The City of West Columbia illuminated its Christmas tree last Friday and City Hall is adorned with lights. And from Triangle City to the WECO River District, West Columbia’s retail businesses are booming in the holiday season.

Also, from noon until 4 p.m. on Parade Day (Saturday, Dec. 9) the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce will conduct a shuttle that will take shoppers to many West Columbia shopping spots. The shuttle will leave from the C-WC Chamber office at 1006 12th St.

“Parade Day is a great day to Love Local. Hop on and hop off the shuttle to dine, shop and support our local businesses,” said Tim James C-WC President and CEO.

There will also be a North Pole station set up at the Chamber office with live music, children’s fun and more activities. The Cayce-West Columbia Parade of Lights begins at 5:30 p.m., Saturday with more than 100 entries. The event attracted 21,000 last year. 

Parade day comes as West Columbia businesses are experiencing robust sales. 

“Business has been fantastic. It’s the best ever,” said Paul Tyler, who is behind the counter at Old Mill Antique Mall at 310 State St., with Drew Christianson. 

Old Mill Antique Mall hosts several vendors and the inventory is vast. 
“We’re selling lots of vintage Christmas dinnerware, red and green plates, and stemware,” said Tyler. “Vinyl Christmas records are selling well, too. 

Colored glass is selling and we’re selling ceramic Christmas trees. The increase in traffic started in November and the weather has been great, and it’s getting busier as we get closer to Christmas. ” 
Triangle City merchants are seeing an uptick in traffic, too. 

“Our November was better than October,” said Peggy Ledford, owner of Creative Sewing Machine Center at 519 12th St. She also said a sewing machine or an embroidery machine are popular and unique Christmas gifts. 

“A sewing machine is a gift that enables creativity and giving someone a personalized embroidered gift is so inspirational. You can monogram pillows, blankets and pocketbooks, ” said Ledford. “And it’s never too early to start. Getting a child involved in sewing.  It’s something they can do their whole life. It’s a skill that stays with you forever.”    

Getting back to The WECO River District, Jay White, owner of The Warehouse, an antique store at 302 State St., said this Christmas shopping season has been his best in the seven years he has been open. 

“We’re selling lots of vintage Christmas items,” White said. “It’s decorations like you’d see at your grandmother’s house when you were a child.” The Warehouse has a rare vintage silver christmas tree with a color wheel and lots of antique plastic yard ornaments including Santa, candlesticks, and the Three Wise Men. 

In addition to all the molded pieces, White makes a limited number of live green wreaths.  

Another stop for an out-of-the-ordinary present is  Scratch N’ Spin. It’s the record shop in Triangle City at 513 12th St. You can get a turntable to play vinyl records at Scratch N’ Spin, and you can buy the vinyl record albums. 

“We’re selling the turntables to people in their late 40s or 50s who grew up listening to vinyl record albums, and half of them are being bought by college-age buyers,” said Eric Woodard, owner of Scratch N’ Spin. The record store stocks vintage albums, including Motley Crue and Prince to Soundgarden and Tina Turner. There’s even a Taylor Swift record for sale and a new Beatles release derived from an unfinished song  from before the Fab Four broke up. 

Scratch N’ Spin also sells movies, TV series on disc, action figures and more. Woodard said the store can get any item you order, overnight. 

If you’re having a difficult time thinking of a unique Christmas gift, check some of the locally owned West Columbia businesses. One of them will have something you need. 

Patronize West Columbia’s specialty shops, restaurants and antique stores. Some are listed below:

• State Street Trading Co. – 134 State Street – (803) 550-9048
• Zesto – 504 12th St, – (803) 794-4652
• Old Mill Antique Mall – 310 State St. – (803) 796-4229
• Ronnie’s Jewelers – 710 12th St. – (803) 739-1800
• Three Rivers Antiques – 615 Meeting St. – (803) 814-2102
• Dan Rich Furniture –  255 Charleston Hwy. – (803) 794-5750
• 763 Meeting Street Antiques – 763 Meeting St. – (803) 796-1516
• Meeting Street Interiors – 614 Meeting St. – (803) 791-0008
• Attic Fanatic – 251 Charleston Hwy. – (803) 828-4036
• ADD VINTAGE – 1217 Augusta Rd. – (803) 821-8208
• Parks Furniture Antiques Ltd – 3131 Sunset Blvd – (803) 791-4071
• The Elephant Trunk – 2931 Platt Springs Rd – (803) 791-8765
• The Warehouse SC – 312 State St. – (803) 834-7557
• Grecian Gardens Restaurant – 2312 Sunset Blvd – 803-794-7552
• Cafe Strudel – 300 State St. – (803) 794-6634
• Compton’s Kitchen – 1118 B Ave – 803 791-0750
• Buttercream Dreams – 1230 C Ave. – (803) 708-4485
• Hite’s BBQ – 240 Dreher Rd. – (803) 794-4120
• The Original Brunches – 2245 Leaphart Rd – (803) 791-7477
• Jimmy’s Mini Mart/Citgo – 812 Meeting St. – (803) 794-0090
• Breads and Such – 1220 C Ave. – (803) 851-0566
• Maurice’s Piggie Park – 1600 Charleston Highway – 803-796-0220J
• Nick’s House of Pizza Restaurant- 1082 A Sunset Blvd – 803-794-9240
• DeLuccas 1720 Sunset Blvd. – 803- 926-5255
• Ariana’s Greek Restaurant – 1720 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-4430
• Lizard’s Thicket – 2234 Sunset Blvd. 803 – 794-0923
• Always Original Bakery – 501 Meeting St. – (803) 977-0034
• Chick-fil-A -2299 Augusta Rd. – (803) 939-1600
• Rush’s 2332 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-5034
• Love A Cup Bakery –  2213 Augusta Rd. – (803) 828-3773