The City of Columbia will host the 38th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration service Monday, January 19, 4 p.m., at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 2300 Green Street. Prior to the service there will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Stone of Hope at 3 p.m.

Raines, a hospitality management and development company, has announced a new hotel, The Lantern Columbia, will be opening January 21 in the Vista neighborhood. The property is the former Columbia Central Fire Station, a local landmark that’s been thoughtfully restored and transformed into an upscale hotel and restaurant.

5 Star Dental Academy was scheduled to hold its grand opening Friday, January 16, 11 a.m., 220 Stoneridge Drive.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the City of Columbia’s buildings and offices will be closed Monday, January 19. City of Columbia Solid Waste Division will be adjusting its collection schedule due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Monday routes will be collected on Tuesday, January 20, and Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday, January 21.

Food Lion will hold a grand opening at its new location 10508 Two Notch Road, Elgin, Wednesday, January 21.

South Carolina Department of Transportation is scheduled to close the right westbound lane of Elmwood Avenue for bridge repairs on January 17 and 18, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The lane is expected to reopen by January 19.

EXALT ™, a new pro women’s basketball league and youth basketball ecosystem headquartered in Austin, Texas, has selected Columbia as one of its 2026 launch cities.

South Carolina Department of Transportation is scheduled to close and detour the Lakeshore Drive bridge over Tributary to Forest Lake in Richland County for repairs beginning January 20. The bridge is expected to reopen on January 30.

The post BUSINESS BRIEFS first appeared on Columbia Star.

January 15, 2026 | Columbia Star, The (SC)
Author/Byline: ops@our-hometown.com | Section: Business