It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Saluda Factory gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in West Columbia, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Nate and his team have helped multiple family members and the service and support was”
“I engaged Nate as a consultant to search for the right Assisted Living Facility for”
“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over”
“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with”
“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a”
“Nate and his team have helped multiple family members and the service and support was a great peace of mind. Care of those in need can be a heavy load on the family, and Always Best Care made everything run better in the household. Their care extended past those in need and helped the other family members provide better care. The experience was a breath of fresh air.”
“I engaged Nate as a consultant to search for the right Assisted Living Facility for my mom. This service is no cost to the family. He spent quite some time getting my mom's preferences clarified and then searching for matching AL facilities. All of this was done in less than two days. He and I talked through the options and I relayed the two I felt were best to mom. Nate personally picked mom up from rehab and took her on those tours, which was a godsend because I live in another state. During both tours, he texted me "play by plays" as to how it was going. He helped me and mom choose the right place for her budget and needs - and was very patient with us as my mom took longer than expected to make the final decision. She was talking about needing a new TV and Nate provided her/us with a link to some that were on sale that met her needs. Once the decision was made, Nate accompanied the AL staff member to mom's rehab and sat through the entire long paperwork process to ensure mom understood what she was signing. Again, he kept me in the loop by texting me regularly about how things were going during the meeting. He checked in a couple of times after that and prior to mom's move asking how our prep was going and if we needed anything. On one call, I did ask for a referral to a specific service we needed. He didn't have an established one, so he researched it and got one for me promptly. During and shortly after moving day, Nate checked in again to see how mom was settling in. I've been amazed at the personalized engagement that we received from Nate. Anytime he said he would do something, he did it and he did it promptly. If anything was delayed, he updated me immediately. This is in stark contrast to Tara at Senior Care Authority that provides this service as well. She promised me things during our initial call and didn't follow through on most of them. During our text exchanges, she never answered my specific question - always danced around it. Within a handful of days, I said "nope!", researched more, and came across Nate and this service. Ahhhh, what a breath of fresh air to receive what you asked for. I have no doubt it saved me countless hours glued to my computer, trying to compare facilities. I highly recommend Nate and his consulting service - it was an excellent experience and he was a lifesaver!”
“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend Always Best Care Senior Services for any senior in need. Also, if you ever need a job, please go and apply. They are always hiring weekly and offer competitive rates.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over the past six months. Melisa and Nate have been wonderful and thanks for molding me into becoming a great leader. Professionalism is the key to success ????✨⭐️ I am looking forward to many years to come.”
“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with them for 3years Their caregivers are insightful and have so much compassion especially Mariah and Sabrina they are some of there champs they both have great personality and are very Professional. The owners are great and they run a great company.thank you for all that you guys do ????”
“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands Team ensured that I was well informed, and my loved one received the best care possible. The compassionate care was delivered not only by the care professionals, but by the support team. The owners even checked in with us to offer support and guidance. They exceeded our expectations!”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care for! Nate and Melisa offer regular training for caregivers so they they can provide the best care possible!”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best choice for your family’s needs. The Team at Always Best is thoughtful and supportive they go out of their way to make you feel heard and understood. They customize the care plan, care team and schedule. I recommend them to anyone considering aging in place.”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service is a savior for me personally. It relieves me from having to miss a lot of work time to travel to my mothers appt, now I can meet her at the appt. and save this time. The care and service she is getting is TOP NOTCH! From how easy it is for my mother to schedule and the follow through is right on the money. From a person getting the services: Melissa is the best, she calls me weekly to remind me of my appointments coming up. I am very pleased with the services and absolutely pleased with the services provided. I know that this alone helps ease the mind of my daughter. Thank you to the team at Always Best Care!”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking for care for a loved one, I highly recommend them. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. I work in the senior industry and recommend Always Best Care to my clients that need extra support in their home or while family is away. Always Best Care will respond immediately and truly show compassion to others.”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take the time to ensure your care needs are met. Highly recommend giving them a call if you have senior care or senior living questions or concerns.”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense of the questions we had when it came to the short and long term care of our loved one. When you have an elderly parent or a loved one with disabilities there are so many questions and so many emotions. It can be so confusing and it was hard for us to find one person or one company that has the knowledge and grasp of this industry that Nate has. We cannot thank him enough for guiding us through this process and his amazing bedside manner!”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your families a Merry, Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year! My brother, my dad, and I really appreciate everything you did for us this year. You're amazing! All the best for the Christmas season and 2023,”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs assistance daily, and I work full time. I like their team approach.”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The owners, Nate and Melisa, genuinely care about clients AND staff. They go above and beyond to support, encourage, and help everyone they work with. Their doors are always open, they’re generous with their time, and they truly want their staff to succeed. Donna in the billing department is fabulous, always available to answer questions or help in any way; Katrina in scheduling puts in so much time and effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and it’s amazing how well she handles everything; Angel works diligently on recruiting and training, making sure there’s plenty of staff to provide quality care; and Jackie is an incredible CHAMP, making sure clients are properly reassessed and care givers have the right tools and knowledge to do their job. ABC is a fantastic, compassionate, caring team I’m proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to serve our clients, too.”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the job. The people they hire can improve.”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job if it wasn't for them and they go grocery shopping. They can have more guidance for the client and what to do for the client.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly and courteous. I like that I do not have to worry about them; they are honest.”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a lot easier for me to find out about the caregiver coming out and having someone on backup. The agency could provide better scheduling and the caregivers would not come in on time.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Terra or visit Robert Mills House and Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in West Columbia, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in West Columbia, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in West Columbia, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
West Columbia's Mill Village is set for a $15 million upgrade with major infrastructure, safety, and road improvements starting this fall.WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — A West Columbia neighborhood is set to receive a major facelift, with city officials announcing a $15 million investment.The improvements, part of the city’s broader River District projects, will focus on the Mill Village neighborhood. On Friday, the City of West Columbia took to so...
West Columbia's Mill Village is set for a $15 million upgrade with major infrastructure, safety, and road improvements starting this fall.
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — A West Columbia neighborhood is set to receive a major facelift, with city officials announcing a $15 million investment.
The improvements, part of the city’s broader River District projects, will focus on the Mill Village neighborhood. On Friday, the City of West Columbia took to social media to share the news about the long-anticipated development.
"It's been a project that has been years in the making, and quite frankly, it's been overdue,” West Columbia Councilman Joseph Dickey said.
RELATED: Repairs coming to West Columbia Riverwalk nine months after Hurricane Helene
The 18-month project will bring a series of upgrades to the area, including infrastructure replacements, storm drainage improvements, and enhancements to traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
“It's going to improve the area in many ways by replacing aging infrastructure such as the water system, that's gonna upgrade storm drainage, improving roads for traffic flow, enhancing the walkability and pedestrian safety,” Dickey said.
Construction will affect several key roads, including Oliver Street, Alexander Road, and the Alley Ways (North and South). The city also plans to add on-street parking as part of the improvements.
“The Village infrastructure it's just aging. Our community deserves to have up to date infrastructure and we deserve to have, the safety improvements, and other items that are coming in this investment,” Dickey added.
RELATED: Lawmakers consider $200 million investment to repair aging bridges in South Carolina
According to Dickey, most of the project's funding comes from state grants awarded to West Columbia. The remainder will be covered by the city’s utility capital improvement plan.
City leaders advise residents to prepare for possible congestion and detours during construction.
“Be patient with the city, understand we're all working together on this. We'll get through it together and know that on the back end that we will have improved infrastructure that has made our community better for the long run,” Dickey said.
Construction is scheduled to begin this fall.
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — As South Carolina’s aging population continues to grow, a new retirement community is being developed in West Columbia to address increasing housing needs for seniors.Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community has announced constructio...
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — As South Carolina’s aging population continues to grow, a new retirement community is being developed in West Columbia to address increasing housing needs for seniors.
Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community has announced construction of Brookland Commons, a senior living complex set to be built on the site of the former Lexington School District Two building. The project is designed to serve older residents.
“Brookland Commons will be a fairly decent-sized community. It will start out with full complement so it will be built in one phase – 182 units, different sizes for different price points based on those sizes,” said Danny Sanford, CEO and president of Still Hopes.
The development will include a range of amenities aimed at supporting a vibrant and convenient lifestyle for seniors, including on-site healthcare, chefs, scheduled transportation, a fitness center, and more.
The location of the project was chosen with intention, according to West Columbia District Four City Councilmember Joseph Dickey.
“Everything we do is trying to fill a need and a void that we addressing the needs of those, whether they be 55 and up or 55 and below, but with Brookland Commons and Still Hopes, it’s going to be impactful, not only for the seniors or constituents but for me. It’s impactful on a personal level because this is a conversation I can have with my parents,” Dickey said.
Dickey noted that District Four has an estimated population of more than 2,000, with about 738 residents aged 55 and older—roughly 29 percent. Across the entire city of West Columbia, over 6,000 people fall into that age group.
Sanford said the organization has done its research and knows there’s a significant need for senior housing in the area.
“We’ve done, of course, all the demographic study work to be sure this actually works, and if there is a need for it, and the truth is there is a need for more housing for the seniors. than this campus will hold, so we’re not building to 100% of what is needed even today. We’re building a good swath of that,” Sanford said.
The $55 million project is scheduled to be completed in 2027.
The West Columbia Riverwalk is set for repairs after city council approved $200,000 in funding.WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nine months after Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in the Midlands, cleanup and recovery are still underway. The West Columbia Riverwalk, which has remained closed since the storm, is finally set to undergo repairs following a funding approval at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.The damage has left parts of the popular outdoor destination unsafe ...
The West Columbia Riverwalk is set for repairs after city council approved $200,000 in funding.
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nine months after Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in the Midlands, cleanup and recovery are still underway. The West Columbia Riverwalk, which has remained closed since the storm, is finally set to undergo repairs following a funding approval at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
The damage has left parts of the popular outdoor destination unsafe for public use.
“There's undermining, there's some weakening of the boardwalks, there's damaged concrete, there's just tripping hazards. There's actually in one location a rather large hole because the concrete collapsed, there was kind of a sinkhole that formed under the concrete,” Tara Greenwood, Assistant City Administrator of Development, said.
The city council voted to approve funding to hire a contractor to repair the one-mile stretch of the Riverwalk.
“Because we are going to go to FEMA to request full reimbursement for this project, we will draft a contract with city and FEMA language for the contractor to begin the work. Once the contract is signed and we have the notice to proceed that gives the contractor the go ahead,” Greenwood said.
The city emphasized that using FEMA-reimbursable funds will help avoid placing the financial burden on local taxpayers.
“Everything will be closed down, meaning the amphitheater itself will be closed to allow the contractor access to bring in materials to utilize, what contractors call a lay down yard to bring in any necessary concrete, rip wrap, fill dirt, etc. to go ahead and get started on the construction of the project,” Greenwood said.
Although there’s no firm date for the project’s completion, the city is pushing for a quick turnaround.
“We did allow for up to 120 days. However, the contractor is well aware of the priority of this project and they've already discussed working on a more aggressive timeline, obviously I don't have the full dates yet, but they are well aware that we are working on an aggressive schedule to try to get this back open,” Greenwood said.
The total approved cost for the repair project is approximately $200,000.
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"Take pride in the West Side."The City of West Columbia’s City-Wide Litter Pick-Day is coming up on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Volunteers will meet at City Hall, located at 200 N. 12th Street, West Columbia, SC, at 9:00 AM and disperse to different areas of the city for litter pickup. Bring a team! Ask friends, co-workers, church, school, clubs, and athletic teams; every litter bit counts!Volunteers must sign up in advance at ...
"Take pride in the West Side."
The City of West Columbia’s City-Wide Litter Pick-Day is coming up on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Volunteers will meet at City Hall, located at 200 N. 12th Street, West Columbia, SC, at 9:00 AM and disperse to different areas of the city for litter pickup. Bring a team! Ask friends, co-workers, church, school, clubs, and athletic teams; every litter bit counts!
Volunteers must sign up in advance at http://bit.ly/LitterPickup, no later than Wednesday, May 3, 2025, at 5 PM.
The West Columbia Beautification Foundation is a partner of the #SCSweep campaign, a statewide cleanup effort from April 25 to May 4, organized by @PalmettoPride. There’s still time to take the "Palmetto Pledge" to pick up even one piece of litter during the campaign and encourage your friends, families, and coworkers to do the same: palmettopride.org/scsweep.
A new wine and cocktail bar is headed to West Columbia, bringing with it comfortable vibes and a nod to the popular jazz cafes of Japan.Ikie Lu Record Club is currently being prepped at 601 N. Lucas St. in West Columbia. The wine bar will be in a building that was formerly a Spanish-language Pentecostal church, just off Sunset Boulevard, not far from the Jarvis Klapman Bridge.Owner Matt Catchpole and friends, family, and other helpers were hard at work prepping the Ikie Lu space when a reporter from The State dropped by last we...
A new wine and cocktail bar is headed to West Columbia, bringing with it comfortable vibes and a nod to the popular jazz cafes of Japan.
Ikie Lu Record Club is currently being prepped at 601 N. Lucas St. in West Columbia. The wine bar will be in a building that was formerly a Spanish-language Pentecostal church, just off Sunset Boulevard, not far from the Jarvis Klapman Bridge.
Owner Matt Catchpole and friends, family, and other helpers were hard at work prepping the Ikie Lu space when a reporter from The State dropped by last week. While the wine bar and cocktail spot isn’t open yet — Catchpole is hoping for some soft opening events in late May ahead of a fuller opening later in the summer — it hosted a collaborative kitchen event on April 24 as part of the Columbia Food & Wine Festival.
Catchpole has spent a career in the restaurant industry across multiple states, and is a former general manager at West Columbia’s Terra. In the last few years he has also been a consultant for Publick House in Columbia, which underwent an extensive renovation in 2023 and marked its 30th anniversary last year.
Now he’s getting ready to debut Ikie Lu Record Club, an ambitious project that will combine elements of wine and cocktail culture, a food menu with seafood flair, mid-century-style decor and an appreciation of jazz and other music played on vinyl records. The name of the establishment is a nod to Catchpole’s 98-year-old grandmother, Ida Louise, whose nickname is Ikie Lu.
While details for the restaurant are still being refined, Catchpole said he has big plans for the space.
“It will be a restaurant and cocktail/wine bar,” he said “We are going to focus pretty heavily on champagne. We will have cocktails, but we are trying to keep the type and style pretty focused. We are going to celebrate doing the simple things well and really executing well, rather than trying to come up with 45 flavors of the week.”
The Ikie Lu owner said the food menu will “lean a little seafood heavy,” and he mentioned possible items such as shrimp rolls and boards that could feature seafood, meats and cheeses. There will be space for indoor and outdoor dining, with counter service inside and a window to the patio where customers will be able to order from outside.
The inside space at Ikie Lu has been carefully curated for comfort and conversation. There are low-slung leather chairs, coffee tables and bookshelves. Large windows along the north side of the room offer abundant natural light, and there are plants throughout the space. A framed photo of Ikie Lu herself even adorns one of the shelves.
“From the very beginning when I looked at this I wanted to do a thing where you feel like you are in a large community living room,” Catchpole said. “You want that immersive experience when you go to a restaurant.”
And a centerpiece of the experience will be music coming from the wine bar’s high-fidelity record player. Catchpole said Chris Wenner, of West Columbia’s Seaboard Recording Studio, helped him put together Ikie Lu’s sound system, and jazz, blues and other styles will be the soundtrack of the house.
“We can play music on this hi-fi system we designed and be really, really proud of the richness and quality of the music you get out of it,” Catchpole said.
The entire enterprise is a nod to Japanese jazz kissas. As noted by tokyo.us, a jazz kissa in Japan is a place that offers “a relaxed and intimate atmosphere where patrons can enjoy listening to jazz music on high-quality audio systems while sipping drinks and subtly interacting with the cafe’s proprietor and other patrons.”
Ikie Lu Record Club will also have a retail element, where customers can purchase cookbooks and books about wine, as well as bottles of wine.
As the swirl of preparation and progress continued around him during the recent conversation, Catchpole couldn’t hide his enthusiasm to bring Ikie Lu to West Columbia.
“I’m so happy to be doing this,” the restaurateur said, with a grin. “I’m so stoked.”
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