@christrainorsc.bsky.social
Retail reporter at The State, contributing columnist at the Index-Journal. Charley's dad. Mack's Cash Grocery evangelist.
Steakhouse plans are afoot in Red Bank.
A national steakhouse is planning a location in this busy Lexington County area
The eatery would go into a burgeoning Lexington County development that already features restaurants, a new grocery store and more.
www.thestate.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Steakhouse plans are afoot in Red Bank.
Reposted
The spot for sweet treats announced in October that it would close its doors. Now it is set to see new life.
A doughnut shop near Columbia plans to reopen after a brief closure. Here’s when
The spot for sweet treats announced in October that it would close its doors. Now it is set to see new life.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The spot for sweet treats announced in October that it would close its doors. Now it is set to see new life.
Reposted
The Midlands restaurant attached to a gas station has been a fixture of the local food scene for more than 16 years.
A longtime Columbia-area cafe and grill plans to close its doors. Here’s when
The Midlands restaurant attached to a gas station has been a fixture of the local food scene for more than 16 years.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The Midlands restaurant attached to a gas station has been a fixture of the local food scene for more than 16 years.
Columbiana chugs along.
This national retailer is prepping a new store in the Columbiana Centre mall
The store carries a host of well-known brands and will be a part of the mall that has remained popular in the Harbison shopping area.
www.thestate.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Columbiana chugs along.
A mini-burst of Cuban restaurants is afoot in the Midlands.
A new spot for Cuban food has opened on a busy road near Columbia. Here’s where
The recently opened Midlands eatery has sandwiches, churrasco, sweet plantains and other Latin favorites,
www.thestate.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM
A mini-burst of Cuban restaurants is afoot in the Midlands.
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."
A growing Lexington area is getting a new location of this national store
Construction is underway for the business along a key corridor in Lexington near neighborhoods, schools and more.
www.thestate.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:54 PM
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."
It's Day Two of @thestate.com's 2025 Fried Chicken Poll. Drake's Duck-In and Bernie's have shot to the top and are doing battle. Still plenty of time for any of the other 11 places to get in the mix here. Vote 'em up!
Which Columbia-area restaurant has the best fried chicken? Vote in our poll
There are a host of beloved spots for fried chicken in the Midlands. Vote for your favorite spot in The State’s poll.
www.thestate.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
It's Day Two of @thestate.com's 2025 Fried Chicken Poll. Drake's Duck-In and Bernie's have shot to the top and are doing battle. Still plenty of time for any of the other 11 places to get in the mix here. Vote 'em up!
Reposted
The guide released its inaugural list of selections in the American South, and two Midlands places were mentioned.
Two restaurants in Columbia’s Vista recommended in prestigious Michelin Guide
The guide released its inaugural list of selections in the American South, and two Midlands places were mentioned.
bit.ly
November 4, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The guide released its inaugural list of selections in the American South, and two Midlands places were mentioned.
Two restaurants in Columbia's Vista recommended in prestigious Michelin Guide.
Two restaurants in Columbia’s Vista recommended in prestigious Michelin Guide
The guide released its inaugural list of selections in the American South, and two Midlands places were mentioned.
www.thestate.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Two restaurants in Columbia's Vista recommended in prestigious Michelin Guide.
A new spot in one of the busiest traffic/commercial area in Lexington. I had the Tropic Lime Twist there over the weekend and it was quite tasty.
This popular Lexington shopping center just got a new spot for smoothies & more
The new Lexington shop at one of the town’s busiest commercial junctions has smoothies, acai bowls, quesadillas, and more on the menu.
www.thestate.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A new spot in one of the busiest traffic/commercial area in Lexington. I had the Tropic Lime Twist there over the weekend and it was quite tasty.
Cafe Strudel has new owners. West Columbia location remains open. Lexington location will be redeveloped as a different restaurant.
Popular Midlands eatery Cafe Strudel has new owners; Lexington location closed
The West Columbia location of the well-known cafe remains open, while the Lexington spot will be reimagined with a new concept.
www.thestate.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Cafe Strudel has new owners. West Columbia location remains open. Lexington location will be redeveloped as a different restaurant.
Well, that didn't take long.
A bustling shopping area near Columbia is getting a new restaurant. What we know
The new eatery is going in a Midlands spot that until recently was home to a TakoSushi location.
www.thestate.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Well, that didn't take long.
Hey Red Bank, ready to drink some beer while you shop for groceries? The date is set.
A new grocery store sets an opening date in this booming Lexington County area
The grocery store will be an anchor of a major retail development along a bustling Lexington County corridor.
www.thestate.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Hey Red Bank, ready to drink some beer while you shop for groceries? The date is set.
An exit from the Columbia retail scene.
A Columbia store for outdoor apparel is set to close its doors. What we know
The move in Columbia comes as the national company reportedly prepares to shutter a host of stores across the U.S.
www.thestate.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:50 PM
An exit from the Columbia retail scene.
Burlington is really beefing up that Midlands profile.
Columbia’s busiest shopping district is getting this new major national retailer
The store is planned in a Midlands shopping center that already has a host of well-known businesses.
www.thestate.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Burlington is really beefing up that Midlands profile.
An exit from the Forest Drive culinary roster.
One of TakoSushi’s Columbia-area restaurant locations has closed. Here’s where
The restaurant known for Latin and Asian cuisine has locations across the region. Now one of the Midlands outposts is shuttered.
www.thestate.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
An exit from the Forest Drive culinary roster.
Reposted
The one that got away
October 21, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The one that got away
It's official: Methodical Coffee is (soft) open at BullStreet.
A popular Upstate coffee shop has opened its first Columbia cafe. Here’s where
The new multi-level shop is in the midst of a growing district near downtown Columbia.
www.thestate.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
It's official: Methodical Coffee is (soft) open at BullStreet.
Reposted
What candidates for mayor and town council say they would do in Batesburg-Leesville. www.thestate.com/news/politic...
Batesburg-Leesville voters have crowded election ballot. What the candidates say
A new Batesburg-Leesville mayor will be elected in November. Several town council seats are also up this year.
www.thestate.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
What candidates for mayor and town council say they would do in Batesburg-Leesville. www.thestate.com/news/politic...
I had the latest entry in the Communities in Transition series for @thestate.com. We took a look at Rosewood, the classic Columbia neighborhood that is working to retain its charm amid broader growth and change across the city and region. Tracy Glantz shot the pics.
One of Columbia’s ‘best kept secrets.’ Can Rosewood sustain charm amid growth?
The classic Columbia neighborhood looks to guard its charm amid broader growth across the city and seemingly inevitable change in the region.
www.thestate.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I had the latest entry in the Communities in Transition series for @thestate.com. We took a look at Rosewood, the classic Columbia neighborhood that is working to retain its charm amid broader growth and change across the city and region. Tracy Glantz shot the pics.
You've got a new spot for a sweet treat, Irmo.
This busy area near Columbia has a new spot for peach cobbler, other desserts
A new spot for a sweet bite has debuted in Irmo.
www.thestate.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
You've got a new spot for a sweet treat, Irmo.
A taste of Cuba coming to the Main Street District in Columbia.
This downtown Columbia area is getting a new Cuban restaurant. Here’s where
The Columbia restaurant is coming from a popular vendor at the Soda City Market.
www.thestate.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
A taste of Cuba coming to the Main Street District in Columbia.
"Top off your gas tanks and ask the Lord for patience, Gamecocks fans. The 'fair game' is upon us."
As USC meets Oklahoma, fans should get ready for the ‘Mother of All Fair Games’
The Gamecocks host the No. 14 Sooners at 12:45 Saturday, and it should be quite a scene around Williams-Brice with the State Fair in town.
www.thestate.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"Top off your gas tanks and ask the Lord for patience, Gamecocks fans. The 'fair game' is upon us."
Life in the fast (drive-thru) lane.
A Lexington Chick-fil-A along a major road is set to reopen. Here’s when
The famed chicken sandwich chain had temporarily closed the Midlands store for renovations.
www.thestate.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Life in the fast (drive-thru) lane.
Boy, it's been a hell of a few weeks on the Midlands beer scene.
Beer garden near Columbia is closing its doors, blames SC liquor insurance laws
The Midlands bottle shop and beer garden has set a final day for business.
www.thestate.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Boy, it's been a hell of a few weeks on the Midlands beer scene.