This past week, I visited the Boyd Plaza outside of the Columbia Art Museum which had been transformed into the Main Street Marketplace. On hand were vendors selling arts, crafts, jewelry and other gift items, along with food vendors as a local musician played, lending a festive atmosphere.

I was especially impressed by some of the jewelry makers that were there. Becky Blair’s work at the Inspiraled booth featured lovely pendants and earrings artfully wrapped in wire, and unique collages that combine her skilled photographs and eye for lovely textiles. Jennifer Grime’s glasswork was equally stunning.

At the marketplace, you can enter to win door prizes donated by the Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel in downtown Columbia. The marketplace offers a chance to win a buffet lunch for two at the hotel or a weekend stay. The Sheraton is a lovely hotel, situated in an historic downtown bank building. Renovations have updated the hotel while preserving its historic character: the original hardwood floors have been preserved and the bank’s vault left intact and converted into the entrance to one of the hotels swanky bars, the Vault Martini Bar. Incidentally, the hotel’s Rooftop Lounge is one of the most romantic spots in Columbia. My husband and I toasted our anniversary there this year.

After you finish your shopping, you can pick up lunch either at one of the marketplace food vendors or at one of the many restaurants along Main Street. The White Mule is a hot music venue by night, but it also offers a great lunch. Their salads are particularly tasty. I also like Gotham Bagel Café, which has the best not-to-bready, perfectly chewy bagels that I’ve found since moving away from New York 10 years ago.

The Main Street Marketplace will return to the corner of Main and Hampton every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until the end of October.