Pop-up Tea Lounge Ephemera Opens in Columbia
The new non-alcoholic social venue provides a dedicated space for community connection and events.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Ariana Smoak and Akuya Stoddard have launched a pop-up tea lounge called Ephemera in Columbia. Located at 2821 Millwood Avenue, the venue offers a social alternative to traditional bars for local young adults.
Why it matters
The founders created the lounge to foster social connection without the presence of alcohol, loud music, or digital distractions. By hosting structured events, the space aims to provide an environment focused on intentional interaction.
The new tea lounge is situated at 2821 Millwood Avenue. The facility operates as a temporary pop-up installation within space provided by a partnership with Made with Cola Love.
The players
Ariana Smoak
She is one of the founders who established the Ephemera tea lounge to provide a sober social space for young adults.
Akuya Stoddard
She is a co-founder of the business who works to integrate community feedback into the lounge's event programming.
Made with Cola Love
This organization partners with the founders to provide office space, business coaching, and essential branding resources.
The details
Ephemera offers non-alcoholic beverages and a variety of community programming, including sound baths, study halls, and movie nights. During certain events, the lounge implements a phone-free policy to encourage social presence and limit digital interruptions.
Timeline
The pop-up installation at the Millwood Avenue location is scheduled to conclude at the end of October 2026.
Market Landscape
The opening of Ephemera follows the documented national trend of entrepreneurs creating alcohol-free third spaces for social connection. This move reflects a broader shift toward venues that prioritize community interaction over traditional bar-centric nightlife.
Residents can visit the tea lounge for non-alcoholic beverages and community-focused events. The venue serves as an alternative for those seeking to avoid alcohol or loud nightlife environments while engaging in local activities.
The takeaway
The creation of intentional social spaces demonstrates that modern consumers are increasingly seeking environments that cater to wellness and focused interaction. Visitors can support these alternative venues by participating in scheduled programming that prioritizes offline engagement.
Further reading
Explore more local retail news on the Columbia Openings & Closings section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post and Courier.
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Do you prefer community social spaces that prioritize conversation over technology and alcohol?
