With locations across the Midlands, Legacy Martial Arts’ after school program offers an opportunity for kids to engage in physical activity, socialize, and learn respect, perseverance and discipline — all while having fun and giving working parents a peace of mind. Honorable Mention: Ezekiel Ministries, Columbia Martial Arts & Fitness Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, established in 1936, offers personal and business finance services at locations across the Columbia area. The institution is also a common sight around the community, with frequent donations to local charities, a scholarship fund and free document shredding days every year.
Honorable Mention: AllSouth Federal Credit Union, S.C. State Credit Union For nearly a decade, Fort Jackson National Cemetery has offered a place to lay veterans to rest after they pass on.
Spanning over 585 acres, the cemetery is located about just off Interstate 20 on property formerly held by Fort Jackson and offers a stately and peaceful place for deceased veterans and their families. Honorable Mention: Bush River Gardens, Greenhaven Memorial Gardens SC Whitmore School is a public charter school that has served thousands of students across the state since 2011. As an online school, SC Whitmore allows students to pursue advanced learning at their own pace, including offering early graduation opportunities for advanced students and flexible schedules.
Honorable Mention: American Leadership Academy, Gray Collegiate Academy Palmetto Commercial Cleaning Service hires professional cleaners rather than untrained, low-wage employees. Almost all hired cleaners have over 10 years of cleaning service, and the company has received numerous certifications to ensure they leave their clients' spaces spick and span. Honorable Mention: Chaits Chores, City Wide of Columbia, Combat Cleaning Service LLC With offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh and Greenville, Columbia’s Trinity Partners office opened over half-a-decade ago.
The company has brokered major deals across the state and, in town, overseen the real estate transactions of several large student housing complexes in the city. Honorable Mention: Collier’s, NAI Columbia With offices in Augusta, Charleston, Charlotte and Columbia, Rumsey Construction & Restoration specializes in recovering properties after disaster-spawned damage, including from fire, water and storm. The company also offers carpet cleaning and roofing.
Honorable Mention: Hill Construction, M. B. Kahn Midlands Technical College offers special course schedules to minimize impact on work schedules in small classes with assistance finding jobs and financial aid.
The college offers tuition assistance and job finding programs as part of the courses. And with campuses across the Midlands, you won't have to travel far and wide to get some extra schooling. Honorable Mention: Benedict College A double winner here: Palmetto Citizens scoops up Best Credit Union along with Best Bank in this year’s Best Of.
competition Established in 1936, Palmetto Citizens FCU offers personal and business finance services at locations across the Columbia-area. The institution is also a common sight around the community, with frequent donations to local charities, a scholarship fund and free document shredding days each year. Honorable Mention: AllSouth Federal Credit Union, Safe Federal Credit Union A 2011 USC School of Law graduate, Bell spent six years with the Richland County Public Defender’s office before moving into criminal, professional licensing and DUI defense with the Jeffcoat Law Firm in 2017.
Bell is a Lexington resident and is a wrestling coach at River Bluff High School, proving his commitment to the community as much as his clients. Honorable Mention: Alex Postic, Shealey Law Firm Established in 1967, Tripp’s offers locations across the Midlands and advertises itself as “Columbia’s Only Certified Master Dry Cleaner.” Tripp’s provides classic dry cleaning services for shirts, bedding and alterations, and also specializes in bridal gown cleaning and preservation.
Honorable Mention: Zebra Cleaners, Columbia’s Cleaners Also the winner of Best Criminal Defense Attorney, Bell seems to be very popular with Free Times readers. Bell spent six years with the Richland County Public Defender’s office before moving into criminal, professional licensing and DUI defense with the Jeffcoat Law Firm in 2017. Bell is a Lexington resident and is a wrestling coach at River Bluff High School.
Honorable Mention: Shealy Law Firm, Lori Murray Carolina Conditions offers heating, air conditioning, electrician, plumber services, drywall repair and pest control services. They can also suggest energy savings solutions and offer a variety of maintenance plans to fit your needs. Honorable Mention: Creations Electric, Axis Electric Located conveniently in The Vista, Escapology offers a variety of themed escape rooms.
Current variations include the Mona Lisa, Scooby-Doo, Murder on the Orient Express, Star Trek, submarine-themed mysteries and more. Honorable Mention: Final Door LawyerLisa takes home Best Estate Planning Attorney. Photo provided.
LawyerLisa offers services in estate planning, as well as elder law and care and probate for elderly clients or their adult children to plan for the future. The office has locations in Irmo, as well as in the Upstate and Lowcountry. Honorable Mention: Marshall Minton, Andrew Thompson West Columbia-based Twist Bartending offers predetermined or custom bar offerings for your event.
They also provide consultations for planning your event’s bar service, and can create custom bar settings to increase the appeal. Honorable Mention: Pour Advice, Liquid Assets Standing in the shadows of the Granby and Olympia Mills, 701 Whaley serves as a top-rate private event space and community center for the Mills District neighborhoods. The building incorporates features from its former life as a community center for workers in the surrounding mill villages, providing a unique backdrop for any event.
Honorable Mention: University Conference Center, University of South Carolina; King George Lavender Farm South Carolina strawberries are in season until early June. Cottle Strawberry Farm is open every spring to the public for strawberry picking at both their Hopkins and Florence farms. Individuals, families and groups can come pick their own strawberries, or purchase pre-picked berries in quart, half-gallon and gallon containers.
Honorable Mention: Boone Fox Farm, Freshly Grown Farms, King George Lavender Farm Beckett Financial Group not only takes the time to understand their clients’ unique financial goals and tailor strategies accordingly, they also provide workshops, seminars and other events designed to empower their entire community to thrive financially. It’s that kind of commitment that has earned them real trust, and why so many Columbians turn to them for retirement planning, investment advice and everything in between. Honorable Mentions: Javis Financial Services, Lindsay Cox You don’t get named one of Martha Stewart’s “Top 33 Floral Designers in the Country” for nothing.
From its full-service floral design services to its gorgeous and lovingly curated “flower bar,” Fern brings bountiful creativity and imagination to any floral occasion with locally sourced blooms and bespoke “garden-inspired experiences.” It’s tough competition out there in the world of petals, but Fern is always a little bit greener than the other side. Honorable Mentions: American Floral, Something Floral You (or, more generally, Columbia) can trust Shives Funeral Home to handle the delicate details of saying goodbye to a loved one — because they’ve literally been doing it for generations.
It’s a name that inspires trust and familiarity to the young and old in our fair city, and that’s in addition to their easy blend of traditional touches and modern, personalized memorial services which have gracefully kept with the times. Honorable Mentions: Mosley Funeral Home, Leevy’s For over 90 years, M.B.
Kahn has been shaping the Columbia skyline with iconic projects that are now indelible parts of the city’s landscape. From the University of South Carolina to local schools and hospitals, M.B.
Kahn has tackled some of the highest-profile projects in the city, delivering each with their signature commitment to innovation, sustainability and safety. At a certain point, the company’s name is baked into the city's DNA — or, perhaps more accurately, into our very foundations. Honorable Mention: Paul Haynes Complete Crawlspace Blythewood’s 27-hole Cobblestone golf course is a favorite of local linksmen thanks to both the picturesque setting among the rolling hills of the Midlands as well as the well-manicured fairways and greens.
That the club also boasts all of the amenities you could also want, including a newly-renovated clubhouse and a full-service restaurant, just seals the deal. Now if only we could get them to put boomboxes in the golf carts that played Kenny Loggins songs ..
. Honorable Mention: Fort Jackson Carolina Gymnastics strikes the perfect balance of being both an inclusive environment where kids can develop strength and flexibility and a place that genuinely fosters young talent. Their expert coaching and state-of-the-art facilities, as well their positive mindset and commitment to safety, make them a natural choice for parents looking for tumbling opportunities for their young ones.
Honorable Mentions: Twisters, Soda City Gymnastics Every summer, the most important number to have in your digital rolodex is a trusted HVAC team to come save you from the heat in case of an AC mishap. Carolina Conditions wins consumer trust not only because they have HVAC experts on staff who provide reliable repairs, they also offer smart maintenance tips and smooth installations for homes and businesses. It’s clear in every interaction that they are invested in having your systems run efficiently, keeping you comfortable year-round, and not merely interested in a quick buck.
Honorable Mentions: Cassell Brothers, Richardson’s Heating and Air You see Great Southern Homes everywhere, not just in Columbia, but throughout the Southeast, for a reason. They build houses and neighborhoods that foster a sense of belonging and connection, with pools, parks and walking trails that provide a true connective tissue. Their homes use the latest energy-efficient designs and are built with high-quality materials designed to last.
It’s hard to ask for anything more from a home. Honorable Mentions: Gage Construction, Epic Homes Deserved Comfort House Cleaning knows how to walk the walk. Since 1986, the company has served Columbia households with unwavering attention to the nooks and crannies of every assignment, recognizing that the quality of their work and the friendliness of their staff would create loyal customers.
That’s why each cleaner is fully insured and bonded, why there’s no contractual obligation for any customer, and why they are offer free over-the-phone quotes. Good service speaks for itself. Honorable Mentions: Get Clean Stay Clean, Chait’s Chores Hotel Trundle was voted Best Hotel in the 2024 Best of Columbia competition At this point, it’s almost comical how any travel guide for Columbia begins with a stay at Hotel Trundle.
It’s a truly boutique experience right in the heart of our burgeoning city, with rooms that strike the perfect balance of historic charm and contemporary comfort. The family run operation puts an emphasis on their personalized service and luxurious amenities, and for good reason — they simply have no peers in the Soda City. Honorable Mention: Graduate Columbia Now what makes a “best” house of worship varies quite significantly from person to person, but there’s no denying the welcoming and inclusive quality to St.
Martin’s-in-the-Fields. The Episcopal parish in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina is housed just off of Forest Drive. But it's liturgically grounded, fully committed to the Anglican ideal of “the middle way.
” Want to visit? You will find worshipers with serious intent, but also a genuine and come as you are vibe that puts anyone at ease. Honorable Mentions: First Presbyterian Church, Downtown Church Although Lourie Life & Health is technically an insurance agency, it always feels like more of a public service than a true purveyor. That’s in part because they truly have an expansive portfolio of insurance options, but also because of their commitment to providing superior service and extensive product knowledge that always ensures their clients know exactly what’s in the plans they are purchasing.
Whether you are working with their broker team or the retail side, you can always be confident that they are going to understand all of your options and fully understand your coverage. That kind of commitment is hard to beat. Honorable Mentions: Robbie Streett State Farm, Resource Insurance Associates Palmetto Creek Landscaping sets himself apart with both their comprehensive range of services and their level of expertise in landscaping and lawn care.
They can assist with everything from individualized designs to installation to ongoing maintenance, with careful attention to prioritizing native plants, sustainable practices and water-wise solutions. Their team will also work with your schedule and budget, too. Honorable Mentions: Palmetto Lawn Management, Busy Bee The Jeffcoat Firm excels at framing themselves as advocates as much as attorneys.
That, and their track record of successful outcomes in personal injury, family law and criminal defense cases, make them a local favorite for some of your most common legal needs. Honorable Mentions: Shealey Law Firm, Joye Law Firm Between the cheaper flights and constant business meetings in the metropolis to the north, the Columbia Charlotte Shuttle provides a valuable, hassle-free transportation solution that lets you avoid the cost of gas and parking. With competitive rates, reliable service and, most crucially, the ability to be productive or relax during your trip, it’s the most pleasant way to travel Interstate 77.
Honorable Mention: First Class Limo A Marine veteran who is highly active in the community, MassMutual’s Steven Diaz is one of the most trusted insurance agents in the Midlands. You can be guaranteed of a personalized approach and industry knowledge, as well as a neighborly commitment to doing right by your specific needs. Honorable Mentions: Robbie Streett State Farm, Nora Hubbard Legacy Martial Arts has a longstanding reputation for excellence.
Their certified and highly skilled instructors offer a variety of programs for children and adults, from beginner to advanced, while also emphasizing the power of martial arts to build confidence and resilience. It’s martial arts not just as a skill, but as philosophy of character. Honorable Mentions: Columbia Martial Arts & Fitness, Capital Karate While there are dozens of options for finding a mortgage these days, Resource Financial Services simplifies the home financing process with their commitment to transparency and responsiveness, while also working to get you the most competitive rate.
It helps too that they offer a range of services beyond mortgages, including refinancing, debt consolidation and credit counseling, all of which can help you reach your financial goals. Honorable Mentions: Movement Mortgage, Columbia Mortgage If you’re looking for an attentive and responsive guide through your mortgage loan process, you can’t beat Mary Gervais Brantley. In addition to being extremely knowledgeable about the entire process and attentive to detail, she’s also great at being a friendly and personable presence during what is all too often a stressful experience.
Honorable Mentions: Josh Tronco, Resource Financial Services, Heidi Twardziak, Palmetto Citizen There’s something fun and refreshing about a company like Spence & Dave’s Junk Removal, where two childhood friends combined their natural affability and love of helping people into a junk removal and moving business. Their social media smarts, custom pricing and can-do attitude makes them a favorite of anybody who has used their services. Honorable Mentions: Two Men & A Truck, Gamecock Movers It’s hard to beat a retailer like REI — from their quality products and expert staff to their innovative co-op model and emphasis on sustainability.
They make shopping for your outdoor and camping gear a genuine joy. When you add their bevy of classes and events designed to get you outdoors along with the generous return policy, it’s a can’t-miss stop in the BullStreet District before your next great adventure. Honorable Mentions: Half Moon Outfitters, Clothing World Yep, that’s his name on the door for a reason.
Michael Jeffcoat has spent two decades serving victims with empathy and compassion by litigating against big insurance companies to make sure you get what you deserve. And he’s got the wins (and settlement sizes) to prove it. Honorable Mentions: Ken Harrell, Joye Law Firm; Hugh McAngus, Carolina Law Group; Eric Cavanaugh, Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC Modern Exterminating believes in the “PHD” of customer service — Personal, Honest and Dependable.
And you get your home rid of unwanted bugs in the process. From pest and termites to wilder and woolier invaders, the team at Modern Exterminating does it all happily, courteously and thoroughly. Honorable Mentions: Jeffcoat Pest and Home Services, Cayce Exterminating Company The husband-and-wife team of Jacob and Rachel at The Carters Creative have quickly developed a reputation as the go-to photographer/videographer company for wedding and bridal photos in Columbia.
Their work glows with a clear passion for what they do, as does their friendly, down-to-earth approach to working with clients. Honorable Mentions: Mason Jar Photography, Chelsea Canipe Photography As the largest music school in the state, the Columbia Arts Academy (combined with its locations in Lexington and Irmo) teaches over 1,500 students everything from drums and guitars to violin, banjo and ukelele. Since the school started in 2003, they’ve been consistent favorites thanks to their highly skilled teachers, parent-friendly policies and hours, and a commitment to serving as many musicians (and aspiring musicians) as possible.
Honorable Mentions: Suzuki Academy of Columbia, Bella Desire Creative Conservatory When you need a plumber, you usually need them pretty quickly. Meetze Plumbing has made a name for itself throughout the region for promptly responding to emergencies, while their skilled plumbers and commitment to customer satisfaction means they strive to treat clients fairly and efficiently. Honorable Mentions: Dr.
Rooter and Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration The family owned SafeX Exterior Cleaning is the best pick for pressure washing because of their detailed, transformative approach that they combine with eco-friendly methods. With their quick quoting system and commitment to staying on-budget, customers are always leaving clear-minded. Honorable Mentions: Spray Day LLC, Mathias Pressure Washing Longtime local printer Apexgraphix has long been a trusted printing partner for businesses and individuals alike in Columbia thanks to their friendly service and quick turnaround times.
Now a Minuteman Press franchise, it’s still the same printing company on Gervais Street that you know and love, cranking out everything from business cards to banners with personalized attention and their trademark commitment to quality. Honorable Mentions: Professional Printers, Columbia Printing & Graphics Sandhills School is not just any private school — it’s one with a real mission. A 1st-12th grade curriculum that utilizes Orton-Gillingham instructional techniques, it’s designed specifically for students with dyslexia and related learning differences in mind.
They also have classroom accommodations and use assistive technology to help students overcome their learning differences and find the right path after graduation, from four-year colleges to trade schools and apprenticeships. Honorable Mentions: Hammond School, Ben Lippen Wolfe & Taylor has been buying, selling and managing real estate in Columbia since the 1940s and shepherds a rental portfolio numbering in the hundreds. They succeed in doing so because of everything from up-to-date payment systems to a rolodex of honest and tested preferred contractors in addition to their first-rate team of hands-on staff.
Honorable Mentions: PMI Soda City, Carolina Best Rental Property As the largest locally owned and operate real estate brokerage in the Midlands, Home Advantage Realty has built their three decades of success on the consummate professionalism of their more than 100 agents, state-of-the-art marketing technology and concierge-level client services. Founder/owner Jill Moylan wouldn’t have it any other way. Honorable Mentions: Wolfe & Taylor, The Moore Company Angelia Dodson is one of the region’s best real estate agents, combining a commitment to a full-service commitment that makes home buying and selling as easy as possible.
That’s in addition to consummate professionalism, attention to detail and integrity and honesty. Honorable Mentions: Moricia Hare, Jill Moylan The Angelia Dodson Team at Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate takes its cues from its leader while also bringing the most innovative practices available in the industry to their clients. Utilizing data-centric approaches and marketing savvy along with their local expertise to help clients reach their real estate goals, you can’t go wrong with this crew.
Honorable Mentions: The Little Legacy Team, Patrick O'Connor Team When you need to restore a property after a major disasters, there’s few things more comforting than Servpro’s 24/7 emergency service. Their rapid response team aims to be on-site within two hours of any call to do a thorough cleanup and recovery, whether it’s fire and water damage, specialty cleaning or mold. Honorable Mentions: Edmondson Restoration, Drip Ninjas There’s not a more Columbia-centric activity than hopping in a flotation device and piloting your way down one of the three rivers that give our city its signature natural beauty.
Columbians pick Palmetto Outdoor to get that memorable river experience. As the largest tubing outfitter in South Carolina, their knowledgeable guides ensure a proper adventure. They also offer a guided Congaree National Park Canoe tour, as well.
Honorable Mention: River Runner Putting a new roof on your house is something that you really need to get right the first time out. Family owned, deeply rooted in tradition and backed by decades of expertise, Crosby Roofing & Seamless Gutters has been the leading roofing company in Columbia since 1989. They’ve got over 25,000 roofs under their belts and they’ve built a sterling reputation that relies on quality, trust and impeccable craftsmanship.
Honorable Mentions: Premiere Roofing, Modern Roofing Screen printing ain’t just about t-shirts; it’s often about making a splash for your business with eye-catching branded products. Image Ink provides screen printing, embroidery and promotional products. And they have over 20 years of printing experience.
Their goal is to help you choose products and creative designs and decorate them with unmatched quality. Honorable Mentions: Custom Embroidery and Screen Printing, Carolina Screen Printers At some point, we’re probably going to have to start calling this category “The Palmetto State Armory” because they take the top spot so frequently. It makes sense, though.
The West Columbia retailer and manufacturer has locations across the state and sells a wide range of guns, ammo and other weapons. Signs! Indoor signs! Outdoor signs! Banners! Company signage! Banners! What would marketing your business be like without them? You don’t actually have to worry about that, though, because Signarama has got all of them, and they’ll look clean, professional and attractive to boot. Get noticed the right way and bring in Signarama.
Honorable Mentions: Image 360, Columbia Flag & Sign You dropped your phone again, didn’t you? Or maybe you’ve got some sort of nasty PC or laptop virus that came from somewhere that’s none of our business. Regardless, you don’t have to throw your tech on the scrap heap. Bring it by Smartphone Medic and let them diagnose the ouchies and get your stuff up and running.
It’s hard to work without a phone or PC these days; might want to make sure they’re in tip-top shape. Honorable Mention: CPR Cell Phone Repair Whether you’re looking for some temp work, a new permanent position or just testing the job market waters, Spherion can help you out in ways that no other staffing agencies can, finding the ideal match that's right for you. Their recruiters take the time to really learn about your skills, your goals for the future and the type of workplace culture and manager you vibe with best.
Spherion, you’re hired! Honorable Mentions: Snelling, Recruiting Solutions If you’re going to trust someone with your getaway or family vacation, it should probably be someone with experience. Forest Lake Travel has been in the game since 1976. It’s an independent, family owned travel agency that will find you the perfect trip to the perfect destination, not to mention handling airline tickets, tours, rental cars and hotel reservations.
All you’ve got to do is get on the plane and enjoy your trip; Forest Lake Travel takes care of the rest. Honorable Mentions: Terrie Ettman, Cruise Planners – Dan & Faith Ramsey Nikki Morgan has a passion for her work, and a drive to make sure the customer is completely satisfied. If you need your wedding, birthday, graduation party or other special event preserved on video, Nikki makes sure each video fits the occasion and the client’s needs.
Her eye for detail and instinct for capturing special moments is at your disposal. Honorable Mentions: Yilmaz Media Co., Soda City Films You don’t want to get so stressed out planning your wedding that the day is a huge hassle, right? It’s supposed to be a beautiful experience.
So why not bring in professionals to handle the wedding planning? Alexandra Madison Weddings handles all vendor negotiations, custom budget development, the timeline and layout design. Check that five-star Google rating; you’re already breathing a sigh of relief, aren’t you? Honorable Mentions: Parris Balazs: Eventfully Chic by Parris, Haley Maree Weddings We all know the familiar line from TV ads: “If you’ve been injured in an accident at work, call (blank).” You could trust the ad, or you can trust the most highly regarded worker’s compensation firm in town.
Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC. These top-notch worker’s comp attorneys are proactive, communicative and passionate about what they do, which is getting you the settlement you deserve. Honorable Mentions: Goings Law Firm, Atkins Law Firm.
