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Gem’s Gelato to Open Thursday at Mama Mila’s After Freezer Setback Nearly Derails Launch

Issue #517

August 05, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Weather - Sunshine & clouds mixed w/ High of 85, low of 67.

📰 Gem’s Gelato to Open Thursday at Mama Mila’s After Freezer Setback Nearly Derails Launch

📰 Nashville Zoo Announces Birth of Clouded Leopard Cub

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Gem’s Gelato to Open Thursday at Mama Mila’s After Freezer Setback Nearly Derails Launch

In a story that’s captured hearts across Columbia, the family behind Mama Mila’s Italian restaurant has had an emotional week filled with highs, lows, and an outpouring of community support — all centered around a much-anticipated new venture: Gem’s Gelato, opening this Thursday, August 7, at 4 p.m.

Gemma and Gia, the next generation of the Mama Mila’s family, have been hard at work preparing to launch their very own gelato spot inside the South Garden Street restaurant. Followers of Mama Mila’s popular Instagram account have watched the journey unfold — from early excitement to heartbreaking delay, and now, a joyful new opening date.

The family first announced a soft opening for July 31 with a hopeful message:

“Gem’s Gelato is softly opening at 4 pm and we are beyond excited to welcome you. Please know that while we are SO excited to serve you, we (including my incredible girls) are doing this for the FIRST time. Please have grace with us as we figure out how to be 'Gelato Gals'.”

But on the morning of the scheduled debut, disaster struck.

“We are devastated to announce that Gem’s Gelato will not be opening today (July 31st). This morning a horrible freak accident occurred and we lost not just our freezer but half of the gelato we were set to serve this weekend,” the family posted. “We have to reorder both the equipment and have our supplier make more gelato.”

The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from the community, with hundreds of comments flooding in to encourage the family and lift their spirits.

In a testament to community, kindness and resilience, the story took a hopeful turn just a few days later.

“Thank you SO much for all of the prayers, offers to help & just for being the most uplifting & amazing community.

Thanks to the INCREDIBLE Corey Smith of Smith Air in Columbia, we have a WORKING gelato freezer. It was seriously a miracle and we could not be more grateful for the time he took to get us back up and running after THREE techs told us it was impossible.

In the craziness of the weekend, we were surprised to find out that Josh with @legacycoffeeco organized a fundraiser with his coffee shop to raise funds for the girls to either replace or fix the freezer. To everyone who supported us through him & Legacy, THANK YOU!

It’s times like these where we are reminded just how blessed we are to live in Columbia. Please support Smith Air & Legacy Coffee because they are truly amazing people and we are so grateful to how they stepped up to help us.

The plan now is to open Gem’s Gelato, this Thursday, August 7th, at 4 pm. Lord willing, we will finally open our doors to you!”

This uplifting story of perseverance, family, and local love comes on the heels of another win for Mama Mila’s — being named Best Italian Restaurant and Best Family Friendly Dining in the 2025 Main Street Awards for Maury County.

The family’s story is a reminder that even when plans fall apart, community can help put them back together. And if the gelato is anything like the pasta — it’s sure to be worth the wait.

Come out this Thursday to support Gemma and Gia’s dream, enjoy some delicious gelato, and experience firsthand what makes Columbia such a special place.

Nashville Zoo Announces Birth of Clouded Leopard Cub

From the Nashville Zoo’s post on Monday…

We’re excited to share that a female clouded leopard cub was born on July 18! She is the 45th cub born at Nashville Zoo since 1991 and is currently the size of a teddy bear, weighing about a pound. ⁠

Since the clouded leopard population is in steep decline, her survival is critical. Following the AZA Species Survival Plan’s recommendation, we’ve elected to hand-rear her. Watch her grow up through the windows of our HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center!⁠

⁠We’ve also recently welcomed a 10-week-old brother-sister pair from Tanganyika Wildlife Park per the AZA's SSP recommendation. Once the cub is of age, she will be introduced to the brother-sister pair, helping them socialize! ⁠

Every cub counts when it comes to saving this vulnerable species.

In other zoo related news…

Spend the Night at the Zoo at the Fall Zzzoofari Slumber!

Join us for a unique overnight camping experience as you sleep under the stars just a short distance away from the snoozing animals.

Recommended for families with kids ages 4-12 years old, Zzzoofari Slumber features a variety of activities during the evening and breakfast the next morning. Campers also receive free entry to the Zoo on Sunday.

Upcoming Local Events

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

Tuesday, August 5th

Wednesday, August 6th

Thursday, August 7th

Friday, August 8th

Saturday, August 9th

Sunday, August 10th

MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Aug 14 - 23: Tennessee State Fair (Lebanon)
Aug 22: Tennessee Titans First Pre-Season Home Game
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, August 5th

Songwriters Open Mic, Whiskey Alley, 4:00 - 10:00 PM
Justen Harden, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Wednesday, August 6th

Austin Byrd, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
ACA / DACA & Wentzel Brothers, Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:30 PM

Thursday, August 7th

Robb Harris, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Neal Pennington, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
TBA, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Friday, August 8th

Shannon McCue, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Rob Harris, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Hannah Hokit, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Karli & James, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
TBA, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Escape, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, August 9th

Nick Bentley, Keg Springs, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Box of Rox, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Trevor Clark, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Brooks Huntley, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
NKahootz, Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Benji & The Jets, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, August 10th 

The Jim Fox Trio, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
CJ Conklin, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk