In honor of Women's History Month, we’re giving a shoutout to some female-run establishments making history around town. Support these strong women and make some time to pay them a visit!
Shopping Spree
Take home something new from a boutique or online store run by some total boss babes. Update your accessories with on-trend jewelry that also works to fight human trafficking from Tenfold Collective, handcrafted indie pieces from January Jewelry, or purses in patterns that pop from Nana by Sally. Your chic new outfit is waiting for you at LaRoque or Just the Thing on Devine Street, at M Boutique in Cross Hill Market or from Blush Boutique in Lexington. For a new perfectly styled outfit, stop by XYZ Boutique where you'll find stylish pieces that express your flair.
Hospitality Hot Spots
The chicas in charge of some of our destination’s experiences are for sure the hostesses with the most. Roam through the galleries at Columbia Museum of Art, take a historic house tour with Historic Columbia or enjoy a family-style meal or festival with Barrel and Vine Productions.
After a full day of exploring, lay your head in the lap of luxury at Hotel Trundle, Columbia's boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown. With each room having a unique design from locally sourced amenities, you'll get the sense you're truly in Columbia.
Entrepreneurial Eateries
Grab a bite at one of these eateries around town where a talented chef or savvy businesswoman (or a combination of both!) is running the show. Satisfy your soul food cravings at A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen in North Main. Additionally, The Gourmet Shop and DiPrato’s Delicatessen are your one-stop soup, salad and sandwich shops, each doing it up differently and each downright delicious.
Kao Thai's menu offers modern Thai dishes mixed with pan-Asian and Asian-American fusion.
In Columbia SC, you can expect James Beard quality food. We are home to multiple James Beard recognized restaurants, including two that are woman-owned. If it's a sweet or savory (or both at the same time!) menu you're after, hop over to Harbison or the Northeast for Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles, recognized in the 2024 James Beard nominations.
The Spotted Salamander is a charming cafe offering a serene, tree-lined setting that is not only know for its 2023 James Beard nomination, but for putting a spin on simple dishes, especially their signature deviled eggs.
Caffeine and Confections
Enjoy some coffee or tasty baked treats prepared by culinary queens. Celebrate 72 Company’s brand-new brick-and-mortar Azalea Coffee Bar. Indulge your sweet tooth with macarons and more from Ally & Eloise or Silver Spoon Bake Shop. You'd be remiss not to get your fill of freshly-baked bread, croissants and pastries in The Vista at smallSUGAR. If you're craving dessert, Dulce, a mother-daughter owned bakery, turns into a sophisticated dessert and espresso bar Thursday through Saturday evenings. Lastly, go absolutely cake crazy at Main Street Bakery, owned by a mother-daughter team that is just as sweet as their mile-high cakes.
Women in Wellness
You’ll be feeling your best in no time thanks to these lovely ladies. Take a class at Barre3 at Lake Murray or on Devine Street, then treat yourself to a mani/pedi at The Nail Barre. Needing a little more pampering? Shvaas Spa Salt Cave & Float Therapy offers a variety of holistic services from vibroacoustic sound therapy to hydromassage to red light therapy, you are sure to walk away feeling refreshed.
Find your center at The Well Collective on Rosewood, where you can also shop for holistic items or visit The Well Cafe for a latte or smoothie.
Stock up on plant-based salads, soups, desserts and more from Tasty As Fit on Millwood Avenue.
Whether you like your yoga with a side of goats, kittens or nothing but your own thoughts, Fit Columbia in Five Points has you covered.
Keep the party going
As you can see above, women are leading the way in Columbia SC's growing hospitality industry. Gather with some of these titans at the Columbia Food and Wine Festival satellite event, Ladies who Lunch.
Now, because Columbia is so awesome and we have SO MANY amazing women who are killing it every day, we simply cannot include each and every one of them in this list. But just know that across all industries, we see you, we appreciate you, and we’re proud that Columbia SC is a place where any woman can flourish.