Peak Drift Brewing Company.
jboucher@thestate.com
The retail scene in Colombia and the Midlands was on the move in 2022, with many restaurants and shops opening.
It looks like this trend will continue in 2023 and beyond.
From breweries to bookstores to (many) cafes and more, a host of retail businesses are planning to open in the Midlands in the near future.
The following is an overview of just a few of these companies that have been announced. This is not an exhaustive list, of course, and timelines are often a moving target when it comes to keeping businesses running. But that’s a sample of what’s expected in the Columbia area.
Freddy’s Ice Cream and Steakburger purchased land at 1309 Charleston Highway in West Columbia for a new restaurant. An opening date has not been announced. This would be the fifth Freddy’s in the Midlands.
Lexington is about to get a new place for wine and more, as a wine bar and boutique Molto Vino announced plans to open at 102 W. Main St. downtown. This site had previously been targeted for a beer garden and restaurant, but that project did not materialize. Molto Vino has not announced an opening date.
While he has already started producing beer for shops and restaurants, Peak Drift Brewing Company at 3452 North Main St. in Columbia has plenty more on the way. When fully operational, the facility by business duo Greg Middleton and Sara Middleton Styles will eventually include a food court with indoor and outdoor dining options, a members-only gym, an entertainment stage, a bowling alley, a merchandise store and much more. They are aiming to open in 2023.
Northeastern Colombia is about to get a new coffee option. The first of several planned Midlands scooter cafe locations are expected to open in 2023. This will be at the Killian’s Crossing development near Killian Road.
The fast-growing sport of pickleball plans to hit Lexington big. Pickleball 24 hours plans to open a 24-hour indoor pickleball facility at 4950 Augusta Highway. The company is aiming to open in 2023.
Sweet GG Bakery, which was once on Fort Jackson Boulevard and specializes in cakes and a number of other treats, has a new store coming up at 631-B Harden St. in Five Points. The company said in a recent Facebook post that it is aiming to open in January 2023.
Urban wok, a global fusion restaurant, has a new location under construction in the Vista. It’s in the 650 Lincoln development near Colonial Life Arena. An opening date has not been announced.
Five Points acquires a new independent bookshop. all the good books plans to open in 2023 at 734 Harden St. Renovations are already underway at the 3,000 square foot building.
The longtime former home of the Yesterdays restaurant at Five Points is getting a new tenant. ruby suna growing brunch chain, will open a spot at this location and is aiming to open in summer 2023. Yesterday closed in 2020.
two companies — Sully’s liners bagel sandwich shop and an additional location of Ally and Eloise A bakery — were announced as part of an upcoming project called The Green at 2835 Devine St. A timeline for when these retailers will open has not been announced.
A new panera bread was advertised for busy Harbison Boulevard. Construction is well advanced. It’s across from the mall at 275 Harbison Blvd.
The Trenholm Plaza Mall in Forest Acres has a new business on the way. Construction is underway for a Bath and body care shop there. Signage on the site indicates an opening in 2023.
There’s a new Starbucks under construction in the Vista. It’s in the 650 Lincoln development near Colonial Life Arena. There are over 30 Starbucks locations in the Midlands.
Speaking of coffee, small growing chain Clutch coffee bar provides a drive-thru location at 4716 Devine St. in Columbia. The grand opening is scheduled for January 21, according to a press release.
And speaking again of coffee, Knowledge Advantage The cafe plans to open at 1527 rue Gervais, in a historic home that was once the location of the Dunbar Funeral Home. Knowledge Perk already has Rock Hill and Fort Mill locations. Construction work is underway on the rue Gervais site.
Oh hey, did we mention the coffee? 7 Brew coffee, a drive-thru chain with locations in multiple states, plans to come to the southeast corner of Forest Drive and Beltline Boulevard. An opening schedule has not been announced.
Habit Burger Grill, a national burger chain that started in California, is building a new restaurant at 5304 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington. This site was once home to Uno Pizzeria and Grill. An opening date for Habit Burger has not been announced, but construction is well underway.
Kao Thai The restaurant, which has long been in Columbia’s Vista, has announced it will be moving to 1307 Main St. The developers said the move is planned for 2023.
Popular Mexican restaurant Tacos Nayarit announced the opening of a second site. It will be at 1720 Lake Murray Blvd. at Irmo. A possible opening date for this second spot has yet to be released.
Pull-out hotelColumbia’s Taylor Street award-winning boutique hotel, has announced it will be developing a new upper-floor block of rooms at 1544 Main St. Called The Flutter Wing, the expansion is expected to open in 2023.
Chris Trainor is a retail reporter for The State and has worked for newspapers in South Carolina for more than 18 years, including previous stops at the (Greenwood) Index-Journal and the (Columbia) Free Times. He is the recipient of numerous awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including honors in column writing, government reporting, profile writing, food writing, election coverage, social media, and more.
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