Where is The Columbia Star? Our office is located at 723 Queen Street, just up the hill from Five Points. Our newspaper is free on over 260 stands throughout Richland and Lexington Counties and is mailed to over 600 subscribers weekly.

Downtown Columbia – 53 stands Shandon/Rosewood/Heathwood – 46 stands Forest Acres/Forest Lake/Forest Hills – 46 stands Northeast Columbia – 27 stands St. Andrews/North Columbia – 26 stands East Columbia/Lower Richland – 30 stands Cayce/West Columbia – 37 stands

Our website is free to all visitors – www.thecolumbiastar.com

What is in The Columbia Star? The Columbia Star’s main purpose is to provide positive, accurate, informative coverage of the people and events in Columbia and the surrounding area. Our weekly paper includes the following:

• Features on interesting, outstanding, and sometimes outrageous local people and events

• Regular, outstanding coverage of local government including Columbia City Council, Richland County Council, Forest Acres City Council, West Columbia City Council, and Cayce City Council

• News of neighborhood meetings and events

• Year–round high school sports coverage with numerous excellent photos

• The best and most comprehensive business section anywhere around

• Series on local history unsurpassed in local media

• Travel page

• Monthly pet page

• Home and garden page

• Local arts events

• Lovely, large wedding and engagement pictures and announcements

Who reads The Columbia Star and why? Young Professionals – This early 20s to mid-30s group of readers is interested in much more than just entertainment. Never underestimate their interest in others and in our city. Ages 30 – 55 – Readers in this age group are established in their careers, own their own homes, and have school–age children. Ages 55 and above – These educated, active, home–owning readers want to know everything. They tend to have disposable income and often spend it on their children, their grandchildren, and for their own comfort.

Readers in each of these groups are interested in:

• How local governments spend their tax dollars and regulate their lives

• Which local businesses are succeeding or struggling

• The behind–the–scenes stories of local businesses and business people

• Knowing what are safe and sound investments for their dollars

• Knowing what is going on in their neighborhoods

• Seeing how their favorite high school sports teams are performing

• Seeing their children’s and grandchildren’s academic and sports achievements in print

• Knowing more about local history

• Reading about travels they may make themselves one day

• Tips for improving their gardens or new recipes to try

• Learning how to better care for their pets

• Reading about their family and friends who have done something noteworthy