The Daily Gamecock: Eat Drink Shop Columbia 10/14/20 by Garnet Media Group

Cover illustration: Vanessa Purpura

Table Of contents

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS: EAT, DRINK, SHOP F

or the past few weeks, we, along with the rest of The Daily Gamecock staff, have been working on a special edition to showcase some of our community’s standout businesses. With so much to offer, we have created a guide to dining, drinking and shopping in Columbia. Since our shift to online content, seeing our work on paper is much more satisfying. This is why, despite the work needed to create “Eat, Drink, Shop Columbia,” we are so excited to finally see our creation come together. As a team, we put our heads together to highlight some of our personal favorite locations and spoke with the people of Columbia to include theirs as well. Now more than ever, supporting local businesses is so important to the success of a community. Columbia business owners have worked tirelessly the past few months to adapt, sometimes drastically, to accommodate customers as safely as possible.

This transition has not been perfected, but it’s pretty close. Many shops are open and here for you to indulge, hangout and enjoy. Although they might look and feel different, consider the hours and passion behind keeping our city accessible. Changes in normalcy brought on by COVID-19 gives this print a deeper meaning. Getting outside, continuing to make connections throughout the community and experiencing Columbia has become so memorable. The beauty of the service industry is revealed throughout this edition as owners, students and others share their stories. By treating yourself to something, you are also validating the hard work of local business owners by showing them that you like what they have to offer. So next time you are torn between familiar fast food and a local favorite you’ve never tried before, choose the latter. We hope this guide is a good place to start.

CARE FOR A PAIR? TRY THESE PAIRINGS AT FAVORITE RESTAURANTS & COFFEE SHOPS Mardy Kramer, Rita Naidu, Erin Slowey

SHALIMAR CURRY HOUSE Main Street is home to a variety of cuisines, including one of the few places to find home-cooked Indian food in Columbia. A small restaurant between Firehouse Subs and Moe’s, Shalimar Curry House is family-owned. Bushra Ghazi is the owner of the restaurant and one of the few cooks, and her son Omer Ghozi is the manager. They said they recommend the curry chicken bowl paired with mango lassi, a traditional Indian yogurt drink. Can’t handle spice? Don’t worry — all dishes are served with an option of mild, medium or hot.

PAWLEY’S FRONT PORCH Pawley’s is a longstanding burger joint in the heart of Five Points, and if you’ve never had the chance to drop in, manager Samantha Mims has a pairing for first-time diners. She said she recommends Pawley’s top-selling wadmalaw burger, which comes with chipotle barbecue sauce, bacon, tomato, lettuce, red onion, cheese and the Southern classic fried pickle chips. To wash it down, she recommends Mims Lemonade, an original cocktail recipe with Boodles rhubarb and strawberry gin. “It’s just what’s been selling recently,” she said. “It is becoming a little more like fall, but that was definitely a good summertime drink.” Not feeling fried pickle chips? Mims’ personal favorite is the Isle of Palms burger that comes with pimento cheese.

HOME TEAM BBQ Bennett Bogan, a third-year integrated information technology student and employee at Home Team BBQ, said he recommends several drinks. If you are 21 or older, he said the Game Changer — which consists of gold and spiced rum, orange and pineapple juice, cream of coconut and nutmeg — is the way to go. His favorite non-alcoholic drinks are “any of their classic glass bottle sodas.” He said his favorite sandwich is the Fiery Ron’s Burger — a two-patty burger topped with cheese, bacon, harissa mayo and more. If you’re a fan of slight spice, this is the burger for you.

SALTY NUT CAFE The combination of Salty’s pimento cheeseburger and a Shock Top beer pairs well, according to Jacob Rhoads, who works as a door staffer at Salty Nut Cafe. “For the pimento cheese, it’s got a nice little spice to it. The burger is fine quality meat. The fries here are wonderful,” Rhoads, a third-year finance student, said.

COOL BEANS Joann Hoffman, a barista at Cool Beans, said she loves the soy vanilla latte with a double shot. While all vanilla lattes are great, she said she recommends adding the soy milk because of the vanilla taste in soy. “I’m a vanilla fanatic, so I really love it [with soy milk],” Hoffman said. She said she thinks it pairs well with a blueberry muffin or pumpkin bread loaf, but ordering it with a meal might be a little too overwhelming.

Illustrations: Vanessa Purpura

Beezer’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop provides home, purpose for employees Jack Bingham

s soon as you enter the unassuming sub shop across the street from the Horseshoe, you get the sense that Beezer’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop has a unique culture to it. Gamecock swag and quotes from athletes such as Mia Hamm and Jesse Owens line the walls. The menu, which dominates the entire right wall, features memorable sandwich names such as the Sicilian and the What’s Up, Doc? Bill Coomey and his son Brandon opened the shop in 1998 after Brandon graduated from Purdue University. Brandon handles the financial side of the business, while Bill handles in-store affairs. When Brandon’s daughter was two, she coined the restaurant’s name by mispronouncing Brandon as “Beezer.” When people ask Brandon Coomey why he started the shop, he’ll first say it was purely out of stupidity. But then he’ll give the real reason – he was tired of working under others. “I’m killing myself making them a ton of money, and I’m like, ‘If I’m gonna die, why shouldn’t I do it and try it myself?’” Coomey said. After looking for a place to set up shop from Raleigh to Tallahassee, Coomey said they saw the Sumter Street location and said, “That’s it.” The location fit all four of their criteria, Coomey said. It’s close to an ocean, on a college campus of 25,000 or more and has a downtown area that can support the restaurant over the summer while students are away. Most importantly, there’s no snow. One delivery driver, James Carter, has been at Beezer’s since the beginning. “Former students have come by here, that happen to be in the area, like from 10 or 15 years ago, and they still remember me,” Carter said. Carter’s road to Beezer’s was not a straight

one, though. In 1993, he lost his bank job due to downsizing. He then worked in a variety of food service jobs, ranging from chains such as Papa John’s to local establishments such as Sammi’s Deli and Publick House. These jobs helped Carter develop into the “culmination” of his most real self, he said. “Like I say, it’s the real me, personally and spiritually. And God has a purpose for everyone, for everything, you know. So this is my purpose — that’s how I look at it,” Carter said. Carter worked at the Beezer’s location before it ever became Beezer’s, which is how Coomey hired him.

This is my purpose — that’s how I look at it. -James Carter, delivery driver at Beezer’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop

“James used to be flowing red hair on a moped delivering stuff in 115 degree heat,” Coomey said. “I had students come in and ask permission to be him for Halloween.” Carter’s hair is still flowing, but it has grayed over time. During his rare time off, Carter said he enjoys watching the classic westerns of Sam Peckinpah and other old films with his two cats, Mama Cat and Sweetie. Coomey said Carter is essential to Beezer’s culture and to him personally. “James has been to my house for Thanksgiving. James rents a house for me right now. So, some would say I’m married to him,” Coomey said. “James means more to me than

anybody that probably has ever worked here.” While Carter and the Coomeys have been with Beezer’s since the beginning, the restaurant’s general manager just started six months ago. After working 70 to 80-hour weeks in a “physically taxing” job, Beezer’s provided Chris Taylor with a way to slow down. “I used to work multimillion-dollar restaurants, and to go to a mom-and-pop shop, it is a culture shock for me, but it’s definitely a different kind of challenge that I was excited for, for myself,” Taylor said. Almost as soon as he arrived, the restaurant closed due to COVID-19. However, Taylor said the community support and the Coomeys’ dedication to Beezer’s was always clear. Changes in Columbia’s downtown have created more competition for Beezer’s, with restaurants such as Subway and Jimmy John’s popping up, but Taylor has “big corporate ideas” to take Beezer’s into the future. He said he plans to partner with food delivery services such as DoorDash and Grubhub and launch Beezer’s own independent food delivery website. There’s also been talk of a Beezer’s food truck or food stand. Despite these changes, employees who have spent any amount of time at Beezer’s know that simplicity is what separates it from the rest. “You’re not gonna wait more than two or three minutes for your sandwich,” Taylor said. “I don’t want to bash anybody, but even McDonald’s, they’re not as fast anymore. Over the years, orders get more complicated; things on the menu get more complicated.” The menu at Beezer’s isn’t going anywhere though, Taylor said, and if the decades-long careers of the Coomeys and Carter are any indication, neither is Taylor.

Cafe Strudel connects with community, provides ‘comfortable’ atmosphere Grace Tippett

rom its beginnings as a shaved ice cart to a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in October 1997, Cafe Strudel has been serving the Midlands for decades. Over the years, owners Trip and Marila Turbyfill have grown their business into two restaurant locations, a food truck and a catering business. “We make everything fresh, so it’s not a fast place to eat. Not only that, but the environment here, it enables people to stay and chat longer. They feel at home; they feel comfortable,” Bradley Naylor, the general manager of operations, said. There is one location at 300 State St. in West Columbia and one in Lexington. West Columbia residents frequent the restaurant, and its walls are decorated with local artists’ work. “We take our mantra for our food, which is local and fresh and farm-to-table style, and translate that into the artwork as well,” Naylor said. “It’s just another way for us to help support people who are supporting us and just keeps everything in-house.” Breakfast is served all day every day with a list of specials that changes daily. The signature items the restaurant is

Each one of them has their own little pocket of ambiance while they’re here. -Bradley Naylor

Photo: Cera Hansen

Cafe Strudel’s walls are decorated with work by local artists. This work can be purchased at the store.

known for are highlighted yellow on the menu. “Our shrimp and grits, honestly, is to die for,” Chandler Richburg, a manager at the West Columbia location, said. According to Naylor, Cafe Strudel started as a cart “that sold shaved ice on the side of the road.” Later, it moved to a trailer in Fort Jackson, where it served coffee, donuts, cookie and pastries before eventually finding a storefront. The staff has built relationships with returning customers, and regulars are a big part of the Cafe Strudel atmosphere. “Over the last 20-something years, they’ve built a clientele list of some really quality people. They’re all characters, and each one of them has their own little pocket of ambiance while they’re here,” Naylor said. “They come in and they have their stories to tell or they share little snippets of their life with us and vice versa, and that’s the most gratifying thing for me.” Even as a newer staff member,

Richburg said he knows how special these relationships are. “I’ve only been working here for a few months, but just coming in every day and seeing those regulars and hearing stories about people that have been coming here for 15, 20 years and still love it, every step of the way, has just been really nice to see,” Richburg said. Second-year mechanical engineering student Mary Jane Therrien said she likes to go to Cafe Strudel with her friends on Sunday mornings for brunch. “I think it does give a cool, homey restaurant vibe,” Therrien said. “It’s just a cool place.” The restaurant is in the process of branding some of its signature items, such as its green onion aioli, to be sold. They will be sold in both restaurant locations, through the food truck and online. “The love and support of the community is what keeps us here,” Naylor said.

NUBIA ANKH KA SHARES SPIRITUAL JOURNEY Holly Poag

n 2014, Nubia Ankh Ka’s uncle died from cancer. She had watched the process of his body shutting down in preparation for death. “That situation kind of opened my eyes about life,” Ankh Ka said. At the time, Ankh Ka herself was unhealthy. She had tried dieting and dieting medications, but because she didn’t make lifestyle changes like her doctor told her to, she wasn’t getting anywhere. “The situation with my uncle passing, I started to think about [what my doctor said], and I said, ‘This is what he meant about lifestyle changes.’ It’s taking better care of your body, taking better care of your biology, taking better care of your human anatomy,” Ankh Ka, a local holistic practitioner and spiritual wellness guide, said. Ankh Ka graduated with a degree in pharmacy from USC. Before becoming a holistic practitioner, she worked in pharmacy for 13 years. “What I learned from working in pharmaceuticals was that there was this revolving door of taking medicine. Not to say that medicine is

bad, or there’s anything against medicine, because medicine over the years has evolved, and it’s saved so many lives,” Ankh Ka said. “I don’t think the world needs to be dependent on pharmaceuticals alone.” Ankh Ka said looking at alternatives to medicine, such as clean eating and herbal medicine, gave her a different perspective on what she could do to put her body in a healthier state of being. Once she began changing her life through meditation and yoga, diet, environment and even music, she immediately wanted to share with her family. However, her family was initially hesitant about her journey, believing her decisions were radical. Once she began with her practice, her mother even asked if she still believed in God. “I was like, Mom, I believe in God more now than I ever did before because I understand that God is the guardian of our destiny,” Ankh Ka said. “God has given us a perfectly new vessel when we came here, and its up to us how we treat it, and how we nurture it, how we nourish it.” Her mother, Victoria Stephens, said Ankh Ka’s lifestyle changes were shocking at first because she was never introduced to veganism. “I started doing a little bit of studying about veganism myself ... and I was amazed by it. She always said, ‘You are what you eat,’” Stephens said. In 2015, Ankh Ka decided to open Cosmic Goddess Divine, LLC in Columbia. Her store provides holistic healing and wellness life coaching, natural weight loss and herbal body detox products, scalp and body massage, chi machine therapy, Reiki energy crystals, sage, chakra clearings, vaginal detox pearls and tarot card readings.

Tarot is an ancient divination technique. Ankh Ka said she was drawn to tarot because she played a lot of cards while growing up. “It basically helps that person to confess what is going on in their life, confront it and get confirmation that it is something that they can overcome. That it is something that they can change their fate basically by being aware, consciously aware of their choices and decisions and the company that they are keeping,” Ankh Ka said. Ankh Ka recommends astrology, the study of the Zodiac, for any students looking into holistic healing. According to her, when people take the time to learn more about themselves through their sign and birth chart, it can help them to better understand their personality. She said she believes astrology is a way to help students cope with the changes they go through in college, from becoming a teenager to an adult. Crystals are another way for students to dip their toes into holistic healing, according to Ankh Ka. Crystals, which contain a “vibration of healing,” provide a way for students to have a calming reminder or a talisman. Maxie Jacobs, Ankh Ka’s partner, said he is “so proud” of Ankh Ka’s journey and her store. “I’m so proud of her, and I support her with everything that she does. It’s already tough being a business owner, being a woman business owner at that, in this society. Anything, any little thing I can do when I’m not working to help her out, I’m all for it,” Jacobs said. Stephens said she is proud of her daughter’s store and “didn’t know she had that type of talent.” According to Ankh Ka, the aim of her practice is to bring enlightenment to the community of Columbia. “The purpose of my practice is to educate, enlighten and enrich the community with holistic healing practices and wellness consulting,” Ankh Ka said. Photo: Natalie Hunt

Natalie Hunt

EAT, DRINK, PLAY AT TRANSMISSION ARCADE

ce Cold Beer is both a refreshing drink and one of the favorite arcade games of the owners of Transmission Arcade. Why not enjoy them both at once? While video games might keep you at home, Transmission Arcade allows you to eat, play and visit immersed in the aesthetic of the golden age of entertainment. When the sentimentality of standing at a flashing cabinet and the bar atmosphere mix, co-owner and game manager Josh Rainwater said, something special happens. “We see a lot of — I mean, smiles, obviously. But there’s also a smile that’s associated with the nostalgia of the games,” Rainwater said. “That also kind of gets accompanied with the joy of realizing you’re an adult that can order alcohol, too, at the same time.” He said part of the appeal is using the controller that is unique to the game, and there are over two dozen to pick from. Rainwater and his family took on most of the design aspect, bringing individuality to this arcade with the hand-painted mural to the left when customers walk in. It’s “Columbia meets Super Mario World,” co-owner and bar manager Cam Powell said. Powell said the fun environment Transmission brings is something he felt Columbia and its gaming community deserved. Collectively, they decided to avoid the dark dungeon feel of many traditional arcade rooms. The game floor is separate from the dining and bar area, yet the place comes together with the “retro-futurism” that fills the room. The looking glass into what people in the ’60s and ’70s thought the 2000s might be like partially inspired the name Transmission. At the bar, such a transmission of time is shown through a big screen and 13-inch CRT monitor sideby-side, allowing gameplay through a Gamecube or Super Nintendo. The bar has high-quality beer and cocktails to choose from, Powell said, and “emphasis

is on local craft beer.” They also offer mocktails for kids to enjoy. Trusting the chef or bartender is important in branching out to see what your taste buds can appreciate, such as their version of a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich, fried mac bites or smoked wings. Made in-house by the business partners behind local food favorite Smokey Loggins catering, co-owner and kitchen manager Joe Thacker said the food just keeps getting “better and better and better.” His personal favorite menu item is the smoked tikka masala. Coming together over a love for food, pinball and beer, the co-owners said they love working together and are proud of their inclusive space. “I honestly believe the best part about this is getting to know [Rainwater and Powell] better,” Thacker said. “They’re both just outstandingly great guys.” Rainwater and Powell, both Carolina alumni, combined efforts to connect with others through cool concepts. Powell, a co-founder of Columbia Brew Bus, brings his love for beer culture to the arcade with Rainwater’s fascination for gaming. Welcoming the Smokey Loggins team to the kitchen completed this quartet: Transmission might be incomplete if the bar wasn’t filled with the smells of its award-winning smoked chicken. “Bringing something that was kind of a new entertainment option for people in Columbia and having it be some things that we were already passionate about was what our goal was, ultimately,” Powell said. After a soft opening in March, the Transmission team faced COVID-19 regulations in the city. It improvised by offering limited-size private parties and renting out game consoles. The opening to the public and introduction of game tokens is now here. Transmission Arcade, located at 1712 Main St., is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The space can be rented out for private parties over the weekend, and it has carryout and delivery options Wednesday through Sunday.

Illustration: Sabrina Hampton

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Black Rooster serves up France — kinda S

Richie Holmberg elf-described as “Frenchish,” West Columbia’s year-old restaurant Black Rooster provides a unique take on the traditional French bistro. “[Owner Kristian Niemi] pretty much gave us free rein [on the menu],” sous chef Alex Strickland said. “He gave us a concept … a bistro-style French restaurant that’s not pretentious, but extremely approachable.” The culinary team ran with the idea, embracing French bistro traditions while adding some ideas of its own. The dinner menu features French favorites such as onion soup gratinée and steak frites and new interpretations on classics. Black Rooster’s current menu even features Vietnamese-style escargot. “Anything French colony is up for grabs at the restaurant,” Strickland said. “We’ve done North African, New Guinean; we’ve done Vietnamese where the French

influence of cooking is deeply wound into the subculture of those particular areas.” As of Oct. 4, the Black Rooster only offers dinner. Niemi said in an email interview he plans to reopen the restaurant for brunch eventually. “We were [open] prior to COVID, and we will be again some day, but not for a few weeks at the earliest,” Niemi said. Until then, Yelp reviewer and Columbia local Rick Threatt said he will miss a specialty item: the bloody mary deviled egg. Threatt said that, like any good brunch, Black Rooster’s bloody mary is great, but it doesn’t just stay in the glass. “The deviled eggs [were] a new take — bloody mary deviled eggs,” Threatt said. According to Strickland, the creation of these eggs came out of necessity. He said the concept was thought up by sous chef Zara Newton

while the kitchen was discussing the idea of pickling quail eggs. “Our bartender had a big batch of bloody mary mix that he was afraid was going to go bad,” Strickland said. “[Newton] had the great idea of marinating the white part of the boiled egg with bloody mary ... I probably ate 40 deviled eggs that day.” When it inevitably returns, Threatt said to arrive early to get brunch as he has in the past. “I tried to get there early so I don’t have to wait because I’m sure that in a few hours, that place would have been popping,” Threatt said. Although there have been a considerable amount of changes due to the pandemic, one thing remains: the scenic riverfront views and ample outdoor space. According to Strickland, the rooftop is a favorite of the young professional crowd, but, as a whole, the restaurant attracts everyone from families with kids

to couples on a date. “When you go upstairs on the rooftop, you have a really good view of the city, and you just chill out and drink a beer,” Threatt said. Strickland said the restaurant really adapts to what you need it to be. Music can establish the feel of a restaurant, and Threatt said it reminded him of a Wes Anderson film. “It sounded something like some really cool French music that I’ve never heard,” Threatt said. “Something like from the ‘40s but kind of new age at the same time.” Threatt also said while dinner is lively, the brunches carry more of a “low-key vibe.” Niemi said the bar seating will be modeled after Home Team BBQ in Five Points. “You may come in, and there may only be six people at the bar, and all of the space will be taken,” Niemi said.

Photos: Dorian Nungaray Left: Black Rooster has bar seating where guests can enjoy French-inspired food and drinks. Right: Black Rooster offers views of the river and a rooftop area that is a favorite spot for customers.

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FIREFLY TOYS & GAMES FOSTERS FAMILY-ORIENTED ATMOSPHERE FOR COLUMBIA’S GAMING COMMUNITY Noah Trainor

irefly Toys & Games, a local family game store located in northwest Columbia, is a go-to for USC students looking to connect with the local gaming community or to purchase retro video and board games. A main attraction is the gaming space that occupies a large portion of the interior of the store. This space is where most of the board game and tabletop role-playing game events are hosted at Firefly. They also host family game nights to appeal to a wider audience and include casual players and a greater age range. “We’re a family-oriented store,” Firefly employee Robbie Wise said. To ensure everyone feels welcome, Firefly has a clean language policy. According to Wise, who has worked at Firefly for seven years, they are “pretty strict” on that rule, as making everyone feel comfortable is one of their biggest goals. Regular customer and gamer Frank Knox said playing at Firefly “really is like ‘Cheers,’” a sitcom about a Boston bar “where everybody knows your name.” Robbie Wise followed this same sentiment. Wise said he thinks the community is the most important thing at Firefly and that is “why a lot of people like us, because they can come meet and play.” Knox said in all his time spent at the store, there has always been something going on. Pinball machines in the arcade are a big draw for him at Firefly. Prior to

COVID-19, the store hosted weekly events for pinball tournaments and card and role-playing games, but safety concerns led to their indefinite cancellation. One of the events Firefly runs to foster its community is a charity marathon that takes place once a year through an organization known as Extra Life. Wise said it as 24 hours of gaming with silent auctions, prizes and other fundraising opportunities taking place throughout. “We’ve raised thousands upon thousands of dollars the years we’ve done it, specifically for our children’s hospital in Columbia,” he said. Firefly’s board game demo shelf is something that distinguishes it from similar stores. Although currently closed due to COVID-19, this shelf displays opened board games that people might want to try playing before they make the decision to purchase them outright. This type of display alleviates the common frustration of blindly buying a new game only to find out on the first play that it is not the right game for your group. As for the retail section of Firefly, there are plenty of options for any video game or tabletop game enthusiast. The store’s used game section consists of games for almost any video game console, new and old. These games and accessories are available for every generation of the Playstation and Xbox, NES, SNES, N64, Switch, Wii, DS, Genesis and Dreamcast.

Firefly holds a large selection of role-playing games with all the necessary products for playing a D&D or Warhammer campaign on sale. John Roberts, who works in shipping and receiving at Firefly, said when new products come out that customers are looking forward to, they can put in an order with the store to ensure they can get a hold of it. “We know a lot of the customers on a first-name basis, and so I think that kind of makes the difference,” Roberts said. Card games are also on sale, with brand new cards for popular games such as Pokemon and Magic available. Toys such as Legos, board games and miscellaneous toys for all ages round out what is available to purchase at Firefly. “If you express an interest, people will literally stop and explain the game and tell you what it’s about,” Knox said. Located on St. Andrews Road in Columbia, Firefly Games is at its third store location since starting at a 4,500 square foot shop in Lexington. It has expanded over the past decade, and the current location has 18,000 square feet, with over half of it dedicated to the store’s play space for board, card and role-playing games, Wise said. In addition to what they have available instore, Firefly will carry out personal orders for specific customer requests.

Photos: Ethan Lam Top: Several classic arcade games and pinball machines are held in the arcade area for guests to play at Firefly Toys & Games. Due to the pandemic, pinball machines are spaced out, and multiplayer arcade games are turned off to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Bottom: Several different types of board games, table top games, video games and other entertainment are provided at Firefly Toys & Games.

‘Everybody is family’

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at local liquor store Jimmie and Son Kailey Cota

n the corner of South Harden Street, just two miles away from USC’s beloved Willy-B, Columbia’s local liquor store is identifiable by three red dots on its cinder block exterior. When members of the Alverson family decided they wanted to open a business with each other in 2008, they named the place after themselves — Jimmie and Son. The only problem? Both Google Maps and one of their store signs incorrectly spell “Jimmie” with a “y.” Born in Newberry County, South Carolina, Jimmie has lived all over the globe. When he was 13, his family moved from South Carolina to Florida. He stayed there until he was 20, when he “got a letter from Uncle Sam,” as he calls it. “It’s just like a regular job, really, after you get out of basic and [Advanced Individual Training]; unless you pull guard duty or pull duty on the weekend, you’re off,” Jimmie said about his time as a mechanic in the Army. “You go to work at a certain time and you get off at a certain time. It just got to be routine. Except, you can’t call in sick at that job.” Jimmie met his wife Yong during a stint in

South Korea in 1971. Four years later, their son Fred was born on a military base in Seoul, South Korea. The two traveled with Jimmie until Fred was 6 years old, and then Yong and Fred stayed in Columbia while Jimmie was abroad. Neither Jimmie nor Fred can speak very much Korean, but Yong is fluent in Korean and English. She said she learned her English from watching American TV shows such as “Sesame Street” and “The Waltons.” As anyone who has ever visited Jimmie and Son knows, Yong has two additional children — Scooby and Scrappy. Both are Shih Tzu dogs. “She [had] said she wants grandchildren, but she said forget it — she’ll just take the dogs,” Fred said. The concept of family extends beyond the owners at Jimmie and Son. “When the students come in, we talk to them, and I harass them,” Jimmie said in his pronounced Southern drawl. “I say, ‘Your mom and daddy ain’t here? It’s my time now.’” When customers have car troubles, Jimmie puts his history as a mechanic to work. He bought equipment just so he can help customers out when they lock their keys inside of their cars. “We’ll open it up before anybody shows up in the parking lot,” Jimmie said. “If I do it, it’s free. If they call somebody, it’s going to cost them.” Yong also takes on a parental role for the college-aged women who come to her. Fred said she regularly asks students if they’ve had anything to eat that day and often gives candy or beef jerky to her customers for free. “People, the girls, I over watch them,” Yong said. “Anybody can call me mom.” Fred said they’ve driven customers home after having car troubles, let customers slide if they’re a few dollars short on change and escorted people out of their store if they’re being too rowdy or rude. “We just try to look after our customers

the best way we can,” Fred said. “Everybody’s family here.” As Jimmie is 69 and Yong is 72 years old, Yong said she’ll retire as soon as Fred gets married. When the couple retires, they’re planning on switching everything -Yong Alverson over from Jimmie’s name into Fred’s name. “The problem is that I’m 45 years old, and I haven’t gotten married yet,” Fred said, laughing. Yong said she and Jimmie don’t depend on the money they get from working. They live more of a quaint life, while Scooby and Scrappy enjoy a more luxurious lifestyle. “We don’t spend that much money. My dogs spend more than I do,” Yong said. Scooby and Scrappy turn their noses up at steak, but they love having dried fish for breakfast and dinner. At $10 a pack, it adds up. Because Yong’s love also extends to her customers, she said she wants everyone to put a mask on and wash their hands. When customers come in without a mask on, the Alversons will give out free disposable masks. “You can make money, but the most important is your health,” Fred said. Jimmie said he wants his customers to be smart about who they’re drinking and hanging out with. “If you’re going to party, know who you’re partying with,” Jimmie said. “Don’t bring strangers in if you don’t know them because you don’t know what they’re bringing with them.” Jimmie and Son is located at 347 South Harden Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29205.

Anybody can call me mom.

Illustration: Vanessa Purpura

SC Riot Room provides stress relief through demolition

Hanah Watts

hen it comes to stress-inducing activities, college is certainly on the list. One West Columbia business might just have a way to blow off some steam. The SC Riot Room, which opened a little over a year ago, has become a place where guests can do the seemingly undoable: break things. Nodis Kijula, manager and co-owner of the SC Riot Room, said riot rooms are “essentially” a form of stress relief. “Your whole life, you’re told not to break things; if you do break things, you get punished for it,” Kijula said. “We offer a place where you can do that and not get in trouble.” A riot room is where people go to break things. They can choose one of three different “Riots,” which include different types of smashable objects. Everything is fair game, from a glass plate to a flat screen TV. Or, if guests are feeling a certain animosity towards specific items (i.e. something their ex gave them), guests can B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Box). But they cannot begin smashing immediately. They must first garb themselves in protective equipment, including a Full Riot helmet, gloves and vest. Although smashing items can be a blast, the SC Riot Room takes safety seriously. Guests can take out all of their pentup anger on the items in the room — as long as they do not swing at anyone else in the room. Shattered porcelain and crushed electronics litter the floor at the conclusion of each riot. Meredith Acevedo and her husband decided to give the SC Riot Room a try after hearing about it from a group of moms on Facebook. She said they thought the concept sounded interesting and different, so they decided to make a date

night out of it. It was “[e]xciting and therapeutic,” Acevedo said in an email interview. “The room was great to get any frustrations out one might have. The assortment of household items proved entertaining to smash, especially the computers because everyone gets frustrated with technology sometimes,” Acevedo said. Acevedo is not alone. Other guests have felt the same sort of adrenaline rush from their riots. Jesse Cody already knew about the concept of a rage room, so when she found the SC Riot Room on Facebook, she

said she knew she had to give it a try. “It might seem an exaggeration, but I would describe my first visit to the SC Riot Room as euphoric,” Cody said. “I walked into a room full of objects whose only purpose was to be destroyed accompanied by a smorgasbord of weapons at my disposal.” As an added bonus, guests can choose the music they want to hear during the riot. And, although they can request specific songs and artists, Kijula said that a lot of times, people will just ask for “angry music.” So, when life gets stressful, the SC Riot Room can be a good outlet to be angry in a safe way. No cleanup necessary.

Photo: robbie Greenwald An SC Riot Room customer uses a bat to shatter breakables. The Riot Room offers a variety of weapons to help customers smash with ease.

LATE-NIGHT COLUMBIA:

YOUR GUIDE TO GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE PAST 8 P.M. Nick Sullivan Sometimes it feels as if Columbia has an unspoken curfew. It’s true that most businesses close come sundown, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do.

Below is a compilation of late-night-friendly businesses open Thursday through Saturday. We encourage you to get out of the house this weekend and explore what nightlife Columbia has to offer.

THE NIGHT IS STILL YOUNG

ROCKAWAY ATHLETIC CLUB: CLOSES 11 P.M.

BANG BACK PINBALL LOUNGE: CLOSES 11 P.M.

Allegedly opened after the owners were kicked out of every other bar in the city, today Rockaway boasts of having a nationally recognized pimento cheeseburger and the largest liquor library in the Southeast.

Grab some tacos, egg rolls or anything else on the lounge’s “Funky Fresh” menu, then get to playing pinball. A full game lineup can be found on its website.

THE FRONT COFFEE & TAP: CLOSES 11 P.M.

SC RIOT ROOM: CLOSES 7 P.M. THURSDAY, 10

There are two types of college students: Those who need caffeine at all hours of the day, and those looking to crack open a beer to ring in the weekend (or any day of the week, really). The Front caters to both crowds.

BARS ARE CLOSING, NOW WHAT?

P.M. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Bad grade? Mean professor? Annoying roommate? Whatever your stressor, SC Riot Room invites you to unwind by smashing stuff. Make sure to schedule your session in advance.

TIOS MEXICAN CAFE: CLOSES MIDNIGHT

TSUNAMI VISTA: CLOSES MIDNIGHT

TSUBAKI RESTAURANT LOUNGE & KARAOKE: CLOSES 2 A.M.

ART BAR: CLOSES 2 A.M.

Everybody knows Tios for its margarita tower, which is indeed worthy of the buzz, but have you tried the jerk chicken tacos?

It doesn’t matter how bad you are at karaoke because private rooms are available to rent for the extra self-conscious.

ALL-NIGHTER FUEL (24/7)

Tsunami has a wide selection of sushi to choose from. Plus, if you’re willing to shell out a few extra dollars, the hibachi is top-notch.

Come for the food and drinks, stay for the robots and Christmas lights. This is a 21+ establishment.

FIVE POINTS WAFFLE HOUSE

ASSEMBLY STREET SONIC

The one constant in our lives. After late-night studying (studying? Yeah, we’ll go with studying), Waffle House provides the greasy sustenance we all crave.

Come feeling hungry, leave feeling gross. That’s the Sonic way, and we wouldn’t dream of it changing. Illustration: Sabrina Hampton

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‘It’s a major hit’:

Columbia Marionette Theatre challenged by COVID-19 Sebastian Lee

n a normal year, the Columbia Marionette Theatre would be educating and entertaining kids during its typical 500 performances. However, since the theater shut down in March, COVID-19 has proved to be the largest hurdle it has ever faced. “It’s a major hit,” John Scollon, a founder and executive director of Columbia Marionette Theatre, said. “Not only with the schools, but anybody in the entertainment community because there’s a lot of performers that rely on those school shows.” Columbia Marionette Theatre’s biggest customers are schools, according to Karri Scollon, the business manager of the theater and John’s wife. With a lot of K-12 education going online, the theater has faced significant challenges. Of the nearly 500 shows hosted a year, 350 are roadshows, where the Scollons go across South Carolina and perform at schools. During the trips, the pair would do an average of four different shows a day. The themes can vary from anti-littering shows sponsored by Palmetto Pride to fairy tales or shows encouraging kids to not be afraid

“

It only takes one little smile, and the whole day’s worth it.

-Karri Scollon

of the dentist, sponsored by the South Carolina Dental Association. “A lot of times, we are the very first experience in live theater that a kid ever has. We want to make sure that that’s a good experience,” Karri Scollon said. The other 150 shows would typically consist of the productions performed in-house at the theater. Before the pandemic, Scollon said there were some weeks of the year when kids on field trips filled up all 299 seats in the theater. The in-house shows have puppeteers performing from a 10foot scaffold overlooking the stage. At the time of its construction, the theater was the largest stage customized for marionette performances in the United States. Everything for the shows is created completely in-house, including puppets, soundtracks, sets, costumes and scripts. The scripts can be original stories or adaptations of classic stories such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Robin Hood,” “Pinocchio” and even Greek mythology. “We like to say, if you can imagine it, we can build it. We can create that dream,” Scollon said. Over the summer, the Scollons were scheduled to perform at libraries across the state, but those in-person performances were also canceled due to COVID-19. However, they did record a video performance and sent it to libraries, but Scolln said the recorded shows just aren’t the same. “It only takes one little smile, and the whole day’s worth it,” Scollon said. Those smiles are absent when performances are broadcast online.

Illustration: beth bryerton

Lyon Hill, the artistic director for the theater, said he sees a positive outcome in the longevity of recorded performances. “You make something that can last and can continue to be seen by audiences,” Hill, who has been with the theater for 23 years, said. “And I think that’s really special, too.” Hill said that, with shows being canceled, he has had more time to be creative, whether he is designing new things or working on live electronic and beatboxing music to incorporate into future shows. As of now, the Columbia Marionette Theatre can reopen, but it has been hesitant to do so because it wants to work around the schools. As a nonprofit, Scollon said the theater is fortunate to have received so much support from its sponsors, which allows it to “wait this out a bit.” The theater is prepared to require face masks and social distancing upon reopening. However, some other alternatives are being considered, such as outdoor shows or drivethru shows, both of which could have larger puppets, Hill said.

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SALTY’S BOARD SHOP OFFERS TASTE OF WEST COAST IN COLUMBIA

Alexis Ferro ocated near the USC campus and not too far from Owens Field Skatepark, Salty’s Board Shop is a one-stop shop for a new board, repairs and style from the Pacific. Bringing the So-Cal skate and surf vibe to the Columbia area has always been a dream of owner Paul Goff’s, who said he was inspired by his time living in California, Hawaii and Oregon. Salty’s sells skateboards, surfboards, beachwear and gear for other outdoor sports needs from over 280 brands, including Free People, Billabong, RVCA, Penny, Santa Cruz and more. It stands out on Devine Street as a hot spot for the skateboard and surf lovers of Columbia. “We march to the beat of a different drum, especially on [Devine Street],” Goff said. Goff said he loves running the outdoor goods shop — and loving what you do is a firm belief of his. “I love surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, wakeboarding, kiteboarding, windsurfing, all that stuff,” Goff said. “To do something for a living and make a living out of it and love it is kind of a rare thing.”

To him, this means giving back to the community. Goff said he freely chooses how he wants to help individuals and the community, including doing fundraisers and other events. “We also carry a lot of brands that have humanitarian causes behind it,” Goff said. “I want to be able to give back, rather than just to be a store too, you know, feels good.” Salty’s employee Emily Hepworth said she loves the environment of Salty’s with its mellow atmosphere, good music and passionate customers. “I get to work with really great people,” Hepworth said. Part of the atmosphere includes people skateboarding around the store. Salty’s allows customers to test out boards before they buy them, and Hepworth said she encourages customers to skate in the store when looking for a new skateboard. “We always suggest they actually, you know, try the board, and they just kind of — like this guy right here. See?” Hepworth said as someone skated by in the shop. Salty’s holds a wide variety of boards to try

out. Hepworth said her favorite to sell and most recommended is the Landyachtz boards, cruiser boards that have unique designs on them. Growing up in Columbia, Hepworth would come to Salty’s to get a pair of Rainbow sandals, calling it a “local treasure” of the area. She said it’s cool to see how much Salty’s has grown but still stayed true to its roots and genuine self. Customer Capone June said that while he might not live in Columbia, he would certainly go to Salty’s more if he did. June said he was attracted to all the different types of skateboards in the shop and would definitely come back to either buy a new deck for his board or a shirt from Salty’s. Columbia isn’t the only place to find Salty’s. The original owner of Salty’s Board Shop set up shop in 1982 in Ocean Isle, North Carolina, following with locations in Florence and Columbia. Goff bought the Columbia location from the original owner 18 years ago, and it is now individually owned by him and his family. “I love the environment here, and I get to work with really great people like Paul and his family,” Hepworth said. “They’re so cool.” Salty’s is even “cool” enough to have a visit from the production crew of the Netflix show “Outer Banks.” About a year ago, Goff unknowingly welcomed a producer from “Outer Banks.” Goff said the man visited Salty’s to buy gear and clothing for a TV show but could not announce the name of it at that time. Goff said he noticed, almost a year later, that a lot of the stuff on the show looked like it came from Salty’s, and he liked seeing the store’s merchandise on the TV show. Illustration: Sabrina Hampton

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Mom and pop hippie shop Loose Lucy’s preserves ‘magic of the Grateful Dead’ in Five Points Natalie Hunt & Sam Clarke

ined up with a string of Five Points boutiques and cafes sits Loose Lucy’s, a local mom and pop hippie shop stocked full of groovy tie-dye shirts, wall hangings, metaphysical supplies and good vibes. Alongside everything that completes the stock, Loose Lucy’s co-owner Don McCallister said he wants the store to feel welcoming. “We try to create a space that when you walk in, it’s supposed to look fun. It’s supposed to feel that way, thanks to the music that’s playing,” Don McCallister said. “We want you to feel like you’ve walked in some place that’s full of friends you’ve never met before.” The store’s namesake and beginnings are thanks to the band Grateful Dead. Loose Lucy’s got its start following the band around in the late ‘80s in a Volkswagen van and doing pop-up shops outside its shows. “It’s the kind of romance you would want to hear out of a story like this,” Don McCallister said. The “magic of the Grateful Dead” played in favor of current husband and wife owners Don and Jenn McCallister and founders Mike and Susan Kaminsky, according to an email from Jenn McCallister. The song “Loose Lucy” was not played live for a 16-year hiatus that ended March 13, 1990. That night, the Kaminskys decided to name their business after this monumental moment in Dead history and start up a kiosk in Hilton Head. As friends over the years and fellow Deadheads, the Kaminskys trusted in Jenn McCallister to carry on the business’ legacy.

“It actually all came together in April of ‘97,” Jenn McCallister, Loose Lucy’s president, said. “It’s been ours ever since.” Originally, the McCallisters would tape from the lots and sell cassettes of recorded Grateful Dead shows. These shows created family. Sharing the experience and bringing together so many people makes the moment so much “bigger than all of us,” Jenn McCallister said. “I always say the Grateful Dead itself, the music, the energy they bring, it’s just magic,” Jenn McCallister said. “Everything else flows from that. I mean, I can’t take credit for any of it.” This path was centered around the thing they were both passionate about: not just the Grateful Dead, but the whole era. “It was a lattice of beautiful synchronicity and connections that happened that led us to

being the owners of this store,” Don McCallister said. Upon entry, Loose Lucy’s memories and family are collaged across the walls. “We have all of our best stubs, our Shakedown sheets. We actually have old license plates that were Jenn and Don’s that are Grateful Dead songs,” manager Kaykay Getz said. Famous locals, stickers from the lots, articles and ads also line the wall. Getz said her favorite is the “pet wall.” Jenn McCallister said this inspires a feeling of family with their customers. “We have the best customers, by far,” Jenn McCallister said. Whether you are missing the “festival vibe” or wanting a “walk down memory lane,” Getz said the environment, the people and the “feng shui” of the place make it “hard to be mad.” If a customer has never listened to the Grateful Dead or feels like they might be a poser walking absent-mindedly into a store such as Loose Lucy’s, rest assured “there’s no judgement.” Don McCallister said he and his team understand that improvisational music might not be in line with everyone’s taste. He said they “try to educate people” that might not be experts on the band. “If you want to wear tie-dye, or wear a Dead shirt and you’ve never heard a note, all it does is further cement the whole Grateful Dead experience as part of the American experience of the late 20th century,” McCallister said. Illustration: Sabrina Hampton

Illustration: Sabrina Hampton

PAPA JAZZ CONTINUES TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH MUSIC

Lauren Leibman

hen customers walk into Papa Jazz Record Shoppe, the first thing they will likely notice is that the only sound among the rows of records and CDs is music spilling from overhead speakers. Music is the atmosphere, product and passion. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Papa Jazz, which is currently in its 41st year of operation, has remained open. After making an appointment over the phone or through the store’s website, customers are able to browse Papa Jazz’s expansive inventory. The store offers one of the largest selections of new and used records in the Southeast. Papa Jazz direct sales coordinator Alex McCollum said the staff usually keeps the number of records in stock between 50,000 to 100,000 at any given time. CDs, videotapes, DVDs and several other items fill the store, all arranged neatly within the cozy brick building. “I feel like just the sheer size of their collection keeps me coming

back,” said Kaitlyn Dirr, a secondyear biological sciences student and repeat Papa Jazz customer. “Every time I visit I find something new that I didn’t see before. I just think they have something for just about everybody.” The size of its collection isn’t the only thing that sets Papa Jazz apart from other music stores. Within its varied selection of musical artists, one can find numerous albums released by local musicians. Some of these groups were among the over 50 local bands that have performed live at Papa Jazz during a series of small concerts called Papa Jazz Sessions that were posted online for the community to watch and interact with. These concerts worked to showcase local artists and to connect music lovers from the surrounding community. McCollum, who is half of the local music duo Stagbriar and also plays in the group Dear Blanca, said he believes Papa Jazz’s generous consignment program is truly unique. If a local musical group asks for Papa Jazz to stock its records, the store will add 99 cents to the

group’s asking price. This 99 cents is the only profit the store will make on the sale of each record. The rest of the proceeds go directly to the artist. “There’s no other place probably in the world that gives a consignment deal like that,” McCollum said. Even without its involvement with local artists, Papa Jazz is deeply rooted in Columbia’s history and culture. Assistant manager Woody Jones, who is referred to on the store’s Instagram page as the “resident knowledge hoarder,” said current owner Tim Smith has worked at Papa Jazz since he was 18 and has been the owner since the early ‘80s. The store has remained in its location on Greene Street for almost the entirety of its existence. According to Jones, Five Points has been a “hub” for shopping and entertainment for decades, particularly among college students, but music lovers from all backgrounds are drawn to Papa Jazz’s friendly clientele and laidback atmosphere. “You see a good mixture of both old and new customers,” Jones

said. “All ages ... all kinds of men and women. Everybody collects records, so it’s a really wide range.” Although Papa Jazz has been bringing the community together for years through events such as Record Store Day and Papa Jazz Sessions, its role in the community has only become more important with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “You know, I think with everything going on right now, music is really just one of those comforts that’s keeping everyone connected,” Dirr said. “Going to your local record store to get some new music or to buy that nostalgic movie is a way to get out and talk to people, get a sense of normalcy and kind of mix up your routine.” To keep customers and staff safe, Papa Jazz requires all customers to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer before entering the store. Pick-ups, trade-ins and drop-offs are done outside of the store. Visit and tune in at Papa Jazz Record Shoppe today at 2014 Greene St.

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SID & NANCY OFFERS FASHION FOR EVERYONE Ashlee Gainey

lternative clothing store Sid & Nancy doesn’t “buy just the trends,” according to manager Megan Yelton. Although right now the big trends come from ‘90s and early 2000s styles, Yelton said business casual attire, streetwear, men’s clothing and more are up for sale. “I think there’s a variety of different styles, and you can come in and find whatever you like,” employee Kiaja Nelson said. Located in Five Points, the shop allows customers to buy, sell and trade its clothing items. Nelson said the store is aimed toward teens to people in their mid-thirties, but almost anyone can come in and find something they like. First-time shoppers and USC students Hunter Crowe and Maria Johnson stopped into Sid & Nancy after a friend sent them a photo of a sign on the front door that read “Please do not enter if you are experiencing symptoms of C O V I D - 1 9 , xenophobia, racism, or homophobia.” Sid & Nancy owner Heather Burns said everyone deserves to be treated with respect and that the store is committed to diversity in its staff and customers. Crowe and Johnson said they felt more inclined to come inside and shop because of the inclusion that is advertised.

“[Sid & Nancy] is really cute, cozy and affordable,” Crowe, a first-year pre-business student, said. Not only are the clothes affordable, but they are also environmentally friendly since they are recycled and passed down from customers. “We help keep clothing out of landfills! 85% of clothing ends up in landfills or incinerators, so we think its our job to find clothing a new home and give it a second life,” Burns said in an email.

The process of selling clothes at Sid & Nancy starts with a potential seller bringing in no more than 45 items at a time. All clothes must be freshly laundered, in-season and put into an open-aired container such as a reusable tote bag. An employee will then sort through the clothes and make the seller an offer in either store credit or cash. Store credit never expires and can be spent in-store or via Instagram. All new arrivals get posted to Sid & Nancy’s Instagram page, where customers can request a 24-hour hold or ask for shipping options. Sid & Nancy ships nationwide. “If you go to Plato’s Closet, they only take things up into like a year, but we’ll take vintage stuff if that’s what people are looking for,” Yelton said. Quality, authenticity and anything retro is what the store looks for when buying clothes. Yelton said whether it’s vintage sweaters or vintage skirts, if people will like it, then the store buys it to sell. Sid & Nancy was voted Columbia’s best alternative clothing store by the readers of the Free Times in 2017 and remains to be downtown Columbia’s only buy-sell-trade store since 2007. Illustration: Sabrina Hampton

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Cinnamon R ll Deli brings family feel to Columbia

Summer Anderson

ince its opening in 2016, The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli has become much more than a local business. Owner Jody Kreush, originally from New Jersey, said she always dreamed of opening her own restaurant. She worked for several years in the food service industry in Maryland and said she disliked how bosses would treat their staff. Kreush said she wanted to treat her staff like family. “I wanted to do better with my staff,” Kreush said. Kreush said she came up with the idea for the deli after visiting her brother in Hawaii and trying Hawaiian sweet bread. It took her about four years to perfect her sweet breadbased cinnamon roll recipe. When she moved to Columbia, she got the chance to make her entrepreneurial dream come true. “I’ve always been wanting to open my own place, and I figured if I was going to work as hard as I did for someone else, I would do it for myself,” Kreush said. Her vision for the menu was to combine food found in New York delis, similar to where she grew up, and cinnamon rolls. Traditional New York hot dogs, breakfast sandwiches and chili can be found on the menu. Besides the cinnamon rolls, she said she prides herself on her grit bowls, which were spotlighted in People Magazine. The deli has different flavors for every day of the week, lending them the nickname “The Devine Shrimp and Grits Deli,” according to Kreush. The deli offers many flavors of cinnamon rolls, including apple cobbler, wildberry graham cracker crumble and bourbon caramel.

The Food Network website describes The Cinnamonster as the deli’s “starring attraction.” Kreush came up with the idea for the massive, several-pound cinnamon roll as a birthday treat for a customer who loved the restaurant’s cinnamon rolls. This one-time birthday creation soon became a favorite. Before the deli opened, Jody had help from USC’s graphic design classes to create the design of the company logo and the menu as a class contest. Richard Kreush, son and co-owner, said the restaurant’s success is due to the hardworking staff and the customer service but “the cinnamon rolls don’t hurt.” He prioritizes his time in the kitchen and said he puts love into everything served to customers. “It’s kind of a full package, really,” Richard Kreush said. On a typical weekend, the store goes through about 250 to 300 full-size cinnamon rolls and up to 1,000 mini cinnamon rolls on a busy day. According to Jody Kreush, their motto is “changing the world one cinnamon roll at a time.” She has donated cinnamon rolls to COVID-19 floors in hospitals, gives free drinks to first responders and veterans, lets local artists display their art on the walls and partners with local animal rescues. “People are so stressed out right now that it’s so important to do the most you can, to keep your prices low and do the most that you can for people,” Kreush said. Kreush’s compassion has impacted the lives of her staff members. Anna Harvley, a front of house co-supervisor who has been working at the deli for three years, said she loves all the people she

works with. She said the staff’s relationship with Jody goes “beyond just being the manager.” Katie Ebinger, a front of house co-supervisor who has been working with Jody for almost three years, said the only reason they reopened so soon was so the staff could continue paying bills. She said Kreush “deeply” cares about her staff and does what she can to take care of them. “People have more in common than they do different. And food is one of those things that make us realize how much we have in common,” Kreush said. According to Kreush, The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli respects everyone and does what it can for families and senior citizens. She has only been living in Columbia for seven years, but she cannot go anywhere without someone recognizing her. First-year media arts student Cassidy McGee said the deli has good service and a friendly staff. The small size of the restaurant gives it a “homey and welcoming” atmosphere. The deli has only been open for four years, but it has made an impact on people in Columbia. Jody said her success is due to her family, Richard Kreush and members of the community. “We couldn’t have done it without the love and support of our whole family,” she said.

Illustrations: Hannah Sullivan

The Market Tea Room: A home for Columbia’s tea lovers Allyson Reavis

he Market Tea Room, housed at Senate’s End overlooking the Congaree River, offers unique tea services, local foods and a relaxing environment. The Tea Room serves a three-course afternoon tea and hosts guests for “a quick cuppa tea” and private events such as weddings, according to its Facebook page. Upon arriving at the Tea Room, guests choose from the selection of hundreds of tea flavors and beautiful china teacups. Jennifer Gerdes, a USC alumna, is the “tea mistress” at the Tea Room. Tea mistress, a title given to her by a guest, entails tasting and serving teas and planning and hosting events. “I spent the entire quarantine tasting teas that people sent me from all over the world,” Gerdes said. The extensive shelf of teas includes teas The Market Tea Room sits hidden in a back corner off Senate Street. Photo: Cera Hansen from China, South Africa, Japan, Charleston and more. Gerdes took him up on the offer. Although “If you’re by yourself, [Gerdes] will ask if Aside from being delicious and refreshing, the Tea Room is close to the Vista, guests feel you want company,” Bergman said. “She’ll just sit tea offers a variety of benefits that Gerdes encapsulated in the nature that surrounds the and talk with you for hours.” studied extensively. She said the first benefit is property. On the back porch, guests can sip on a Bergman first tried the Tea Room when it spiritual, as drinking and serving tea is sort of warm or cold cup of tea and take in the wildlife, was at the farmers market, then attended the a ritual. Congaree River and greenery. Mother’s Day tea. “It forces you to take a few quiet minutes to Restrictions brought on by COVID-19 have “It was a pleasant experience that I yourself,” Gerdes said. “You can’t rush it.” kept the Tea Room temporarily closed, but a immediately fell in love with,” Bergman said. There are health benefits, too. For example, post on its Facebook page announced a phased Bergman said she is grateful for the Tea Gerdes said she recommends rooibos to athletes reopening on Oct. 7. Room for being a place that is “just for the due to its high magnesium and potassium and In the meantime, Gerdes has been thinking tea lovers.” how it helps with cramps. “Jennifer makes it special in that she is The Tea Room started out as just a vision of ways to accommodate social distancing measures while still hosting guests. going out of her way to have a place that people for Gerdes. She retired early and decided to “There’s no way to get over the intimacy can come to that’s intimate,” Stephanie Bridgers, follow her bliss: tea. Gerdes hosted “pop-up tea of tea, which is why we’ve waited so long,” owner of The Local Buzz coffee shop, said. parties” and sold tea wherever she could. She Gerdes said. Gerdes said groups that have come in to do opened The Market Tea Room in February 2017 Gerdes said its biggest obstacle will tastings as strangers are now best friends. at the state farmers market. be afternoon tea, which is a “touchy-feely People can come to the Tea Room dressed With the help of Dupre Percival, experience,” as groups share scones and up in hats and dresses or with schoolwork owner of Senate’s End and Dupre Catering sandwiches from the tower at the center of and a sweatshirt. Gerdes said her job as a Company, she finally opened up the shop at the table. tea mistress comes down to more than just its current location. Along with the marvelous tea and cozy serving tea. “He just walked in and said, ‘How would “It is about interpersonal relationships,” you like to have an actual tea room?’” Gerdes atmosphere, what the Tea Room does best is hospitality. Tammy Bergman, a Tea Room Gerdes said. “We welcome everybody with said. customer and tea lover, said she agrees. open arms.”

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Crust Bakehouse looks different under new owner a year later Nick Sullivan

ome people cut it off. Others eat around it. But from the items on display to the sign out front, there’s no escaping it at one local bakery. It’s crust, and according to Crust Bakehouse owner Zackery Gates, it’s the best part of the bread. Gates took ownership of the Rosewood bakery in 2019 after the previous owners stepped down. The business already established itself in the community during its sevenyear tenure, so Gates inherited Crust’s existing customers. “Rosewood’s a pretty mellowed-out area of Columbia,” Gates said. “People around here really like their fresh bread.” Gates said he has made

major changes to the shop that were initially met with mixed reception. Aesthetically, the shelves, paint and wallpaper are all brand new. The menu also shifted to focus more on pastries and expanded to include new items such as bagel bombs and kolaches, which are puffy dough pastries containing sweet or savory fillings. The bread recipes remained mostly the same, but there has been minor tweaking. According to Gates, the transition was “like a gauntlet” as he tried to please both longtime and first-time customers, who didn’t always want the same thing in their bakery. “There kind of was a culture clash at first, to where [longtime customers] liked it the way it was, and then some new young guy shows up, and he’s changing everything,” Gates said. ”If you take something away, people get mad at you.” Zara Rabnawaz has bought her bread from Crust ever since the shop opened in 2012. She said she was apprehensive of the shift in management. “A lot of times when there’s new ownership, things change either for the better or for the worse,” Rabnawaz said. Crust changed for the better, she said. Neither Rabnawaz nor

There kind of was a culture clash at first, to where [longtime customers] liked it the way it was, and then some new young guy shows up, and he’s changing everything. -Zackery Gates, owner of Crust Bakehouse

Photo: Cera Hansen

Owner of Crust Bakehouse Zackery Gates works in the kitchen to prep inventory.

anybody she knows has been dissatisfied with the changes to the bakery. “You can taste the quality,” Rabnawaz said. “And I figure particularly with all the stuff that’s going on now, you need to put good stuff inside of you to stay healthy. And they’re very, very pleasant people, which always makes a big difference.” Pastry chef Amber Garner said her years of experience working in the restaurant industry have taught her “how to appease” people. Even with all of the changes, she worked to cater to the needs of longtime customers. “We have so many regulars that come in, and I love knowing their name, and I like to know what they’re getting,” Garner

said. “To me, that’s important.” Gates previously worked as a wholesaler, meaning he sold his products to other businesses. He didn’t have much face-to-face customer interaction before Crust, so he said the new job has forced him to improve his people skills. Gates started to form friendships through his fiveminute conversations with customers as they stop by for their regular orders. The negative part of the changes, Gates said, is over. The customers who remain “seem to like” what they’re doing — customers such as Rabnawaz. “I have never had anything here that wasn’t good,” Rabnawaz said. “It was good before. I think it’s excellent now.”

Student entrepreneurs turn passions into profit Lily Shahida Many students wish they could turn their hobbies and interests into a business. These four USC students

have found ways to make that happen, and their advice to others is to do the same.

LILY VINCOLA, CRAFTY COCKS For artist Lily Vincola, creating things has always been a passion, but it wasn’t until a year ago that she decided to start selling her work to others. Vincola said she and a roommate started painting designs on vinyl records for fun until they decided to turn it into something more. “I’ve always wanted to create. And, as I grew up, I started taking more art classes ... There was nothing that I was gonna sell or anything. It was just in my classes, and I was like, ‘Well, why don’t I just start actually incorporating that into a job and profiting f r o m it?’”

Vincola, a third-year visual communications student, said. Vincola has since begun to run her Instagram business, Crafty Cocks, solo, and her records have become popular among college students. Recently, she received a large order from USC’s Delta Delta Delta sorority for 70 records for its Bid Day. She draws inspiration for her designs from many places, but she said music and album covers always have a lot to offer. While she spends a lot of time on her pieces, Vincola said she finds her work to be “very therapeutic.” To her, it is worth the sacrifices in time because it is something she is passionate about. “ Y o u get out of it what you put into it. If you actually put your time and effort into it, you’re going to see something from it. You’ve really got to stick to it if you start it, and don’t give up on it. It takes time for it to grow. It doesn’t happen overnight,” Vincola said.

NICK RASCONA The perks of running a small business go way beyond turning a profit. Take it from Nick Rascona, a fourth-year civil engineering student who is making money running a self-described “e-commerce business” selling items on a “secondary market.” “By doing this, I’m actually getting ahead. I’m teaching myself how to do my own accounting work and filing my own taxes, which in the long run is nice because all this is just taking it on a smaller scale, and then hopefully down the line, you’re progressing these skills into something larger,” Rascona said. Rascona had the idea to start his online business while he was looking through old belongings in his basement over winter break. After researching their worth, he realized he could profit if he sold them, and that is what he did. He now lists items on websites such as Ebay, Mercari and Poshmark. W h i l e at school, Rascona spends about 20 hours a w e e k

sourcing products, researching trends and shipping packages. He searches mostly for electronics and shoes and sources them from many places, ranging from online wholesale shops to bricks-andmortar thrift stores. “I like doing a little bit of everything, just because another reason why I did this is just to keep my mind busy, keep it interesting,” Rascona said. According to Rascona, the key to succeeding in e-commerce is time and effort. He said people cannot expect to “make a quick dollar” from simply listing an item online. “I’ve noticed there’s a direct correlation between the amount of time you put in and the amount of success that you’ll output. And I’ve really taken that to heart ever since I’ve started doing this,” Rascona said.

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ALLISON LAMBERT, 18 GOING ON 80 DRAKE BOWEN, CLOSET 90S Some people are lucky enough to make money in a way that does not feel like work. Drake Bowen said he has always viewed Closet 90s, his thrifted clothing business, as a hobby. “If I look at it as a job, then it kind of takes the whole purpose out of it,” Bowen, a third-year mass communications student, said. Bowen started thrifting for himself in high school, but when he realized he had too much clothing, he and a friend decided to sell things on Instagram. Most of what they list falls under the category of “high-end vintage” collectibles, and Bowen said they try to find clothing with “a story behind it.” “I only buy stuff I would wear. That’s my personal rule,” Bowen said. Bowen often looks for clothing at Goodwill, Depop and Ebay but said it is becoming much harder to find quality pieces because

more people “know what they have.” “To find really expensive things is not that common anymore. Back in high school when I did it, it was really common. But the community is so big now that when I walk into a Goodwill, there’s probably, you know, 10 other people my age that are looking for the same thing,” Bowen said. While Bowen is not sure what the future holds due to the growing number of people thrifting, he said anyone looking to start their own business should not get discouraged, especially if they are doing something they genuinely enjoy. “My advice would definitely be find something you love and start a business. If you’re really passionate about it, and you stick w i t h it, it’ll work o u t ,” Bowen said.

Art comes in many forms, and one USC student has found a unique way to bring her designs to life. Third-year sports and entertainment management student Allison Lambert turned her embroidery hobby into small business “18 Going On 80” during quarantine when she noticed people had a genuine interest in the designs she was posting on Instagram. According to Lambert, running a business on Instagram is a good starting point because of how easy it makes the networking process. “Once you start talking to more people who are doing the same thing as you, it’s really — it helps a lot. You start making friends and seeing what they’re doing and how they’re growing,” Lambert said.

Embroidery is an easy skill for beginners to learn, but it yields impressive results regardless of experience, Lambert said. Her designs are selfdescribed as “simplistic and cutesy,” which she said appeals to her audience, and she also creates custom designs for people who ask. Lambert said the hardest part about launching her small business was learning to place value on her work. “You’re always thinking to yourself, ‘I’ll wait ‘til I get better.’ But it’s good now. The fact that you’re thinking about making it into a business shows,” Lambert said. Her advice to anyone wanting to start their own business is to be confident in their product and to just start, even if they think they are not ready.

Illustrations: Kelsey Worthington

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COLUMN:

Bars will still be there after COVID-19 Haley Borowy

top putting yourselves and your bartenders at risk for COVID-19. It might feel nice to finally be with friends and go out partying, but it’s not worth dragging out this plague any longer. When Louisiana started letting bars open again in July, it could conclusively trace over 400 cases to bars alone in that month. Additionally, 200 cases can be traced to a single bar in East Lansing, Michigan. The mental effects of isolating yourself from friends for weeks or even months on end can hurt. Increased depression and anxiety can come with not being near others. However, it’s likely catching an incredibly transmittable, potentially deadly pathogen is not particularly great for your mental health either. Going to house parties is not a great move, but going to bars? Come on. You’re around a bunch of strangers, some of whom are inebriated and won’t make the most COVID-safe decisions. It’s

easier to contact your friends and roommates and tell them you got a positive test if that unfortunately happens to you, but it’s difficult for a bar to track down all its patrons and tell them that someone there came down with the virus — if someone alerts a bar they went to at all. Even if it’s publicized that someone who tested positive went to a certain bar, there’s still a chance not every person that came into contact with them watches the news, reads the newspaper or even has accounts on social media they follow that would make them aware of that. On top of this, at least house parties consist of people who chose to be there. Bartenders, servers and hostesses don’t have that choice. Many people can’t afford to quit their job right now, even if the one they have forces them to be in contact with the general public. Now, you might defend going out by saying you’re supporting local businesses. But is that the primary reason you’re going out, or

is it to get drunk with your friends? You could order takeout food or cocktails from a bar to support it financially in a safe way. Going downtown and drinking for hours is not the only choice. It’s hard to adjust, even after months of this being the new normal. It’s understandable that, after the summer ends, anyone would want to act as if everything is fine and not notice that restaurants have a few less tables and all the bartenders and servers are wearing masks. It’s hard to ask everyone, especially people whose normal is going out and partying at bars in Five Points or the Vista, to stop everything when that hasn’t really been asked of Americans on such a large scale since a hundred years ago. However, it is being asked. Numbers don’t lie. The consequences are real, and while they might not impact you, they could affect someone you love, a fellow Gamecock or even someone who was in the same bar as you on Friday night.

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COLUMN:

TRY SOMETHING NEW, LOCAL Lexi Cuevas

Nothing is better than buying a homecooked meal knowing you are supporting a family in your community. It is important to give back to those hardworking families by simply eating at their restaurant and even engaging in a conversation. While it might seem like a small gesture to us, it means a lot more to them. A lot of them are starting these businesses to spread their love for cooking and a part of who they are, as well. Down on Harden Street, you will find a family-owned Jamaican restaurant named Island Grill. I had the pleasure of speaking to the owner, Norris Ellis. Not only is he a wonderfully kind man, but he is also very hardworking. “I grew up with my parents having their own business, so it was only natural for me to want to do my own, and I have been doing cooking since I was a little boy, so it’s just a natural transition,” Ellis said. Ellis said COVID-19 has impacted his business positively through customers’ changing tastes. “It makes people appreciate good quality food more. It is better for their health – they’re staying away from fried food and move over

towards home-cooked type of food,” Ellis said. Fortunately, COVID-19 has not negatively affected him, and he has been able to keep working. As the owner of a local restaurant, Ellis said a lot of regulars are what help keep his business going. Ellis said seeing a new face “gives a good feeling naturally, and a lot of them, it is the word of mouth that has got them to come in the first place.” Eating at these locally owned restaurants gives us the chance to impact them directly because we help grow their businesses. This can happen in ways that we might not even realize. You might end up posting a picture of your food online for others to see, and that alone can persuade others to try the place, too. Not only do we affect them, but they affect us when we become regulars and they become a friend. If you introduce yourself, they will often remember you. If you spread kindness and positivity, they will appreciate you. While at Island Grill, Norris even shared some of his freshly squeezed fruit juice after we kept a great conversation going. My favorite part about eating locally is the new foods from different cultures that I get to

try. It helps promote diversity by allowing you to branch out and try new things as you interact with people from different backgrounds. According to “Serving Up Diversity: Major trends in the food-services sector” by IBIS World, the “growing demographic has introduced a vast assortment of spicy cuisines to American palates, and the market’s response has been overwhelmingly positive.” Not only are we being introduced to different cuisines, but we can also enhance our cooking at home. Supporting these local restaurants is also significant because the impact is often greater than we can imagine. The article “Why Supporting Local Businesses is Important” by Aybla Grill Greek Mediterranean Food states, “supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies.” This is a small yet substantial act that allows us to also take care of our planet, too. While running a business can be hard work, business owners still decide to do it for themselves and for those who they might impact along the way. So, try something new. Try local. Illustration: vanessa Purpura

Column:

COVID-19 exposes need for labor unions in restaurants

Ian Grenier

estaurant workers have been one of the hardest-hit groups of workers by COVID-19, but unfair working conditions didn’t appear out of nowhere six months ago. As long as staff don’t have any real control over their jobs, post-COVID restaurants will probably be just like pre-COVID ones, workplace issues and all. Workers need real change, and one vehicle for this type of change is the labor organizing movement. By the end of April, almost 5.5 million food service workers had lost their jobs, and 2.5 million still haven’t gotten them back. It is also estimated that 20% to 25% of independentlyowned restaurants are closed for good. However, we can’t just blame the virus. Even without COVID, working conditions in the restaurant industry would still not be ideal: Many workers are paid minimum wage. The median hourly wage is only $12.67 for cooks and $11.00 for servers. Remember, the federal minimum wage for tipped workers is only $2.13 an hour – and some of these workers do not get paid sick leave, which is an issue during a global pandemic. There’s clearly a problem in our restaurant industry. COVID-19 might have popped the bubble, but the low wages and bad benefits will continue, virus or not. First, we need to approach it on a systemic level. This is not just a situation caused by mean bosses or

cruel corporations, though they certainly exist. It’s caused by the fact that in a restaurant, like any business, the owners and management are the ones that hold power. This means that no matter who those people are, they will always be incentivized to keep their labor costs as low as possible. After all, lower wages and benefits mean the restaurant can spend more on things such as ingredients and rent – and, ultimately, secure a higher profit margin. While this incentive might seem reasonable at first, you should ask yourself this: When you’re hungry, what makes you want to go out to Cool Beans or Cantina 76? It might be because you can get some great tacos or a nice cappuccino, thanks to the cooks and baristas. Maybe it’s because you can depend on getting solid service and eating in a clean restaurant, thanks to the wait staff and cleaning crew. Whatever your reason might be, I’m pretty sure that it’s not because you want to see the owners secure a high profit margin. If the things that make restaurants popular and successful are done by the workers, why don’t the workers have any power? The answer is that right now, the vast majority of individual restaurant workers are just that: Individual workers who can’t hope to challenge the unfair aspects of their workplace. This dynamic means that one solution to this systemic problem is for workers to organize themselves into something stronger

than an individual: a labor union. A restaurant staff that’s organized into a union is immediately empowered because unions change the dynamic between workers and management. Organized labor can challenge bosses with a collective voice, and it can act collectively, too — after all, a restaurant can’t function if its workers don’t want it to. This change in the dynamic lets workers start to fight for better wages and working conditions. And the best part is that when they fight, they win. According to a 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release, the median weekly earnings for a non-unionized food service worker is $560. For a union member, it’s $611, a 9.1% pay increase for the same work. Labor organizing campaigns can also have positive effects outside one’s immediate workplace. The Fight for $15 campaign, which seeks to organize fast-food and other lowwage workers, has pushed multiple states to adopt higher minimum wages. Ultimately, unions give workers the chance to have some power over their work and the value that they create for their employers. They play a crucial role in the struggle to make our economy more fair and democratic, and that includes our restaurants. Eventually, cooks and servers will be able to take off their masks, so let’s push for a post-COVID economy that lets them do it in a restaurant they have some control over. Illustration: Michelle Ballman

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Spice up date night with these Columbia hot spots Jess Coia

ditor’s note: If you choose to dine at these restaurants, bring your mask and socially distance in accordance with public health guidelines. “Where should we go to eat?” is a lingering question many face when planning a date night. Let’s face it, favorite places have been visited over and over, and the food isn’t always exciting anymore. With the stress of everything going on in the world, having an exciting and enjoyable date night is crucial to keeping the romance alive in a relationship. Skip the traditional dining and try one of these many places Columbia offers to get active with your date.

The Grand on Main The Grand on Main has much more fun to offer than food alone. On top of a full-sized menu offering appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrées and more, The Grand also has a range of activities to participate in. This restaurant includes seven fullservice lanes for bowling and a downstairs self-pour-style tap room that includes a pool table and arcade games. General manager Lindsay Newman said they offer “an upscale dining experience without that super upscale price” and that doing such activities can be a great way to get to know someone. On top of bowling and games, The Grand holds live music on weekends and other fun events. Last year, the taproom hosted a Bachelor Night, where people came in and were able to view “The Bachelor” while enjoying drinks and games. “We try to come up with things that could pertain to just about any crowd,” Newman said. “We do trivia on Wednesdays, and we pick different themes that can pertain to just about everybody, no matter the age and anything else.” Between the full-sized menu and the numerous activity options, The Grand has a lot to offer customers to keep them having fun, new experiences.

“You’re not going to find anywhere that offers everything that we do,” Newman said.

Craft Axe Throwing Craft Axe Throwing hosts several lanes where customers are able to compete at throwing axes, all while enjoying drinks from a list of craft beers and snacks. Axe throwing can unlock someone’s Photo: Kailee Kokes competitive side and Craft Axe Throwing offers customers individual caged throwing lanes with give them the chance to large, wooden bull’s-eye at the end of each lane. show off to their date or craft beer, while painting a canvas that will to just have a good time. “It’s something that incites a little bit of serve as a great memory for years to come. Randy Weiss, husband of the owner, competition, but it’s also a new skill that most said Studio Cellar is the ideal place to come people haven’t, you know, done yet,” marketing and enjoy a worry-free date night. With manger Hunter Gouty said. both classes led by instructors and freestyle Gouty said axe throwing is a lot of fun workshops, Studio Cellar has an option for and easy to pick up on, thanks to help from people at all skill levels. instructors. “Our sole purpose is to show people that Throwing is available in 30-minute or they can create a piece of art that they did not hour-long sessions throughout the week, know they could do, ” Weiss said. “And in a except for Mondays and Wednesdays. sense, it’s actually therapeutic because for two On Mondays, people can choose from hours you’re thinking about nothing else but other objects to throw at the target, including your painting, and then when you get done, throwing stars and throwing cards, and on Wednesdays it offers discounts for college not only are you pleasantly surprised at what students who bring in their student ID to throw you were able to create, you also kind of let all your cares pass.” for an hour. They also hold a monthly Date Night, When hour-long date nights spent in boring which is the ultimate romantic and creative restaurants become too repetitive, Craft Axe experience. With this option, instructors can Throwing is the perfect spot to take part in assist two people in painting separate canvases thrilling activities and enjoy some drinks. that come together to form one picture. The art venue located on Lady Street makes Studio Cellar for an interesting venue, “with all the exposed Studio Cellar in the Vista allows you to brick and wood beams in the 100-year-old create your own date night. This paint-yourbuilding, ” according to Weiss. This atmosphere own canvas art studio is a great spot to enjoy has given Studio Cellar the chance to remain a your favorite beverages, including wine and painting studio and host events.

REVIEW: DRIP COFFEE OFFERS VARIETY IN VENUE

Gigi Duncan olumbia’s Drip Coffee presents a vibrant, familiar atmosphere while offering mouth-watering snacks and beverages at reasonable prices. With its convenient locations in Five Points and on Main Street, Drip Coffee serves as a central location for people of all ages to enjoy an exceptional cup of coffee. According to its website, Drip’s mission is to “provide high-quality service and superior coffee and espresso-based drinks in a warm and inviting atmosphere.” Especially at the chain’s Five Points location, customers are greeted by amicable cashiers and baristas who are more than willing to explain the menu’s more compelling items, such as the honey habanero or turmeric ginger lattes. Drinks aren’t the only unique thing on the menu. Food options such as the Nutella French toast on a buttery brioche and the curried pickled red pepper and cauliflower wrap could please patrons that dare to expand their horizons and taste buds. There is something for everyone, as Drip’s menu items span across a spectrum of various preferences. Every food item is less than $10, so even college students with the tightest budgets can afford any given option.

The nostalgic environment is another attractive facet of Drip. Patrons are first greeted with shelves and walls full of colorful chalkboard menus, imagery, plates and glasses of all shapes and sizes. Toward the back of the cafe, there are vivid posters paying homage to pop culture (including The Beatles, among others) resting on the wall above rows of vintage records available for all to sort through. The entirety of Drip’s climate offers a comfortable yet eccentric experience for all who walk through its doors. While some coffee shops in Columbia might seem quaint, Drip allows patrons to take a step back into a much simpler and different cultural time period. Drip has made a name for itself among college students that need caffeine to get through their schoolwork, but it appeals to Columbia locals as well. The Columbia-based locations have made their presence known on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in order to promote their drinks, decorations and musical events that take place throughout the year in their venues. In times of such divisiveness and polarization, Drip’s social media outlets have also spread messages of positivity and inclusion to the general public.

Drip Coffee has two locations on Saluda Avenue and Main Street, which make it popular Photo: Dorian Nungaray and accessible for Columbia residents. The location pictured is 1441 Main Street.

Bang for your buck: AAtmosphere: A+ Flavors: A Overall Rating: A Location: 729 Saluda Ave., Columbia, SC, 29205; 1441 Main St., Columbia, SC, 29201

Due to its effective marketing strategies and outreach to locals through events such as Soda City Market every Saturday, Drip Coffee has gained an excellent reputation in the Columbia community. With an overall rating of 4.8/5 on its Facebook, frequent comments by customers consist of a “cozy atmosphere,” “expert baristas,” “best coffee,” and “delicious pastries” among many others. Because of its highly praised presence in South Carolina’s capital city, Drip Coffee stands out among its competition in places such as Corner Blend, Cool Beans and Curiosity Coffee Bar. Anyone — whether a frequent coffeedrinker or not — should explore Drip and its vast menu. With its striking spirit, special selections and sanguine semblance, Drip Coffee outdoes other coffee places in Columbia and outside of city limits. While I have never been a huge coffee drinker, I visited Drip’s Five Points location on a whim and have not regretted it since. In exploring the menu, I selected the “smoke salted caramel latte” and was pleasantly surprised in its balance of capturing a sweet caramel flavor and of the unusual elements with regards to it being salted and smoked. By taking a typical coffee flavor such as caramel and adding unique and flavorful twists to it, Drip continues to outdo itself and its competition in the Columbia area. In a time of such conflict and craziness with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, finding a calming and collective environment where one can step back into an enjoyable time period and indulge in a good cup of coffee doesn’t seem so unsatisfactory.

HOMEWORK AWAY FROM HOME: Austin Mitchell

Best study spots in Columbia

omework is something that all students can dread. Instead of hanging around their residence halls and apartments, ultimately getting distracted by noisy roommates or friends stopping in to “see what you’re up to,” many students take the option of finding a quiet place away from their normal routine to sit down and get to work. While some students head to Thomas Cooper Library or find an empty classroom in Gambrell Hall, others take a less direct approach of finding that perfect place to get comfortable and write those last-minute essays.

Photo: Alyssa Rasp Specials are written on a chalkboard right outside the register at Cool Beans. These drinks change often and range from lemonades to espresso drinks.

Cool beans coffee co.

Photo: Alyssa Rasp Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe on Gervais street offers customers in-house seating, seasonal cocktails and specialty dessert items

Kaminsky’s dessert cafe

In the heart of the Vista, you’ll find Kaminsky’s. This popular dessert cafe is an interesting favorite among some students. “They honestly have the best iced coffee that I’ve had in Columbia,” Davis Wellington, a second-year mechanical engineering student, said. Wellington said he spends a good part of his time — “usually three or four times a week” — at the cafe while talking up his tall order of at least two cups of his favorite go-to drink, a caramel iced coffee. The soft lighting and soothing music make this cafe a relaxing spot to get homework done during the day, but there is quite a shift when the sun goes down. At the end of the day, the cafe turns into a lively date-night hotspot. This is the best of both worlds for a dessert bar in one of the busiest areas of Columbia.

Whether visiting after a long night in T. Coop or an early morning lab, Cool Beans is an all-around favorite of any South Carolina student. From coffee to baked goods and brunch specials, Cool Beans has a wide menu for anyone who comes through the door. Many students are confident this Carolina classic is a top contender for an off-campus study spot. Jessica King, a fourth-year biochemistry student, said she hopped on the Cool Beans train her second year of college because of nearby classes. She often stops in to grab her favorite breakfast: a sausage, egg and cheese croissant and a coffee. King said the atmosphere of Cool Beans stems from “a lot of eclectic people that come in and out,” making the cafe a unique place filled with all kinds of people. From the artwork to the board games, there’s always something to add to your Cool Beans experience.

Photo: Alyssa Rasp Cool Beans Coffee Co. offers a variety of pre-packaged pastries, muffins and other treats at the register on the second floor.

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JJ tea house Located on the corner of Blossom and Main streets, JJ Tea House is another favorite among Carolina students. With a calm and inviting space, it is a great place to relax and stay focused. With Corner Blend right next door, JJ seems to do well with students because of its boba tea. Jason Lin, a first-year pharmacy student, said he prefers JJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staple drink to coffee. The two for $5 special on boba tea appeals to students and keeps them coming back. Bringing a new or familiar culture into a work environment seems to be of interest for some students when looking for a welcoming place to study. At JJ, the location and atmosphere make it a top choice to students from all backgrounds.

Photo: ethan lam JJ Tea House on Main steet offers a campus-central location for fresh boba, coffee, noodles, soup and more.

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Review: Have your taste buds 'Blum'ing at Blūm Coffee Julie Goulet

rom its welcoming environment to its extensive menu, Blūm Coffee has something for everyone. Coffee lovers have a long list of choices, such as cold brews, drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, espresso shots and coffee sodas, and they can add a delicious syrup or a different type of milk. If you’re not feeling coffee, they also have tea, kombucha and flavored water. Blum also offers great vegan options, which adds a new customer base that some coffee shops cannot offer. Blūm is quickly becoming a favorite for residents in Columbia. There is a great study area that could be used as a place to sit and chat with your friends. The shop is usually filled with people enjoying their coffee in a peaceful setting. “I love the atmosphere at Blūm. Our theme is botanical. So, it’s very bright, lots of natural sunlight, very pale greens and lots of real plants,” Dominque Gatson, a barista at Blūm, said. One thing that makes Blūm stand out from other coffee shops is its menu. In addition to the variety of coffee, which is available hot or iced, they also have a wide selection of flavors: vanilla, lavender, pistachio, raspberry, ginger, mocha, sugar-free vanilla and honey. There are also three seasonal flavors to put you in the spring spirit: salted caramel, orange crème and strawberry basil.

If you are not in the mood for a coffee, they have many other options. “We have a whole refrigerator full of kombuchas, sparkling teas, sparkling water, barley water,” Gatson said. “We have a whole tea menu.” One of my favorite things about Blūm is its vegan options. “We usually carry a vegan blueberry muffin, and as for coffee goes, we have oat milk, soy milk and almond milk, so we can make any of those drinks vegan,” Gatson said. The variety is great for customers who have dietary restrictions, including longtime customer and Columbia resident Mary Best. “It’s one of my favorite coffee shops ‘cause I have a lot of dietary needs. So, a lot of times I can’t really have gluten, so, usually, they sometimes have pastries like that, or they can order some for you,” Best said. A lot of University of South Carolina students love to come to Blūm to study with their friends. Blūm has recently become a new favorite of second-year business student Sammie Chambers. “The atmosphere is really nice, and it felt really homey, and I really appreciate that. That’s the one aspect that I feel like — they have to be homey and inviting, and that’s what Blūm coffee was,” Chambers said. My experiences at Blūm have been amazing.

Bang for your buck: B+ Atmosphere: A+ Flavors: A Overall Rating: ALocation: 2824 Devine Street,

Columbia SC, 29205

Each time I have been, I was welcomed with open arms. The baristas are always ready to help you, and I have had great conversations with them. My go-to drink is a cold brew with a shot of raspberry and almond milk because it brings out a very sweet flavor in the coffee. I look forward to trying the seasonal flavors, especially the salted caramel. There was a peaceful and serene environment for me to study, and the setting reminded me of a coffee shop in my hometown where I would often go to write — it brought me home. Blūm is both a great representation of women owners and a testament to the overall design and environment of the shop. The baristas are very knowledgeable about their products, and I love talking with them. The prices are reasonable for the amount of coffee you get and the richness of flavors I tasted. I had a great experience the times I have been, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite coffee shops.

Blum Coffee’s bar is brightly lit and located in the front of the store. The bar includes two large chalkboard menus and is lined with coffee machines, syrups and a case of baked goods.

Photo: Kailee Kokes

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? Compiled by Rita Naidu & Vanessa Purpura

“I think JJ’s Tea House, probably. The boba tea, and also the cuisine as well — I like the tofu plate they have.”

“I gotta go with Publico. I’ve been there like four, maybe five times already, and the food’s really good there.”

-Anna Ottinger, first-year visual communications student

-Rohan Kothadia, first-year public health student

“Peace of Soul, it’s a vegan, soul food restaurant, kind of towards Elmwood. It’s really good. I’m a vegetarian, so it’s really good food for being vegan. It’s just very interesting, and it’s a local business, so I like to support it.” -Chloe Upchurch, third-year civil engineering student

“My favorite local restaurant is Sahara on Main because the food is really, really good, but also cheap, and they have really good specials every week.” -Nina Daneshvar, fourth-year biochemistry student

“My favorite restaurant would have to be — OK, Chickfil-A in the Russell House is a little basic. Actually, I don’t know the name of it, but there’s a really great coffee shop down on South Main Street, right by the Statehouse on the left.” -James Thurlow, first-year computer science student

“Probably Publico. They have like a lot of really good options, and they just recently came out with a vegan menu ... they have Latino food and Asian food. I think it’s just a really good restaurant where someone can — like anyone can find something that they like there.” -Emma Bryan, third-year biology student

“I haven’t been around Columbia too much, but I really like Cantina 76. I thought the food was really good, the service was good, and they had outdoor seating, which I think is a lot safer during the pandemic, so I like that.” -Shelby Bowers, first-year history student

“Tsunami, because of their chicken fried rice.” -Ross McDaniel, third-year mechanical engineering student

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