COLUMBIA — Columbia's fourth annual Upstairs Downtown Tour brought crowds into six hidden spaces above street level, showcasing the creative energy that exists in the upper stories of downtown buildings—spaces most people never see.
The tour included Studio Elevé and several other artistic and commercial spaces typically closed to the public eye. These kinds of events serve an important purpose in a downtown context: they remind residents and visitors that a historic square is more than what you see at ground level. Above the storefronts and offices are artist studios, creative workshops, and spaces waiting to be discovered and appreciated.
Upstairs Downtown Tours are increasingly popular in communities trying to revitalize their downtown cores. They drive foot traffic, introduce people to local artists and craftspeople, and make the case for occupying and investing in older buildings. In Columbia, where the 1904 courthouse square anchors the city's identity, drawing people upstairs means drawing them deeper into the community's history and character.
The fact that the event has run successfully for four years speaks to sustained interest and the work of volunteers and business owners who open their doors. Each year builds momentum—more artists participate, more people attend, and downtown gains visibility and vitality. That kind of grassroots energy is what sustainable downtown revitalization looks like.