GATHER COLA announces grand opening in the BullStreet District
November 11, 2025
Gather COLA, Columbia’s only open-air food hall, announced its grand opening on Friday, December 5, 2025, in the heart of the BullStreet District. Located at 2191 Pickens Street, Gather GOLA will feature ten restaurants, three retail vendors, two beverage concepts, and new private office and co-working spaces. Just in time for the holiday season, Gather COLA is set to bring people together in meaningful ways.
At its core, Gather COLA is about building community. More than just a food hall, it’s a destination where neighbors, families, and visitors can connect and celebrate Columbia’s creative energy. Rooted in the belief that good food and lively spaces strengthen cities, Gather COLA will highlight local eateries, makers, and businesses, serving as both a platform for entrepreneurs and a hub for the community to celebrate and grow together. With ten unique food vendors, each offering their own menu, guests will find diverse offerings that include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary-friendly options.
Gather COLA recently announced its full lineup of retail and food vendors, handpicked to represent the Columbia area and community. The open-air food hall is also excited to announce its partnership with SOCO, an established, locally owned, and community-driven workspace operator, which will manage the private offices and co-working spaces located on the two office floors at Gather COLA. With two existing Columbia locations, SOCO is a thriving community and platform focused on supporting creators, working professionals, and entrepreneurs through inspiring workspaces, community-driven events, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The new SOCO location is set to open early 2026 and will be the premier workspace for busy, talented, and ambitious professionals. SOCO + Gather will be a space that meets you where you are and inspires you to go further.
“It’s a rare thing to find partners that align with your vision and values. It’s even more rare when that happens around a concept as creative and community-focused as Gather COLA,” states Greg Hilton, Co-founder and Managing Partner of SOCO.
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, December 5, at 10 AM, and will be open to the public. Attendees will hear remarks from city officials, co-owner Mack Cross, and key stakeholders, and enjoy family-friendly entertainment throughout the day, including live music and balloon artists, followed by a tree lighting ceremony and snowfall at 6 PM. Guests can also get the first taste of Gather COLA’s many food and beverage offerings. Following the ceremony, doors will be open for business. Gather COLA will be open Sunday-Wednesday 10 AM – 9 PM and Thursday-Saturday 10 AM – 10 PM.
The opening reflects the celebration of a collaboration between Four Oaks Property Group, Garvin Design Group, Cason Development, Hood Construction, and Hughes Development. The group worked closely together, bringing expertise in design, development, and construction to ensure Gather COLA’s completion and success. Their combined efforts have made the project a reality, marking an important achievement for the City of Columbia and the BullStreet District.
“The Gather COLA project came together smoothly thanks to an exceptional group of partners. Working alongside the City of Columbia and all of our project partners has been an absolute pleasure,” states Mack Cross, co-founder of Gather COLA.
Additionally, Gather COLA plans to host weekly Trivia and Music Bingo beginning the week of December 7, 2025, and will offer private event rentals for groups of up to 300 guests in its upstairs event space. For more information or booking details, visit www.gathercola.com.
About Gather COLA
Stay updated with Gather COLA’s latest news and promotions by following Gather COLA on Facebook and Instagram. Opening on December 5, 2025, Gather COLA will be Columbia’s first open-air food hall, located in the heart of the BullStreet District in Columbia, SC. The space will feature ten restaurants, two bars, retail shops, flexible office space, and event areas, all designed to bring people together. For more information, visit www.gathercola.com.
