Best Social Outing: Soda City Market

SODA CITY MARKET is Columbia’s combination of culture and community, and it is part of most people’s weekend routines.

Every Saturday morning, people from all over the Southeast gather on Main Street to shop local vendors, gather fresh produce and enjoy the feeling of a screen-free social outing. Soda City Market was founded in 2005 as a small farmers’ market and was moved to Main Street in 2012, where it has continued to grow year after year.

Olivia Pope, business and finance manager for Soda City Market, started as a vendor herself and fell in love with its
surrounding community.

“It was filling a void for what Columbia needed at the time,” Pope said. “Now, in 2025, it fills that void, but it does so much more now than we could have predicted when it comes to being a Columbia staple.”

Soda City Market prides itself on its producer-only vendors. Produce and flowers must be grown in the Southeast, giving visitors an authentic experience where they can ensure the products they buy are sustainable and grown locally. It’s easy to get inspired walking down the street and observing the unique creativity of each of the vendors. The market goes beyond local craftsmanship. Market lovers can enjoy live music on every block, discover new artists and immerse themselves in new foods from the melting pot of vendors that line the blocks.

“It encapsulates what is possible for you as a person and the spirit of entrepreneurship. It’s also a vision of hope for the future and achieving your dreams. It does that for USC students and beyond,” Pope said.

With 200 vendors every weekend, Soda City Market guarantees something for everyone, in addition to bringing together the community.

“I think now, more so than ever, community and gathering spaces are so important. Younger generations are looking for slow, screenless activities,” Pope said.

This off-campus social outing is just a short walk from the university, making it perfect for students to immerse themselves in something unique every Saturday morning.