Soda City Market

Columbia, SC. Main St. Every Saturday. Rain or shine. 9 am- 1pm. This is the Soda City Market. A Columbia tradition. It brings families and friends together, while supporting small business and start-ups. It is also, of course, another characteristic of college life at the University of South Carolina. I try to go to the market every Saturday morning when I am free (and not sleeping in), not only to support the locals but because it represents the true life, heart, and soul of Columbia. The life: families, friends, neighbors, and of course DOGS! The heart: Main St. Central, downtown, historic Columbia in its truest form. The soul: People eating, laughing, smiling, taking photos, spreading happiness. This past Saturday I went to Soda City Market for the first time since the spring semester started and I can't express how much I missed it. I did not necessarily miss the vendors or even the location but I did miss the laughs and the memories that I made with my friends there. My dance major Grande (similar to a sorority "Big"), Bridget, and I always go to the market together and it is the perfect environment to catch up. This past weekend I can't tell you how excited I was to get my hands on the box of veggies I've shown. As a college freshman I am required to be on a food plan and as a college dance major I can't even begin to tell you how much I hate being on a meal plan. The food times are inconvenient for my hectic schedule and on top of that the food courts almost never have the diet staples that a SoCal girl is accustomed to. Don't get me wrong, I love Columbia and I love the University of South Carolina but that doesn't mean I don't miss the health trends of California. Is it too much for a girl to get her hands on some kale, quinoa, and açaí?! I love going to the Market when I can because it means I can get fresh produce within walking distance.

Love, Chloe Noel