Steamed lavender, espresso flowed and caffeine enthusiasts gathered alongside artisans on Sept. 27 for the capital city’s first Cafe Festival, celebrating South Carolina’s expanding specialty beverage community.
The gathering marks the first event of its kind in the city of Columbia, bringing dozens of small businesses together under one roof to spotlight an industry undergoing significant growth. For business owners and attendees, the festival offered an opportunity to unite what has historically been a fragmented network of neighborhood shops.
For co-founder Dania S. , a 2019 University of South Carolina graduate, the idea stemmed from noticing Columbia’s evolving specialty scene after moving back to the city post-COVID-19. Working alongside a business partner and student volunteers from Inspire Columbia, she spent nine months bringing the concept to life…