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Vista and Five Points give students retreat Location & great events make Five Points popular with USC students by Brad Walters Journalism Senior Located just a 10-minute walk from campus, the Five Points area offers Columbia’s widest variety of shops, boutiques, coffee bars, late-night clubs, restau rants and entertainment in one location. Named for the five-pronged intersection of San tee Avenue, Harden Street and Greene Street, Five Points has long been known as the social center of Columbia as well as the quintessential shopping vil lage. The area stays active from early in the morn ing until well into the night, and it’s the place to be on weekends. Five Points has its share of elegant restaurants, but the appeal of Five Points lies in its sidewalk cafes and low-priced eateries. Popular student hangouts such as The Village Id iot and Groucho’s complement such restaurants as the upscale Garibaldi’s and Dianne’s on Devine. Looking for a relatively nice place to take the parents? Check out Harper’s or Yesterday’s. Both restaurants offer an unmatched variety of foods in a pleasant atmosphere. Folks of all ages enjoy stopping by Andy’s Deli and saying hey to Andy, who has served generations of Columbians. Stuffy’s, Sharky’s and Toogies are three of the many places providing relatively inexpensive food that can also be delivered to your residence hall. Aside from its many eateries, Five Points is the retail mecca of downtown Columbia, with numer ous shopping experiences available. If you’re in the mood for a CD, Five Points has you covered. Go to Wherehouse Music at Blos som and Harden streets for one of Columbia’s widest assortments of new music. Papa Jazz music store on Greene Street is the place to go for used CDs, tapes and LPs. They will also buy your used music if you need some extra cash. For the “car-less” folks on campus, Five Points offers the basic essentials for survival, as well. The Food Lion on Harden Street is the closest supermarket to campus, but if you must walk there, remember not to buy more than you can carry home! Also stop by the Carolina Barber Shop on Devine Street for a very reasonably priced haircut. Need to buy a unique gift for a friend or rela tive? Check out Intermezzo on Devine Street, where you can choose among a wide assortment of books and magazines, and even picK up some cigars. Also stop by Invitation Station, where you can choose from a variety of cards and even get work done by a calligrapher. If you need clothes and don’t want to fight the Harbison Boulevard traf fic, Five Points might be a good op tion. Casa de Luna on Saluda Avenue carries a unique array of clothing, jew elry and shoes. Or you might find just what you want at OEO’s, a store which sells both new and vintage clothing. When you’re finished shopping, stop by the fountain at the center of Five Points. The center of a recent beautifi cation project, the tree-lined foun tain area provides a nice, shaded area for resting or just sitting and chatting. Five Points isn’t just about shop ping and dining; it’s also the place to go to hear some of Columbia’s best music The Elbow Room Music Hall plays host to such current bands as Guided By Voices, Half Japanese, Junior Brown, Jump, Little Children; Un cle Mingo; Shades of Grey and Cravin’ Melon. Five Points is also the host to several annual events. The St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Five Points is one of the largest events in the southeast marking the day of Irish heritage. Live entertainment on multiple stages, per forming arts, exotic foods and a parade provide the forum for this annual ritual to celebrate the com ing of spring. Acts like Hootie and the Blowfish and the Suicide Machines performed at this year’s cel ebration. There’s something for everyone in Ftve Points, and it’s a great place for USC students to spend their weekends. Vista challenges student loyalty to Five Points The newly revamped Congaree River Vista is one of the fastest-growing areas in downtown Co lumbia and it’s fast becoming a hot spot for USC stu dents as well. The area, extensively remodeled in the ‘80s, ex tends along Gervais Street from the Congaree Riv er to the intersection with Assembly Street, where Columbia’s tallest skyscraper stands. Coming over the Gervais Street Bridge from West Columbia, one of the most prominent sights is the South Carolina State Museum at Gervais and Huger streets. The museum has been home to a Star Trek ex hibit as well its a dinosaur showcase. Its four floors house numerous other exhibits and an art gallery. Somewhat off the beaten path is the Tmstus The ater, on Lady and Pulaski streets. The theater pro duces some of the most off-the-wall comedy you will ever see, and their midnight shows are a special treat. Every student owes it to himself to take in at least one Trustus show before graduating-but be pre pared to laugh until you cry. If it’s food you crave, the Vista has plenty to of fer-but if you want to eat here, bring a full wallet. Have A Nice Day Cafe serves as an eatery by day and doubles as a ‘70s and ‘80s dance club by night. If you want a juicy steak or ribs, go to Da mon’s or Longhorn Steak House. For some of down town Columbia’s best seafood, try the Blue Marlin. After dinner, take a coffee break at Nonnah’s on Gervais Street. The dimly lit atmosphere is nice when you feel like winding down, and their dessert menu is excellent. At the edge of the Vista closest to campus is the International House of Pancakes, the most popular late-night eatery within walking distance of USC. Open 24 hours, IHOP offers lunch and dinner entrees, but breakfast is their strong suit. It’s actu ally less crowded the earlier you go, so don’t plan a 3 a.m. trip unless you want to wait. The Vista might be most well known for its wide collection of re tail art. The Carol Saunders gallery offers fine jewelry and glass, and decorative housewares. Much of the Vista SEE PAGE 33 Photo By Sean Rayford (Above) Children use the landmark fountain located in Five Points to play and cool off during a hot spring afternoon. For the older kids, Five Points hosts many musical acts like Danielle Howie and the Tantrums (TOP)