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 Robert Mills House and Gardens 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 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.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
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 Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park 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 Ruth's Chris Steak House or visit Historic Columbia, 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 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 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 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.
Columbia is close to finalizing a change to building rules in a portion of downtown that would allow for taller buildings in a handful of locations in the Vista entertainment district.The move is specifically tied to one project on the city’s horizon: a 16-story hotel planned directly next to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.When residents in the Vista first heard of the city’s plans, they worried it would create a wave of towering projects blocking views of downtown.“Are they planning on bui...
Columbia is close to finalizing a change to building rules in a portion of downtown that would allow for taller buildings in a handful of locations in the Vista entertainment district.
The move is specifically tied to one project on the city’s horizon: a 16-story hotel planned directly next to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
When residents in the Vista first heard of the city’s plans, they worried it would create a wave of towering projects blocking views of downtown.
“Are they planning on building a 20-story building? Those are the kind of things that neighbors are worried about,” nearby resident Mary Langston previously said at a meeting about the change. “Everybody is saying, ‘Oh yeah, build, build,’ but if this was in your neighborhood, I think you would want that consideration, too.”
Existing height restrictions cap building height at 75 feet if they are within 300 feet of a historic district. But in order to build the convention center hotel, the city is planning to remove that constraint.
What effect could the loosened rules have on other properties in The Vista? The answer, it appears, is not much, at least not in the immediate future.
Only half a dozen properties out of more than 400 in the district are affected by the rule change, city planning officials have previously said. And most of the rest of downtown is already without those height restrictions.
Just two of the affected areas are primed to have buildings above the 75-foot restriction, the rest are either already occupied or are the site of ongoing construction projects below the height threshold.
Columbia City Council is expected to take its second and final vote on the change to height requirements at a regular meeting Tuesday at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
These are the properties that would be affected:
One of the pieces of land affected is right next to the Columbia Convention Center, where Westin Hotels, an upscale Marriott brand, has proposed building a 250-room, 16-story hotel complete with meeting space that would be owned and operated by the convention center.
Columbia tourism leaders have said for years that the city needs more, nicer hotels to compete with other cities for the chance to host conferences and other events, including early rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, that draw new people to Columbia.
The new Westin hotel would be “vital to the future success of the Convention Center,” Bill Ellen, president of the Experience Columbia tourism bureau, previously said. “We’re out of space.”
Another parcel that will lose a height restriction is a vacant property on Wayne Street behind the convention center. This is where developer Ben Arnold plans to build a hotel, apartments and a subterranean parking garage.
Arnold, a longtime Columbia developer who now lives in California, hopes to build the dual-branded Hyatt Centric and Hyatt House hotels at the intersection of Gervais and Wayne streets in Columbia’s Vista district, with a separate 183-room apartment complex.
The project is called The Vista Depot, and could be up to 130 feet tall.
Arnold received tax incentives from Richland County to build the project, but there is not a public timeline for construction at this stage.
The property at the corner of Gervais and Senate streets is currently being prepared to host a new four-story hotel. The city approved designs for the 100-room project last summer, which also included a 120-space parking lot.
The hotel was first floated in 2020, but the plans fell to the wayside when the property changed hands. But in 2021, the current owners purchased the property for $2.2 million and revived the hotel push.
Just across Senate Street from the future four-story hotel is the recently completed seven-story Homewood Suites and Tru Hotel by Hilton, developed by Ashok Patel of Naman Hotels. A piece of that property’s parking lot would be affected by the loosened height rules. The parking lot was only recently built as part of the hotel project.
The existing Vista Commons apartments, built in 2001, occupy another of the parcels that would be affected by the change in height rules, but because there is already an apartment complex there and no plans to redevelop the property anytime soon, it would not have an impact on the overall height of downtown.
The last block that would be affected by the change in height requirements would affect two separate properties at Pulaski and Senate streets. One of the two properties is occupied by a Spero bank facility. The other is a parking lot owned by South State Bank. The State has reached out to South State Bank for information on its plans for the property.
The State
Morgan Hughes covers Columbia news for The State. She previously reported on health, education and local governments in Wyoming. She has won awards in Wyoming and Wisconsin for feature writing and investigative journalism. Her work has also been recognized by the South Carolina Press Association.
Following outcry over how the sculpture is currently being stored, the city of Columbia has issued a statement reaffirming plans to maintain and eventually reinstall the beloved 40-foot fire hydrant known as “Busted Plug.”The towering statue sat on Taylor Street in downtown Columbia for more than 20 years before it was removed in 2023 when the property it was built on changed hands.The city hired a contractor to remove the sculpture in 2023, which required a flatbed semi truck. The city said the contractor was also ...
Following outcry over how the sculpture is currently being stored, the city of Columbia has issued a statement reaffirming plans to maintain and eventually reinstall the beloved 40-foot fire hydrant known as “Busted Plug.”
The towering statue sat on Taylor Street in downtown Columbia for more than 20 years before it was removed in 2023 when the property it was built on changed hands.
The city hired a contractor to remove the sculpture in 2023, which required a flatbed semi truck. The city said the contractor was also responsible for storing the large statue.
But now, the nearly 700,000-pound art piece is laying in an open field on the other side of a locked gate. The State published an article earlier this week asking the city why the sculpture appeared to be left in an open field.
At the time, city spokespeople said the sculpture was still being preserved while the city looked for a new place to install it.
On Friday afternoon, following two days of public reaction, the city issued another statement, reiterating at greater length that the sculpture would eventually be reinstalled, and defending its outdoor storage location.
“We recognize that some residents may have concerns about the sculpture’s current storage,” the statement reads. “However, ‘Busted Plug’ was originally designed for outdoor display, and we do not anticipate any issues related to its temporary outdoor storage.”
When the sculpture was moved in 2023, it was not the city’s decision, the statement adds. It was on private property, and the property owners requested it be moved.
“In response, the City took great care to ensure the sculpture, which stands 40 feet tall and weighs approximately 675,000 pounds, was safely and properly relocated,” the statement reads.
The city’s statement did not provide a timeline for when residents would again be able to see the large hydrant properly displayed.
“Our goal is to identify a location that not only showcases the sculpture effectively but also enhances the cultural and aesthetic value of our public spaces,” the statement reads.
City spokesperson Justin Stevens told The State that one of those potential locations could be along the riverfront. The city is actively looking to redevelop a swath of the Congaree, and he said the hydrant could find its way into those plans.
The sculptor behind “Busted Plug” goes by the name Blue Sky. He has voiced frustration and disappointment in the city’s stewardship of his work.
“It was a working fire hydrant,” the artist said in an interview earlier this week. “It actually pumped water, and cost a fortune.”
Blue Sky said he resisted efforts by the city to move the plug, because it was designed specifically for the Taylor Street site.
“A project like that can’t just be hauled off and put somewhere else,” he said. “It was 10 feet below ground. Then they just whacked it off at ground level. That’s like chopping off the top of a plant and leaving the roots.”
This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM.
April 15, 2025 5:00 AM
April 14, 2025 4:33 PM
The State
Morgan Hughes covers Columbia news for The State. She previously reported on health, education and local governments in Wyoming. She has won awards in Wyoming and Wisconsin for feature writing and investigative journalism. Her work has also been recognized by the South Carolina Press Association.
COLUMBIA, SCIn our Reality Check stories, The State journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? Email [email protected]’s been two years since a Columbia icon was taken down and carted off.“Busted Plug,” the 40-foot fire hydrant statue that for year...
COLUMBIA, SC
In our Reality Check stories, The State journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? Email [email protected].
It’s been two years since a Columbia icon was taken down and carted off.
“Busted Plug,” the 40-foot fire hydrant statue that for years sat near the intersection of Taylor and Bull streets in downtown Columbia, hasn’t been seen since it was transported across town on the back of a flatbed truck in 2023, after a new owner of the site where it sat asked the city to remove it.
Today, the sculpture by local artist Blue Sky can still be seen, barely, on the other side of the trees behind a locked gate at the end of a dirt road north of town, where it sits outdoors in an open lot.
Blue Sky has voiced his displeasure with the situation, as the piece of public art he spent so much time and effort creating has essentially disappeared.
“They trashed it,” the artist wrote under a Facebook post lamenting the sculpture’s absence. “They have no intention of bringing it back. My lawyer has been working on this. He is not making any progress. It’s a done deal... a dirty rotten political deal.”
The city of Columbia was emphatic that it intends to relocate the statue. Payton Lang, a spokesperson for Mayor Daniel Rickenmann’s office, said the mayor is still firm on the relocation plans, but she could not confirm a timeline or location.
The State confirmed that “Busted Plug” is in the field, partially visible from a dirt road leading to the property.
The statue remains on the property of the contractor that removed the sculpture from downtown, Columbia spokesperson Justin Stevens said. “It’s sitting on their property,” he said, adding that the sculpture is too large to be stored indoors, but that it is being preserved.
Stevens said he could not yet say where the statue would be relocated to because the city did not know yet. The most likely future location would be somewhere on the Congaree riverfront, he said.
The artwork previously sat curbside, just like its undersized colleagues on the Columbia water system, next to a downtown parking lot that also features the “Tunnelvision” mural, also painted by Blue Sky. The sculpture was originally installed in 2001 to mark the anniversary of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, and then gifted to the city in 2012 when the bank moved.
Blue Sky told The State he was proud of the piece and the attention it got from passersby along Taylor Street, noting his giant fire hydrant had even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
“It’s popular as a roadside civic interest,” he said. “It’s pop art.”
But once it was transferred to the city, he says “Busted Plug” was neglected. Its lighting was turned off, and the water feature became non-functional.
“It was a working fire hydrant,” the artist said. “It actually pumped water, and cost a fortune.”
Blue Sky says he resisted efforts by the city to move the plug, because it was designed specifically for the Taylor Street site.
“A project like that can’t just be hauled off and put somewhere else,” he said. “It was 10 feet below ground. Then they just whacked it off at ground level. That’s like chopping off the top of a plant and leaving the roots.”
When the property it sat on was sold, the city was asked to move “Busted Plug,” and crowds watched as all 675,000 pounds of the sculpture were hauled away on Feb. 23, 2023.
Columbia is currently in talks to design a waterfront park along the Congaree River between the Blossom and Gervais street bridges, part of long-running plans to develop Columbia’s riverfront. The sculpture could be planned into that site, Stevens said, adding that because of the sculpture’s size, it may be hard to find space for it on a different portion of the riverfront, like at the Columbia Canal park, for example.
Last month, the city put out a request for qualified designers to plan the riverfront park. Stevens said the sculpture could make its way into those plans, but he added nothing regarding the relocation has been finalized.
But Blue Sky doesn’t think the city is really interested in his art work. About 10 years ago, he thought he’d reached an understanding that if it needed to be relocated, the sculpture would go to Finlay Park to a site he had selected, but nothing ever came of that idea, and the downtown park itself is now undergoing extensive renovations.
“The city has no interest in it,” he said. “What will happen is, when public interest in it wears off and it’s just sitting out there in the field, they’ll sell it off to somewhere in California for a few thousand dollars.”
This story was updated following an interview with artist Blue Sky.
This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 2:26 PM.
Over the years, the 1100 block of Park Street has been a stretch of parking spots, a sidewalk and a trash enclosure, but now the small space in the Vista is a permanent art exhibit honoring the past and art-focused future of the Columbia district.The new wall relief includes two chiseled portraits of a 1921 South Carolina train conductor and Columbia artist Laura Spong, who made her mark as an abstract expressionist artist throughout the city and Southeast.Spong had a long career in art but gained commercial success in her late...
Over the years, the 1100 block of Park Street has been a stretch of parking spots, a sidewalk and a trash enclosure, but now the small space in the Vista is a permanent art exhibit honoring the past and art-focused future of the Columbia district.
The new wall relief includes two chiseled portraits of a 1921 South Carolina train conductor and Columbia artist Laura Spong, who made her mark as an abstract expressionist artist throughout the city and Southeast.
Spong had a long career in art but gained commercial success in her later years when she started renting a studio space at Vista Studios in the late 1980s. She hosted a solo exhibition celebrating her 80th birthday, and soon after, museums and collectors began paying large sums for her work. She passed away in August 2018 at 92, but her work is still featured across Columbia and the state.
Ohio-based artists David and Bethany Falter said the artwork, titled "The Convergence," represents the blending of history from the time train tracks ran through the center of Columbia to when Spong started making an impact as an artist. David Falter said the portraits portray perseverance and remind passersby that they can overcome challenges as a community.
"It's up and coming and it's still growing," David Falter said. "I think that we need to come together as a community and to keep pushing forward."
The 13' x 7' wall art took about a week to complete. The married couple spent multiple 12 to 13-hour days layering cement, drawing outlines, painting and working away at the wall with a hammer drill.
Bethany Falter said that during the project, she felt especially connected to Spong, who she said was dedicated to art, her family and her community. The late artist's legacy reminded Bethany Falter of a Bible verse.
"She was so instrumental in building up this city through art and her mentoring and her empowerment of women, young women," Bethany Falter said. "Because of her uprightness, because of who she was as a person, this city is what it is today."
Trey and Kershaw Spong, two of Laura Spong's six children, attended the artwork's dedication ceremony April 11 and said they were happy to see their mother honored.
"It looks like her, reminds me of her and I think it's just wonderfully done," Trey Spong said
Kershaw Spong explained how his mother was one of the early artists to start making an impact in the Vista's art scene. She dedicated her life to art and began her largest painting, which now hangs in the Koger Center, when she was 85, Kershaw Spong said.
"She would be befuddled by all this," Kershaw Spong said. "She would say, 'What's the fuss? I want to get back to my studio and paint.'"
Trey Spong said he hopes the mural will remind people of his mother's deep love for others and encourage them to care for their community as she did.
"You know, she was big on community and what we mean to each other," Trey Spong said. "The art was just sort of part of it, but it's really about the people."
The Congaree Vista Guild commissioned the installation. Executive Director Abby Anderson said the group unanimously voted to feature Laura Spong.
The public art piece is the newest of 17 artworks and murals installed around the arts and entertainment district. Another project is in the works to create a lighted installation in the Lincoln Street tunnel, according to past Free Times reporting.
Anderson hopes the two portraits will encourage people walking by to be curious and take time to connect with the artist's work and impact in Columbia.
"I hope people can appreciate it, because it's a mural, but it's also not a mural, it's a wall sculpture, but it's still kind of set onto the wall, so it's something really unique that I don't think that we have here in Columbia," Anderson said. "So I hope that as people drive by, they kind of go, 'Who's that? What's this?' And then they can come and approach it."
The artwork is located at the intersection of Park and Gervais streets next to Pearlz Oyster Bar. Those interested in viewing or purchasing Laura Spong's work can reach out to or visit Over the Mantel Gallery.
COLUMBIA — A popular Southeast gas station and convenience store chain will expand to the Columbia market with a new location in a growing neighborhood.The city approved plans for a Parker’s Kitchen gas station and convenience store to be built at the intersection of Spears Creek Church Road and Earth Road in the growing Elgin area of Columbia.The store would be the chain’s first in the Columbia market and would reside in an under-construction shopping center anchored by a Publix. ...
COLUMBIA — A popular Southeast gas station and convenience store chain will expand to the Columbia market with a new location in a growing neighborhood.
The city approved plans for a Parker’s Kitchen gas station and convenience store to be built at the intersection of Spears Creek Church Road and Earth Road in the growing Elgin area of Columbia.
The store would be the chain’s first in the Columbia market and would reside in an under-construction shopping center anchored by a Publix. Plans for the gas station were given a special zoning exception to move forward at a March 6 city Board of Zoning Appeals meeting.
“We are excited about coming to the Columbia market,” Daniel Ben-Yisrael with Parker’s Kitchen said at the meeting.
The chain has plans to open approximately 15 other stores in Columbia, Richland County and Lexington, Ben-Yisrael said. The Spears Creek Church Road store is the furthest along in development, he said.
The chain first opened in the Savannah area in 1976 and has since expanded to nearly 100 locations throughout Georgia and South Carolina. Previous locations have been opened in the Charleston, Hilton Head, Georgetown and Aiken areas, according to the chain’s website.
Drivers would access the 5,000-square-foot store and gas station through the shopping center’s parking lot, rather than directly from Spears Creek Church or Earth Road.
The developers said this would hopefully minimize traffic impact from the store on either road, which saw 10,000 cars pass through daily in 2024, according to state Department of Transportation data.
The city also approved plans for a liquor store to open in the nearby shopping center at the March 6 meeting. The store would be a second location of the Palmetto Trading liquor store in Lugoff.
The $3.3 million shopping center was first announced in 2022, featuring the 46,000-square-foot Publix grocery store and an additional 12,000 square feet in retail space. Other previously announced tenants include a WingStop and a nail salon.
The Publix was slated to open in the first quarter of 2025 as of December, but no official opening date has been announced. An opening date for the Parker’s Kitchen and liquor store were not announced.
The shopping center is part of a growth spurt along Spears Creek Church Road, with hundreds of new homes and dozens of new businesses slated for the Northeast Columbia neighborhood.
The city and county each have projects to widen the road to meet increased traffic demands, planned to be completed in 2026.
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