I’ve been filling up this corner of MOVE for 14 (!!?!) weeks now with my ramblings on CoMo and copious em dashes. I’ve had the chance to check out some really great places downtown: [The Peace Nook](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2014/1/28/downtown-declassified-peace-out-tigers/), [Kampai](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2014/2/4/downtown-declassified-oh-hi-kampai/), [Muse](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2014/3/4/downtown-declassified-finding-fashion-muse/), [California](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2014/4/1/downtown-declassified-columbia-california/)… I’ve played [ghost hunter](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2014/2/25/downtown-declassified-paranormal-activity/), [weather girl](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2014/3/18/downtown-declassified-weather-you-it-or-not/) and even [coffee critic](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2014/3/12/downtown-declassified-inevitable-coffee-column/).
It’s been a blast.
But, ladies and gents, it’s come to an end. So, for my last column, here are my Top Three Things You Should Totally Go Do In Columbia, Especially Now That It’s Not Freezing Anymore:
1. **Support a local business.**
Whether it’s a boutique owned by a Columbia native, a restaurant featuring a menu made from locally sourced ingredients, a coffee shop featuring blends you can’t find anywhere else or a store selling wares made by local artisans, seek out CoMo-based businesses.
For instance: Shopping for a friend back home? Why get her an MU keychain she’ll never use? Go to Artlandish and get her something made by an artist from right here in town. Need caffeine, _stat_? Skip the chain with the weird mermaid in its logo and go somewhere hidden, like Fretboard, Shortwave or Lakota. Eat something you can’t find back home, whether it’s Shakespeare’s, Booches, Flat Branch, Main Squeeze or Cafe Berlin. It’s a great way to support local entrepreneurs and find cool things you can only get here in Columbia.
2. **Get lost.**
Those of you who know me know that I’m _really_ good at this one. It’s one of my talents.
Go somewhere without a plan. Wander around and take it all in. Pick a time when you don’t have anywhere to be, and just walk around downtown for a little while. Walk all the way up to the North Village Arts District. End up somewhere on the west side of town. The best way to get to know the city is to explore your surroundings. Take the roads less traveled by. It’ll make all the difference.
3. **Make a friend (or five).**
Okay, so I know you’re not supposed to talk to strangers. But I’m a journalism major, which more or less means I intend to make a living off doing just that. And the more I report, the more comfortable I’ve become striking up conversations with people I’ve never met, whether it’s because I’m trying to build a good rapport with a source, or I’m bantering with the guy behind the counter about baseball.
Don’t be afraid to chat with the barista, or take a minute to talk to the guy busking outside, or the Q Queens at True/False. Midwesterners, so I’ve learned, are nice. Columbia is filled with some of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet. So don’t be afraid to become a “regular” somewhere. Get to know the people who live and work here. Let them get to know you.
Now, this isn’t exactly a proper “goodbye;” I’ll still be here at MOVE. In fact, I’ll be following in the footsteps of our current redheaditor Heather Finn, helming this crazy awesome publication next year. So you’ll probably run into me at a coffee shop somewhere next year, and I’ll probably (definitely) be ingesting an inappropriate amount of the stuff while trying not to kill my laptop (again) and doing my best to make MOVE the best it can be.
Stay quirky, my friends. See you in the fall.
