If you’re new to Columbia, South Carolina, you may have heard of a little thing called Soda City Market.
And if you’re anything like me when I relocated here, you’re probably wondering what that is exactly…The history behind the name is simple: The United States Postal Service was first credited for shortening our city’s name to “Cola.” Yes, like the soda beverage. The name struck a chord with locals, and it stuck around — so much so that we now often refer to ourselves as, you guessed it, Soda City.
The catchy name later became the moniker for Soda City Market, inspiring the soda cap logo, which is partially derived from the market’s name and partially a representation of Columbia’s status as the “cap”ital of South Carolina.
So what are you missing out on if you haven’t visited Soda City Market? In short, a whole lot of fun!
Emile DeFelice first organized the marketplace in 2005 at a different location, but when he moved it to Main Street in 2012, the gathering took on a new life — which acted as a catalyst for new life throughout Downtown Columbia! Local businesses and restaurants supported the local vendors, and the Soda City Market drove new business to their doors. In short, Soda City Market has sparked an exciting explosion of growth and flourishing in our beautiful city.
The Soda City Market takes place every single Saturday of the year from 9am – 1pm. It is located on blocks 1300, 1400, 1500, and 1600 of lovely and historic Main Street in Downtown Columbia. The marketplace has approximately 150 unique vendors each and every week! All products are hand-crafted and produced in the Southeast, locally sourced from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The items represent the mission and values of Soda City Market: to nourish the brain, body, and belly.
Spark your imagination as you behold the creative work of craftsmen near and far. Take care of your body as you peruse soothing, locally sourced products and nurture your relationships with your community. And of course, satisfy your stomach as you get a taste of the foods and beverages from over 33 represented nationalities. If you haven’t tried it yet, check out Soda City Market on your next free Saturday in Columbia!
Written by Rebecca Jenkins