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’s S’way and the Apostrophe are not just another cover band. And while they don’t mind playing others' hits, they would rather be known for their original music.Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Adams “S’way” Way, the band pulls from funk and soul to create something that feels both classic and new. With DT Webb...
Columbia’s S’way and the Apostrophe are not just another cover band. And while they don’t mind playing others' hits, they would rather be known for their original music.
Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Adams “S’way” Way, the band pulls from funk and soul to create something that feels both classic and new. With DT Webber on drums, Jon Warf on lead guitar, TJ McKie on keys, Christian “Big Country” Robinson on bass and Nigel Ouzts on trumpet, the group brings serious talent and chemistry to every stage they hit.
Their debut single, "For the Rest of Time," captures the spirit of their live shows. I could see this song being played at weddings all season, it's one of those songs you have to put on repeat. Whether they’re lighting up local venues or building momentum outside of the city, S’way and the Apostrophe are repping Columbia with style.
My name is Adams Way and all my life people have moved the "S" from my first name and added it to my last name to sound like Adam Sway, including my co-worker and band mate John Warf. One day at work I corrected him but he was like, “nah Sway sounds cooler." And it kinda stuck from there.
As far as The Apostrophe, I’m a big D’angelo fan, so I wanted to use an apostrophe like he did. One day for a gig they needed us to give them a band name and I thought of “The Apostrophe” as the name for the rest of the band, we voted on it and that’s the name we decided to go with.
In my head, when I'm writing songs, I definitely write stuff with the focus towards soul music and R&B. I write to what I think my voice is capable of, and I lean more towards soul. That's what I grew up listening to. But I would say our sound is soul and funk, with a lot of influence from D’Angelo, Prince and the neo-soul era.
It is. I think it’s important to know the history of the music you’re doing and to respect it. So when I'm on stage I'm not trying to imitate or mimic other artists, I sing in my own voice to make sure I'm honoring the artist and not being a caricature.
We currently have four singles out, we also did a (NPR) Tiny Desk submission at our house, and that was a lot of fun. There is an EP coming. Besides the four songs we already have, we have a couple others that just need the finishing touches. We're really excited about this project. It's our best work to date. We also want to create some visual art and videos for these songs. Making the Tiny Desk submission was fun so hopefully when we make content for our music it’ll be just as fun.
Man, this is so cliche, but "Everybody wants to rule the World" by Tears For Fears. One of the greatest songs of all time, and it's one of the most covered songs of all time, especially right now. We have a lot of fun playing it, too, so we don’t mind.
The goal is to keep writing music and developing our sound. We're definitely starting to find the groove and flesh out our sound, which is really cool. We want to tour not just in South Carolina but all around the country and world. The dream is to be able to make a living as artists and I believe we’re on our way. Our debut EP will be out later this year so look be on the lookout for that, make sure you guys support our current songs, you can find them on any streaming platform. Follow us on social media so you can catch our next performance.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced indictments against over 100 people in connection with a large drug trafficking investigation Monday morning.Wilson and law enforcement officials held a news conference to provide information on developments in the “Devil in Disguise” investigation, which is focused primarily on fentanyl trafficking and associated overdoses.During the event, Wilson said 108 people are facing over 380 combined charges related to narcotics across five countie...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced indictments against over 100 people in connection with a large drug trafficking investigation Monday morning.
Wilson and law enforcement officials held a news conference to provide information on developments in the “Devil in Disguise” investigation, which is focused primarily on fentanyl trafficking and associated overdoses.
During the event, Wilson said 108 people are facing over 380 combined charges related to narcotics across five counties in South Carolina.
He also said the investigation recovered over 44 kilograms of cocaine, four kilograms of fentanyl, 10 kilograms of methamphetamine along with $1 million in cash and multiple firearms.
Wilson spoke about the process of drug trafficking to South Carolina, which he said largely began with Mexican cartel organizations who would coordinate with group members already in the United States to distribute shipments of drugs.
The Attorney General also juxtaposed the conditions at the United States’ southern border under the Biden administration to how it is under the Trump administration.
“When I met, last summer, with those local officials on the Texas southern border, they said it was at all-time high, the amount of drugs pouring into the United States,” Wilson said. “So, the policies that shut down the border, we can essentially thank the current administration, our federal partners up there for this.”
Wilson said arrests have been made in the investigation, and their bond hearings will take place Monday at the Richland County Courthouse.
“We will continue to aggressively fight drug traffickers with every resource we have,” Wilson said. “Soon, we’ll also have a new tool to charge fentanyl traffickers if their drugs kill someone, thanks to the fentanyl-induced homicide bill just passed by the legislature, which we’ve been working to get for three years.”
This bill, S.156, creates a new offense under state law called fentanyl-induced homicide. Under this law, a person who knowingly provides fentanyl to another person, causing the person to die by ingesting the drug, can be charged and face up to 30 years in prison.
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WEST COLUMBIA — Gone are the days of ‘children are to be seen and not heard,’ but also it seems gone are the days of separate parent and child leisure time.This merge is evident on a sunny afternoon at Savage Craft Ale Works in West Columbia, where customers range from toddlers to retirees.“We are starting to get the families that like to get ...
WEST COLUMBIA — Gone are the days of ‘children are to be seen and not heard,’ but also it seems gone are the days of separate parent and child leisure time.
This merge is evident on a sunny afternoon at Savage Craft Ale Works in West Columbia, where customers range from toddlers to retirees.
“We are starting to get the families that like to get out of the house more. People aren’t throwing kid’s birthday parties at home or McDonalds or Chuck E. Cheese anymore,” said Savage Craft Ale Work’s general manager Victoria Porter.
As new parents head out to dine with their kids in tow they are looking for more than just chicken fingers and playgrounds. They are looking for a third space — or non-work, home or school space to gather and socialize — that meets the needs of the whole family.
“You know that feeling of we’ve got to eat our food and get out of here as quickly as we can, versus a space that truly wants us here,” said Kaitlin Maltba. Maltba founded the Cola Baby Social Club, a mom group that hosts meet ups across the city.
That unwelcome feeling can come from details that many parents probably would not have considered in their pre-kid lives. A flight of stairs means no stroller. A quiet dining room means anxiety about disturbing fellow customers. An unfenced green space means pulling out the kid leash. Okay, maybe not the leash, but the point is, kids have different needs from third spaces.
While a James Beard Award finalist might not immediately sound like a kid-friendly restaurant, Cola Baby Social Club frequents smallSUGAR in the Vista.
Here, there is no designated kids menu, but plenty of vegetables, a spacious patio and warm staff keep families returning.
Hunter Crowe, Director of Hospitality at smallSUGAR and the City Grit Hospitality Group, said that welcomed feeling speaks to the ethos of their business.
“I think one of the core principles at smallSUGAR, and at the entire restaurant group, is we are here to serve other people and our community.”
One of the big draws is the food itself, said Crowe.
“I think the combination of us serving that nontraditional fresh food and the fact that we do make everything in house, we do use good quality ingredients, is what brings in crowds," he explained.
Healthy food also drew Maltba to plan meet ups at As Well As, a cafe in Rosewood that serves nutrition-packed smoothies.
“Their space is kind of like a living room … the owners don’t mind if we come in there for an hour and kind of run around and play,” Maltba said.
This space, like smallSUGAR, was not designed with children in mind, but rather the whole community.
“We just want to have a space for the community,” said part owner Kelly Holbrook. “Someone could be intimidated by walking into a health and wellness space, but we try to just make really yummy smoothies that are appealing to everyone.”
Columbia breweries and bars also create welcoming third spaces for a wide range of ages.
For the craft beer and bottle shop Craft and Draft, this has been a natural progression.
“We’ve always really focused on young professionals," part-owner Katelyn Shire told Free Times. "When that generation of young professionals started marrying and having kids, we started growing with them.”
Both their Devine Street and Irmo locations have incorporated family friendly elements including craft sodas, popsicles and arcade games. While hospitality plays a role in this welcoming environment, it is also good for business.
“The kids love the claw games. So we’re providing some entertainment, but it also is a revenue-based opportunity that is a safer thing that kids can be doing inside,” Shire said.
Keeping kids and other patrons safe is on the mind of Porter at Savage Craft Ale Works, where balls and bikes are not allowed in the biergarten.
“All the rules that we have are to protect the little ones,” she said. The biergarten features a kids menu and plenty of space to run. But that does not mean the whole establishment has turned into a children’s playground.
“We made it so that the biergarten is a great space for friends and families and larger groups, whereas the rooftop is literally 21-and-up, valid ID, no pets. It’s just that free space for an adult to be an adult,” Porter said as an assurance that children are not totally taking over the bars of Columbia.
But there is ample opportunity to merge pre- and post-kid life in Columbia.
"You can resume your life in a way that makes sense for both you and your new child,” Maltba said.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the third time in program history, the South Carolina softball team is heading to the NCAA Super Regionals. The No. 8 seed Gamecocks (43-15) won the Columbia Regional Tournament Sunday (May 18), taking down North Florida (47-15) 8-0 in a five-inning rule-rule victory.Brook Blankenship and Abigail Knight led the Carolina offense with a pair of hits on the day. Knight drove in three runs while Blankenship has two RBIs.The game resembled the Gamecocks first face-off against North Florida...
COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the third time in program history, the South Carolina softball team is heading to the NCAA Super Regionals. The No. 8 seed Gamecocks (43-15) won the Columbia Regional Tournament Sunday (May 18), taking down North Florida (47-15) 8-0 in a five-inning rule-rule victory.
Brook Blankenship and Abigail Knight led the Carolina offense with a pair of hits on the day. Knight drove in three runs while Blankenship has two RBIs.
The game resembled the Gamecocks first face-off against North Florida, with both teams held scoreless through the top of the fourth inning. Sam Gress (13-9) in the start for Carolina tossed four scoreless innings, giving up three hits. Like the previous matchup, the Gamecocks broke through offensively first.
In the bottom of the fourth, Ella Chancey reached on an error and stole second. Brooke Blankenship had the clutch single, allowing Chancey to score. Abigail Knight followed with a single to score Blankenship and give the Gamecocks the only runs they would need.
Jori Heard came in the fifth to pitch a clean frame to prevent a response from North Florida and earn her third save of the season.
The game broke open in the bottom of the fifth when Karley Shelton found a two out single to put one on for Arianna Rodi. Rodi’s double to right center scored Shelton and took down two records in the process. Her hit marked the team’s 324th RBI and 96th double on the season, setting a single-season record.
Pinch runner Chloe Lackey scored on a Lexi Winters single to put the Gamecocks up by four. Back-to-back singles from Blankenship and Knight put Carolina within reach of ending the game early. With a 1-1 count, senior Emma Sellers made the final blow with a single to left for the walk-off win in run-rule fashion.
With the win, the Gamecocks punched their ticket to the Super Regional for the first time since 2018. It will be the first time they have hosted a Super Regional at Carolina Softball Stadium since the format was implemented in 2005.
Carolina will host the Super Regional and winners of the Los Angeles Regional, UCLA, with the schedule to be announced.
For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.
A conflict between teenagers at a South Carolina school spilled over into the public, and two adult women were arrested for their involvement in the attack, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.The women, 31-year-old Autumn Watkins and 26-year-old Alexi Watkins, are the mother and another family member of one of the teens, the sheriff’s department said Thursday in a news release.The assault happened just before 8 p.m. on April 29 in th...
A conflict between teenagers at a South Carolina school spilled over into the public, and two adult women were arrested for their involvement in the attack, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
The women, 31-year-old Autumn Watkins and 26-year-old Alexi Watkins, are the mother and another family member of one of the teens, the sheriff’s department said Thursday in a news release.
The assault happened just before 8 p.m. on April 29 in the 1800 block of Lake Carolina Drive, according to the release. That’s in the part of Columbia near Lake Carolina.
Deputies responded to a call about a fight in the area, and encountered a small but chaotic crowd, the sheriff’s department said. One of the juveniles involved in the altercation was still there when deputies arrived, and the law enforcement officers learned that teen was having an ongoing conflict at school with another juvenile, who had left the scene, according to the release.
The school conflict escalated into a fight between both juveniles, the sheriff’s department said.
During their investigation, deputies found a video of the attack, according to the release. The video showed that as the conflict escalated, Autumn Watkins — the mother of the juvenile that fled the scene — as well as another adult family member Alexi Watkins, assaulted the juvenile who was at the scene when deputies got there, the sheriff’s department said.
On May 15, both Autumn Watkins and Alexi Watkins turned themselves in at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, according to the release. Both women were each charged with third-degree assault and battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and cruelty toward children, the sheriff’s department said.
Both women had their bonds set at $10,090 on the combined charges and each were posted Monday, Richland County court records show. Both women are scheduled to return to court on July 25, according to court records.
This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 1:22 PM.
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