Thinking about buying or renovating a historic home in Columbia? There may be more benefits and fewer restrictions than you think.

Brad Allen and Mary Lane Sloan sit down with Betsy Kleinfelder from the City of Columbia’s historic preservation and planning team to discuss what it really means to own a historic property. They cover how to determine whether a home is in a historic district, which exterior renovations may require approval, and why replacing original windows isn’t always the smartest investment.

You’ll also learn about the Bailey Bill, a tax-abatement program that can help qualifying property owners offset renovation costs, plus the differences between local historic districts and the National Register of Historic Places.

Whether you own an older home, are considering buying one, or simply love Columbia’s history and architecture, this episode offers a fascinating look at the homes and neighborhoods that give our city its character.

For more about City of Columbia Planning & Development

📲 Download Our App

There’s a lot more happening at Columbia Metropolitan Airport than most travelers realize. In this episode, Brad and Mary Lane sit down with Chris White, President and CEO of Columbia Metropolitan Airport, and Kim Crafton, Vice President of Marketing and Service Development, for an inside look at CAE’s recent growth and what could be coming next.

Chris and Kim explain what officially makes CAE an international airport, how its newly completed Customs and Border Protection facility supports private aviation and international business, and why the airport plays such an important role in economic development throughout the Midlands. They also discuss the possibility of a future name change, ongoing efforts to attract additional airlines and nonstop routes, and the biggest factor travelers can influence: choosing to fly local.

The conversation also explores the airport’s recent improvements, including an expanded TSA checkpoint, an indoor-outdoor passenger lounge, a new business center, family restrooms, a sensory room, and a meditation and interfaith space. Kim shares how CAE is making travel more accessible through programs like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, while Chris explains the airport’s cargo operations, military presence, diversion flights, and plans for a solar-powered microgrid.

Plus, the guests share some of their favorite features at CAE, why booking early can make flying from Columbia more affordable, and what they enjoy doing when they’re away from the airport and exploring the Midlands.

Whether you fly through CAE regularly, automatically head to Charlotte for every trip, or simply want to know how Columbia is preparing for future growth, this episode offers a fascinating look at the airport connecting our community to the rest of the world.

✈️ Learn more about Columbia Metropolitan Airport

🏡 Living in Columbia or thinking about moving here? Download The ART of Real Estate app to search for homes, explore local resources, receive event updates, and connect with our team.

What happens when you leave a decade-long legal career to finally pursue the business you’ve been dreaming about for years?

In this episode of The Soda Citizen Podcast, Brad and Mary Lane sit down with Grace Berger, owner of The Honey Market, a new coffee and wine bar, gourmet market, and housewares shop located on Forest Drive in Forest Acres.

Grace shares the childhood fascination that inspired the business’s name, why Forest Acres was always the right location, and what it took to bring her longtime vision to life. We also get a taste of the creativity behind The Honey Market, from the Velvet King made with Coca-Cola and a coffee ice sphere to a brown butter latte topped with 24-karat gold.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why Grace left her legal career to open The Honey Market
• The inspiration behind the business and its name
• Her experience opening a small business in Forest Acres
• The shop’s unexpected drinks, specialty foods, wine, and gifts
• Creating a welcoming space for parents, children, and the community
• Columbia’s evolving restaurant scene and what it still needs
• What’s ahead for The Honey Market

It’s a conversation about taking a chance on a longtime dream, creating something completely different, and bringing a fresh new experience to Columbia.

☕️🍯 More on The Honey Market

📲 Download Our App