Home Care In Columbia, SC

COLUMBIA — Rockaway Athletic Club, the sign-less Rosewood watering hole, will close its doors after over four decades of serving cold, cheap beer and well-loved pimento cheeseburgers -- but it won’t be closing forever.

An employee of Rockaway’s confirmed to Free Times that staff was told the restaurant will close Jan. 21, but the group that’s purchased the building has plans for the property.

Cason Development Group has purchased the property, the group’s President Frank Cason confirmed to Free Times Wednesday. The sale of the building was closed Jan. 16. Cason said the hope is to put another restaurant in the space.

“Our strong desire is to put another restaurant back in there and hopefully it’s a business that serves that community, Rosewood and Shandon,” Cason said.

The Columbia institution’s last day in business will be Sunday, Jan. 21, a staff member confirmed when a Free Times reporter called the restaurant Jan. 16. The restaurant’s owners did not return calls from Free Times and were not at the restaurant when a reporter visited. The reason for the sale and the future of the building are not yet clear.

Until Jan. 16, the building belonged to the restaurant’s owners under Whitlark & Whitlark, Inc., according to Richland County property records. Rockaway’s owners purchased the property in 2002 for $305,000. It’s unclear how much the Cason Development Group purchased the property for, but its tax value was assessed at $605,400 in 2023.

Cason Development Group, behind the purchase of the property, is a Columbia-based commercial real estate company. Its project include chain fast food brands like Taco Bell and Burger King, as well as local restaurants like The War Mouth and Indah Coffee. Just last year, the group purchased the former Lizard’s Thicket at 402 Beltline Blvd. and opened a Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant.

The sale of the dive bar and restaurant joins a laundry list of recent changes to some of the city’s institutions. Late last year, Five Points’ mainstay coffee shop Drip changed hands. New Brookland Tavern, the iconic West Columbia music venue, was sold in September of last year and moved to a new home in Five Points at the beginning of this year.

No. 1 South Carolina will face its toughest conference test of the season when it travels to face ninth-ranked LSU on Thursday night.

The Gamecocks have been running through the SEC so far, winning their five games by an average of nearly 35 points. They are the only undefeated team left in college basketball and have been dominant.

Not bad for a team that lost all five starters from last season’s squad that made it to the Final Four. Coach Dawn Staley has done a masterful job of getting the Gamecocks to play extremely well so far as they’ve beaten four ranked opponents already.

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While the Gamecocks have been playing extremely well, the Tigers have been trying to mesh their new pieces with returning stars Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson. LSU lost at Auburn on Jan. 14 and sits a half-game behind the Gamecocks in the standings.

“As I told the team, ‘Our goals have not been destroyed just because you lost to Auburn,’” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said. “This is just a little obstacle in the road. And it’s one, as I said after the South Carolina game last year, ‘You either learn from this or you don’t.’ And I tend to think we learned last year, and we’ll learn this year.”

The defending champions lost their season opener to Colorado before rebounding to win 16 straight — albeit not against the strongest competition.

This will be the only regular season meeting between the two teams.

RENEWING OLD ACQUAINTANCESThere was a time when UConn and Notre Dame played it was must-see TV. The two women’s basketball powers had a series of intense rivalry games when they were both in the Big East Conference as well as classic Final Four matchups. They’ll tip-off on Saturday in Connecticut with the two schools splitting the past six meetings.

The Huskies will honor the 2003, 2004, 2013 and 2014 national championship teams. The 2013 and ’14 teams will officially be inducted into the Huskies of Honor at halftime, joining the 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004 championship teams.

1,203 AND COUNTINGStanford coach Tara VanDerveer became the all-time winningest coach in major college basketball, moving past former Duke men’s coach Mike Krzyzewski on Sunday when the Cardinal beat Oregon State. Next up for the Cardinal is a trip to Arizona to face the Wildcats and Arizona State.

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South Carolina has overcome an early deficit to take the lead back in this one. They have jumped out to a quick 33-25 lead against Kentucky.

If South Carolina keeps playing like this, they'll bump their record up to 16-3 in no time. On the other hand, Kentucky will have to make due with a 14-4 record unless they turn things around (and fast).

Kentucky Wildcats @ South Carolina Gamecocks

Current Records: Kentucky 14-3, South Carolina 15-3

Kentucky has enjoyed the comforts of home their last two games, but now they'll head out on the road. The Kentucky Wildcats and the South Carolina Gamecocks will face off in an SEC battle at 7:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Colonial Life Arena. One thing working in Kentucky's favor is that they have posted big point totals in their last eight matches.

The oddsmakers set the bar high, but Kentucky and Georgia didn't disappoint and broke past the 162.5 point over/under on Saturday. The Wildcats came out on top against the Bulldogs by a score of 105-96. Having run the score up that high, both teams probably have some extra defensive drills coming up.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Kentucky to victory, but perhaps none more so than Tre Mitchell, who scored 23 points along with five rebounds. Those 23 points set a new season-high mark for him. Another player making a difference was Antonio Reeves, who scored 21 points along with five rebounds.

Arkansas typically has all the answers at home, but on Saturday South Carolina proved too difficult a challenge. They walked away with a 77-64 victory over the Razorbacks. Winning is a bit easier when you work as a team to post 11 more assists than your opponent, as South Carolina did.

South Carolina can attribute much of their success to B.J. Mack, who scored 18 points along with nine rebounds. Ta'Lon Cooper was another key contributor, scoring 11 points along with five assists.

The Wildcats are on a roll lately: they've won eight of their last nine contests, which provided a nice bump to their 14-3 record this season. As for the Gamecocks, their win bumped their record up to 15-3.

This contest is one where the number of possessions is likely to be a big factor: Kentucky have been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 38.3 rebounds per game. However, it's not like South Carolina struggles in that department as they've been averaging 37 rebounds per game. Given these competing strengths, it'll be interesting to see how their clash plays out.

Going forward, Kentucky is the favorite in this one, as the experts expect to see them win by 4.5 points. Those interested in the spread don't face an easy decision since they are 11-6 and South Carolina is 4-1.

Kentucky is a 4.5-point favorite against South Carolina, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Wildcats as a 4-point favorite.

The over/under is set at 155 points.

See college basketball picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now.

Kentucky has won 5 out of their last 8 games against South Carolina.

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Sustain SC has launched the Roadmap to Sustain SC, which identifies seven key accelerators that will move South Carolina forward as a sustainable state ensuring economic prosperity and protection of the state’s quality of life.

The plan was unveiled during Sustain SC’s recent second annual Sustainability Symposium in Columbia, according to a Sustain SC news release.

“This is a big moment for our organization, which has dedicated an entire year to developing the Roadmap to Sustain SC,” said Ethel Bunch, founder and CEO of Sustain SC, in the release. “This was a passion project and enhances Sustain SC’s mission of connecting the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment, and people. We are proud to serve as a model for other states who work toward similar goals.”

The Roadmap undertaking began after South Carolina ranked 37th out of 50 states in a 2021 U.S. Sustainable Development Report released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the release stated. As a result, Sustain SC partnered with Ernst and Young (EY) to assess how South Carolina could improve its low position on the list and be competitive with neighboring states. Through comprehensive research and analysis, researchers mapped out a plan for future sustainable development reflective of the unique commerce and conservation needs of the state, The Roadmap to Sustain SC.

The Roadmap initiatives include the following, the release stated:

“South Carolina recognizes the growing importance modern businesses place upon achieving sustainability goals, and S.C. Commerce is dedicated to working alongside industry partners, like Sustain SC, to provide the support necessary to make those achievements a reality,” said Harry M. Lightsey III, secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, said in the release. “The Roadmap to Sustain SC will help set apart South Carolina’s commitment to our business community.”

For the South Carolina Office of Resilience, which established a formal partnership with Sustain SC this year, the Roadmap to Sustain SC will support SCOR on a number of initiatives.

“Resiliency and nature-based solutions are the key to moving South Carolina forward,” said Ben Duncan, executive director of the South Carolina Office of Resilience. “These focus areas will help our organization develop strategies to minimize the impact of disasters on the communities and citizens of South Carolina.”

More severe weather is forecast to hit the Columbia area just days after a line of powerful storms rumbled through the Midlands.

A lake wind advisory was still in effect Wednesday from the previous day when National Weather Service meteorologists said more powerful storms are heading toward the Columbia area.

Friday’s forecast shows another strong system will move through the area in the afternoon and last through the night, meteorologists said in a Wednesday morning briefing.

Thunderstorms are expected to form and could cause damaging winds and possibly tornadoes, according to the briefing.

While thunderstorms could begin in the morning, the greatest threat of severe weather is in the afternoon, the National Weather Service said.

Areas at the greatest risk of the severe weather threats are the southern and eastern Midlands, south of Interstate 20, according to the briefing.

Powerful winds and tornadoes could cause considerable damage to trees and branches, in addition to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. Vehicles would also be under siege in the case of a tornado.

Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.

As of Wednesday morning, more than 14,000 outages were still being reported in South Carolina.

There is 100% chance of precipitation in the Columbia area, and up to an inch of rain is possible Friday, the forecast shows. Localized amounts in other areas of the Midlands could be higher.

As was the case with the lingering effects from Tuesday’s storms, powerful winds could continue to impact the Midlands on Saturday after the next round of severe weather has moved out of the region, the National Weather Service said.

Wind gusts could reach 35 mph Wednesday, and the lake wind advisory runs through 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

A flood warning remains in effect through Saturday night for several rivers across South Carolina. The Congaree River, Saluda River and Wateree River are at risk for flooding, which could affect Richland, Lexington, Calhoun, Kershaw, Fairfield, Newberry, Saluda, Greenwood and Lancaster counties.

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

This story was originally published January 10, 2024, 9:09 AM.

According to the State Department of Education, 515 preschool students faced suspension from 2021 to 2022.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Several state agencies testified before the South Carolina Children's Committee this week, underscoring the critical importance of keeping children in school even when they misbehave.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, South Carolina has the country's highest rate of preschool suspensions.

The State Department of Education said that 515 preschool students faced suspension from 2021 to 2022. However, advocates argue that this figure may underestimate the true extent of the issue.

Jennifer Rainville, an education policy attorney from S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center, emphasized the severe consequences for children suspended or expelled.

"Children who face such disciplinary measures are 10 times more likely to drop out before completing high school, experience academic failure, face grade retention, and, inevitably, confront incarceration," said Rainville.

Notably, children with disabilities and African-American children bear the brunt of these suspensions. Common reasons cited include disrupting class, hitting, kicking, biting, and engaging in other inappropriate behavior.

Senator Brad Hutto from Orangeburg County expressed his concern, stating, "Each one of these children is special to the state of South Carolina. Each one deserves our attention, and suspension at this level is really, in my book, not an option."

Notably absent from the reported data are soft expulsions – actions by preschools that make it difficult for families to keep bringing their children, ultimately forcing them to withdraw.

Randall Dong, a representative of Disability Rights S.C., expressed concern.

"We don't know where South Carolina stands in terms of comparison to other states because the counts are faulty," he said.

Advocates are urging legislation to define expulsions and suspensions accurately and provide more precise data tracking. Additionally, they emphasize the need for increased resources for children to undergo evaluations for Individual Education Programs (IEPs).

"Even the best, most educated, most informed parents still struggle with getting timely evaluations from the school district because there's just not enough resources," Rainville said.

Currently, 16 states have policies that limit or prohibit the use of suspension and expulsions in preschools.

The bill will go through a procedural vote and then move on to the Senate.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina House has passed a bill that restricts medical care for transgender minors.

The measure was approved on an 82-23 vote Wednesday night on a second reading. It must go through a third reading--a formality--and then it will be on to the Senate for consideration.

The debate, which lasted several hours, involves a controversial bill that has already seen enactment in 20 other states, including Georgia and North Carolina.

The bill– dubbed the "Help Not Harm" Bill--aims to prohibit minors in South Carolina from undergoing "gender-transition procedures," such as surgeries, hormone therapy, and puberty blockers – regardless of parental permission.

"There are few things we do as legislators that are more important than protecting vulnerable children,” said Representative John McCravy (R- Greenwood County). “Even if we’re no longer doing surgeries in South Carolina and we haven't gotten to that point yet, we need to be proactive and pass this bill to protect our children before it happens.”

The proposed legislation bans state dollars from funding these procedures and restricts Medicaid coverage for individuals younger than 27 in South Carolina.

Republicans argue that the bill is designed to protect minors. Representative RJ May (R-Lexington County) questioned whether taxpayers should fund other lifestyles, suggesting, "Are there any other lifestyles you'd like taxpayers to fund – perhaps, drug addicts?"

Under this bill, healthcare providers have the option to gradually taper off hormones or puberty blockers, with prescriptions set to end by January 31, 2025.

Democrats counter that the legislature should not intervene in the doctor-patient relationship.

"Those of you who got elected that talked about small government and reducing the size of government but then come up here and do everything you can to make government bigger against anybody that you don't like, well, that's called hypocrisy,” said Representative Todd Rutherford (D- Richland County).

“This treatment is the same as anything else and so for us to sit here, to have 124 legislators, none of which are medical doctors, dictate in a statute what a standard of care is, is reckless and it’s wrong,” said Rep. Seth Rose (D-Richland County).

The proposal also addresses school officials, preventing them from withholding a student's chosen gender identity from legal guardians.

“The way I read that is– if I don’t tell them, then I’m withholding it. That’s not a good place to put our teachers,” said Rep. Russell Ott (D-Calhoun County).

Once passed by the House, the bill will proceed to the Senate for approval.

New estimates from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law suggest there are approximately 3,700 transgender youth between the ages of 13 and 17 in South Carolina.

It’s no secret that Columbia’s dining scene is changing. From the national recognition that three restaurant entities in town received this year during the James Beard Foundation Awards to the amount of new eateries that opened or will open, it’s clear we’re in the midst of a culinary evolution in Columbia.

Long-awaited upscale restaurants like The Dragon Room and MOA Korean BBQ opened in the heart of downtown. Neighborhood bars like The Hoot and locally-owned bakeries like Sour and Salt were welcomed to the Rosewood neighborhood. And international cuisines from the Caribbean to Thailand are available across the river in Cayce and West Columbia.

On the horizon, local restaurateurs and popular brunch chain companies have set their sights on locations around the city.

With that, here are five restaurants that opened this year you should visit, and five set to open within the coming year that you should keep an eye out for:

Five recently-opened restaurants and bars to check out

The Dragon Room

This pan-Asian small plates restaurant and cocktail bar comes from Kristian Niemi, the chef-owner of Black Rooster in West Columbia and Bourbon on Columbia’s Main Street. The kitchen, which pumps out unique ramen options, late-night egg rolls and delightful bao buns, is led by former Black Rooster chef Alex Strickland. David Adedokun, previously a bartender at The War Mouth, crafts up distinctive cocktails like The Jade Panda, a bright green, Vodka-based slushee. The Vista joint is open until 2 a.m. on weekends and midnight Tuesday through Thursday.

MOA Korean BBQ

An iteration of the popular downtown Charlotte location, MOA Korean BBQ introduced Columbia to something it was missing — upscale Korean barbecue in the heart of downtown. The restaurant, which comes from 929 Kitchen & Bar owner Sean Kim, was announced in January 2022 and opened next to Cantina 76 on Main Street in September this year. The restaurant is perfect for a date night or group dinner with friends, as patrons select cuts of high quality meat and get to cook them at the table. If dining out for the evening isn’t your speed — or your wallet’s speed — the restaurant offers a cheaper, more lowkey lunch menu from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. It’s open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

On Thursday there was finally a sign on the building at Rockaway Athletic Club on Rosewood Drive.

It said “Closed.”

Rockaway, the laid back bar and grill that has been a familiar haunt for Columbians for four decades and famously never had a sign on its building at 2719 Rosewood Drive, has officially closed its doors. The closure comes a day after the announcement that Columbia’s Cason Development Group had purchased the property and building at 2719 Rosewood.

“Wow Columbia! We are so grateful for you!,” Rockaway said in a Thursday Facebook post. “For over 40 years, we have had the pleasure serving you and now we look forward to being on the other side of a bar! Originally, we planned to stay open til January 21st, but so many people came out to show their support, that we ran out of food and supplies (on Jan. 17) and are unable to continue.

“We are excited to see what Cason Development Group does with this location in Columbia’s coolest Micro Urban district. Cheers to all!”

Originally opened in 1982, the Rockaway business has long been owned by members of Columbia’s Whitlark family. The State has left messages for co-owner Forrest Whitlark this week.

On Wednesday, Columbia developer Frank Cason confirmed that Cason Development Group and Baker Commercial Properties had bought the Rosewood Drive building and property where Rockaway is located.

Details about what comes next are unclear, though Cason said the developers’ early plan is for the property to ultimately continue to be home to a restaurant. The developers are in discussions with a group of local restaurateurs about the possibility of continuing a restaurant at the site.

“The current plan is for it to be a restaurant,” Cason told The State on Wednesday. “That will be our hope and our initial target. It’s a great piece of property, and there are other uses that could go there. But our current plan and focus would be on getting a new restaurant in there.”

Cason indicated some initial upgrades will likely be done to the building’s exterior.

At lunchtime Thursday, customers were streaming into the Rockaway parking lot, hoping for one last meal at the bar and grill. Alas, the gates at the brick building were padlocked, with a paper sign saying simply “Closed” posted at the main entrance. There were also “Closed” signs on the restaurant’s porch, where a Galaga arcade machine sat idle. A TV on the porch was still turned on, frozen on a commercial for the Lourie Law Firm.

Rockaway became known through the years for its pimento cheeseburgers, pimento cheese fries, expansive liquor menu and beer so cold it could almost be called polar. In 2021, Food & Wine magazine dubbed the pimento cheeseburger at Rockaway the best burger in South Carolina.

“Just as there is pimento cheese all over the South, so too are there pimento cheeseburgers, but most can agree that the spiritual home (of the latter at least) is Columbia, South Carolina’s capital city,” the Food & Wine piece noted. “You’ll find a very good example at the fun-loving Rockaway Athletic Club, which is neither athletic nor a club, but rather, an entertaining indoor-outdoor bar and late-night hang.”

The Rockaway pimento cheeseburger hasn’t only been enjoyed by University of South Carolina students and residents of the nearby Shandon and Rosewood neighborhoods. It’s also been a delicacy for dignitaries. In April 2005, President George W. Bush stopped into Rockaway in an unannounced visit during a trip to Columbia. The president had a pimento cheeseburger and bought some for members of the S.C. Congressional Delegation.

The original Rockaway building on Rosewood Drive was destroyed in a raging early morning fire back in March 2002. The tavern was rebuilt and opened again in early 2004.

This story was originally published January 18, 2024, 12:55 PM.