Summer Rodgers began her artistry business when she was in high school to raise money for mission work.

Little did she know it was the beginning of something great – “storefront” great. 

“I think high-school Summer would be in total disbelief,” said Summer Rodgers. “I have so many different designs and so many different types of products.” 

Rodgers’ business, popularly known as “Summer Doodles,” is well known among college students. Bright brushstrokes and unique art work, from school spirit to trendy prints, are at the heart of what she offers.

Now, after selling at Columbia’s Soda City market every Saturday, she has taken the next step as a small business owner: She has opened a storefront.

“When you have to set up and take down every single day, that gets really tiring,” she said. “And so this was like the perfect way, once I found out about The Shoppes at Tapps, to experiment with having a storefront.” 

The Shoppes at Tapps is a boutique department store on Main Street. It has been standing there since the early 1900s, first as a department store and now as a boutique department store showcasing small businesses. 

Summer not only paints but teaches painting classes. She travels to different universities to teach painting classes to sororities and other organizations there and at USC. But, as a USC alumna, she keeps her roots planted in Columbia, South Carolina.

“Starting with pop ups (the market and the universities) was an awesome way to get my name out there and get into the community and go around USC,” Rodgers said. 

She still sells at Soda City. But with a space to call her own, it’s the little things that have already made a difference. 

“I can have a rug, I can have shelves nailed into the wall, and it’s just really cool to see it more permanent than anything I’ve ever had before,” Rogers said. “… It’s so special to see your stuff in person and coming together.”