Today: 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Blog / Around South Carolina

Ways to Explore Columbia's Soda City Market

Soda City is an open-air market that takes place on Main Street every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market has dozens of vendors that sell a diverse range of items. Having so many options makes Soda City Market one of the best places to shop in Columbia. If you haven't visited before, though, you could feel a bit overwhelmed by the experience. Try these three approaches to exploring everything the market offers.

Wander Through the Market

Wandering aimlessly gives you a great way to discover new things at Soda City Market. Show up with nothing but your curiosity and a reusable bag. As you make your way through the aisles and tents, you'll find interesting vendors selling local produce, clothes, health products, and much more. You should enter the market without any expectations if you intend to wander. Treat it like a walk in the wood. You never know what you will find. Just keep your eyes open for things that you find interesting.

Talk to the Vendors

No one knows Soda City Market better than the vendors who sell their products every Saturday morning. Most of the farmers and merchants enjoy talking to shoppers. Give them a few minutes of your time to learn more about the items they sell. You may discover that one of the local farmers specializes in organic meats or hard-to-find vegetables. The grocery store doesn't have nearly as much diversity as Soda City, so take your time to learn about everything the farmers have to sell. If you want to find a certain type of item, talk to the vendors about where you can find it. Everyone at the market knows that they thrive when they work together as a community. If one vendor doesn't have what you want, the person running the booth probably won't mind talking to you about other places to look. It doesn't hurt to show your appreciation by purchasing something that a helpful vendor has for sale.

Visit During a Soda City Event

Soda City Market hosts events throughout the year. If you're new to the market, then you might want to visit during one of these events. There is a good chance that one of the 2017 events will pique your interest. Soda City Market already has several events planned. Some appealing options include Soda City Crit, which includes a 5K race; Fitness Fest that will introduce you to healthy lifestyle choices as well as exercise options like yoga and jogging; and Oktoberfest, an annual event that celebrates the fall harvest and locally crafted beers. Check the Soda City Market Facebook page to stay updated on the latest events. The market posts more information on Facebook than it does on its website. Soda City Market gives you a chance to meet Columbia area residents who have a passion for local produce, art, and health. It's more than a place to shop. It's a social event that will start your Saturday morning in a fun, healthful way.   Image via Flickr by gmtbillings
Posted in:

Related Posts

A 2024 Kia Forte photographed outdoors on a dirt road in the evening near Orangeburg, South Carolina

Kia Safety Features: Innovations for Your Protection

In today's Kia cars, you'll find a very comprehensive set of technology-based safety features called Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The Kia safety features allow you to have more peace of mind while driving, as you know you have useful technology helping you watch out for collisions, monitor your surroundings, and much more. Let's explore the various features so you can see how they'll benefit you when you get your next Kia car. more Auto Emergency Braking Kia cars are equipped with sensors and radars that allow them to detect where other cars are around them. Whether you're in the city, on the highway, or even turning at a junction, your vehicle can detect when other motorists are so close that you may crash into them. The feature can also detect cyclists and pedestrians, making it even better at keeping you safer. First, you get a warning about a potential collision, ideally giving you enough time to stop. If you don't hit the brakes on time, then your car can do it for you in an attempt to prevent a crash. Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist Your car doesn't stop monitoring the world around you when it's time to back into or out of a parking space. If there's something too close to the back of your car, then your Kia can automatically engage the brakes. This works whether you're about to hit any obstacle; it aims to prevent collisions with anything that's in your way. Blind Spot Collision Warning Seeing objects in your blind spot can be difficult while driving. Your Kia makes it a lot easier to stay safe, especially when changing lanes because it lets you know if you're in danger of colliding with another car that's in your blind spot. It can also redirect you to your previous course if you attempt to change lanes after your car tells you there's an object in your blind spot. View Monitors There are two types of monitors you may find in a Kia car: a blind spot view monitor and a surround view monitor. The blind spot view monitor lets you fully check your blind spots without having to look behind you. Meanwhile, the surround view monitor can be helpful when you're parking, as it helps you avoid obstacles and safely maneuver your car into smaller parking spaces. Swing by Burns Kia in Orangeburg, SC to see all the innovative Kia cars have to offer. If you have a question about a specific model, contact us online today!

A person standing in front of a yellow background while holding a set of car keys near Orangeburg, South Carolina

Navigating Kia's Extended Warranty Options: What's Covered?

Every brand new Kia automatically comes with a powerful factory warranty. After it expires, you can take advantage of even better coverage through the Kia extended warranty program, depending on your vehicle's age and mileage. As your Kia dealer, we can help you navigate which of these three plans is right for you. more Powertrain Coverage The most basic extended warranty plan from Kia is the Powertrain Protection Plan. This includes coverage for your engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, transaxle, and some internal components for hybrid, plug-in electric, and compressed natural gas vehicles. With this or any extended warranty from Kia, your vehicle may be covered for up to 150,000 miles. Gold Coverage A Gold Protection Plan is the next level up from the powertrain coverage. It includes everything in the Powertrain Protection Plan while offering coverage for more parts of your vehicle. This includes the electrical system, brakes, air conditioning, steering, front suspension, and rear suspension. Additional hybrid, plug-in electric, and compressed natural gas components like the battery, charging system, and more are also included. Platinum Coverage For the "Ultimate Peace of Mind" for your vehicle, you may be able to choose the Platinum Protection Plan. At this level, you have near bumper-to-bumper coverage for your vehicle. The only things not included in this plan are the listed exclusions. You can rest easy knowing you're taken care of if something happens to your Kia. Exclusions from coverage include: Negligence from lack of maintenance Damage from misuse Tires Brake drums, lining, and rotors Catalytic converters Heater and radiator hoses Air bags Glass Paint Upholstery Coverage for any of the available extended warranty plans is determined by the age, model, and mileage of your vehicle. A deductible will also apply when using your extended warranty. Roadside Assistance All of our protection plans include roadside assistance coverage, as well. You receive help paying for alternative transportation like a car rental or rideshare for up to 10 days when you experience a covered mechanical breakdown. If you're 100 miles or more from home during a covered breakdown, you'll also receive travel reimbursement for food and lodging. Towing and fluid replacement are also included in roadside assistance. Even if you haven't purchased a protection plan yet, you're still in luck. Roadside assistance is also available for new Kia owners during the factory warranty. When you purchase one of Kia's extended warranty plans, you can take your vehicle to any Kia dealership in the United States or Canada for service. Take advantage of this opportunity for peace of mind wherever you are on the road. Contact Burns Kia of Orangeburg, SC to choose the right protection plan for your Kia.

A woman taking a bag out of her 2024 Kia Telluride near Orangeburg, South Carolina

What Should You Keep in Your Vehicle’s Emergency Kit?

Unsure how to pack for the unexpected? Let's dive into the essentials you should keep in your car for emergencies. We'll break it down into three main sections: Tools, First Aid, and Food. Each section will include a brief explanation of why it's important to have these items in your car and some examples of what to include. more Tools When you're on the road, having the right tools can make a huge difference if you run into an unexpected service issue. Tools aren't just handy; they're a necessity for dealing with unexpected issues like a flat tire or a dead battery. Think about including things like a multi-tool, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, and reflective safety gear to keep you visible if you're stranded at night. First Aid A first aid kit is a very useful thing to always have at hand, and it can be easy to forget to prepare one until a need arises. Minor injuries or health issues can sometimes happen without warning. Your kit should have basics like bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any personal medications that might be necessary in a pinch. A well-prepared first aid kit can help keep you and your passengers safe until you can get more assistance if needed. Food Lastly, keeping some non-perishable snacks and water in your car is a smart move, especially for longer trips or if you get stuck somewhere unexpectedly. Energy bars, nuts, and dried fruits are great because they don't take up much space, and they can give you a much-needed energy boost when you’re tired. And don't forget about water—it's essential for staying hydrated, especially in hot weather or if you're waiting for roadside assistance to arrive. Putting together an emergency kit might seem like a bit of a chore, but it's one of those things you'll be glad to have if you ever need it. Visit us in Orangeburg today for a service appointment to help reduce the chances of unexpected car trouble.