How I Go Columbia: Jordan Medley and Taylor Black
Columbia native Jordan Medley and Lexington native Taylor Black met in 2003 over a shared love of fashion, music and the same Greek letters.
Eleven years later, the women stepped away from their respective careers and started their own business – Charley’s Clothing and Apparel.
Named for their entrepreneurial fathers, Charley’s Clothing specializes in a strong social media presence and – with open closet sales and mobile boutique home shows – offers an updated twist on the Tupperware home parties of yesteryear.
EAT
Medley: With young children, my husband and I have learned to cater our tastes to a family-friendly atmosphere and an easy menu for all of our family. At lunch, it’s straight to The Other Store for their delicious salads. They are great with my kids and even let me call ahead for a kid’s plate named in honor of my daughter. On Fridays, we head to the Happy Cafe for their chicken barbecue and caramel cupcakes. Our favorite family dinner place is Pasta Fresca. They are always very accommodating to our family, and everyone leaves happy and full. On the special date night or girls night out, you can typically spot us at Il Giorgione and Rosso. No meal is complete without dessert, so head to Ally and Eloise Bakery and grab a taste from whatever is fresh out of the oven.
Black: My husband and I love to cross the bridge for date night. Our new favorite spot is Publico. For this pregnant momma, they made an awesome virgin Moscow mule and the chicken pad Thai taco was one of the best I have had. On Sundays, it is all about family, and that takes us to Hudson’s Smokehouse, owned by my two cousins, Clint and Clay. The sweet tea will give you a toothache, and since I can’t decide if I like fried catfish or fried chicken better, I just go with the buffet and have a little bit of everything.
DRINK
Medley: The drinks are always better outside, so for me, that’s typically Tazza, and for my husband, that’s typically River Rat Brewery. But since I have a pretty deep sweet tooth, the milkshakes at Kaminsky’s shouldn’t be missed.
Black: When I am not pregnant, my drink of choice is red wine, and our local happy hour stop is Travinia of Lexington. On the weekends they always have live music, and I am always sure to see a familiar face and a happy smile. Also, if it is a special occasion, I am a sucker for one extremely dirty martini. The best place to get my fix is at Arkos in Lexington. If you’re feeling extra spicy, give their avocado martini a whirl.
PLAY
Medley: My favorite thing about living in this city is Carolina football, so come August, my social life will revolve around Williams-Brice Stadium. In the off-season, we love to be on Lake Murray, preferably on a boat, enjoying all the festivals, heading to Riverbanks Zoo and EdVenture museum with our kids, completing a paint-and-pour class at Grapes and Gallery, and spending time outside.
Black: Most of our Saturdays are spent at the soccer field, but recently, my husband and I celebrated his birthday at the new Fireflies of Columbia baseball game. We had great seats, and the comedy bits in between each inning had us in stitches. For only being open a short while, it is a well-oiled machine. The surprise firework show at the end was a huge treat. On a typical weekend though, we spend most of our time with family on Lake Murray, and you can’t have a trip to the lake without some boiled peanuts from the Dam Peanut Man.
LISTEN
Medley: One of our shared passions is music, and Columbia has really done a fantastic job of supporting a vibrant and diverse music scene. Some of our favorite festivals – Crawfish Festival, Greek Festival – are so great because of the music they have brought with them. A major part of my life is also my church. First Baptist Church of Columbia has one of the most amazing choirs I have ever heard, so to me, some of the best music you can hear on a Sunday morning is right there on Hampton Street.
Black: Sometimes when we are lucky, Jordan and I will finish a Charley’s party early and will scoot by Gervais & Vine to have a late dinner or appetizer. Gervais & Vine will have a local musician playing some jazz or Motown, and my heart gets happy.
SEE
Medley: I love the theater. Taylor and I decided a few years ago we would stop giving each other presents and give each other experiences instead. The theater has been our answer to that. We love to treat ourselves with tickets to either Workshop or Trustus for whatever their latest productions may be. Both companies have done an amazing job of fostering young talent and maintaining a strong theater community in Columbia that is truly spectacular. I am also a big movie buff, so you can regularly find me at The Nickelodeon on Main Street with a tub of popcorn whenever a new must-see documentary or film is showing.
Black: My heart belongs to the arts. There is nothing better than a musical or play. Our moms play an integral part in our business as they often help out with our kids or offer extra hands at our trade shows. As a token of our appreciation, we recently took them to see “Steel Magnolias” put on by Workshop Theatre. This was a showstopper. During the most dramatic scene of the play, Jordan and I turned to each other and looked around to find there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience. To recreate such an iconic scene with such ease was beyond impressive.