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This article was first published in the Sept.- Oct. City of West Columbia Newsletter (Click for link.)
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A crowd of friends, family and loyal customers gathered at Irmo Lock Company Inc. Wednesday morning to celebrate the business reaching its 30 year milestone.
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The City of West Columbia has new and enhanced ways to pay utility bills and traffic citations. The new system gives the ability to view water and sewer account details and pay traffic and code enforcement citations online. There is also a new pay by phone option.
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From Kim Jamieson of Columbia Metropolitan Airport
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Scott and Mimi Whipper want their new restaurant to be the “Cheers” of Blythewood — a place where everybody knows your name.
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Studio 2LR | Architecture + Interiors has released some drawings of the proposed Savage Craft Ale Works, that is planned for Center Street in West Columbia. The drawings are on the City of West Columbia’s Facebook page.
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Community leaders were on hand at Columbia International University Friday to dedicate the $20 million 44,000 square-foot William H. Jones Global Business and IT Center.
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The State Street Art Crawl (First Fridays on State) for October is Friday, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.The free event is hosted by State + Meeting and it’s on State Street, West Columbia.Rob Shaw Gallery and Framing is hosting Collections-A Multi Artist Show (with art by Lindsay Wiggins, Dylan F…
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The Blythewood Chamber of Commerce has relocated to 130 McNulty Street, across from the Blythewood Historical Society & Museum.
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The Blythewood Chamber of Commerce has relocated to 130 McNulty Street, across from the Blythewood Visitors’ Center.
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The Starbucks in Cayce is now open. The coffee store is on the property that was once the site of Kershaw Tire.
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A new restaurant in Columbia is about to take biscuits and gravy to the next level.
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S.C. Biz News recognized Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation as one of South Carolina’s top three fastest-growing businesses during a celebration last Thursday in Columbia. Nephron is outside of Cayce -in Lexington County’s Saxe Goth Industrial Park- and it has a West Columbia address.
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The Kmart store at 1500 Charleston Highway in West Columbia is closing by the end of the year.
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It's almost time for a new happy hour destination in Chapin.
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The City of West Columbia’s Public Parking Garage at 310 Court Avenue, near State Street in the Brookland Development is now open to the public. There are street parking spots open too.
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The Arnold Companies announced Friday the opening of Junction 800, a multi-purpose event venue in the former Jillian's space, located in the heart of Columbia's Vista.
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Woodridge Memorial Park held an Open House and Ribbon Cutting, Wednesday, at its 138 Corley Mill Road location with the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce.
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Local Subway restaurants in the Columbia area partnered with Transitions Homeless Center to provide more than 250 dinners and resources to the center’s clients Wednesday. The event was part of Subway’s inaugural Day of Giving, aimed to assist people in need with a free meal and betterment op…
Subway employees were on site at Transitions Wednesday to prepare dinners for clients. Photos provided. Local Subway restaurants in the Columbia area partnered with Transitions Homeless Center to provide more than 250 dinners and resources to the center’s clients Wednesday. The event was part of Subway’s inaugural Day of Giving, aimed to assist people in need with a free meal…
Jennifer Wilkes, a State Farm agent. The River District Association held its Monthly Breakfast Meeting Wednesday, at the Blue Moon Ballroom, 554 Meeting Street, West Columbia. Makaela Randolph, a business consultant to the State Farm Insurance Co. was the guest and spoke about protecting a business from natural disasters, like hurricanes. The River District Association will feature a guest speaker…
Maybe it’s the view from the highest point of the Ferris wheel, or the way your stomach feels when suddenly falling dozens of feet on the Drop Zone – whatever the reason, thousands of people come to the South Carolina State Fair for the rides. This year, fair representatives announced that there will be seven new rides available to anxious…
A release below from Mary Beth Hill- Lexington One Communications Director. The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees, Tuesday, accepted the administration’s recommendation to give final approval to purchase property for $1,594,575.00 ($47,500 per acre) for the purpose of relocating Lexington Middle School. The negotiated price is on the low end of the independent appraisals the district received….
The Palms on Lady – rendering provided. The Arnold Companies, a Columbia-based commercial development firm, announced plans to build the first new residential tower in the central business district of downtown Columbia, located at the corner of Lady and Assembly streets. The spot previously housed Moe Levy’s and Howard Sports. It will be converted into 83 urban residences known as…
Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy with District One representatives. Photo provided. Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation and CEO Lou Kennedy are continuing support of Lexington County School District One students. Kennedy recently donated $9,000 to the Lexington One Educational Foundation to cover course fees for students enrolled in Lexington District One’s Pharmacology course. The district offers the course at Lexington Technology Center and…
First three photos obtained from Graduate Columbia website. Other photos by Cola Daily staff. A new hotel held its ribbon cutting Wednesday at a familiar location. Graduate Columbia is a 116 room, three-story hotel in the space formerly occupied by The Inn at USC. According to Director of Sales Leanna Lee, Columbia’s location was the 16th Graduate hotel to open,…
I-26 SCDOT photo Sen. Nikki Setzler, of West Columbia, is co-chairing a panel that has been assembled to address congestion on South Carolina’s interstates. Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman issued a memo thanking members for serving on the special subcommittee. Setzler is the co-chairman of the committee with Sen. Thomas Alexander. In the memo, Leatherman explains the need to address…
Joseph Azar, longtime Five Points business owner. Well-known Columbia businessman and activist Joe Azar has died. Azar was the owner of Upstairs Audio for more than four decades, located at 746 Harden St. in Five Points. He was also known for his interest in local politics, having run for mayor and Columbia City Council. Azar was 67-years-old. Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin…
Suzette Shirey and Leah Machino of Mardel. The Mardel Christian and Education Store held a ribbon-cutting and Grand Opening Monday morning. The new business is in the West Side Plaza next to Hobby Lobby, 2305 Augusta Rd. West Columbia. “It’s a great addition to the growing number of businesses in West Columbia,” said Richard Skipper, executive director of the Greater…
Lidl representatives cut the ribbon at the new Columbia location at 7:45 a.m. Thursday. Chris Timmers photos. Columbia residents welcomed a new grocer to the city early Thursday morning. Lidl is a German-based discount grocer, founded in 1973. Since its first store opened in Ludwigshausen, the chain has grown to more than 10,800 stores in 32 countries. The Columbia store…
Images from Dunkin’s opening day at their Sunset Boulevard location. Karamie Sullivan photos. In less than two months, a “sweet” new business will be making its debut in Ballentine. An advertisement mailed out to local residents announced that Dunkin’ is coming to 1131 Dutch Fork Road – across from Walmart. According to the notice, the store will offer a new…
The City of West Columbia is holding a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening for the City of West Columbia’s Meeting Street Artisan Market on Saturday, Sept. 14 – at 9 a.m. The market will be open until 1 p.m. Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Business, Cayce, Lexington, Lexington County, West Columbia
As a testament to West Columbia’s revitalization effort; the ribbon was cut on the city’s Interactive Art Park, Wednesday. West Columbia Mayor Bobby Horton spoke of the significance of the park, at 425 Meeting Street. He said it’s only the beginning of more to come. “It’s intended to bring visitors and patrons,” Horton said. The park adds an arts-rich dimension…
A view of the SC State Fair from the top of the Ferris wheel. Karamie Sullivan photo. Representatives from the South Carolina State Fair announced Wednesday morning that discounted admission tickets and ride vouchers are now available. They can be found through Oct. 8 at participating Circle K stores, and scstatefair.org. The South Carolina State Fair’s roving ticket booth, FRED,…
Chili Mac Attack Sundae – food images from South Carolina State Fair website. One of the biggest reasons thousands of people travel to the South Carolina State Fair every year is not for the rides – but for the variety of sweet, saucy, greasy, and all-around delicious food. According to the fair’s website, there will be five new options added…
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One popular Columbia bakery is making a move – but they won’t be going too far.
Photos obtained from Ally & Eloise Facebook page. One popular Columbia bakery is making a move – but they won’t be going too far. It was announced Tuesday that Ally & Eloise Bakeshop, known for its macarons and custom-made cakes, will be moving from the 1600 block of Columbia’s Main Street, into the historic Arcade Building three blocks down. The…
Riverbanks Zoo’s Belle. Photo from zoo Facebook page. Representatives from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden announced Thursday morning that the last remaining elephant, Belle, has a new home. According to the announcement, Belle will be joining herd mates, Brittany and Ruth, this fall at the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin. “The MCZ recently opened a brand new elephant habitat, called Adventure…
Whole Arted’s sign is visible from the road – the studio is positioned down the driveway (second building). Photos provided. It’s time to make some art, Chapin. Residents can now get in touch with their creative side when visiting the town’s newest business, located at 209 E. Boundary St. Whole Arted Studio, owned by Mercy Clonts, will offer a variety…
Harvest Hope CEO Wendy Broderick (center) poses with Publix Charities officials to accept Harvest Hope’s check. Photo provided. Harvest Hope Food Bank of Columbia was one of 32 charities chosen by Publix Super Market Charities to receive a large donation. Collectively, Publix just donated $5 million to hunger relief organizations across the southeast. Harvest Hope and Lowcountry Food Bank were…
Blythewood Business Park master plan from county’s website (click to enlarge). Richland County will close on its $26 million purchase of more than 1,300 acres in Blythewood by Nov. 1, according to Jeff Ruble, the county’s director of economic development. The county recently announced the purchase of land to develop into the Blythewood Business Park off Interstate 77. “The property…
Earl McLeod Earl McLeod said expect the number of homes constructed to continue to grow. McLeod is the Executive Director of the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina. “The building numbers are better, but it’s different,” said McLeod. He said expect the construction of more town homes, multi-family structures and the redevelopment of closed shopping centers to include residential…
Photo retrieved from Craft And Draft Facebook page. Craft beer lovers of Irmo will soon have many new options headed their way. Owners of the popular Columbia craft beer store and bar, Craft and Draft, have decided to open a second location at 7583 St. Andrews Road within the next two months. Co-owner Andrew Johnson said Irmo will be in…
Photo obtained from The Woody Facebook page. The beloved local bar and restaurant The Woody, formerly located in Columbia’s Vista on Lady Street, closed its doors at the end of June. However, the closure was only intended to be temporary as the owners searched for a new location. It was announced Wednesday that The Woody is set to reopen at…
Iglehart (left) with Cobbs (center), and Lynne Douglas of CAE, each holding a different Transitions artist’s work. Karamie Sullivan photos. Images of finished art on wall provided. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport got a little brighter Tuesday morning, when representatives from Columbia’s Transitions Homeless Center brought 25 works of art to hang on the walls alongside the food court. According to…
Jeanne Reynolds photos. Small business owners in northeast Columbia picked up tips on how to open doors to new opportunities at the Columbia Chamber’s Northeast Connection meeting Tuesday. Several dozen local business owners crowded into Converspace in the Village at Sandhill to learn from Cheryl Cook, assistant manager of Richland County’s Office of Small Business Opportunity. The OSBO helps small…
Left to right: Fred Layman – General Manager Blythewood Country Club; Jorge Martinez – President L&J Acquisitions, Principal Partner Blythewood Country Club; David Biscan – COO L&J Acquisitions, Regional Director Golf Operations. Photo provided. The Windermere Club in Blythewood is undergoing significant changes. So significant, in fact, that it is not even called ‘The Windermere Club’ anymore. The facility is…
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, located at 1002 Park Street. Karamie Sullivan and Matthew Ployhart photos. Gregg Dodd photo provided. There’s a new place to get your coffee fix in Columbia. Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, located at 1002 Park St., has been open for about two weeks. Owner Greg Dodd said they’ve already begun to acquire regulars. The store offers a…
Owner Kenny Rowland (left) with son, Alex, on closing day. Karamie Sullivan photos. Kenny Rowland and his wife Kathy bought Young’s True Value on Two Notch Road in 1982. Kathy’s father opened the shop in 1971, and Rowland began working there shortly after college. “I had just graduated from college and couldn’t find a job, so I came here to…
Rendering of proposed 150-room Hotel Anthem by Kollin Altomare Architects. Plans were approved Tuesday by the Board of Zoning Appeals for Columbia’s first four-star hotel. Hotel Anthem will be unlike anything Columbia has seen, according to representatives. The design intent will be music-inspired, thematic, and will enhance the energy in the Vista. The addition of Hotel Anthem is intended to…
Abby Naas, photo provided. Congaree Vista Guild representatives announced that the organization has hired a new executive director. The non-profit, membership-based group made up of restaurants, hotels, businesses, galleries and homeowners in Columbia’s Vista, will now be run by Abby Naas. Naas comes to the Vista Guild from the Columbia Fireflies baseball team, where she was vice president of marketing…
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