While we aren’t done with 2018 yet – hello Christmas, Kwanzaa + New Years Eve – we are already starting to reflect on the past year.

2018 was filled with exciting news – with everything from industrial hemp farming to the opening of Craft Axe Throwing. It’s been a wild ride, but we won’t be sad to see it go when there’s so much to look forward to in 2019.

While our crystal ball isn’t always accurate, there are some things we already know about the next year (aside from the fact that I’ll give up on not eating cheese by February). Cola is getting some new businesses this year and we’re beyond excited.

In 2019 we’re welcoming two new breweries – from West Cola to Lexington; two new restaurants – bringing double the chicken and waffles + more BBQ; an all-inclusive park, a charter school + leadership center for the community – all in growing areas of Columbia.

Ghosts of Businesses Future

🌳 West Columbia Enabling Park | March 2019 | This all-inclusive park on 212 Hudson St. will have playgrounds for ages 2-5 + 5-12 – both of which equipped for children with disabilities. The park will display public + local art as well as feature a range of features from a butterfly garden to a zip-line.

🐓 Kiki's Chicken + Waffles on Bower Pkwy. | April 2019 | Everyone’s favorite stop for classic southern chicken + waffles is expanding into the former HuHot Mongolian Grill in Columbiana Center. The new location will offer all of their soul food favorites.

Kiki’s Chicken + waffles Second Location | Photo by @kikischicken

🍖 Home Team BBQ | Spring 2019 | What used to be Harper’s Restaurant at 700 Harden St. in Five Points, will turn into the newest gourmet BBQ joint. Based in Charleston, this will be Home Team’s fourth S.C. location offering lunch, dinner, brunch + late night service.

🍺 Hazelwood Brewing Company | Spring 2019 | The brews keep coming with the addition of this farm-inspired brewery to Lexington’s Main St. Although the taproom is still under construction, Hazelwood has been producing beers to be sold everywhere from Craft and Draft to The Casual Pint.

🍺 Savage Craft Ale Works | Summer 2019 | Walking distance from the river, this space has been home to a city hall building + the Brookland Fire Station. But now, 430 Center St. in West Cola is turning into a small + intimate place to drink local brews and cocktails. We already know you’re excited – our Instagram announcement got 811 likes + 69 comments.

Savage Craft Ale Works coming summer 2019 | Image via Studio 2LR

🍪 Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center for The Girl Scouts of S.C. | Summer 2019 | Downtown Columbia in the Vista, this new leadership center will serve as a central location for girls to participate in activities relating to Arts, Business Enterprise, Healthy Living, Outdoor Education + STEM. There will also be many amenities including a climbing wall + community gathering spaces.

📚 Clear Dot Charter School | Fall 2019 | A new charter school will potentially join the Cottontown neighborhood next fall in the former Jim Moore Cadillac Dealership (2200 block of N. Main St.). The K-12 charter school – which will be built in 3 phases over 5 years – will focus on incorporating a global perspective + sustainability into education.

Clear Dot Staff on UofSC’s campus | Photo by @cleardotschool

If 2019 means double the chicken + waffles I think it’s gonna be a good year. Columbia just keeps getting better + we can’t wait to see what surprises are in store for the next year. The end of 2018 is already, hopefully, bringing the opening of Hendrix.

I’ve seen Cola’s future and let’s just say it’s so bright I need shades.

–Gray + the COLAtoday team