Welcome to Northeast Columbia
I
t wasn’t many years ago that the area known today as Northeast Columbia was sparsely populated and home to scattered farms and scrubland.
Today it is a vibrant part of South Carolina’s Midlands with commercial businesses of all sorts and enormously varied housing options spread over dozens of developments. The Northeast is a bedroom community to some extent, with many residents commuting to jobs in the center of Columbia or at Fort Jackson. But the dramatic expansion of the retail base in recent years and the growth of health care and other industries has created job opportunities on the more local level as well. This guide to Northeast Columbia is aimed primarily at new residents of the area, but it could also open the eyes of longer-term residents to the many changes that have taken place over the years. On the cover of this magazine it says “Free Times” Guide to Northeast Columbia. If you aren’t
familiar with Free Times … well, you’re missing a lot. Free Times is a free weekly newspaper (some prefer to call it a magazine) that since 1987 has been covering local news, politics, arts, culture, entertainment, restaurants, community events and lifestyle in Columbia and the surrounding areas of Richland and Lexington counties. It also offers daily news updates, event information and much more at free-times. com. This is the first edition of the Free Times Guide to Northeast Columbia. Whether you are a newcomer to the area or a longer-time resident, we hope you will find this publication interesting and helpful. We welcome your feedback. Charlie Nutt Owner and Publisher CharlieN@free-times.com
Free Times Guide to Northeast Columbia A publication of Resorts Media, LLC
CONTENTS 6 U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson 6 Mayor Steve Benjamin 8 Mayor J. Michael Ross 8 Norman Jackson 10 History 12 Profile & Demographics 14 Clemson Sandhill Research 16 Federal/State Government 18 Local Government 18 Voting 18 Motor Vehicles 20 Map 22 Education & Libraries 24 Shopping 26 Fun & Fitness 28 Health 30 Restaurants 35 Sesquicentennial State Park 36 Neighborhoods 38 Marketplace Directory ON THE COVER: Top and left: Sesquicentennial State Park, photos by Perry Baker/S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Middle right: Solstice Kitchen and Wine Bar, photo by Jonathan Sharpe. Lower right: Village at Sandhill.
President-Publisher: Charlie Nutt Editor: Dan Cook Contributing Writer: Salley McAden McInerney VP of Advertising: Kerry Powers Sales Manager: Cale Johnson Sales Representatives: Angela Bledsoe, Hyatt Drake, Ginny Kuhn, Brian Wingard Sales Assistant: Kayla Cahill Production Manager: Lisa Willis Graphic Artists: Joey Ayer, Matt Bradley VP of Operations: Jen Coody Free Times 2014 Guide to Northeast Columbia is published annually by Resorts Media, LLC, 1534 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201. 803-765-0707. Copyright 2014, Resorts Media, LLC. All rights reserved. No portions of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Advertisi6ng rates available on request. The publisher is not responsible for the content of advertisements. Subscription price: $10 per year. Postmaster: Send address changes to Free Times Guide to Northeast Columbia, 1534 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201.
The three things I love about Columbia. Weather Clark Farley Clark Farley Agency Phone: (803)788-4211 farleyc2@nationwide.com www.FarleyNation.com
People Rush’s Hamburgers While you may like other local spots or food, there is something we can both agree on: we love this community. So give me a call at (803)788-4211, or stop by my office on 8313 Two Notch Rd. I can help protect the things you care about, and just maybe, become one of your favorite places to visit.
Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Company and Affiliated Companies, Columbus, Ohio. Not all Nationwide affiliated companies are mutual companies and not all Nationwide members are insured by a mutual company. Nationwide Insurance, the Nationwide framemark and Nationwide is On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2014 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. NPR-0708AO (02/14)
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WELCOME + CONTENTS
2014 Guide to
NORTHEAST COLUMBIA