From a Main Street/Vista/Assembly Street Connector to a few days of Morning Blend on Boyd Plaza, we have your May plans, news and stories covered in the district. 🌷
Swipe through for all of our district event highlights, then click the link in our bio for more.
Did you see the @columbiasc feature in @travelandleisure this week “This SC City Has Michelin-rated Restaurants and the Country’s Best Farmers Market—and It’s Not Charleston or Greenville”, calling out a number of our celebrated Main Street District spots (looking at you, @hoteltrundle , @luladrake , @sodacitysc & @colamuseum ).
We’re over here grinning from ear-to-ear that our beloved local establishments, restaurants and happenings are getting the national recognition they deserve. Under-the-radar, or setting the bar for up-and-coming U.S. cities that have long been overlooked? Link in bio 🔗 to see what they’re talking about.
“WHEW! The last time I counted I’ve been a yellow shirt ambassador for 22 years. I started on the cleaning crew in the mornings and then the more I learned and the more Main Street regulars that I got to know, they asked me to move to safety in the evenings.
When I first came here, it was more about securing downtown and keeping it clean. Now it’s more about elevating the experience. You’ve seen stores come and go. Some have done really well, some have faltered. I think for Columbia it has to be unique. It can’t follow the trends of Charleston and Greenville. In Columbia, we have to think outside the box.”
Read more about Patrice’s big city story in the Main Street District at the link in our bio.
🎉 Celebrating Preservation Leadership — Main Street District
Main Street District, originally formed as Center City Partnership, helped transform downtown Columbia by advancing a preservation-led approach to economic development. Its advocacy supported the National Register listing, expanding access to federal tax credits and preservation tools that incentivized reinvestment in historic buildings, and targeted preservation projects have driven significant increases in property values, employment, small business growth, and downtown housing.
Read more about Main Street District’s work and the rest of our 2026 Preservation Award recipients at historiccolumbia.org/2026-preservation-awards.
Soda City always has something going on. Really enjoyed walking through the Touch-A-Truck event. #SodaCity #ColumbiaSC #MainStreetColumbia #TouchATruck #ColaSC
Meet The Link on Main Street 🔗
Our new downtown golf-cart shuttle service is ready to take you around the Main Street District! Enjoy the fresh air, quality time with our Yellow Shirt Ambassadors, and get to your desired destination with ease.
📞 803. 205. 5245
Thank you to @wistv10 and Tanner Gilmartin for highlighting the Main Street Vista District Connector project and helping share the vision for a safer, more connected downtown Columbia. 🚧🚶
This project will help improve safety and accessibility along Assembly Street between @mainstcolasc and @thevistasc with wider sidewalks, high visibility crosswalks, and enhanced streetscape features designed to better connect some of Columbia’s busiest destinations.
Give your feedback and learn more about the project at the link in our bio.
Watch the story at WISTV.com.
#MainSt #TheVista #ColumbiaSC #TogetherWeAreColumbia
Long before cocktails, conversations, and celebrations filled this space, 1643 Main Street was already part of Columbia’s story. ✨
Did you know? Before becoming Smoked, this historic @mainstcolasc building was once known as the Ehrlich Building, originally owned by Michael Ehrlich and home to M. Ehrlich & Sons.
Today, we continue giving the space new life while honoring the character and history that came before us. Because preservation isn’t just about saving a building — it’s about making sure the feeling attached to it lives on through every experience and memory created within these walls. 🤍
We’re proud recipients of the 2022 Historic Preservation Honor Award, Historic Columbia Preservation Award, Columbia Chamber Golden Nail Award, and The Governor’s Preservation Award — something that would not have been possible without the efforts of @garvindesigngroup & @historiccolumbia . ✨
Happy National Preservation Month. 🥂
Photo credit | Smoked today: @dresslerphoto
👉Swipe to see the types of views you’ll find from the new @palmettocitizens Federal Credit Union building.
5 stories, 500 employees, 6,100 sq. ft. restaurant space, 325 space parking garage, making it the largest office development downtown in 15 years.
The Main Street buzz is spilling over to Sumter Street. Are you keeping up?
Still thinking about all the incredible tea, bites, performances, and community from yesterday’s @tourofteasc 🧋✨
One of my favorite annual events to attend because it’s such a beautiful celebration of culture, storytelling, and connection within Columbia’s AAPI community.
I loved getting to see so many familiar faces, support local vendors + creatives, and experience how food and tea can truly bring people together. 💛
As AAPI Heritage Month continues, keep showing up, supporting AAPI-owned businesses, and celebrating the cultures that help make @columbiasc so vibrant. One cup at a time ☕️
We’re proud to support @tourofteasc and celebrate the vibrant cultures, flavors, and AAPI community that make Columbia so special. ✨ Join us this evening at Boyd Plaza outside @colamuseum , then stop by Kao Thai afterwards for dinner, cocktails, and a continued celebration of the AAPI community on @mainstcolasc . 🥢🍸
*CLOSED* GIVEAWAY 🚨
Fresh seafood, drink pairings, and a night out on us 🍸✨🦪
ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL RECEIVE:
* TWO tickets to Smoked’s June Seafood Series on 6/9!
HOW TO ENTER:
• FOLLOW @lexgeteating & @smokedsc
• LIKE this post
• TAG a friend in the comments (each tag = one entry)
BONUS:
SHARE this post to your story + tag us for 3 extra entries
Giveaway ends 5/17 at 5 PM
Winner announced 5/18… GOOD LUCK!
