@christrainorsc.bsky.social
Retail reporter at The State, contributing columnist at the Index-Journal. Charley's dad. Mack's Cash Grocery evangelist.
Head's up for orange chicken, Lexington.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
This high-traffic Lexington road has a new Chinese restaurant. Check out where
The new Lexington eatery offers a host of Asian flavors and is located in a busy area with a number of businesses.
www.thestate.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Head's up for orange chicken, Lexington.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
Reposted
The shop, which was first in Lexington and then moved to West Columbia, has offered sweet treats and more.
A West Columbia spot known for ice cream, tacos is set to close. What we know
The shop, which was first in Lexington and then moved to West Columbia, has offered sweet treats and more.
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The shop, which was first in Lexington and then moved to West Columbia, has offered sweet treats and more.
Food truck to brick-and-mortar incoming in NE Cola.
This bustling Columbia road is getting a new Filipino restaurant. Here’s where
The planned Columbia restaurant will be a brick-and-mortar offering from a popular local food truck.
www.thestate.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Food truck to brick-and-mortar incoming in NE Cola.
I wrote a column about lost seasons, dashed expectations and the ways a rivalry game can absolve at least a few sins. Also, this is the only Carolina-Clemson piece you will read this week that references German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in the lead.
As Clemson game nears, bragging rights still on the line for Gamecocks faithful
A win over the Tigers wouldn’t erase all the season’s problems, but The State’s Chris Trainor says it would still lift USC fans’ hearts.
www.thestate.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I wrote a column about lost seasons, dashed expectations and the ways a rivalry game can absolve at least a few sins. Also, this is the only Carolina-Clemson piece you will read this week that references German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in the lead.
Save the date and save me some waffle fries.
A new Chick-fil-A will open on a busy Columbia road. Here’s when it debuts
The popular sandwich chain is set to open a new Columbia location that will replace an older facility.
www.thestate.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Save the date and save me some waffle fries.
Sandhill/NE Cola alert.
A well-known Columbia shopping center has a new pizza place. Check out where
The northeast Columbia space used to be home to a Blaze Pizza. Now a new eatery has opened its doors there.
www.thestate.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Sandhill/NE Cola alert.
Extra cheese please, Lexington.
This busy Lexington road is getting a new national pizza restaurant location
The pizza shop will be coming to a Lexington area near a major interstate that has continued to see growth.
www.thestate.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Extra cheese please, Lexington.
That loaded omelet biscuit, though.
This well-known restaurant for burgers and more has opened in Lexington County
The company, which is also famous for biscuits and breakfast, recently debuted in an area in southern Lexington County.
www.thestate.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:57 PM
That loaded omelet biscuit, though.
Steakhouse plans are afoot in Red Bank.
A national steakhouse is planning a location in this busy Lexington County area
The eatery would go into a burgeoning Lexington County development that already features restaurants, a new grocery store and more.
www.thestate.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Steakhouse plans are afoot in Red Bank.
Reposted
The spot for sweet treats announced in October that it would close its doors. Now it is set to see new life.
A doughnut shop near Columbia plans to reopen after a brief closure. Here’s when
The spot for sweet treats announced in October that it would close its doors. Now it is set to see new life.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The spot for sweet treats announced in October that it would close its doors. Now it is set to see new life.
Reposted
The Midlands restaurant attached to a gas station has been a fixture of the local food scene for more than 16 years.
A longtime Columbia-area cafe and grill plans to close its doors. Here’s when
The Midlands restaurant attached to a gas station has been a fixture of the local food scene for more than 16 years.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The Midlands restaurant attached to a gas station has been a fixture of the local food scene for more than 16 years.
Columbiana chugs along.
This national retailer is prepping a new store in the Columbiana Centre mall
The store carries a host of well-known brands and will be a part of the mall that has remained popular in the Harbison shopping area.
www.thestate.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Columbiana chugs along.
A mini-burst of Cuban restaurants is afoot in the Midlands.
A new spot for Cuban food has opened on a busy road near Columbia. Here’s where
The recently opened Midlands eatery has sandwiches, churrasco, sweet plantains and other Latin favorites,
www.thestate.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM
A mini-burst of Cuban restaurants is afoot in the Midlands.
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."
A growing Lexington area is getting a new location of this national store
Construction is underway for the business along a key corridor in Lexington near neighborhoods, schools and more.
www.thestate.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:54 PM
"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."
It's Day Two of @thestate.com's 2025 Fried Chicken Poll. Drake's Duck-In and Bernie's have shot to the top and are doing battle. Still plenty of time for any of the other 11 places to get in the mix here. Vote 'em up!
Which Columbia-area restaurant has the best fried chicken? Vote in our poll
There are a host of beloved spots for fried chicken in the Midlands. Vote for your favorite spot in The State’s poll.
www.thestate.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
It's Day Two of @thestate.com's 2025 Fried Chicken Poll. Drake's Duck-In and Bernie's have shot to the top and are doing battle. Still plenty of time for any of the other 11 places to get in the mix here. Vote 'em up!
Reposted
The guide released its inaugural list of selections in the American South, and two Midlands places were mentioned.
Two restaurants in Columbia’s Vista recommended in prestigious Michelin Guide
The guide released its inaugural list of selections in the American South, and two Midlands places were mentioned.
bit.ly
November 4, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The guide released its inaugural list of selections in the American South, and two Midlands places were mentioned.
Two restaurants in Columbia's Vista recommended in prestigious Michelin Guide.
Two restaurants in Columbia’s Vista recommended in prestigious Michelin Guide
The guide released its inaugural list of selections in the American South, and two Midlands places were mentioned.
www.thestate.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Two restaurants in Columbia's Vista recommended in prestigious Michelin Guide.
A new spot in one of the busiest traffic/commercial area in Lexington. I had the Tropic Lime Twist there over the weekend and it was quite tasty.
This popular Lexington shopping center just got a new spot for smoothies & more
The new Lexington shop at one of the town’s busiest commercial junctions has smoothies, acai bowls, quesadillas, and more on the menu.
www.thestate.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A new spot in one of the busiest traffic/commercial area in Lexington. I had the Tropic Lime Twist there over the weekend and it was quite tasty.
Cafe Strudel has new owners. West Columbia location remains open. Lexington location will be redeveloped as a different restaurant.
Popular Midlands eatery Cafe Strudel has new owners; Lexington location closed
The West Columbia location of the well-known cafe remains open, while the Lexington spot will be reimagined with a new concept.
www.thestate.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Cafe Strudel has new owners. West Columbia location remains open. Lexington location will be redeveloped as a different restaurant.
Well, that didn't take long.
A bustling shopping area near Columbia is getting a new restaurant. What we know
The new eatery is going in a Midlands spot that until recently was home to a TakoSushi location.
www.thestate.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Well, that didn't take long.
Hey Red Bank, ready to drink some beer while you shop for groceries? The date is set.
A new grocery store sets an opening date in this booming Lexington County area
The grocery store will be an anchor of a major retail development along a bustling Lexington County corridor.
www.thestate.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Hey Red Bank, ready to drink some beer while you shop for groceries? The date is set.
An exit from the Columbia retail scene.
A Columbia store for outdoor apparel is set to close its doors. What we know
The move in Columbia comes as the national company reportedly prepares to shutter a host of stores across the U.S.
www.thestate.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:50 PM
An exit from the Columbia retail scene.
Burlington is really beefing up that Midlands profile.
Columbia’s busiest shopping district is getting this new major national retailer
The store is planned in a Midlands shopping center that already has a host of well-known businesses.
www.thestate.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Burlington is really beefing up that Midlands profile.
An exit from the Forest Drive culinary roster.
One of TakoSushi’s Columbia-area restaurant locations has closed. Here’s where
The restaurant known for Latin and Asian cuisine has locations across the region. Now one of the Midlands outposts is shuttered.
www.thestate.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
An exit from the Forest Drive culinary roster.