Election Night./'Hidden Columbia' is a hit!

So Obama is the new president. I didn't get to enjoy the party because I was covering the Republican watch party at the downtown Hilton. No food, no drink, no enthusiasm. It felt like the break room at a funeral home, where people aren't outwardly sad, but there isn't exactly a giggy feeling either. Lindsey Graham didn't show, he was in Phoenix with McCain. Joe Wilson did show, put that was it. Governor Sanford, as always, was blunt. He said it was dismal, but that the 'carnage' vindicated his message for the last 6 years of fiscal conservatism. I asked him if he felt so vindicated, would we reverse course and stay in politics after his term is up. He said he didn't know what he was doing tomorrow, much less in two years....but he didn't say 'no'. We'll see. Otherwise, my vantage point last night was very narrow. We didn't even go live because we only have one live truck and that went to the democratic watch party, understandably enough. So enough of politics...


My Hidden Columbia series got underway Monday. The first one was on the 36-year defunt Underground Columbia--an old restaurant and bar mall under the ground on Main Street. I love this stuff, exploring parts of a city that locals don't even know about, or have forgotten about. This place is under the equitable building, just below the arcade pedestrian mall (itself a beautiful rendition of 19th century Italian Renaissance architecture). It was opened in 1972 by 3 local businessmen (Joe Gentry was one, he now runs a contracting business in Columbia) who rented the space from the owner of the building, Ned Barnes (he's in Charlotte, but his nephew gave me an interview and great insight). It's first year was very successful, at least in terms of buzz and attendance, but year two was a disaster. I would love to have seen pictures from when it was running well, and pictures from when it was taken over by prostitutes and tattoo parlors. From what I was told, Joe Gentry has pictures, but he didn't return my phone calls. Disappointing, but the story was still fun and from reaction, successful...you can check it out at www.abccolumbia.com, then find 'Hidden Columbia'. Ned Barnes, the nephew, not the owner, said they had gotten a few offers to renovate the underground, but none that they entertained as serious. I think the equitable arcade above it would be an awesome hotel (a la the renovation of the old Citadel in Charleston into the Embassy Suites.) If you haven't seen the Equitable Arcade, check it out, it's beautiful. Unfortunately, you can't get access to the Underground---unless of course, you watch my story.