Junk Removal in Columbia, SC

COLUMBIA — Though Columbia doesn’t boast any of the four South Carolina restaurants to walk away with a star in the Michelin Guide’s inaugural expansion to the Southern region of the United States, two restaurants were named to the prestigious guide’s list of recommended restaurants.

Motor Supply Co. Bistro and Di Vino Rosso represented Columbia on the list that honors restaurants that don’t reach the level of a Michelin star or a Bib Gourmand — which awards “friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices" — but is considered good enough to be included in the revered red book.

This year was the first any restaurants in South Carolina were eligible for recognition after the Michelin Guide announced in April that it would expand to cover the American South, encompassing Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Tourism groups from each state paid Michelin to help make the American South guide happen. South Carolina, for its part, is paying the tire company $350,000 annually. Experience Columbia is contributing $42,250; Visit Greenville, $61,000; Visit Myrtle Beach, $58,500; and Visit Hilton Head, $26,250. The state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is paying the remaining $100,000 yearly balance.

Motor Supply owner Eddie Wales said he was thrilled when he heard the Vista restaurant made the list along with 14 other restaurants in South Carolina, and he was especially proud to be one of the first restaurants to receive a recommendation that he said carries “more weight than anything else that I know.”

Since no one in Columbia has received a recommendation from Michelin before now, Wales said he is not sure what impact the recognition will have in the long run. His hope is that it will help boost Motor Supply’s reservations and that the red plaque on the door will help people have confidence in the restaurant’s plates and friendly service.

John Kapp, the general manager at Di Vino Rosso, said he was similarly excited and “fairly shocked” by the recommendation news and hopes being a part of the guide will help the Di Vino Russo stay busy. But as a small restaurant with a small seating area, not too busy.

Both restaurants said they plan to keep doing what they’re doing.

“It seems like what we're doing is working, so we're just going to stay the course and try to keep providing the best service that we can, the best experience for our guests that we can and try to stay as local as possible,” Kapp said.

How the restaurants earned a spot

Wales credits Motor Supply’s quality ingredients, daily rotating menu and welcoming atmosphere in helping the restaurant stand out among restaurants across the South. For 36 years, Motor Supply has served up a new daily menu inspired by American and Southern cuisine in an elevated and welcoming experience

“We're not just going to take orders and put food on the table,” Wales said. “We're going to make you feel at home and (we) can take care of your needs so you can relax and get away from daily life and enjoy a great restaurant meal.”

In a new recommendation webpage for Motor Supply, Michelin suggested dishes like the restaurant’s smoked pork belly and celebrated the “nostalgic flavors” that inspire the chocolate peanut butter bar, “where high-quality ingredients and terrific contrasting textures create a spot-on dessert.”

Di Vino Rosso saw similar praise from Michelin with the company noting savory dishes like meatballs and pappardelle with “rich and flavorful wild boat and Italian sausage Bolognese sauce” as a highlight of the restaurant. Michelin also recommended Di Vino Rosso’s espresso and tiramisu for “a classic finish.”

Like Motor Supply, Di Vino Rosso has a longstanding reputation in Columbia. Over more than 20 years, the restaurant has become a go-to spot for Northern Italian classics and a variety of wine options.

While Kapp doesn’t exactly know what made Di Vino Rosso stand out to Michelin inspectors, he said being an authentic white tablecloth restaurant representing Northern Italy in Columbia is “a pretty big deal.”

To be named to the recommended list, both restaurants were judged over several visits by anonymous Michelin inspectors who use the same historic methodology to judge restaurants considered for a recommendation, Bib Gourmand or star. Evaluations are based on five universal criteria: quality products, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine, and consistency between each visit and throughout the menu.

Being able to meet Michelin’s high criteria, especially over several visits, is part of why Wales is proud of the distinction.

“We proved ourselves to them over the past year, showing up,” Wales said. “We still don't know who they are, have no idea, so that makes me more proud of this inclusion in their guide. And if you look at all the other restaurants and Charleston, Greenville and across the seven states that are included, I'm really happy to be included with them.”

South Carolina earned a total of four stars in the new guide with Greenville’s Scoundrel taking home one star for chef and owner Joe Cash’s French-inspired restaurant. Charleston earned the other three stars with Vern’s taking a star for its excellent food and wine program, Wild Common winning for its multi-course tasting menu and Malagón earning a star for its Spanish-inspired cuisine.

Charleston was honored with three more awards during a Nov. 3 ceremony at the Peace Center in Greenville. Leon’s Oyster Shop, Lewis Barbecue and Rodney Scott’s BBQ all earned Michelin’s Bib Gourmand recognition.

COLUMBIA — On Craig Melvin’s most recent visit, he walked down the stairs of his preschool and into the very room where he remembers learning how to read. The memories rushed in and he began to weep. He said it was the highlight of his trip.

The Columbia native and “TODAY” show co-anchor returned to his roots to film a hometown tour segment, set to air on Nov. 6. He stopped by Lizard’s Thicket, bought some new art pieces from Ernest “The Chicken Man” Lee and paid a visit to his old barbershop, reminiscing on the people and places he loves most in the Midlands.

“Columbia is just such a warm hug for me every time I go back,” Melvin said.

His return comes nearly a year after he took over for Hoda Kotb on the “TODAY” show. Taking a seat in the co-anchor’s chair has meant taking on a whole new realm of responsibility, and 2025 has been a year of adjusting to the new pace of life that comes with that responsibility, he said.

He’s everywhere all the time, sometimes traveling to three cities in a week. He’s attending fundraisers, hosting town halls and going to luncheons. He’s promoting “TODAY,” interacting with fans every chance he gets. And he’s still doing the whole reporter thing in the midst of it all.

“You don't just host the show, you're not just one of the pieces of the show,” he said. “You're kind of the mayor of this small town, and the name of the town is ‘TODAY.’ ”

But he’s not doing it alone. Having co-anchor Savannah Guthrie by his side has helped him fully embrace the role. He appreciates Guthrie as a colleague, and he thoroughly enjoys her as a human being, he said. It’s not lost on him that that’s a rarity in a field where you don’t always have a say in who sits next to you behind the desk.

Guthrie said Melvin was “talented, wonderful, hard-working, most worthy" during the Nov. 14 on-air announcement of his taking over for Kotb.

When the cameras aren’t rolling, Melvin’s learned to lean on his family for a sense of normality. Taking his son to basketball practice and picking his daughter up from dance have become some of the finer things in life. He has two healthy kids, a wife that loves him — on most days, he joked — and a rewarding career that has helped keep him grounded throughout this year’s changes.

Anchoring his career are values he learned to appreciate here in Columbia. His local news experience at WIS News 10 showed him the importance of localizing national issues and talking to the people impacted by those issues. It also earned him a few Best of Columbia wins.

It is here that he learned what it means to be a journalist. It is here that he spent nearly 36 hours on the streets, sleeping in Finlay Park, for a story highlighting people experiencing homelessness.

“That's really, at the end of the day, what journalists are called to do. You give voice to the voiceless,” he said. “You focus on the people who are marginalized, and I learned that in Columbia.”

On his most recent trip, he found himself back at the new and improved Finlay Park, looking at the back of the post office on Assembly Street through an opening in the trees. The same post office his mail clerk father worked at and would take him to on special occasions.

The park looks different, the post office looks different and the city itself looks different. But for Melvin, it's still the same “warm hug” every time he comes back. Columbia is growing up without losing its identity, and that’s what will continue to make it a special place to come back to, he said.

“I love it more now that I have moved away,” he said. “I’ve traveled the world, I've seen a lot, but man, Columbia’s it.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A thin mist clings to the early morning air, softening the edges of streetlights across Columbia. The stillness won’t last long — clouds are thickening from the west, setting the stage for a brief round of evening rain and a few rumbles of thunder before skies clear and the Palmetto State slides into a stretch of sun-filled, comfortable days.

According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, temperatures will climb near 66°F today before a weak disturbance crosses the state late tonight. Expect a 40% chance of rain, mainly between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., with light rainfall totals around a quarter inch possible. Winds stay light and variable, keeping travel impacts along I-20 and I-26 minimal.

By Monday morning, clouds will thin rapidly as dry air moves in. Sunshine takes control through much of the week, bringing highs in the upper 60s to low 70s and cool, comfortable mornings in the mid-40s. The air will feel crisp and calm — perfect for leaf cleanup, fall decorating, or early holiday travel planning.

Looking ahead, temperatures continue to edge upward by Thursday and Friday, possibly reaching the mid-70s, well above early-November averages. No major cold snaps or frost threats are on the horizon, and models suggest the region may stay warmer than normal heading toward Veterans Day and Thanksgiving travel prep.

Still, with La Niña conditions persisting, forecasters caution that quick swings remain possible later in the month — especially as colder air deepens north of the Carolinas. For now, Columbia can count on a calm, bright start to November after one brief, rainy pause.

Five-Day Outlook for Columbia, SC:Sun: 66/48 – Clouds increasing; evening rain chance.Mon: 66/45 – Mostly sunny; cool morning.Tue: 69/43 – Sunny and dry.Wed: 72/48 – Bright; light breeze.Thu: 73/46 – Sunny; mild and pleasant.

COLUMBIA — One of the world’s most popular travel guides is making Columbia his next destination.

Rick Steves is partnering with the SC Philharmonic to take audiences on a trip to Europe without ever leaving their seats. The travel writer and host of “Rick Steves’ Europe” has curated a show exploring the sights and sounds of seven European countries including Germany, Italy and France.

The orchestra will perform works from each country as footage of Steves’ travels to the region light up the big screen. He will provide historical and cultural context before each piece, giving people something to think about during the immersive experience.

“Hopefully it’ll feel like you had a bit of vacation by the end of it,” said Chad Henderson, the orchestra’s marketing director.

Steves will stick around after the show for autographs, pictures and an occasional bit of travel advice. Folks looking for more extensive advice can get access to his pre-show travel lecture by donating to the orchestra.

The Columbia show is part of a stint of performances Steves is doing with orchestras across the country to bring the sights and sounds of Europe to the states. While he’s well known as a travel guru, he also knows a thing or two about music.

Steves was once a piano teacher, and his father was a musician who sold and tuned pianos. Now, as a self-proclaimed travel teacher, he carries those musical ties with him. He works hard to connect his travel students with European musical experiences to foster cultural appreciation and understanding.

Steves said the show is a mix of his favorite things: music, travel and history. He hopes the combination helps audiences appreciate how Europe’s past has shaped our world today.

“Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey” comes to the Koger Center on Nov. 10. For tickets and details, visit scphilharmonic.com.

Columbia’s arts, food and cultural scenes have always thrived — and that’s thanks to the locals who dedicate their lives to make creativity integral to the fabric of the capital city.

And they always know the best spots in town.

Every so often, Locals Lately — which is inspired by our sister publication Charleston Scene’s column of the same name — will spend some time with a creative leader. They’ll tell us what they’ve been up to lately — recent events they've loved, movies they've adored, meals they've devoured, concerts they've jammed out at and more entertainment-related fun they've had.

This week, we hear from Cat Galán, a songwriter and musician. Known for Boomtown Trio, Stankface and solo work, Galán’s smooth, neo-soul roots make her music a must listen.

What’s your favorite local concert or show you’ve attended? I recently saw Mids and Homemade Haircuts perform at Transmission Arcade. It was an awesome show at a great venue!

Where have you had the best meal or cocktail, and what was it? My family always loves to have a celebratory dinner at Terra or Bourbon — both spots have amazing takes on Mac ’n Cheese.

What’s the best festival you’ve attended? Honestly, it’s not exactly a festival, but the Soda City Market never disappoints!

What’s the best movie you’ve seen lately? I’m actually terrible at picking favorites, but two I recently rewatched and LOVE are “Parasite” and “The Princess Bride.”

What album or albums have you been into lately? My recently played is very all over the place. Honorable mentions from the last week include but are far from limited to “Mood Valiant” by Hiatus Kaiyote; “Eternal Sunshine” by Ariana Grande; “The Dude” by Quincy Jones; and Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony. I also recently found a cool record at Papa Jazz — Oscar Peterson Trio covering music from “West Side Story.” Fantastic.