Columbia Style Week wrapped up its week of high fashion with this Finale Showcase at the Richland Fashion Mall. Along with the standard runway fair, electro-pop band Death of Paris rocked the crowd and local vendors sold their stylish fashions. Photography by Thomas Hammond.
Downtown Columbia is a veritable milkshake mecca, where people in oppressive business suits clearly need plenty of icy cold liquid refreshment. At a restaurant on Sumter Street that advertised shakes on the door, I was advised to cross the road to Higher Grounds Books & Beans, a cafe in the First Baptist Church — an unlikely spot for shaken milk, but praise Jesus, they have an entire milkshake menu that boasts over 80 flavors including holy good concoctions like Toasted Marshmallow White Mocha. The shakes are made with 80 percent real ice cream and are flavored with frozen concentrate.
People don’t understand nude art models, Mr. Chips says in a genuinely concerned tone. Some people think he’s a porn star, for example. But it’s nothing like that, he says. Mr. Chips is 51 years old. For years, he’s been posing for art students at two different Midlands colleges for $20 an hour. That’s a good side hustle for Mr. Chips, who works in retail and as a night watchman.
Crêpes & Croissants: Best Brunch, Best Breakfast, Best Coffee, Best New Restaurant
Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown Historic District: Best Hotel, Best Place to Work
Tin Roof: Best Bar or Club
Artizan: Best Gift Store, Best Jewelry Store
2nd Wind Heating and Air: Best Heating and Air
The Glo Room: Best Smoke Shop
Vista Smiles: Best Dentist
Immaculate: Best Piercing Studio