Columbia, Consulting Firm Advance City Branding Work

Issue #784

July 31, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌦️ Columbia’s Saturday Weather - Light rain, cloudy / partly cloudy w/ high of 88, low of 69

📰 Columbia, Consulting Firm Advance City Branding Work

👉 Tax-Free Shopping This Weekend: Here's What You Need to Know

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia, Consulting Firm Advance City Branding Work

Steve Chandler of Chandlerthinks presenting at last week’s public information meeting.

Columbia's city branding sessions with Franklin-based firm Chandlerthinks launched last week, including the public information meeting readers may remember from our earlier preview. Founder Steve Chandler told attendees that a city's "brand" goes way beyond its logo - it's the sum of its history, neighborhoods, schools, culture, businesses, and reputation, both at home and beyond. He pointed out that even Columbia's current logo, with its mule, President James K. Polk, and the old courthouse, doesn't by itself drive tourism or investment.

This isn't Chandlerthinks' first time working with Columbia - the firm did similar work a decade ago, which led to changes like a new tourism department and the addition of "President" to Polk-related historical markers. City officials say the goal now is to hold onto Columbia's identity through a period of rapid growth and get that identity down on paper so it's clear to everyone. A public survey is coming in the next few weeks so residents can weigh in directly.

Read Main Street Maury’s full report of the meeting here.

Tax-Free Shopping This Weekend: Here's What You Need to Know

Tennessee's annual Sales Tax Holiday continues through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 2. During the three-day event, shoppers can purchase many back-to-school essentials without paying state or local sales tax, saving nearly 10% on qualifying purchases.

The tax holiday covers clothing priced at $100 or less per item, school and art supplies costing $100 or less per item, and computers or tablets for personal use priced at $1,500 or less. The savings apply whether you shop in stores or online, as long as the items qualify.

Some of the most common eligible items include shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, backpacks, binders, notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, crayons, calculators, art supplies, laptops and tablets.

Not everything is included, however. Items such as jewelry, handbags, sports and recreational equipment, printer supplies, separately purchased computer software, household appliances, and any otherwise eligible item priced above the purchase limits will still be taxed.

Tennessee launched its first tax-free weekend in 2006, and it has become a popular tradition for families looking to stretch their back-to-school budgets. With Tennessee's combined state and local sales tax averaging nearly 10%, the savings can add up quickly for families buying clothes, supplies and a new computer before school starts.

If you plan to take advantage of the tax holiday, it's a good idea to make your shopping list ahead of time so you'll know which purchases qualify before heading to the store or checking out online.

Visit the Department of Revenue’s sales tax holiday page, www.tntaxholiday.com,  for more information, including lists of exempt and taxable items. If you have questions, you can also call 615-253-0600 or email [email protected].

👉 Don’t miss the ThritLove Sale! 👈 ThriftLove will be having their anniversary sale on the tax free weekend: July 31-August 1. Come celebrate 5 years serving Columbia and score yourself a deal! (1116 Nashville Hwy)

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Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, July 31st TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Saturday, August 1st TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Sunday, August 2nd TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Monday, August 3rd 

Tuesday, August 4th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, July 31
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Nick Bentley - Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Pepper Brooks - Southern Bayou Kitchen (Spring Hill), 7:00 PM
Herrick Duo - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Saturday, August 1
Brittany McGee - Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
Rett Stocstill & Lacie Lee - Boot Stompin’ BBQ, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Trace Vineyard, 12-6 PM
Phillips Music - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6-8 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Radio Farm - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Vinyl Radio - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Nkahootz - The Boondox, 8 PM
Vintage Voltage - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, August 2
Maddie Rose - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
Greg Minear - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 2-5 PM

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