music, but it’s a damn fine bar, too, offering a fine array of specials and a bar stocked with much more than Pabst Blue Ribbon.
The Red Door 134 1/2 State St., 708-6066 House in the renovated space formerly occupied by The Red Tub, Red Door is a late-night spot serving cheap pub food and cheaper drinks. Hosts local art and music, too.
Forest Acres / Dentsville Ale House Lounge
Comedy House 2768 Decker Blvd., 798-9898 comedyhouse.us Regional and national comedy acts stopping by regularly. Offers a full menu with steak, shrimp, chicken, burgers, sandwiches and appetizers.
The Mouse Trap 2711 Middleburg Drive, 799-2120 One of this town’s hidden gems, the bar is located beneath an office building in Middleburg Park. Perhaps its location is why it’s frequented by local celebrities such as former Gamecock football players, but the real draw is its incredible food.
Wine and Beer
January 30, 2013
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music & Nightlife
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Pizza Joint 3246 Forest Dr., 454-1743 Come for the pizza, stay for the surprisingly highfalutin beer selection. Hey, your bar options are limited in Forest Acres.
have plenty of other sports on television throughout the bar.
British Bulldog Pub
4840 Forest Dr., 787-3949 More known for its food, yes, but its bar — and sexy atmosphere — make it a great place for a casual — or serious — drinks date.
1220 E10 Bowers Pkwy., 227-8918 thebritishbulldogpub.com A British pub in the middle of Irmo’s urban sprawl? Rad. A dinner menu of traditional U.K. cuisine is augmented with specials on Guinness and Irish whiskeys, but the Bulldog doesn’t forget us Yanks, offering basketball (and soccer, too) on big-screen televisions and multiple, cold domestics.
Salsa Cabana
Carolina Ale House
Rosso Trattoria Italia
2005 N. Beltline Blvd., 787-1052 This weekend spot is one of the few places in town where you can go to find authentic salsa music, dancing and flair.
Irmo / Harbison / Dutch Fork Bailey’s Sports Grille
115 Afton Ct., 407-3004 If you’re a serious billiards enthusiast, you’ll be challenged to find a better place. Bailey’s has well-maintained regulation tables and pretty good bar food, too. And if your pool game is suffering, they
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277 Columbiana Dr., 407-6996 carolinaalehouse.com Southeastern chain grille-and-grog offers good eats, a good beer selection and plenty of televised sports.
Copper River Grill 1230 B8 Bower Parkway, 749-4647 copperrivergrill.com Copper River Grill is a destination drinking spot for the entire Irmo/St. Andrews area. A super-large bar area means you’ll always have someplace to sit, but it still gets crowded the later the night progresses. Extensive menu along with beer, wine and specialty cocktails like the Copper River Caramel Apple Martini and
Rosso Trattoria Italia Photo by JONATHAN SHARPE
the Killer Whale Chocolate Martini.
The Wild Hare
489 Piney Grove Rd., 731-0403 Karaoke, cover bands and lots of pool. Hence the name “Corner Pocket,” get it? Wannabe pool sharks are welcome — but be ready to meet your match.
5122 Bush River Rd., 213-1300 A sports bar with plenty of TVs, pool tables and dartboards, this location also offers an outdoor bar area with a sand volleyball court. Named Best Sports Bar in the Best of Columbia poll for three years running.
Hooters
Wild Wing Café
Corner Pocket
5195 Fernandina Rd., 407-9464 hooters.com The same people who justify buying Playboy for the articles probably justify going to Hooters for its food. A guy’s hangout if there ever were one, Hooters is famous for its wings and women — both of which can get pretty hot.
1150 Bower Pkwy., 749-9464 wildwingcafe.com Sure, Wild Wing Café has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter. Also boasts a ton of TVs, a party atmosphere and a steady stream of regional rock bands.
Tsunami 1290 Bower Pkwy., 407-3873 Like its sister Vista location, Tsunami’s elegant, contemporary atmosphere and ample seating area complement its extensive sake, wine and beer selection.
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music & Nightlife
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January 30, 2013
January 30, 2013
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Lexington / Lake Murray Baja Broiler
1345 Old Chapin Rd., 356-0040 bajabroiler.net Freshly made Southwestern food and wings, weekly karaoke and occasional live music on the weekends make this a Lexington County hotspot.
Bentley’s Beach House 1605 N. Lake Dr., 808-7263 A popular stop for Lexington locals located near the Lake Murray Dam. Familyfriendly. Cheap eats. Cheaper drinks.
Carolina Wings & Rib House 105 Northpoint Dr., 356-6244 carolinawings.com What can we say about this Columbia institution? There’s one in almost every neighborhood, they carry a good selection of bottled beers, and the assortment of buffalo wing flavors is enticing, too.
Catch-22
Tipsy Toad Tavern Photo by Laurie Moot
Main Street Café
The Dam Bar & Grill 1609 N Lake Dr., 808-0882 Jukebox, pool tables and a number of plasma televisions. Live music most weekends; karaoke, too.
1085D Lake Murray Blvd., 749-4700 Upscale bar inside upscale seafood restaurant. What this has to do with Joseph Heller, we have no idea.
131 E. Main St., 808-5886 mainstreetcafelexington.com This little Greek restaurant is tucked into a storefront space in the middle of Main Street in downtown Lexington. The addition of live local music several nights a week makes it a great way for Lexington residents to enjoy dinner and some entertainment without having to travel into Columbia.
Outt Saloon 1573 S. Lake Dr., 359-0458 Pub-style sports bar. Open late.
Rusty Anchor
WED JAN 30
» LINDA’S CARRAOKE
FRI FEB 01
YERS » ART BAR PLA COMEDY
IMPROV » MIXXD DANCE PARTY
SAT FEB 02
D » REGGIE SULLIVAINGN BAN A HAL RM » CHA THE & RET » NED DURDLY GENTS KIN
BARSC.COM 1211 PARK ST » 803.929.0198 » ART OPEN NIGHTLY AT 8PM
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1925 Johnson Marina Rd., 749-1555 rustyanchorrestaurant.com Sliding glass doors opened most of the year offer a great view of Lake Murray. And live entertainment on The Quarterdeck outside jazzes up the summer months.
Schooners 6226 Bush River Rd., 661-6138 schoonersbarandgrill.com On the eastern shores of Lake Murray by the confluence of Bush River Rd., North Lake Dr. and Lake Murray Blvd., Schooners is a simple unassuming bar and grill, offering daily specials, cheap wings, televisions and live music.
Tipsy Toad Tavern 103 Beaufort St., 932-4470 tipsytoadtavern.com A godsend to the culturally deprived lake area, the Tipsy Toad features a good beer selection (Anchor Steam on tap!) and Vista-style atmosphere.
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January 30, 2013
Caprioska
Your Time Out
McCary’s Sports Bar
109-U Old Chapin Rd., 808-0334 Hey, we all need a time out now and again.
851 Bush River Rd., 551-5680 Typically places high in the annual Best of Columbia poll, and for good reason: good selection, good atmosphere.
Wings ‘n’ Ale 154 Ellis Ave., 359-4475 Specializing in wings, beer and pool, Wings ‘n’ Ale has an ample supply of all three. If you’re looking for a place where the odds of getting a table are better than making a masse shot, this is it. Classic and modern rock flows as freely as the brew. Not your khaki and button-down crowd.
St. Andrews
Exclusive Reggae Bar & Grill 1004 Zimalcrest Dr., 798-2119 If I and I been away from the island too long, this bar provides a taste of Jamaica, mon.
Heartbreakers 800 Bush River Rd., 798-2610 Let’s be frank here: You’re not going to Heartbreakers for the drink specials and food, but the fact that it offers them — and the fact that the girls here take their clothes off — certainly isn’t driving you away.
Hemingway’s 7467 St. Andrews Rd., 749-6020 A neighborhood institution in Irmo for years, Hemingway’s has been the watering hole of choice there for several reasons. Not content to do just one thing well, Hemingway’s is a sports bar, a great restaurant and a nice little music club all rolled into one. Papa would approve.
January 30, 2013
The Palace II 6920 N. Main St., 834-4673 Upscale R&B club for the “prestigious and elite.” Their words, not ours.
Platinum Plus 362 Jacob Rd., 731-0555 theplatinumplus.com Let’s be frank here: You’re not going to Platinum for the cigar bar, drink specials and food, but the fact that it offers them — and the fact that the girls here take their clothes off — certainly isn’t driving you away.
Pure Ultra Lounge 14 Berryhill Rd., 451-7873 purecolumbia.com In the old Comedy House building, Pure bills itself as an upscale Gullah Bistro and dance club with live jazz weekly. Has not one but two bars and VIP areas stocked with premium and potent potables. It’s ultra, all right, and superswanky.
Wings & Ale 125-C Outlet Pointe Blvd., 750-7600 scwingsandale.com Family atmosphere, live entertainment and wings. Features jukebox, pool tables, sporting events on large-projection TV and many other big-screen TVs. Live entertainment steers toward the classic rock crowd. Never a cover charge.
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Wild Wing Café FILE PHOTO
Northeast Columbia
highly esteemed restaurants, Solstice offers an extensive wine and specialty drink list.
7001 Parklane Rd., 699-8300 caprioska.com Karaoke on Tuesdays sponsored by the Big DM, Columbia’s leading R&B radio station. Upscale atmosphere with plush couches in its lounge area; plenty of TVs in its sports bar.
Taps Pub & Restaurant
Caprioska
Hooters 7711 Two Notch Rd., 419-3456 hooters.com The same people who justify buying Playboy for the articles probably justify going to Hooters for its food. A guy’s hangout if there ever were one, Hooters is famous for its wings and women — both of which can get pretty hot.
104-B Columbia NE Dr., 699-4657 Patriotically themed pub.
Trackside Tavern 10237 Two Notch Rd., 708-4817 Motto: “Where Good Looking People Go To Get Ugly.” No, really. Open superlate.
Tsubaki 224 10 O’Neill Ct., 736-7474 Love karaoke? You’ll love Tsubaki, where the karaoke is as authentically Japanese as next-door Inakaya’s sushi.
The Venue
Polliwog’s 10005 Two Notch Rd., 736-5775 polliwogssc.com This state-of-the-art sports bar offers an attractive selection of viewing and dining possibilities.
The Puddlin’ Duck 108 Columbia Northeast Dr., 865-2859 thepuddlinduck.com An anchor of the nightlife and dining offerings in the Northeast, The Puddlin’ Duck offers Irish delicious grub (mmm … bangers), Irish beer and occasional live music in a friendly environment.
Serenity 301 Rice Meadow Way, 736-8228 Serenity now! A country-ish restaurant by day and lounge by night.
1020 Broad St. (Camden), 713-8333 venueonbroad.net This laid-back venue is the place to catch live music in Kershaw County, offering everything from singer-songwriters to popular local and regional rock acts.
Vivid Lounge 110-I Columbia Northeast Dr., 708-8500 vividsc.com Upscale restaurant and lounge.
Wild Wing Café 480 Town Center Place, Suite 2, 865-3365 wildwingcafe.com Sure, Wild Wing Café has sandwiches, salads and soup, but the obvious draw is its 33 flavors of wings. If you can’t decide on one, get the sampler platter. Also boasts a ton of TVs.
Solstice Kitchen & Wine Bar 841-4 Sparkleberry Lane, 788-6966 solsticekitchen.com More than one of Ricky Mollohan’s
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music & Nightlife
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Alternacirque alternacirque.com
Led by the talented and tireless Natalie Brown, Alternacirque is a collective of performers that includes bellydancers, fire performers, aerialists and various other alternative circus artists. Presents the annual Festival of Doom and attracts circus artists from throughout the country.
arts & culture
American Guild of Organists (Greater Columbia Chapter) columbiaago.org
Founded in 1896, the American Guild of Organists is the national professional association serving the organ and choral music fields. The Greater Columbia Chapter includes organists, choir directors and more, and organizes several concerts per year.
Anastasia and Friends Gallery 1534 Main St., stasia1825@aol.com
Presents diverse and eclectic exhibitions in the front of the Free Times office; a hot spot during the monthly First Thursday art crawls.
Árpád Darázs Singers adsingers.org
Led by Robert Neese, a student of founding conductor Árpád Darázs, this ensemble performs a varied repertoire of classical and contemporary works including sacred, secular, accompanied and a capella.
Artista Vista 269-5946, vistacolumbia.com
Alternacircque photo by scott bilby
C
olumbia has the best art museum in the state, along with a couple of kick-ass orchestras, cutting-edge theater and a deep well of dance talent spanning just about every genre you can think of. If you weren’t already aware that there’s a lot happening in Columbia’s arts scene, your excuse for not knowing just ended. From world-class touring dancers and Broadway productions to local writers and painters, this mid-sized city is brimming with opportunities for anyone with an open mind and an inclination toward the arts.
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For further information about specific events, your best bet is to follow organizations’ web sites and Facebook pages, get on their email lists — and, of course, to check the pages of Free Times weekly.
701 Center for Contemporary Art 701 Whaley St., 779-4571 701cca.org
Opened in the fall of 2008, the 701 Center for Contemporary Art has become an integral part of the local arts scene, presenting cutting-edge, contemporary art and operating an artist residency program.
Held the last weekend in April, Artista Vista is a free, three-day gallery crawl during which Vista galleries and studios open their doors late on Thursday night offering complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres. Galleries open again on Friday and Saturday and often feature artist demonstrations during that time.
Broadway in Columbia broadwayincolumbia.com
Think you can’t see Broadway quality in this mid-sized Southern town? Actually, you can.
Carolina Ballet 914 Pulaski St., 771-6303 carolinaballet.net
About Face 343-2208, lpierce@columbiamuseum.org
Artists’ group dedicated to portraiture and figural drawing. Skill levels range from beginners to seasoned professionals. Conducts art sessions and presents parties, educational forums and art exhibits. Meets at the Columbia Museum of Art.
A civic company for pre-professional dancers, Carolina Ballet alumni can be found in top companies throughout the country.
Chapin Community Theatre 107 Columbia Ave., Chapin, 240-8544 chapintheatre.org
What originated informally in the late
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SATURDAY APRIL 6 • 8PM
Koger Center for the Arts Tickets: Koger Center Ticket Booth capitoltickets.com 803.251.2222
Special Offer From South Carolina Democratic Party: Premier Seating & Pre-Show Reception • scbillmaher.eventbrite.com January 30, 2013
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‘70s as a few friends staging no-frills plays has become a staple of Lexington County’s cultural life.
City Art Gallery 1224 Lincoln St., 252-3613 cityartonline.com
Local and regionally oriented exhibitions, art classes, art supplies.
Colonial Life Arena 801 Lincoln St. at Greene St. Charge by phone: 1-866-472-8499 General Info: 576-9200 coloniallifearena.com
Opened in 2003, the 18,000-seat Colonial Center is the largest arena in South Carolina, hosting major concert and entertainment acts and serving as the home for USC men’s and women’s basketball.
Columbia Baroque Soloists columbiabaroque.com
Local ensemble specializes in the performance of 17th and 18th century European Baroque vocal and instrumental chamber music.
Columbia Children’s Theatre 691-4548, columbiachildrenstheatre.com
Theater for families and young audiences. Performances at Richland Mall.
Columbia Choral Society columbiachoralsociety.org
Led by music director Christopher Jacobson, the Columbia Choral Society performs choral masterworks and often collaborates with other local arts organizations.
Columbia City Ballet 1128 Taylor St., 799-7605 columbiacityballet.com
Columbia Classical Ballet courtesy photo
Columbia’s oldest dance company, consistently voted Best Dance Company in Free Times’ annual Best of Columbia readers’ poll.
Columbia City Jazz Dance Company columbiacityjazz.com, 252-0252
Highly acclaimed pre-professional jazz dance company. Also brings in guest artists for master classes.
Columbia Classical Ballet 2418 Devine St., 252-9112 columbiaclassicalballet.org
Emphasizes high-quality choreography by artistic director Radenko Pavlovich and guest choreographers; also presents international artists in the annual LifeChance performance.
Columbia College Goodall Gallery 1301 Columbia College Dr., 786-3088 columbiacollegesc.edu
Visual arts gallery at Columbia College.
Columbia Community Concert Band cccb.bandlink.org
So, you played trumpet in high school or college but haven’t touched it in years? Get your chops up, and maybe you can join the band — again.
Columbia Marionette Theater 401 Laurel St., 252-7366 cmtpuppet.org
Located near Riverfront Park, the Columbia Marionette Theater was founded in 1988 and presents children’s productions ranging from traditional fairy tales to educational shows. In 2009, founder Allie Scollon received a top national puppetry award.
Columbia Museum of Art Main and Hampton streets, 799-2810 columbiamuseum.org
The museum’s traveling exhibitions span the full range of art history, while its permanent collection emphasizes European fine and decorative arts. There’s also a ton of other events happening here: an acclaimed chamber music
Building with Integrity since 1976
General Contracting Construction Management Preconstruction Design Build
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www.MashburnConstruction.com n 803.400.1000
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224 0’NEIL COURT : 699.2626 • 655 ST. ANDREWS ROAD : 731.2538 LUNCH: Tues-Fri 11:45am-2pm • DINNER: Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm • Fri & Sat 5pm-11pm
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THE TOWNSHIP FOUNDATION PRESENTS COLUMBIA MUSIC FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION & ANN BRODIE’S CAROLINA BALLET
LA BAYADERE SPRING WATERS HOSANNA YOUNG PERSON’S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA MIMI WORRELL
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
KEITH MEARNS JESSICA MEARNS COOPER RUST AMY SHULER
FEBRUARY 9 – 7:30 PM THE TOWNSHIP AUDITORIUM A GIFT PERFORMANCE TO THE COMMUNITY CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CAROLINA BALLET AND 52 YEARS OF CIVIC BALLET
CALL 803-771-6303 FOR YOUR FREE TICKETS FOUNDATION
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City Art, Wendyth Thomas Wells photo by seth gadsden series, the young adult-oriented Arts & Draughts series, lectures, films, art classes and more.
Columbia Music Festival Association 914 Pulaski St., 771-6303 cmfaonline.com, cmfa5678@aol.com
Founded in 1897 as an arm of local government, CMFA is an umbrella organization offering rehearsal and performance space at its ArtSpace in the Vista and support services to a wide variety of local arts groups.
Columbia Writers Alliance colawriters.com
Hosts workshops and presents prose, poetry, spoken word events.
Cottingham Theater www.columbiacollege.sc.edu
Located on the Columbia College campus in North Columbia, this 375-seat auditorium presents theater and dance performances.
Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County 810 Lyttleton St., Camden, 803-425-7676 fineartscenter.org
First Thursdays on Main firstthursdaysonmain.wordpress.com
Eclectic monthly arts series on Main Street. A loose collaboration between the merchants on Main Street, spearheaded primarily by Frame of Mind, anastasia & Friends, S&S Art Supply, and the Tapp’s Arts Center.
Fort Jackson Museum
4442 Jackson Blvd., 751-7419 www.jackson.army.mil/Museum
Acquires and exhibits Fort Jacksonrelated artifacts dating to the fort’s founding in 1917.
Frame of Mind 1520 Main St., 988-1065 firstthursdaysonmain.wordpress.com
Home base for the monthly First Thursdays on Main series of art extravaganzas.
Gallery V Contemporary and Fine Craft 631-D Harden St., 920-7537 facebook.com/ArtGalleryV
A 2012 addition to Five Points, Gallery V hosts monthly openings and is located above Good for the Sole.
Presents community-oriented theater, music, dance and exhibitions, as well as the annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival.
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Wim Roefs, iF Art Gallery photo by seth gadsden
Gallery 80808 and Vista Studios
Koger Center
808 Lady St., 252-6134 vistastudios80808@gmail.com
1051 Greene St., 777-7500, koger.sc.edu
Offers studio space to a select number of artists and presents exhibitions throughout the year.
The Koger Center is operated by USC and has served as Columbia’s primary facility for the performing arts since 1989. Seats just over 2,000.
Half Moon Outfitters
Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra
2912 Devine St., 929-0771 columbia@halfmoonoutfitters.com,
lmso.org
Outdoors store also presents the Banff Mountain Film Festival every year.
Harbison Theatre 7300 College St. (Irmo), 407-5003 harbisontheatre.com
Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College presents performing arts events that strengthen the school’s educational offerings and its relationship with the local community. Also serves as a rental facility for local arts organizations.
High Voltage Theatre 754-5244, facebook.com/pages/High-Voltage-Theatre/148701098509882
Think there’s no culture when you get outside downtown? Think again. Led by artistic director Einar Anderson, the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra was conceived in 2001 and held its first concert in 2004.
Lexington County Choral Society lexcochoralsoc.org
Performances at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church.
Lexington County Museum US Highway 378 and Fox St. Lexington, 359-8369, www.lex-co.com/museum
Who else is going to stage a production of Night of the Living Dead? No one else around here.
Founded in 1970, the museum complex encompasses seven acres and features 36 historic structures focusing on the early history of Lexington County, from 1770 until the Civil War.
Historic Columbia Foundation
McKissick Museum (USC)
historiccolumbia.org
Manages historic homes (see Attractions) and offers historic tours and other events.
iF ART Gallery 1223 Lincoln St., 238-2351 ifartgallery.blogspot.com
Presents high-quality contemporary art shows, some at this location and others at Gallery 80808.
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USC Horseshoe, 777-7251 www.cas.sc.edu/mcks
Offers exhibits relating to the cultural, political and natural history of South Carolina and the southeastern United States.
McMaster Gallery (USC) 1615 Senate St., 777-7480 www.cas.sc.edu/art
A small, unassuming gallery tucked away inside USC’s Department of Art, McMaster is nonetheless a gem of the city’s
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MASTERWORKS 5
eternal
love
SCPHILHARMONIC.COM 803.254.PHIL (7445)
The Power Company Photo by Barry Brian Wheeler
courtesy photo
Saturday, February 9, 2013 | 7:30 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts Few composers capture emotional intensity – highs, lows, and all points in between – the way Mahler did. His all-consuming Fifth Symphony anchors this concert, which also offers works by two of Mahler’s musical inspirations.
be
2012/2013 masterworks series
there.
visual arts scene. Features student and faculty exhibitions along with contemporary traveling shows.
Nickelodeon Theatre
Metropolitan Opera Live in HD Series
Specializing in foreign and independent films, the Nickelodeon also presents the popular annual Indie Grits Festival and presents media education programs.
metoperafamily.org
All broadcasts are at Regal Sandhill Stadium 16 (450 Town Center Place, Village at Sandhill).
albeemindgravy@gmail.com
WAGNER
Prelude to Die Meistersinger
Poetry readings and events held at Drip in Five Points.
J. STRAUSS II
Wine, Women, and Song
Newberry Opera House
Symphony No. 5
1201 McKibben St., Newberry newberryoperahouse.com 803-276-6264
Premium concert tickets are $53, $45, $35, $27, and $23.
803.251.2222 | www.capitoltickets.com
Prices include $1 Koger Restoration Fee. Valet parking by Southern Valet $10. Self-parking $10.
/scphilharmonic @SCPhil
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“Music for a Cause” partner: Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – S.C.
Opera at USC music.sc.edu
Mind Gravy Poetry
MAHLER
1607 Main St., 254-8234 nickelodeon.org
Originally built in 1881, the Newberry Opera House was named Outstanding Theater by the League of Historic American Theaters in 2008. Presents classical groups, dance ensembles, folk music, beach bands, big bands, bluegrass and more.
Presents four productions per year. Tickets can be purchased by calling 7775369.
Palmetto Center for the Arts Richland School District Two Auditorium, 7500 Brookfield Rd., 699-2800 ext. 2832 palmettocenterforthearts.org
Various fine arts performances by artistically gifted high school students.
Palmetto LUNA 1830 Henderson St., palmettoluna.org
Latino-focused private gallery. By appointment only.
The Palmetto Mastersingers
NiA Company facebook.com/niacompany
This group of mainly minority actors, directors and producers presents edgy shows at various local venues.
palmettomastersingers.org
Founded in 1981, The Palmetto Mastersingers is a men’s choral group that has performed at The White House, Carnegie Hall and the National Cathedral.
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Columbia Marionette Theater photo by austin price
Palmetto Opera
S&S Art Supply
palmettoopera.org
1633 Main St., 661-9700 sandsartsupply.com
Promotes opera in the Midlands through its Opera Thursdays program, which presents opera selections at local restaurants, and through occasional fullscale productions.
Ponder Art Gallery (Benedict College) 1600 Harden St., 705-4605 www.benedict.edu
Features works by African-American artists.
The Power Company 786-3825, thepowercompany.org
Contemporary dance company based at Columbia College and led by Martha Brim.
Redbird School of Irish Music Concert Series 254-3461, cornerhousemusic.com
Produces the annual Irish Arts Weekend. Workshops also held in conjunction with performance dates.
Richland Library richlandlibrary.com
Offers numerous literary programs for children and adults, including the annual A(ugusta) Baker’s Dozen storytelling festivals. See website for details.
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Along with art supplies, also an active participant in the First Thursday series, presenting rotating monthly shows.
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church sapc.net, 732-2273
Home to the Palmetto Artist Series.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 1715 Bull St., 779-0030 stpaulslutherancolumbia.com
Hosts Autumn Concerts at St. Paul’s series.
Saluda Shoals Park 5605 Bush River Rd., 731-5208
Hosts the annual Unearth arts event, a celebration of art inspired by nature.
The Sandlapper Singers sandlappersingers.org
Professional choral group specializing in American music. Most performances held at the Dreher High School Performing Arts Center.
Sapphire Moon Dance Company sapphiremoon.samsbiz.com
Columbia-based contemporary dance company led by Angela Gallo, assistant
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professor of dance at Coker College.
Shandon Presbyterian Church 607 Woodrow St., 771-4408
Home base for the multidisciplinary Arts at Shandon series.
The Skipp Pearson Foundation jazzunderthestars.webs.com
Motto: “Let Freedom Swing.” Presents the annual Jazz Under the Stars series on the State House lawn.
South Carolina Center for the Book 1430 Senate St., readsc.org
Lunchtime author talks held at the South Carolina State Library’s Center for the Book.
South Carolina Philharmonic Information: 771-7937, Box office: 254-7445 scphilharmonic.com
We don’t know a whole lot of orchestra conductors, but we’d venture to say that the one who can regularly be seen talking sports and throwing back PBRs at local watering holes is one of the coolest around. (Note: Morihiko Nakahara can also be seen throwing down fine craft beers, too.) Yes, Columbia loves Morihiko — and, lucky for us, the feeling is mutual.
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South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Museum 301 Gervais St., 737-8095 crr.sc.gov
Believe it or not, the Confederate Relic Room actually has much more than Civil War memorabilia, with artifacts dating from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Located in the former mill that also houses the S.C. State Museum.
South Carolina Shakespeare Company 787-2273, shakespearesc.org
Led by Linda Khoury, this theater group mostly performs — you guessed it — works by Shakespeare.
South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., 898-4921 southcarolinastatemuseum.org
Housed in the historic Columbia Mill building (built in 1893), the S.C. State Museum has permanent and rotating exhibitions covering South Carolina’s cultural history, natural history, science, technology and art. The museum also brings in non-S.C.-related blockbuster exhibitions.
Southern Exposure New Music Series music.sc.edu/ea/comp/southernexposure
Winner of a national award for innova-
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tive programming, these free concerts offer the best of contemporary classical music. (Stop scratching your head and just go see a concert — they’re awesome.) Held in USC’s School of Music Recital Hall.
Sterling Chamber Players sterlingchamberplayers.org, 252-2001
Theatre South Carolina 777-2551, www.cas.sc.edu/thea
The University of South Carolina’s theater company.
Town Theatre 1012 Sumter St., 799-2510 towntheatre.com
Main Street, 360-6794
The oldest continuously operating community theater building in the country; presents family-friendly musicals and other productions.
Are you a newbie who wants to discover the places only locals know about? Check out the L-shaped Arcade Mall, with entrances on Main and Lady streets.
1703 Taylor St., thetownship.org Ticket Info: 576-2350 Tickets: 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
All concerts held at 300 Senate St.
Studios in the Arcade
Sumter Opera House 21 North Main St., Sumter sumtersc.gov, 803-436-2616
Active calendar of cultural events, many of which feature Columbia-based artists and writers.
Tapp’s Arts Center 1644 Main St., info@tappsartscenter.com tappsartscenter.com
Primarily a haven for the visual arts, with studio spaces and regular exhibitions, Tapp’s also hosts occasional film screenings, readings and musical performances.
Township Auditorium
First opened in 1930, the 3,000-plusseat Township Auditorium has hosted such artists as Elvis Presley, Duke Ellington, Pink Floyd and The Clash. Reopened in 2010 after a $12 million facelift. Books everything from gospel plays, dance performances and comedians to rock, pop, R&B and country acts.
Trenholm Artists Guild trenholmartistsguild.org
Members include amateur and professional artists who work in watercolor, oil, acrylics, pastel, sculpture, fiber, and photography. Meetings are held monthly September through May on the second
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Monday of the month.
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral 1100 Sumter St., trinitysc.org, 7717300 Newly renovated chapel offers beautiful acoustics for Trinity’s numerous concerts, which include organ, chamber and choral music.
Trustus Theatre 520 Lady St., 254-9732 trustus.org
Columbia’s leading progressively oriented theater company. Led by the indomitable Larry Hembree.
Unbound Dance Company unbounddance.com
Think you don’t like dance? OK, but you like sexy women. Unbound is an edgy, athletic young company often seen at the city’s hippest events.
Unitarian Coffeehouse 2701 Heyward St., 888-849-4224 ext. 4 uucoffeehouse.org
Presents acoustic music including folk, blues, Celtic, bluegrass, jazz and international music.
South Carolina Philharmonic courtesy photo
Chef Joseph Jacobson presents classic, American cuisine in the heart of downtown Columbia, S.C.
1221
Main Street Columbia, S.C. 29201 803.563.5066 TheOakTableSC.com F TheOakTable
Lunch Monday through Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner Monday through Thursday: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday: 5 to 11 p.m. · Sunday: 5 to 9 p.m. Brunch Sunday: 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. Complimentary valet from 6 p.m. to close, daily Private dining and event space available
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Workshop Theatre photo by jonathan sharpe
The Upton Trio uptontrio.org
Camden-based string trio performing original works by Mary Lee TaylorKinosian, a violinist and composer who is also concertmaster of the South Carolina Philharmonic.
orchestra performing traditional classical repertoire, often with highly acclaimed guest soloists. All concerts are held in the Koger Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at the Carolina Coliseum box office or by calling 251-2222. Call 7777500 for more information.
Village Square Theatre
USC Dance Company www.cas.sc.edu/dance
Presents both classical and contemporary works. Led by Susan Anderson, 2011 South Carolina Professor of the Year.
105 Caughman Rd., Lexington, 359-1436 villagesquaretheatre.com
Community theater from the Lexington County Arts Association.
Vista Ballroom
USC School of Music www.music.sc.edu
From its symphony orchestra to its many faculty recitals, the USC School of Music is a steady source of highquality music programming in the city. Many events are held at the USC School of Music Recital Hall, which is on the second floor of the music school on Assembly Street next to the Koger Center. Performance updates are posted online throughout the season.
717 Lady St., 546-3705 vistaballroom.net
Offers tango, salsa, swing, shag and ballroom dance lessons throughout the year.
Workshop Theatre 1136 Bull St., 799-6551 (box office) workshoptheatre.com
A popular community theater that has been branching out in recent years with increasingly ambitious works.
USC Symphony Orchestra Led by Donald Portnoy, the USC Symphony Orchestra is a high-caliber student
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Classics T
hese are the Columbia restaurants where your parents ate when they were in college, the ones with tattered photos on the wall of former local celebrities, the ones that serve as the culinary underpinning of the city. Mostly Southern, mostly hearty, these places will get you fed right.
Beezer’s Downtown: 919-B Sumter St., 771-7771
food & dining Immaculate Consumption file photo
Sandwiches like the T-Bird, the Godfather and the Rebel Rouser have become mainstays for any self-respecting college student or budget-conscious diner. Delivers until the wee hours. ¢.
Big T Barbecue Gadsden: 2520 Congaree Rd., 353-0488 Garners Ferry/Southeast: 7535 Garners Ferry Rd., 776-7132 Northeast: 1061 Sparkleberry Ln., 788-4295
Big T’s turns out some of the best barbecue in town. Pit-cooked pulled pork is the standout, served with hot or mild, slightly sweet mustard-based sauce. The sides are first-rate. Friendly people, generous portions. $.
Carolina Café and Catering Company USC/South Main: 925 Sumter St., 799-6676
W
hen it comes to eating well in the Midlands, you have plenty of original, engaging options — more than you might think, in fact, given that Columbians also love their chain restaurants and fast food.
The food scene continues to diversify by the year. The year 2012 saw the opening of everything from more high-end offerings — Oak Table, Cola’s — to a traditional Japanese ramen joint. Someday, just maybe, people outside the state will be talking about Columbia’s dining scene instead of Charleston’s; until then, we’ll just remain a well-kept, down-home secret. To help you find exactly what you’re looking for, we’ve split the listings into five categories: The Classics, without which this guide
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would be incomplete; the Classy joints with the upscale menus and hot chefs; the Cool places to challenge your palate; the Clean sources for fresh local products; and the Caffeine purveyors who can provide your daily fix. Keep in mind, this list is an introduction to the local dining scene — not a comprehensive overview of it. For that, check out our quarterly publication Bites & Sights, available at key spots downtown, numerous local hotels and online at free-times.com.
food & dining
Looking to rub elbows with a legislator or lobbyist? A favorite with the State House set, not to mention USC students, Carolina Café is a conveniently located spot for a muffin, cookie or bagel (they make 14 different kinds). Serves breakfast and lunch all day, seven days a week.
D’s Wings West Columbia/Cayce: 920 Axtell Dr. (Parkland Plaza), 791-4486, dswings.com
Delectable ribs — seriously, they’re special — plus burgers, sandwiches, chicken fingers and more. Dinner options include marinated ribeye, fried shrimp and more. Also offers tailgating specials featuring wings, ribs, sandwiches, fruit and cheese. ¢.
Edna’s Drive-In North Columbia: 3609 River Dr., 252-6696
A modest kiosk that’s been dishing out some of the city’s best and cheapest hamburgers and hot dogs to generations of Columbians. A genuine local institution. ¢.
Egg Roll Chen Garners Ferry/Southeast: 715 Crowson Rd., 787-6820, eggrollchen.com
A longtime Columbia favorite, packed at the dinner hour with everyone from lawyers to construction workers, Eggroll Chen makes fresh Chinese favorites to order: Spicy Taiwan Beef, Hot & Nutty Chicken, perfect lo mein and the famous Mamasan’s Beef Noodle Soup. ¢.
Groucho’s Blythewood: 730 University Village Dr., 754-4509 Five Points: 611 Harden St., 799-5708 Forest Acres: 4717 Forest Dr., 790-0801 Harbison/Irmo: 800 Lake Murray Blvd., 749-4515 Lexington: 117 1/2 East Main St., 356-8800 West Columbia/Cayce: 2265 Sunset Blvd., 796-7826 grouchos.com
Open since 1941, Groucho’s is the premiere lunchtime meeting place of students and businesspeople of Columbia. The Apollo and the STP Dipper are locally famous for good reason. ¢.
Harper’s Five Points: 700 Harden St., 252-2222 harpersgroup.com
Part of a small, Charlotte-based chain, Harper’s exceeds chain standards both in the quality of the ingredients and the level of attention paid your dinner by the kitchen. While the menu has burgers, sandwiches and beef, Harper’s also offers fresh seafood, creative salads and more. $.
Kingsman West Columbia/Cayce: 936 Axtell Dr. (Parkland Shopping Center), 796-8622
This longtime Cayce favorite offers an extensive menu featuring everything from fried appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizza and wings to salads, lasagna and even liver and onions. Serves liquor. Busy lunch, lots of atmosphere. ¢.
Little Pigs Northeast: 4927 Alpine Rd., 788-8238 littlepigs.biz
Drake’s Duck-In Downtown: 1544 Main St., 799-9290
Known for its cheeseburgers, chicken filet sandwiches and other very affordable eats, Drake’s Duck-In offers some of the best, fastest fast-food-that’s-not-fastfood you’ll find anywhere in town. ¢
Amazing spread of lunch buffet offerings including yams, corn, baked beans, fried okra, onion rings, hush puppies, green beans and more. The three varieties of barbecue are nothing to sneeze at, either. ¢.
Price Key
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¢ avg. entrée < $10 $ avg. entrée = $10-15 $$ avg. entrée > $15
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Big T Barbecue file photo
Mack’s Downtown: 1809 Laurel St., 779-9681
The clientele at this little wood-paneled downtown lunch spot is equal parts blue collar and white collar, but they’re all in it for the same thing: affordable, thin, griddled burgers and the tastiest slaw dogs around. The chili cheeseburger is especially good. ¢.
The Mousetrap Forest Acres: 2711 Middleburg Dr., 799-2120
One of the more out-of-the-way restaurants in town, this bar is located beneath an office building in Middleburg Park. Perhaps its location is why it’s frequented by local celebrities such as former Gamecock football players, but the real draw is its tasty food. Downhome lunch and dinner specials, and huge portions. ¢.
No Name Deli Downtown: 2042 Marion St., 252-0480
This popular downtown lunch spot is anything but anonymous. Grab a tray and line up for sandwiches (hot or cold), salads and homemade soup. The sweet tea with fresh mint is a must-try. Pay at the register when you get your food — though be sure to bring cash or a check, no cards. Separate counter for to-go order pickup helps long lines disappear quickly. ¢.
Nonnah’s 930 Gervais St., 779-9599
Long considered Columbia’s best place for dessert (seriously, it wins Free Times’ Best of Columbia dessert category year after year), Nonnah’s also serves regular food, hitting that sweet spot of Southern-ladies-who-lunch fare with sandwiches, crepes and salads.
Original Pancake House Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr. (Trenholm Plaza), 782-6742, originalpancakehouse.com
Pancakes as you like them. Offering a full menu including cinnamon-glazed
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apple pancakes, freshly squeezed juices, homemade fruit syrups and more. And if you’re not in the mood for pancakes, try the meat-lovers omelet. The lines are long for a reason; get there before church lets out and you’ll be in good shape. ¢.
Pizza Man Shandon/Rosewood: 341 S. Woodrow St., 252-6931
A comfortable, dimly lit bar with good, cheap pizza and a cast of regulars. Serves a wide variety of toppings on wafer-thin crusts, as well as appetizers, subs, hamburgers, salads and chicken wings. ¢.
Rockaway Athletic Club Shandon/Rosewood: 2719 Rosewood Dr., 256-1075
This local institution was a stop for President George W. Bush during a visit to Columbia, and for good reason. For years, locals have been flocking to Rockaway’s, as it’s usually known, for its unbeatable pimento cheeseburgers and staple bar food. ¢-$.
Salty Nut Five Points: 2000-A Greene St., 256-4611
Even a firebombing couldn’t keep The Nut down: This beloved bar and burger joint reopened in mid-2012, and its porch is as awesome as ever. Here’s to peanut shells on the floor and those giant, tasty burgers. ¢-$
Sandy’s Famous Hot Dogs Downtown: 825 S. Main St., 254-6914 Lexington: 5175 Sunset Blvd., 356-9956, St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 1935 Broad River Rd., 772-1020 St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 612 St. Andrews Rd., 772-8617 sandyshotdogs.com
These folks probably didn’t invent the slaw dog, but they might as well have, at least in these parts. Proving that chili and coleslaw and onions and mustard can elevate the simple grilled wiener to something approaching haute cuisine, this local chain has been many a Columbian’s
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Baan Sawan file photo introduction to the sublime world of a well-prepared dog. Sandy’s also sells ice cream, though if you still have room after the main event, you’re doing something wrong. ¢.
coffee-spiced steak, pizzas and empanadas. A Sunday brunch features omelets, sweet potato pancakes and more. Also has Spanish wines, great sangria, martinis and a White Russian drinks menu. $.
Yesterdays
Baan Sawan
Five Points: 2030 Devine St., 799-0196 yesterdayssc.com
Five Points/Shandon: 2135 Devine St., 252-8992, baansawan.blogspot.com
A Columbia landmark since 1978, people flock here not just for a glimpse of a cowboy in a bathtub but also to throw back some suds while filling up on the heartiest fare in town, including meatloaf, broiled salmon, shrimp and grits and awesome country fried steak. Just about everything comes with veggies, too, unless you’re ordering late-night, when the sides scale back to slaw and fries and cold draught beer. ¢.
Not your typical Thai restaurant, Baan Sawan serves expertly prepared Thai standards like pad thai and curries, but also offers dishes you won’t find elsewhere — the Thai-spiced pulled pork shoulder that shows up on the specials board from time to time — and inventive seafood creations. It’s pricy Thai food, but well worth it. Classy setting and staff, and a quirky, loving approach to beer and wine. $-$$.
Classy
Blue Marlin
C
olumbia offers some pretty fine dining — and it’s not all filet mignons and tiny asparagus spears, either. If you’re looking to impress a client or date, or just to treat yourself to a classy dinner out, these are the Midlands’ best choices.
@116 State West Columbia/Cayce: 116 State St., 791-5663, 116state.com
Combine a coffee shop atmosphere with great wine and food, and you have @116 on State Street. Fresh-baked pastries and homemade soups accompany
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Vista: 1200 Lincoln St., 799-3838 bluemarlincolumbia.com
Specializing in creative seafood dishes with a decidedly Lowcountry flair, Blue Marlin also serves hand-cut steaks and prime rib. Shrimp and grits is a top seller, with the grits coming from right across the street at Adluh Flour. Don’t overlook other tasty options such as the crispy firecracker flounder served with a jalapeno salsa. $.
Cola’s American Cooking Downtown: 1215 Assembly St., 451-0051
An American bistro with diverse influences, Cola’s has a classy bar, big windows that open to the fresh air, and tasty fare like bacon-wrapped polenta fries, grilled grouper and braised short ribs. $$
Price Key
¢ avg. entrée < $10 $ avg. entrée = $10-15 $$ avg. entrée > $15
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Hampton Street Vineyard file photo
Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse
Elie’s Authentic Lebanese Cuisine
Downtown: 1508 Main St., 728-0887 cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com
St. Andrews: 1058 St. Andrews Rd., 798-9664
It’s a simple proposition, really: You slap down some money, visit the enormous salad bar, and then partake in the never-ending parade of sizzling grilled meats being carried around the dining room. With cuts as diverse as filet mignon, chicken wing, pork sausage, lamb shoulder and beef picanha — a special Brazilian cut — there’s something to please everyone. $$
Elie’s features fine dining in a friendly atmosphere. Cuisine ranges from falafel and baba ghanouj to kibbeh balls, kabobs and shawarma. Excellent Lebanese wine list. Cozy fire in the cooler months. ¢-$.
Crepes and Croissants Downtown: 1465 Sumter St., 462-4779
A real French creperie in the heart of downtown Columbia? Oui, c’est vrai. Choose from a variety of creative savory and sweet crepes, in addition to savory tarts, croissants, salads and a few French desserts. The Nutella-filled crepe is rather amazing, and the Paris crepe is a classic. ¢.
Dianne’s on Devine Shandon: 2400 Devine St., 254-3535 diannesondevine.com
t
Dim lighting, sultry jazz and exquisite service make Dianne’s an excellent choice for special occasions. Delicious fare features heavy Italian influence on chicken, steak and pasta dishes. You won’t go wrong anywhere on the upscale menu. $-$$.
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4 Flat Out Strangers
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Barefoot & Reckless
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Slap Wore Out
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Blue Iguanas
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DiPrato’s Delicatessen Five Points/Shandon: 342 Pickens St., 779-0606, dipratos.com
A stone’s throw from Maxcy Gregg park, DiPrato’s brings a New York attitude to its gourmet deli selections. Choose from its 17 signature sandwiches, build your own or explore the paninis and salads. The menu also offers 10 to 12 dinner entrées, including crab cakes and salmon. ¢-$.
food & dining
Garibaldi Café Five Points: 2013 Greene St., 771-8888 garibaldicolumbia.com
Fine dining in an elegant atmosphere. Large Italian menu specializes in fresh seafood and plenty of specials. Mediterranean influence means plenty of herbs and olive oils. Terrific fried flounder — a house specialty. $$.
Gervais & Vine Vista: 620-A Gervais St., 799-8463 gervine.com
True Mediterranean wine and tapas bar with more than 40 wines by the glass and a wide selection of appetizers. Dishes fuse Greek, Italian and Spanish cuisine. ¢-$.
Goatfeathers Five Points: 2017 Devine St., 256-3325
Goats is best known for its extensive list of ports, sherries, liquors and other wines and spirits, a sophisticated menu and a casual elegance at odds with nearby Five Points meat-markets. Whether you fall in with the philosophers at the big round table, opt for a candle-lit booth or hit the bar for an expertly mixed cocktail, the grown-up vibe is never fratty, if frequently fraternal. $.
Hampton Street Vineyard Downtown: 1201 Hampton St., 252-0850 hamptonstreetvineyard.com
Innovative American cuisine with seasonal menu changes, featuring fresh
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530 Lady Street
â&#x20AC;˘
Ste. B
Spring /Summer 2013
January 30, 2013
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340 Columbiana Drive Fall/ Winter 2013
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Mr. Friendly’s file photo
seafood, hand-cut steaks, lamb, duck, veal and accommodating and professional service all taking place in an urban cool space below the sidewalk in the historic Sylvan Building. ¢-$$.
M Café, M Vista and Miyo’s Downtown: 1417 Sumter St., 779-5788 South Main: 922 Main St., 779-6496 Vista: 701-C Lady St., 255-8884 miyos.com
Michelle Wang’s restaurants are different from each other, but they all offer healthy Asian food. Choose from standard Chinese stir fry dishes, including vegetarian options, or reasonably priced grilled items like salmon or flank steak, which come with a healthful salad plus a choice of white rice, brown rice or steamed noodles. Sushi, too. ¢-$$.
Mojito’s Tropical Café Vista: 1004 Gervais St., 779-1717
Swanky Cuban/Caribbean restaurant featuring everything from beans and rice to pulled pork and fried plantains. The classic Cubano — a sandwich filled with pulled pork, ham and mustard — is delightful; and if you’re not into pork, there are other versions of the Cubano as well: a portobello mushroom version for the vegetarians, a chicken version and more. Dessert and drink menus, plus a bar.
MoMo’s Bistro Shandon/Rosewood: 2930 Devine St., 252-2700
13 01 Assembly Stre et | 708. 4 785 || www.Rue77.com On the Corner of Lady & Assembly •
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@rue77bistro •
info@rue77.com •
food & dining
MoMo’s upscale but comfy dining room offers exotic meats like kangaroo and ostrich, plus classic meat and seafood specials and lighter fare. Sunday brunches offer a combination of classics and cooler stuff. $-$$.
Motor Supply Co. Bistro Vista: 920 Gervais St., 256-6687 motorsupplycobistro.com
An early pioneer of dining in the Vista 20 years ago, Motor Supply’s eclectic menu reflects a classic bistro mentality and changes every day and every night. Upbeat, cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent food with a focus on fresh, local produce and artisanal techniques. Especially popular for Sunday brunch. $-$$.
Mr. Friendly’s Five Points: 2001-A Greene St., 254-7828 mrfriendlys.com
This popular little bistro, tucked into the side of Claussen’s Inn, serves “good, old fashioned, New Southern Cuisine”. In addition to its daily menu, Mr. Friendly’s offers innovative nightly specials. $-$$.
Oak Table Downtown: 1221 Main St., 563-5066
A fantastic view of the State House, not to mention excellent high-end fine dining fare, from deep-fried whole lobster to refined steaks, crispy-roasted mushrooms and much more. Sundays feature a great brunch. $-$$.
Ristorante Divino Vista: 803 Gervais St., 799-4550 ristorantedivino.com
Some of the best fine dining in Columbia or anywhere else. You’ll find Northern Italian dishes here, including the signature rack of lamb. The gnocchi is heavenly. Wine list consistently wins Wine Spectator awards. $$.
Price Key
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¢ avg. entrée < $10 $ avg. entrée = $10-15 $$ avg. entrée > $15
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Tombo Grille
Al Amir
Forest Acres: 4517 Forest Dr., 782-9665 tombogrille.com
Downtown: 629 Main St., 771-0515 Lexington: 2361-A Augusta Highway, 808-7059 Northeast: 471-1 Market Place (Sandhills), 865-5865
Features fine wine, great appetizers, pasta, nightly specials and unique entrees: crispy roasted duckling, flatiron steak, carpaccio of beef tenderloin, steamed Prince Edward Island mussels and more. Menu changes to reflect seasonal offerings. $.
Cool
Blue Cactus Five Points: 2002 Greene St., 929-0782 bluecactuscafe.com
L Rosso Trattoria Italia file photo
Rosso Trattoria Italia
Solstice
Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Dr., 787-3949 rossocolumbia.com
Northeast: 841 Sparkleberry Ln., 788-6966 solsticekitchen.com
Out-of-this-world seafood highlights the Italian-Mediterranean menu, but don’t miss out on the wood-fired traditional pizzas. Entrées include Rosso Bucco (tee hee), wood-grilled swordfish, lobster spaghetti and lemon-saffron risotto. $-$$.
This Northeast eatery presents an upscale dining experience with such dishes as seared diver scallops, beef tartare, inhouse brined pork chops, South Carolina seafood and hand-cut steaks. Constantly rotating specials. Extensive wine list and elegant, yet cozy, atmosphere. $-$$.
Saluda’s Five Points: 751 Saluda Ave., 799-9500 saludas.com
This fine-dining establishment with a great view of Five Points offers cuttingedge culinary styles that blend Italian, French and Lowcountry influences. Serves seafood, beef, chicken and vegetarian entrees. $$.
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Terra West Columbia/Cayce: 100 State St., 791-3443, terrasc.com
This upscale Vista West spot is home to serious food artistry. Chef Mike Davis mixes Southern ingredients and European techniques, producing an array of creative, delicious fare. And if you can’t afford to put high culinary art on your plate, the brick oven pizzas, at $10 apiece, are a true and delicious bargain. Fantastic bar, too. $$.
food & dining
Al-Amir has a reputation for authentic and well-prepared Middle Eastern cuisine. Signature dishes include hummus, falafel, lamb kabob, mujadara and shawarma. The flatbreads are exceptional. ¢-$.
ooking for something besides a meat-and-three? These restaurants keep Columbia’s dining pool fresh. Whether it’s Blue Cactus, a quirky Korean-Southwestern that’s been winning hearts and minds for 16 years, or one of the city’s new food trucks, these are some of the hippest, most interesting eateries in Colatown.
2 Fat 2 Fly 622-6063, 2fat2flywings.com
Creamy macaroni and cheese stuffed inside a chicken wing?! It’s true. Or jambalaya? Or an inside-out chicken parmigiana? All these delicacies and more can be yours. For locations and hours, follow the truck on Twitter at @2fat2flywings or check the calendar at 2fat2flywings.com. Featured on the Cooking Channel show Eat Street. ¢.
This unassuming, family-run little eatery boasts a serious culinary reputation, specializing in homestyle Korean food mixed with Mexican and other influences to create a sizzling menu that is especially vegetarian-friendly. Quality takes time, however, so don’t go if you’re in a hurry. ¢.
Bombay Grill St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 245 Bush River Rd., 772-5121
Featuring a range of South and North Indian dishes, as well as a handful of Indian Chinese entrees, this Boozer Shopping Center one-stop satisfies vegetarians and omnivores alike. Diners can choose between classic standards like chicken tikka, lamb vindaloo and channa masala, or sample less common fare such as the fenugreek-seasoned methi chicken or baingan bartha, which pairs baked eggplant with tomato, onion and spices. The South Indian dosai (stuffed savory crepes) are not to be missed. No booze; serves Halal meats. $.
Price Key
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¢ avg. entrée < $10 $ avg. entrée = $10-15 $$ avg. entrée > $15
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THE CLASSES, THE TOOLS, THE MAGIC. GET COOKIN’. 702 Cross Hill Rd., Unit 300-D, Columbia, SC 29205 | (803) 509-8111 charlestoncooks.com
612 St. Andrews Road • Ashland Park • 803-561-0009 • 803-561-0006 January 30, 2013
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Open 7 Days a Week: Sun-Thur 11-10 • Fri-Sat 11-11
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Bone-In Artisan BBQ Truck
Café Strudel
957-1818, artisanbbqtruck.com
West Columbia/Cayce: 300 State St., 794-6634, cafestrudel.com
Smoked meats on homemade focaccia; cilantro-lime coleslaw; grilled pimento cheese sandwiches on jalapeno cornbread — this is barbecue done fancy and right. For locations and hours, follow the truck on Twitter (artisanbbqtruck) or visit artisanbbqtruck.com. Featured on the Cooking Channel show Eat Street.
Bubble Tea Café Harbison/Irmo: 1260 Bower Parkway, 781-7508
The “bubbles” in bubble tea are big gummy beads of sweet tapioca — and the self-described bubble tea experts at this Harbison cafe will fix you up with any of more than 40 flavors of bubble-filled tea. Options include Thai Tea, Raspberry, Green Tea, Kiwi, Oreo Cookie, Peanut Butter and many more. ¢.
El Burrito Five Points: 934 Harden St., 765-2188
El Burrito serves healthy, super-fresh, taqueria-style food to college students, hipsters and other Five Points dwellers. Beans and rice, chicken, beef, soup, salads and more. Attention to healthy food and local produce. Vegan- and vegetarian-friendly. Cold beer, comfy porch. ¢.
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This Vista West café has as much fun naming its dishes (“Hangover Hashbrowns,” “Heart Attack Wrap”) as it does hand crafting its desserts and breads. The casual, Bohemian style restaurant offers soups, salads, sandwiches, grill items and coffees. Also hosts a legendary Sunday brunch. ¢.
Camon Vista: 1332 Assembly St., 254-5400
The only sushi spot in Columbia’s downtown business district defiantly refuses to serve lunch and earns its keep by offering an exotic alternative to the more mainstream restaurant options available in the nearby Vista. Quiet and discreet — not what you’ll encounter along the Gervais Street corridor, a couple of blocks away. Beloved by devoted regulars for the outstanding food, service and atmosphere. $.
Caprioska Northeast: 7001 Parklane Rd., 699-8300 caprioska.com
Any sports bar named for the caprioska, a beloved Brazilian mixed drink, is going to have a good drinks selection. But it also has a creative menu, with everything from barstool classics — mozzarella sticks and club sandwiches — to Latin
food & dining
American specialties — plaintain chips and skirt steaks. ¢-$.
Cupcake Vista: 1213 Lincoln St., 212-4949 freshcupcakes.com
This Charleston import does one thing and one thing only: cupcakes. Of course, it also does them supremely well. From red velvet to mandarin orange chocolate to salted caramel chocolate chip to about anything sweet you can think of, Cupcake has your sweet tooth covered and then some. ¢.
La Estrella Cayce: 1921 Airport Blvd., 739-6520
The friendliest place in West Columbia, this Mexican tienda and restaurant serves assorted tacos with all the classic fixins: cilantro, lime, corn tortillas and more. Tortas, too, as well as some MexicanAmerican favorites. Other items include short ribs, and a pork chop that tastes like bacon. Also includes a butcher, deli counter, produce and other groceries. ¢-$.
Good Life Café West Columbia: 3681-D Leaphart Rd., 454-3516, goodlifecafe.net
A full-on vegan raw food bar with a tasty and ever-rotating array of mock foods: tacos, tostadas, wraps, sandwiches, tarts and more. Also has a large
selection of fresh squeezed juices and herbal tonics, and a case of scrumptious desserts. A worthwhile trip even for those who maintain a cooked, meatbased diet. New location coming soon to Columbia’s Main Street. ¢-$.
Hero Northeast: 6634 Two Notch Rd., 699-9922
Order from the Korean barbecue menu and your server will dump some hot coals in the hole in the middle of your table and let you go to town. Specializing in authentic Korean dishes such as gal bi (short ribs in a house sauce) and hwe dup bob (mixed raw fish and spicy sauce atop rice), Hero also serves traditional Japanese fare such as teriyaki entrees, sushi and tempura. ¢-$$.
Huller’s Black Forest Harbison/Irmo: 7713 St. Andrews Rd., 781-0026, hullersonline.com
Started by New Jersey German-American transplants (and sausage-making experts), this authentic German restaurant features all the sausages, schnitzels and spaetzle you could ever wish for. Buffet features specialties plus a drink, salad and dessert. $
Price Key
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¢ avg. entrée < $10 $ avg. entrée = $10-15 $$ avg. entrée > $15
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Menkoi Ramen House file photo
KiKi’s Chicken and Waffles Northeast: 110 Columbia Northeast Dr., 834-7948
Chicken and waffles! And not just any old iteration of this soul food classic — they’ve got a red velvet waffle if you’re feeling fancy. Also try the shrimp and grits. ¢
The Kraken Gastropub Shandon/Rosewood: 2910 Rosewood Dr., 955-7408
What’s a gastropub? Well, that just means the food is as good as the excellent beer, with offerings like pork belly, a lobster grilled cheese sandwich, crab cakes and butterbean hummus. $
Lamb’s Bread Vegan Café North Main: 2338 Main St., 253-7889
Hunter-Gatherer Downtown: 900 Main St., 748-0540 huntergathererbrewery. com
Serving excellent hand-crafted ales since 1995, Hunter-Gatherer’s food is as good as its beer, with nightly gourmet specials to
complement such local favorites as the black bean dip. Specialty pizzas are popular, as are the burgers and sandwiches. A favorite spot for university types, hipsters and jazz lovers, who come out in force on Thursdays for Skipp Pearson. Also offers half-gallon growlers so you can take the good stuff home. ¢-$.
2010
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One of Columbia’s only restaurants catering to vegans and vegetarians alike. Entire menu is vegan and uses locally grown and organic produce. Mock meats, sandwiches, vegetable dishes and fresh fruit juices available, as well as AfricanAmerican Muslim favorites like bean pie. ¢.
Menkoi Ramen House Vista: 1004 Gervais St., 708-1569
Surprised to find legitimate Japanese ramen in the heart of the Vista? You shouldn’t be: The proprietor of beloved sushi joint Inakaya is now slinging noodles ‘til the wee hours, and those noodles are
downright delicious. We’re told the beef and vegetable curry — a mild, browngravy concoction served over rice — is highly authentic as well, at least if you’re trying to recreate the late-night world of a Japanese businessman on a bender. ¢
Pawleys Front Porch Five Points: 827 Harden St., 771-8001 pawleys5pts.com
Ever since its burgers were featured in February 2010 on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the lines outside Pawleys Front Porch have grown much longer. There’s more to the menu than burgers and shoestring fries — for example, fried oysters, fish tacos and a gourmet BLT — but make no mistake: it’s the all-beef behemoths and atypical toppers that keep people lining up at this Five Points bar and grill. $.
Pho Viet Northeast: 2300 Decker Blvd., 699-5959 Five Points: 2011 Devine St., 779-4077 pho-viet.com
Though it specializes in pho — the fragrant Vietnamese beef soup served with assorted beef cuts, fresh herbs, bean sprouts and other accompaniments — Pho Viet also serves spring rolls, chicken and seafood soups, rice bowls and noodle
224 0’NEIL COURT : 699.2626 • 655 ST. ANDREWS ROAD : 731.2538 LUNCH: Tues-Fri 11:45am-2pm • DINNER: Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm • Fri & Sat 5pm-11pm
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bowls topped with such Vietnamese favorites as grilled pork and shrimp. ¢.
Spice Junction West Columbia: 2335 Augusta Rd., 708-9158
Delicious and well-stocked Indian buffet has everything from tandoori to raita, plus occasional Hyderabadi specials you won’t find at other Midlands Indian restaurants, like the goat haleem, a sort of goat-lentil porridge. Fantastic naan, too. If you like seriously spicy food, ask for some house-made hot sauce. $
Sun Ming St. Andrews/Dutch Square: 7509 St. Andrews Rd., 732-4488 sunmingrestaurant.com
For the most authentic Chinese dining in the Midlands, order off the traditional Chinese menu, which features such dishes as chicken feet with black mushrooms or spicy chicken ding. On the other hand, also offers plenty of orange chicken and beef-and-broccoli to satisfy all your Chinese-American desires. $
The Whig Downtown: 1200 Main St., 931-8852 thewhig.org
Hip underground bar across from the State House serves pizzas, sweet potato fries, burgers and a mean grilled cheese sandwich. Also home of the infamous Taco Tuesdays, when beef or bean tacos are 75 cents apiece and the crowds are massive. ¢
Clean H
ere are some farms, farmers markets and natural food stores where you can buy organic and/or local foods, chat with the people who grew your food and maybe even sink your hands into the dirt.
14 Carrot Lexington: 5300 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, 359-2920, 14carrot.net
A locally run, comprehensive natural foods store for the west-of-the-river set, with an ever-rotating selection of meats and seafood, including local shrimp. Lots of focus on raw foods, including raw milk; nicely stocked deli; packaged foods, beauty and health products, cleaning products and more.
City Roots Rosewood: 1005 Airport Blvd., 254-2302 cityroots.org
Built right in the heart of lower Rosewood between an asphalt emulsion plant
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and a small-craft airport, City Roots is an unlikely place to get the best arugula microgreens in town. But that’s exactly what it is: a working urban farm, with classes, volunteer opportunities, parties and other events. Visit the chickens, feel the warm compost, check out the tilapia pond and the two greenhouses, pick some strawberries — it’s all educational, and the produce is delicious.
Cottle Farms Garners Ferry/Southeast: 2533 Trotter Rd., 695-1714, cottlestrawberryfarm.com
During the spring months — April, May and part of June — Cottle lets you pick your own strawberries by the quart or gallon. The berries are also available at roadside stands throughout the region. To find other pick-your-own operations, visit pickyourown.org.
Doko Farm Blythewood: 2101 Cedar Creek Rd., 873-7739, dokofarm.org
A family farm in Cedar Creek dating to 1839, Doko is run by Joe and Amanda Jones. The couple raises pygmy goats, hogs and heritage fowl; they make honey; and they offer volunteer opportunities. Visit the website for news on farm tours and other events.
Earth Fare Shandon/Rosewood: 3312-B Devine St., 7990048, earthfare.comearthfare.com
This natural grocery sources organic foods from all over the world. It has a great selection, with a stellar meat and seafood counter, tons of produce, wines and cheeses, a huge deli, books, vitamins and supplements, beauty products and more.
Rosewood Market Shandon/Rosewood: 2803 Rosewood Dr., 765-1083, rosewoodmarket.com
A gem of a local market: Meet for a fresh breakfast on the porch, or just do your macrobiotic, gluten-free or other special-diet shopping in a cozy neighborhood setting. And don’t let the small size of the produce section fool you — this stuff is lovingly sourced. On any given day you might encounter locally foraged chanterelle mushrooms, freshly hulled crowder peas or Lexington County green beans. Some frozen meats and plenty of local dairy round out the selection.
Soda City 1500 block of Main Street, stateplate.org
Launched by pig farmer and former state Agriculture Commissioner candidate Emile DeFelice, this bustling downtown market is serious about keeping it local. From flowers to bakery items to local produce, the offerings are carefully edited and always fresh. Lots of breakfast offerings. Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (8 a.m.noon June-August).
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Drip Coffee file photo
State Farmers Market
Drip Coffee
3483 Charleston Hwy, Swansea, 737-4664, scstatefarmersmarket.com
Downtown: 1441 Main St., 799-0067 Five Points: 729 Saluda Ave., 661-9545
The State Farmers Market isn’t just for wholesale operations — there’s a restaurant and bakery, too, as well as an indoor Winter Market in the Corbett Building on Saturdays. Open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Long live the independent coffee shop! Specializing in the pour-over — a method that’s said to produce the clearest-tasting, most perfect coffee around — this coffee shop also sells wine, as well as breakfast and lunch sandwiches that perfectly combine sweet and salty. The new Main Street location is a godsend for downtown office workers. Free Wi-Fi, too.
Vista Marketplace at Whaley
Delhi Palace Authentic Indian Cuisine
711 Whaley St. facebook.com/pages/701-whaley
Higher Grounds
This community market gives farmers and artisans a venue for their locally farmed food, baked goods and other prepared food, flowers and crafts in the heart of Olympia. Open Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Corner of Hampton and Sumter, 217-3247
Whole Foods 4305 Ft. Jackson Blvd., 509-6700, wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/columbia
2012
Thanks for voting, Columbia!
www.spicesofindiasc.com
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USC/South Main: 933 Main St., 799-9053
A cult favorite, this coffee shop is a cozy little haven near USC and the State House — and the food is great.
Caffeine
A simple, unassuming breakfast, lunch and brunch spot with a great coffee selection.
1217 College St., 779-4277
Spices of India & Groceries
Immaculate Consumption
The big daddy of the natural foods store world, Whole Foods, opened its first Columbia store in 2012 — and Columbians are still throbbing with excitement. Fantastic deli, cheese counter and seafood, plus a huge selection of fresh produce.
Cool Beans and College Grounds Cafe 542 St. Andrews Rd Columbia, SC 29210 www.delhipalacesc.com
Founded by the First Baptist Church in 2008, this is an under-the-radar alternative to Starbucks for those working downtown. Pick up a good cup of coffee at a low price — and Tim Tebow’s autobiography, if you’re so inclined.
Hot baristas, cool college-kid clientele, good coffee, delicious eats ... what more do you want? These two connected businesses — one’s a coffeehouse, one a deli — both serve fantastic, easy fare, with plenty of cozy places to sit with your laptop or a chess board.
Millwood Coffee Co. 2911 Millwood Ave., 667-9939
Starbucks 831 Gervais St., 779-3484 747 Saluda Ave., 779-1082 6080-A Garners Ferry Rd., 695-0115 4840 Forest Dr., 743-4350 163-8 Forum Dr., 736-3412 480-6 Town Center Place, 462-3352 100 Columbiana Circle, 749-4557 276 Harbison Blvd., 732-1853
Yeah, yeah, corporate coffee megalith Starbucks is the bane of the locally owned coffee shop. But damn if those Frappucinos aren’t tasty, and damn if Starbucks’ myriad locations don’t make grabbing a quick cup of joe super-easy.
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attractions
South Carolina State House file photo
S
outh Carolina is full of history — and historical attractions. Even the Publix in the Vista carries a whiff of Civil War history, occupying a building that once printed Confederate currency. Less known, perhaps, is the state’s role in the Revolutionary War, which was also extensive. But it’s not just war sites that you need to see: All together, South Carolina has 1,300 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. And our attractions aren’t all ancient, either — see, for example, the monument to Hootie & the Blowfish in Five Points. (This tidbit is your cue to turn to the person next to you and discuss the fact that Columbia has a monument to Hootie & the Blowfish.)
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In some sense, just what exactly constitutes an attraction is in the eye of the beholder. But however you define it — whether it’s a museum, a national park or the Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Gardens, which attracts about 1 million visitors per year — you’ll find something that fits the bill in Columbia.
attractions
Downtown / USC / South Main African-American History Monument State House grounds
The backstory of this monument goes back to 1994, when state Sen. John Courson put forward a grand bargain that would link removing the Confederate Flag from the State House dome (but keeping it on State House grounds) with creating an African-American history monument. That initial proposal didn’t pass, but eventually a compromise came together and the monument was dedicated in 2001. A citizens’ committee reviewed proposals from more than 40 artists and selected Colorado artist Ed Dwight from among them. The result is a 12-panel sculpture representing key aspects of the AfricanAmerican experience.
Busted Plug Plaza 1400 Block of Taylor St.
It’s still on Taylor Street now, but it won’t be for long. Artist Blue Sky’s giant metallic fire hydrant needs a new home, as its host, AgFirst, is moving from Taylor to Main Street. Among the many locations that have been tossed out as ideas is Finlay Park.
Columbia Museum of Art Main and Hampton streets, 799-2810 columbiamuseum.org
Exhibitions! Concerts! Beer! The museum’s traveling exhibitions span the full range of art history, while its permanent collection emphasizes European fine and decorative arts. Of course, the art is always a key draw when you’re talking about an art museum, but there’s also a ton of other events happening here: an acclaimed chamber music series, lectures, films, the Arts & Draughts series and more.
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Elmwood Cemetery
Hampton-Preston Mansion
501 Elmwood Ave.
1615 Blanding St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org
OK, so maybe hanging out in a cemetery isn’t your idea of fun. But this cemetery is full of history — and Civil War history in particular, if that’s your kind of thing. Established in 1854, Elmwood Cemetery covers 168 acres and includes an area dedicated to Confederate soldiers. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Finlay Park 930 Laurel St., 545-3100
Truth be told, Finlay Park (opened in 1991) has seen better days, as it’s become the city’s unofficial haven for the homeless. Nonetheless, it can still be a good place for a walk amid the hustle of downtown, and kids love its two play areas. Also hosts occasional concerts and festivals. Located behind the Assembly Street post office.
Governor’s Mansion 800 Richland St., 737-1710 scgovernorsmansion.org
Built in 1855 as a residence for officers of the Arsenal Military Academy, Gen. Sherman’s troops spared the building at the end of the Civil War and it became the official Governor’s Mansion in 1868.
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Built in 1818, the Hampton-Preston Mansion opened for tours in 1970; its rooms reflect the Federal period to the early postbellum years.
Koger Center 1051 Greene St., 777-7500, koger.sc.edu
The Koger Center is operated by USC and has served as Columbia’s primary facility for the performing arts since 1989. Seats just over 2,000.
Mann-Simons Cottage 1403 Richland St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org
One of only a few houses in South Carolina owned by free blacks in antebellum days and preserved as a historic house museum. Celia Mann and her descendants owned the house from the mid-19th century until 1970. The house serves as the focal point for the annual Jubilee Festival.
Modjeska Monteith Simkins House 2025 Marion St.
Built between 1890 and 1895, this one-story cottage was the home of Modjeska Simkins, a leader in South Carolina’s civil rights movement and the
Soda City Market PHOTO BY JONATHAN SHARPE first woman to serve as state secretary of the state NAACP. At a time when blacks could not stay at city hotels, Simkins’ home offering a gathering space and lodging for many civil rights figures, including Thurgood Marshall.
Randolph Cemetery Elmwood Ave. at I-26 historicrandolphcemetery.org
Founded on land purchased from Elm-
wood Cemetery in 1872, Randolph Cemetery is the first cemetery established specifically for Columbia’s black community. Prior to the cemetery’s founding, blacks were buried along with poor whites near the river in a potter’s field. But in 1871, 19 local black leaders came together to establish a respectable place for burial for blacks. The men formed an association and named it in honor of Senator Benjamin Franklin Randolph.
PRESENTS
Join us for the ultimate indulgence for chocolate enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Visit the Cocoa Cabana to explore your own personal level of cocoa paradise. Journey to the Dip & Dab Workshop for chocolate painting and tasty treat crafting. Discover the secrets of chocolate from a master chocolatier and enjoy artisan chocolates expertly paired with local brews in The Chocolate Tap Room. Music provided by DJ Jay Magic. Complimentary beer, wine, and desserts will be served.
Purchase tickets at www.edventure.org or call 803-400-1162.
Thursday, February 7 ~ 7-9pm
Tickets are $20 per person for EdVenture members, $ 25 per person for non-members. Adults only. Proudly sponsored by:
211 Gervais Street | www.edventure.org
All proceeds benefit EdVenture’s educational outreach and accessibility programs.
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Hampton-Preston Mansion photo courtesy historic columbia
Renaissance Cultural Arts Center renaissancefoundationsc.org
To be located on the corner of Sumter and Taylor streets in the building once occupied by the Bethel AME Church, the Renaissance Cultural Arts Center aims to be a focal point for arts and history downtown.
Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden I-126 at Greystone Blvd., 779-8717 riverbanks.org
From reptiles to birds and everything in between, Riverbanks Zoo is by far Columbia’s biggest tourism draw. Home to more than 2,000 animals and a 70-acre botanical garden, Riverbanks also sports a 3-D theater, a ropes course and hosts popular annual events such as Boo at the Zoo, Brew at the Zoo and Lights Before Christmas.
Robert Mills House and Garden 1616 Blanding St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org
The Robert Mills House is best known for its namesake, who also designed the
S.C. National Heritage Corridor If you’re interested in checking out historic sites in the rural areas of the state, visit sc-heritagecorridor.org. The corridor extends 240 miles across the state and its sites explore many facets of the state’s history.
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attractions
Washington Monument. Open for tours, it is one of only five National Historic Landmarks in the city.
S.C. State House Main St. at Gervais St. scstatehouse.net
More than 50 years after its original inception in 1851, architect Charles C. Wilson finally completed the building, calling it “one of the most notable buildings of the world.” Others disagreed, with one legislative observer calling the dome “nothing short of a miserable fraud.” Call 803-734-2430 or visit scstatehouse.net for tour information.
Seibels House 1601 Richland St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org
Built in the late 18th century, the Seibels House now serves as the Historic Columbia Foundation office and is a popular spot for weddings. Historic Columbia was chartered in 1961 to prevent the loss of the Robert Mills House and now is involved in many aspects of historic preservation in Columbia.
Soda City Market 1500 Block of Main Street stateplate.org
Held every Saturday morning, the Soda City market was launched by pig farmer and former state Agriculture Commissioner candidate Emile DeFelice. Offers sustainably produced meat and produce, as well as fresh bakery items, crafts and other locally produced goods.
Sylvan Building 1500 Main St.
Where’s the Sylvan Building? Just look for that old clock at the corner of Main
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Trinity Espiscopal Cathedral file photo
Artist’s rendering of completed expansion, opening early 2014.
and Hampton streets. Built between 1868 and 1870, The Sylvan Building was the first large building constructed in Columbia after Union soldiers burned the city on Feb. 17, 1865. Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Town Theatre 1012 Sumter St., 799-2510 towntheatre.com
Built in 1924, Town Theatre is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest continuously operating community theater building in the country; presents family-friendly musicals and other productions.
Three Rivers Greenway
riveralliance.org, 765-2200
Columbia has come a long way on its riverfront development in the past few years, and the designation of the Congaree River Blue Trail as a National Recreation Trail in 2008 underlines the point. The Three Rivers Greenway provides 9.5 miles of linked river access and will eventually cover 12 miles in Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia. The completed Cayce and West Columbia portions of the Greenway are already popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.
Township Auditorium 1703 Taylor St., thetownship.org
First opened in 1930, the 3,000-plusseat Township Auditorium has hosted such artists as Elvis Presley, Duke Ellington, Pink Floyd and The Clash. Reopened in 2010 after a $12 million facelift, the Township brings everything from R&B, country and rock acts to wrestling, comedy and dance.
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Trinity Episcopal Cathedral & Cemetery 1100 Sumter St.
Originally dedicated in 1814, Trinity Episcopal grew into a new building in 1847, one designed by Edward Brickell White and modeled after York Cathedral in England. Today, it’s one of the nation’s 20 largest Episcopal churches in the country and recently completed a major renovation. Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice James F. Byrnes and six governors are buried in its cemetery.
Tunnelvision
YES! We’re Open!
YOUR State Museum is currently building a Planetarium, Observatory and 4D Theater to open early 2014! During construction, we will continue to have our exciting blockbuster exhibits, programs and galleries open.
Stay tuned to southcarolinastatemuseum.org for updates!
Taylor and Marion streets
Artist Blue Sky’s Busted Plug is moving from this location because its host, AgFirst, is moving its offices. But will they paint over the mural? We doubt it. Tunnelvision, a 1975 wall mural of a road running through a tunnel, is an iconic piece of local public art. Don’t drive by this thing when you’re stoned unless you feel like totaling your car.
2013 Special Events:
USC Horseshoe 900 Block of Sumter St., 777-8161
Little do most of the frolicking young college students on the gorgeous USC Horseshoe know — or care, probably — that Robert Mills, the nation’s first federal architect, designed several buildings there, as well as the Maxcy Monument, named for the first president of the college, Jonathan Maxcy.
Woodrow Wilson Family Home 1705 Hampton St., 252-7742 woodrowwilsonhome.com
Woodrow Wilson’s family didn’t spend much time in Columbia, but we have to take what we can get. The family moved to town in 1870, moved into the home in 1872 and left two years later following a
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It’s South Carolina Under One Roof! southcarolinastatemuseum.org 301 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 803.898.4921
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dispute over mandatory chapel service between Wilson’s father and the Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he taught. Currently closed for renovations.
Five Points / Rosewood / Olympia / Southeast
boasts the largest old-growth, floodplain forest on the continent. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark. Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more. Located in Hopkins, 18 miles southeast of Columbia (S.C. 48 from Bluff Rd. or Exit 5 off I-77).
Five Points Fountain Harden Street and Saluda Avenue
Congaree National Park nps.gov/cong, 776-4396
No, Congaree National Park is not in Rosewood, but if you head out Rosewood Drive to Bluff Road and keep going for 18 miles, you’re there. This 22,000-acre park
The Five Points Fountain is a nice place to hang out with your coffee or lunch; it’s also ground zero for the Five Points After Five concert series, which presents local and regional bands on an outdoor stage.
Five Points Fountain photo by austin price
Hootie Monument Remember that band with the song “Hold My Hand” that came out in the mid-’90s and sold an ungodly number of records? Those guys were from Columbia. Head to Santee Avenue, look at the big metal sculpture and read all about the many musical exploits of Hootie & The Blowfish.
South Carolina Military Museum 1225 Bluff Road, 806-4440 scmilitarymuseum.com
Adoptions (803) 465-9150
Doggy Daycare & Boarding (803) 465-9178
Spay/Neuter Clinic
Great prices on dentals. Vaccine clinics every Friday and 1st and 3rd Saturdays.
(803) 465-9100
Care-A-Van Mobile Vaccine Clinic Mission-Focused and Pet-Approved.
(803) 586-1840
www.pawmettolifeline.org
All proceeds benefit homeless pets in the Midlands. 1275 Bower Parkway, Columbia, SC 29212
20% off your first Pawmetto Lifeline Doggy Daycare & Boarding stay.
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Dedicated to honoring South Carolina’s National Guard and its citizen soldiers throughout history, from the late 17th century to the wars of the 21st century.
Visanska-Starks House 2214 Hampton St.
Featured on HGTV’s If Walls Could Talk, this historic home was built around 1900 and is located on Hampton Street in Historic Waverly. Barrett Visanska (18491932) — a Polish jeweler and founder of the Tree of Life Congregation — bought the house in 1913. John J. Starks, president of Benedict College, bought the house in 1938.
Vista Marketplace at Whaley 701 Whaley St.
Offers locally grown foods, locally made wares and brunch. Open Saturday mornings.
Vista / Riverfront / State Street / Vista West The Big Apple 1000 Hampton St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org
A debate still rages as to whether the phrase “The Big Apple” came to New York City from jazz or from horse racing (a 1930s N.Y.C. sports column was called “Around the Big Apple”). For Columbia’s sake, let’s go with the jazz theory: Once a local synagogue, The Big Apple later was turned into a juke joint where, in 1936, blacks invented a new dance, the Big Apple. Now popular for events and receptions.
Colonial Life Arena 801 Lincoln St. Charge by phone: 1-877-489-2849 General Info: 576-9200 coloniallifearena.com
The 18,000-seat Colonial Center is the largest arena in South Carolina, hosting major concert and entertainment acts and serving as the home for USC men’s and women’s basketball.
EdVenture Children’s Museum 211 Gervais St., 779-3100 edventure.org
The South’s largest children’s museum, with more than 70,000 square feet of cool stuff to keep the kids occupied.
New customers only.
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attractions
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Kershaw Fine Arts Center
Sesquicentennial State Park
810 Lyttleton St., Camden, 803-425-7676 fineartscenter.org
9564 Two Notch Rd., 788-2706 www.southcarolinaparks.com
Presents community-oriented theater, music, dance and exhibitions, as well as the annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival.
This 1,419-acre park features a 30acre lake surrounded by trails, picnic areas and campsites. Also offers boating, fishing, swimming, meeting facilities and trails. Trails include a 6.1-mile mountain bike trail, a 1.9-mile nature trail, and a 3.5-mile walking and jogging trail. Located 13 miles northeast of Columbia on Two Notch Road.
S.C. Archives and History Center 8301 Parklane Rd., 896-6100 scdah.sc.gov
Popular for researching family history. With a wealth of local, state and federal documents, the center encourages the general public as well as scholars, students, lawyers and others to make use of its resources, and staffers are on hand to help speed your search. The center also presents exhibitions and public programs, and has a gift shop.
South Carolina Railroad Museum 110 Industrial Park Rd. (Winnsboro), 803-712-4135, scrm.org
Everybody loves trains, right? Take an hour-long ride, stroll through historic train cars and check out the hats, whistles and other train paraphenalia in the gift shop.
Riverbanks Zoo photo by austin price
Riverfront Park Laurel at Huger Street, 545-3100 columbiasc.net
Separating the Historic Columbia Canal and the Congaree River, Riverfront Park is a popular jogging and walking trail encompassing 167 acres just west of Huger Street.
South Carolina State Confederate Relic Room & Museum
Northeast / Forest Acres / Fort Jackson / Blythewood / Camden
301 Gervais St., 737-8095 www.crr.sc.gov
Ft. Jackson Museum
Believe it or not, the Confederate Relic Room actually has much more than Civil War memorabilia, with artifacts dating from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Located in the former mill that also houses the S.C. State Museum.
Acquires and exhibits Fort Jacksonrelated artifacts dating to the fort’s founding in 1917.
South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais St., 898-4921 southcarolinastatemuseum.org
Housed in the historic Columbia Mill building (built in 1893), the S.C. State Museum has permanent and rotating exhibitions covering South Carolina’s cultural history, natural history, science, technology and art. The museum also brings in non-S.C.-related blockbuster exhibitions.
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4442 Jackson Blvd., 751-7419 www.jackson.army.mil/Museum
Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site historic-camden.net
We’ll spare you the suspense: The Americans got their asses handed to them at the 1780 Battle of Camden. Some 233 years later, though, we’re over it. Hosts a Battle of Camden Remembrance Day each August, Revolutionary War Field Days each November and other events throughout the year.
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Columbia Museum of Art courtesy photo
Lake Murray / Lexington / Harbison / Irmo Chapin Community Theatre 107 Columbia Ave., Chapin, 240-8544 chapintheatre.org
What originated informally in the late ‘70s as a few friends staging no-frills plays has become a staple of Lexington County’s cultural life. Currently raising funds for a new building.
Congaree Riverwalk riveralliance.org, 765-2200
We’re still waiting for Columbia to finish its portion of the Three Rivers Greenway, but the Lexington County sections are already done. The completed Cayce and West Columbia portions of the Greenway are popular for walking and running, and the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts and more.
Crooked Creek Park 1098 Old Lexington Highway (Chapin), 345-6181, icrc.net
“Crooked Creek” makes this park sound like it’s a dirt path next to a trickle of water. Actually, it’s got a 53,000-square-foot community center with a full gym and racquetball courts, along with tennis courts, athletics fields, picnic areas and walking trails.
Dreher Island State Recreation Area 3677 State Park Rd. Exit 91 off I-26, 803-364-4152 southcarolinaparks.com
Located 30 miles northwest of Co-
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landing spots. Good striped bass fishing during the season.
Saluda Shoals Park
Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra Think there’s no culture when you get outside downtown? Think again. Led by artistic director Einar Anderson, the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra was conceived in 2001 and held its first concert in 2004.
Situated on 270 acres downstream from the Lake Murray Dam, Saluda Shoals features a popular water park, an environmental education center, canoe trips, nature hikes, biking trails, fishing spots, picnic shelters, art exhibits, summer camps, health and wellness programs, meeting facilities and more. Good trout fishing if you like to wade.
Dedicated in 2008, this memorial to 9/11 was made from steel from Ground Zero in New York City.
Lexington County Museum
Seven Oaks Park
US Highway 378 and Fox St. Lexington, 359-8369, www.lex-co.com/museum
200 Leisure Lane, 772-3336 icrc.net
Gibson Pond
Founded in 1970, the museum complex encompasses seven acres and features 36 historic structures focusing on the early history of Lexington County, from 1770 until the Civil War.
Built in 1973 and located in the St. Andrews area, Seven Oaks Park is a full-service recreation complex offering fitness, athletics and cultural arts programs. Features a dance studio, art gallery, picnic areas, tennis courts, walking trails and more.
lumbia in Prosperity, the Dreher Island recreation area consists of three islands encompassing 12 miles of shoreline on Lake Murray. Especially popular for fishing and boating (Lake Murray is a top destination for striped and largemouth bass), Dreher Island also offers lakefront camping, cabin and villa rentals, water skiing and picnicking.
First Responders Wall of Remembrance lexingtonsc.org
241 Gibson Rd., 359-1027 scgreatoutdoors.com
These 15 acres in the Town of Lexington offer walking trails, kayaking, picnic tables and a scenic overlook.
lmso.org
Peachtree Rock Nature Preserve
icrc.net, 731-5208, 213-2050 (weekend)
Harbison State Forest
scgreatoutdoors.com/park-peachtree.html, 254-9046
State Farmers Market
www.state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm, 896-8890
Peachtree Rock is a geological wonder: a top-heavy sandstone formation that has stood for millions of years and is a testament to the ancient marine environment that was once here. The rock is part of a 460-acre preserve with numerous sandstone outcrops and the only waterfall in the coastal plain. Located off S.C. 6 in southern Lexington County near Swansea.
Exit 115 off I-26 scstatefarmersmarket.com
Relocated to Lexington County from Richland in 2010, the South Carolina State Farmers Market has a lot more space than it used to — space for vendors, shoppers and parking. Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun noon to 6 p.m.
Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden
105 Caughman Rd., Lexington, 359-1436 villagesquaretheatre.com
riverbanks.org
Community theater from the Lexington County Arts Association.
If you didn’t know it was there, you’d never expect to find 2,177 acres of forest along the sprawling mess that is Broad River Road. But there it is — one of the largest public green spaces inside the city limits of a metropolitan area in the eastern United States. Features more than 16 miles of roads and trails (popular for biking) and a canoe landing.
Lake Murray lakemurraycountry.com, lakemurray.com
Located a few miles northwest of downtown Columbia, Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre lake offering boating, camping and other recreational activities. Lakemurraycountry.com lists public access points, as well as marinas and
attractions
If you live downtown, you’ll likely enter the zoo from its Greystone Blvd. entrance off I-26. But if you live west of the Congaree River, you can enter from Sunset Boulevard (Hwy 378) in West Columbia. This entrance will take you right to the zoo’s beautiful, 70-acre botanical garden.
Village Square Theatre
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