Congaree Vista Guild announced new business openings
October 10, 2023
The Vista District is excited to continue its growth with the announcement of several new restaurants, coffee shops and hotels.
The Dragon Room, an Asian-inspired restaurant offering food from China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, opened at 803 Gervais Street this summer. It is open from Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Cava, a Mediterranean fare, fast-casual restaurant offering bowls, salads and pitas also opened this summer. It is open daily from 10:45 to 10 p.m. and is located at 831 Gervais Street.
Farmer’s Market Xchange opened in early September at 912 Lady Street and is affiliated with Tom’s Creek Farms in Hopkins. They are an artisan market offering fresh produce daily as well as coffee, bread, meat, cheese and fresh pastries. The market is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with lunch specials served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
City Grit at 707 Gervais Street offers a wine bar, lunch counter, grab and go items and a storefront. They are now offering valet services as well as family meal subscription service, available at CityGritMarket.com. City Grit is a 2023 James Beard Foundation Finalist for “outstanding restauranteur.”
Rebel Dogs, a specialty hot dog restaurant including beef, turkey, vegan and gluten free options, will be opening in November at 504 Gervais Street.
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee Shop will be opening soon at 1001 Gervais Street. The shop is self-described as “a human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop”. They employ individuals with intellectual and development disabilities and offer a variety of coffee and tea drinks, as well as frappes, smoothies, light breakfast fare and snacks.
The Hollow will be opening soon at 823 Gervais Street. This locally owned, forest to table restaurant will feature fresh vegetables and wild game.
New apartments and hotels are on the horizon in the Vista as well.
A new Homewood Suites/ Tru Hotel by Hilton is currently being constructed at the corner of Williams and Gervais Streets. It is slated to open late summer 2024.
Site preparation has begun on a new apartment complex for students on the corner of Huger and Blossom Streets. Subtext Developers are planning for more than 900 units and student study areas.
Silver Hills Development is proposing a new multi-family apartment complex on the west side of Huger Street. The 7-story complex will have 250 units with European and New Orleans-style architecture.
Hotel Trundle has announced an additional location at 1237 Gadsden Street with 41 rooms, fitness center and private outdoor patio.
About the Congaree Vista Guild
The Congaree Vista Guild is a non-profit, membership-based organization charged with seeing that Columbia’s Vista, which is an official South Carolina Cultural District, is a vibrant symbol of our progressive Southern city. Led by a 13-member Board of Directors representing a variety of business sectors, the Congaree Vista Guild and its members are dedicated to making the Vista the place of choice for shopping, dining and entertainment, a national and international tourist destination, and a high-energy urban environment to live and grow businesses.
