If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.
This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.
So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on a service like LegalZoom, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Columbia, SC.
At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.
Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.
Using a trademark attorney for filing in Columbia, SC, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.
In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:
1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.
2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.
3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.
The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.
The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.
Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:
Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.
Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.
Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.
Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.
Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.
Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.
Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.
Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.
Online services, such as LegalZoom, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Columbia, SC.
Although services like LegalZoom offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. LegalZoom's disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, LegalZoom cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.
In other words, LegalZoom can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.
For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.
Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Columbia, SC can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.
The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.
Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.
During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.
After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.
It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.
By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Columbia, SC, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.
In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.
In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.
If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.
To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.
It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.
Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.
It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.
When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.
Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.
In summary:
Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.
If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.
A quick wrap of UF's stunning comeback Saturday at Columbia.THE QUICK SLANT FLORIDA 41, SOUTH CAROLINA 39 WHAT HAPPENED: Quarterback Graham Mertz passed for a career-high 423 yards and three touchdowns, including a go-ahead 22-yard scoring strike to ...
A quick wrap of UF's stunning comeback Saturday at Columbia.
THE QUICK SLANT FLORIDA 41, SOUTH CAROLINA 39
WHAT HAPPENED: Quarterback Graham Mertz passed for a career-high 423 yards and three touchdowns, including a go-ahead 22-yard scoring strike to Ricky Pearsall with 47 seconds to go, as Florida rallied from 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter Saturday night to defeat host South Carolina 41-39 at Williams-Brice Stadium at Columbia, S.C. The Gators trailed 37-27 with just over nine minutes to go, but Mertz, the transfer from Wisconsin, led the offense on a pair of 75-yard scoring drives to take the lead. UF's first march was capped by a 4-yard pass to redshirt freshman tight end Arlis Boardingham. The second, which came after a rare stop by the Florida defense, was aided by a crucial fourth-and-10 completion of 26 yards to Pearsall, who five plays later split the South Carolina secondary for the game winner. Mertz finished 30 of 48, with 10 of those completions going to Pearsall for 166 yards. Together, the pair ignited the UF offense for 494 yards of total offense. Maybe of more significance, the Gators took a step giant toward solving their road issues, winning for just the second time in nine road games under Coach Billy Napier and for just the third time in 18 games away from Gainesville, dating to the 2020 Southeastern Conference Championship Game. South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler had a sensational night, hitting 23 of his 30 attempts for 313 yards and four touchdowns against the No. 1-ranked pass defense in the league. Rattler, however, was responsible for the game's first turnover when on the drive that followed UF's go-ahead score he badly underthrew a deep ball that was intercepted by Gators sophomore safety Miguel Mitchell with just 20 seconds remaining. USC had all three timeouts left and Florida opted to take a fourth-down safety with eight seconds to go. The Gamecocks' last-ditch attempt at lateral trickery on the free kick turned into a fumble that was recovered by UF. The first half was an up-and-down, back-and-forth affair with scores on eight of 11 possessions and four lead changes, with the Gators taking a 24-21 advantage to the locker room following sophomore Trey Smack's third field goal of the half. The two teams swapped field goals to start the second half, but the Gamecocks surged ahead with a 3-yard scoring toss from Rattler to Juju McDowell and a 33-yard screen play to tight end Joshua Simon that put the home team ahead by 10 with 9:11 left and set the stage for UF's emotional comeback. The Gators, with Montrell Johnson Jr. getting 50 yards and Trevor Etienne 49, managed to rush for just 71 yards on 33 carriers against a Gamecocks defense giving 141.7 per game. Boardingham caught five passes for 55 yards and his score. True freshman wideout Eugene Wilson III had six receptions for 83 yards, including a tipped ball off the hands of Pearsall during the final drive that was good for 22. Redshirt sophomore wideout Kahleil Jackson had two receptions for 52 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown in the first half. USC worked UF for 152 yards on the ground, including 98 yards from Division II transfer tailback Mario Anderson, while wideout Xavier Legette caught five passes for 110 yards. The Gators converted just four of 15 third downs (0-for-7 in the second half), but went 3-for-4 on fourth down in the fourth quarter (the lone miss being the give-up safety late), with all three conversions on TD-scoring drives. Smack hit field goals of 48, 44, 28 and career high-tying 54, but also had one blocked, which was Smack's first career miss in 11 attempts.
WHAT IT MEANS: Could this be the catapult game for Napier and the Gators? Winning on the road is difficult in the SEC and has been nearly impossible the last several seasons for this program. Be truthful. How many of you out there in Gator Nation saw a win coming after falling back by 10? This one deserves to be celebrated.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Mertz came into the game completing a sterling 80 percent of his passes on the season. He hit just 62.5 against the Gamecocks. I'm sure he'll take the tradeoff. Mertz's 423 yards were the 14th single-game highest in UF history and most since Kyle Trask threw for 433 against Tennessee in 2020.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The double-digit, fourth-quarter road comeback was the first for the Gators since rallying from 11 down in the fourth at Kentucky en route to a 29-21 win on Sept. 14, 2019. The team had lost 17 consecutive games when trailing by at least 10 points. That streak is over.
UP NEXT: Florida (5-2, 3-1) has its bye week Oct. 21 then returns to SEC action Oct. 28 with the annual rivalry showdown against Georgia in Jacksonville. The two-time reigning national-champion Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0), who rolled Vanderbilt 37-20 on the road earlier Saturday, have won five of the previous six in the series (UF's lone win was during the 2020 pandemic-altered season), with those victories coming by an average margin of 22 points.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The 2023 South Carolina State Fair is in full swing from through Oct. 22. WIS compiled a calendar and list of highlights, according to the fair’s schedule.Oct. 11Admission: 12pm – 9pm$5 AdmissionOct. 12Admission: 11am – 9pmOct. 13Admission: 11am – 9pmHIS Radio 92.1 Family DayOct. 14Admission: 10am – 9pmRides: 11am – 12amAmerican TributeFOLKFabulousOct. 15...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The 2023 South Carolina State Fair is in full swing from through Oct. 22. WIS compiled a calendar and list of highlights, according to the fair’s schedule.
Oct. 11
Admission: 12pm – 9pm
$5 Admission
Oct. 12
Admission: 11am – 9pm
Oct. 13
Admission: 11am – 9pm
HIS Radio 92.1 Family Day
Oct. 14
Admission: 10am – 9pm
Rides: 11am – 12am
American TributeFOLKFabulous
Oct. 15
Admission: 12pm – 9pm
South Carolina State Election Commission Day
Oct. 16
Admission: 11am – 9pm
Oct. 17
Admission: 11am – 9pm
Oct. 18
Admission: 11am – 9pm
Oct. 19
Admission: 11am – 9pm
Oct. 20
Admission: 11am – 9pm
Oct. 21
Admission: 10am – 9pmRides: 11am – 12am
4-H Day
FOLKFabulous Gullah Geechee Day
Oct. 22
Admission: 12pm – 8pm
This year, the S.C. State Fair has nearly 70 rides and over 90 food stands.
Other things to see include agriculture and livestock, equine shows, flower shows, crafts and art and exhibits.
Purchase tickets online here.
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Photo By: Molly KaiserThe Gators are 1-10 in their last 11 away games, dating to the 2021 season.COLUMBIA, S.C. – It was Florida's most impressive performance of the 2022 season, the program's first under Coach Billy Napier.One of the best South Carolina teams in years came to town in mid-November and was promptly flattened. The Gators scored on their first four drives and elimi...
Photo By: Molly Kaiser
The Gators are 1-10 in their last 11 away games, dating to the 2021 season.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – It was Florida's most impressive performance of the 2022 season, the program's first under Coach Billy Napier.
One of the best South Carolina teams in years came to town in mid-November and was promptly flattened. The Gators scored on their first four drives and eliminated any threat of second-half drama by forcing turnovers on the Gamecocks' first three possessions out of the locker room. Florida won 38-6 and appeared to be building something. Then came the loss at Vanderbilt a week later that kicked in a three-game slide to end the season and, ultimately, just the third losing record for the program in more than four decades.
Conversely, after the humiliating defeat, the Gamecocks went the other way. The next week, USC obliterated fifth-ranked Tennessee 63-58, then shocked No. 8 Clemson 31-30 on the road – snapping a 40-game home win streak for the Tigers – for just their second win in that rivalry series since 2013. The Gamecocks ended the year with a shootout loss to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl, but finished 23rd in the final Associated Press poll.
So what to make of Saturday's date between the Gators (4-2, 2-1) and Gamecocks (2-3, 1-2) at Williams-Brice Stadium? Both teams are elbowing each other for middling status in the Southeastern Conference East Division, but unlike last year – when the teams exited the "Swamp" with identical records of 6-3 overall and 3-4 in league play – it's earlier in the season and the direction of both is yet to be determined.
This one will a go a long way in those determinations.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" setup here]
South Carolina's three losses in 2023 have all come against ranked teams (No. 21 North Carolina at Charlotte, at No. 1 Georgia, at No. 21 Tennessee) and by double-digits. The Gamecocks actually led the two-time national-champion Bulldogs 14-3 at the break, but were outscored 21-0 in the second half. Their two wins were against Furman and Mississippi State, but the Gamecocks are certainly capable with Spencer Rattler (1,411 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT) and an offense that ranks eighth in the league at just under 400 yards per game. South Carolina is still without standout receiver Antwane "Juice" Wells, who injured his foot against Georgia and has not played since. The Florida defense ranks third in the SEC (286.2 yards per game), but is just two weeks removed from that 329 rushing-yard debacle and 33-14 loss at Kentucky.
Defensively, USC rates next-to-last in the conference and a woeful 121st in the country in surrendering 442.8 yards per game, including 301.4 through the air.
Those numbers should be enticing for UF quarterback Graham Mertz (80 percent, 1,474 yards, 9 TD, 2 INT), whose unit is coming off a 495-yard outburst and 38-14 home victory against Vanderbilt. The Gators rushed for 215 yards against the Commodores, with junior Montrell Johnson Jr. carrying 18 times for 135 yards and a score, while sophomore Trevor Etienne sat out with an upper body injury. Etienne, who busted an 85-yard touchdown in the rout of the Gamecocks last season, is cleared to play this week.
The last time Florida played at South Carolina, the Gators were crushed 40-17 in 2021, a result that amped up the death watch on then-Coach Dan Mullen. It marked the fourth loss in the previous six trips to Williams-Brice and is part of a Florida road run of 10 losses in the last 11 road games (and 13 of the last 14 away from the "Swamp"). UF is 1-7 on the road in two seasons under Napier.
Is this the week of a redirect?
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on SEC Network, with Taylor Zarzour on play-by-play, Matt Stinchcomb providing analysis and Alyssa Lang working the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield will air with pregame coverage beginning at 1 p.m. and eventually give way to the team of Sean Kelly, recently named 2023 SEC Legend Shane Matthews and sideline reporter Tate Casey for kickoff. For stations, click here.
The game will be replayed Tuesday at 11 a.m. and Wednesday at 3:30 a.m., both on SEC Network.
Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game Saturday.
Final scores from this week’s high school football games:ThursdayDutch Fork 41, Chapin 8South Aiken 38, Airport 15Strom Thurmond 43, Pelion 7FridayBatesburg-Leesville 42, Fox Creek 14Bethesda Academy 40, Northside Christian 0Brookland-Cayce 41, Dreher 35 (OT)Cardinal Newman 38, Camden Military 14Cheraw 20, North Central 6Clover 24, Blythewood 7...
Final scores from this week’s high school football games:
Thursday
South Aiken 38, Airport 15
Strom Thurmond 43, Pelion 7
Friday
Batesburg-Leesville 42, Fox Creek 14
Bethesda Academy 40, Northside Christian 0
Brookland-Cayce 41, Dreher 35 (OT)
Cardinal Newman 38, Camden Military 14
Cheraw 20, North Central 6
Clover 24, Blythewood 7
Fairfield Central 55, Columbia 6
Fort Mill 21, Spring Valley 7
Gilbert 48, Orangeburg-Wilkinson 14
Hammond 41, Trinity Collegiate 13
Irmo 49, AC Flora 3
Lower Richland 49, Swansea 7
Keenan 52, Eau Claire 0
McBee 29, CA Johnson 12
Richard Winn 56, Oakbrook Prep 8
Richland Northeast 48, Lugoff-Elgin 21
Ridge View 40, Westwood 0
Saluda 15, Silver Bluff 14
White Knoll 16, Lexington 0
Wardlaw at Newberry Academy
WW King at Laurens Academy
Abbeville 49, Landrum 0
Andrew Jackson 47, Central 8
Andrews 35, Kingstree 14
Ashley Ridge 48, Berkeley 14
Aynor 38, Waccamaw 36
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 55, Bethune-Bowman 0
Baptist Hill 54, Burke 6
Barnwell 38, Ridgeland-Hardeeville 24
Batesburg-Leesville 42, Fox Creek 14
Belton-Honea Path 56, Fountain Inn 7
Bethesda Academy, Ga. 40, Northside Christian 0
Bishop England 42, First Baptist 0
Brookland-Cayce 41, Dreher 35
Calhoun County 34, Blackville-Hilda 7
Calhoun Falls 8, Ware Shoals 6
Cardinal Newman 38, Camden Military Academy 14
Carolina Forest 17, Sumter 14
Carvers Bay 40, Scott’s Branch 12
Chapman 56, Travelers Rest 0
Cheraw 20, North Central 6
Chesnee 54, Blacksburg 13
Chester 48, Emerald 16
Chesterfield 34, Buford 21
Christ Church Episcopal 48, Dixie 7
Clinton 36, Woodruff 20
Clover 24, Blythewood 7
Colleton Prep 25, Carolina Academy 21
Crestwood 39, Darlington 12
Cross 40, Military Magnet Academy 0
D.W. Daniel 42, Seneca 3
Dillon 47, Manning 22
Easley 63, Berea 37
Fairfield Central 55, Columbia 6
Florence Christian 28, Wilson Hall 14
Fort Dorchester 63, R.B. Stall 6
Fort Mill 21, Spring Valley 7
Gaffney 17, Boiling Springs 7
Gilbert 48, Orangeburg-Wilkinson 14
Goose Creek 29, Cane Bay 25
Green Sea Floyds 37, Mullins 22
Greenville 52, Pickens 7
Hammond 41, Trinity Byrnes School 13
Hampton County 64, Woodland 0
Hanahan 49, Battery Creek 13
Hartsville 49, North Myrtle Beach 14
Hilton Head Christian Academy 38, Pee Dee Academy 0
Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 36, Denmark-Olar 6
Irmo 49, A.C. Flora 3
J.L. Mann 55, Mauldin 6
James F. Byrnes 28, Dorman 26
James Island 31, Bluffton 12
Jefferson Davis Academy 28, Andrew Jackson Academy 0
Johnsonville 31, East Clarendon 21
Lakewood 14, Marlboro County 8
Lamar 48, Hannah-Pamplico 20
Lancaster 20, Catawba Ridge 13
Latta 17, Lake View 14
Laurence Manning Academy 35, Augusta Christian, Ga. 10
Laurens 23, Wade Hampton (G) 13
Lewisville def. Great Falls, forfeit
Loris 31, Georgetown 7
Lower Richland 49, Swansea 7
Lucy G. Beckham 38, Hilton Head Island 10
Marion 34, Lee Central 6
May River 35, Colleton County 16
McBee 29, C.A. Johnson 12
Midland Valley 56, Aiken 18
Ninety Six 56, Liberty 39
Northwestern 56, York Comprehensive 14
Northwood Academy 52, John Paul II 18
Patrick Henry Academy 31, Branchville 28
Pendleton 41, Crescent 14
Pinewood Prep 42, Hilton Head Prep 18
Powdersville 57, Southside 0
Richard Winn Academy 56, Oakbrook Prep 8
Richland Northeast 48, Lugoff-Elgin 21
Ridge View 40, Westwood 0
Riverside 41, Eastside 20
Robert E. Lee Academy 49, Dillon Christian 12
Saluda 15, Silver Bluff 14
Socastee 27, Conway 21
South Aiken 38, Airport 15
South Florence 42, Myrtle Beach 0
South Pointe 21, Indian Land 8
Stratford 39, Wando 28
Summerville 48, West Ashley 30
Summerville Faith Christian 52, Holy Trinity Classical Christian 16
T.L. Hanna 36, Hillcrest 33
Thomas Heyward Academy 41, Beaufort Academy 28
Timberland 48, Lake Marion 0
W.J. Keenan 52, Eau Claire 0
Wagener-Salley 52, Ridge Spring-Monetta 30
Walhalla 37, West Oak 6
West Florence 34, Wilson 22
Westside 35, Greenwood 28
Whale Branch 42, Allendale-Fairfax 8
White Knoll 16, Lexington 0
Whitmire 44, Williston-Elko 20
Williamsburg Academy 24, Orangeburg Prep 14
Wren 39, Palmetto 7
This story was originally published October 13, 2023, 6:50 PM.
COLUMBIA — Drip Coffee, the longtime coffee shop in the heart of Columbia’s Five Points neighborhood, has been sold, owner Sean McCrossin confirmed to Free Times.The coffee shop, which McCrossin has run at 729 Saluda Ave., has been in the college nightlife district for over 12 years. A small, second location of the ...
COLUMBIA — Drip Coffee, the longtime coffee shop in the heart of Columbia’s Five Points neighborhood, has been sold, owner Sean McCrossin confirmed to Free Times.
The coffee shop, which McCrossin has run at 729 Saluda Ave., has been in the college nightlife district for over 12 years. A small, second location of the coffee shop was on Main Street until the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately led McCrossin to close that location.
Akera Sellers, who owns Brickhouse Gourmet Coffee & Tea Co. in West Columbia, and his wife, Alexis, will take over ownership of the popular Five Points spot, McCrossin confirmed. The pair will continue to operate Brickhouse in West Columbia, which is slated for a move in the coming months.
The move comes after McCrossin said he realized how exhausted he was following the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovering from the impact the pandemic had on locally-owned places like his took a toll.
“I just kind of reached a certain point where I realized that I’m not serving myself, I’m not serving the people that I work with and ultimately, I’m not serving the community as a whole in this moment ... it’s just time,” McCrossin said.
Drip, with its dark wooden booths across from a long bar, is known for its pour-over coffee and breakfast biscuits. It’s close to the gelato shop Scoopy Doo which McCrossin also owns. Scoopy Doo is also being included in the sale.
In June, when Free Times sat down with McCrossin for a meal, as his coffee shop neared its 12th birthday, he wasn’t sure what the future held. He’s spent around 15 years in Columbia.
“I love it here. I don’t know how long I’ll live here, my daughter just graduated, she’s going to New York ... I imagine I’ll be spending a lot of time up there, but I love this city,” McCrossin said.
Sellers has been training at the coffee shop in preparation to take over Drip and the official handover will happen in January, McCrossin confirmed.
The State Newspaper was the first to report the sale.
This is a developing story and will be updated.