Congaree Vista Guild Welcomes New Development and Urban Outfitters to the Neighborhood
March 1, 2013
COLUMBIA, SC – March 1, 2013 – The Congaree Vista Guild, a non-profit, membership-based organization comprising a wide variety of restaurateurs, shop, business and gallery owners, homeowners and museums in the Vista, announces that national retailer Urban Outfitters will open at 912 Gervais Street in the Vista in July 2013.
Additionally, several other developments are coming to the Vista, including an announcement earlier this year that Chipotle Mexican Grill will open at the corner of Wayne and Gervais Streets and the announcement of the University of South Carolina’s new alumni center.
“As home to many of our city’s art galleries, hotels, businesses, restaurants, museums and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, growth in the Vista is always good for our city, making our neighborhood even more attractive for locals and out-of-town guests,” said Sarah Lewis, executive director of the Vista Guild. “And, as always, the Vista Guild encourages development that nods to our neighborhood’s historic past, and we’ve been pleased to support and aid the growth we anticipate seeing this year.”
“Urban Outfitters will be a great addition to the Vista’s unique and dynamic character. The retailer’s presence should encourage additional interest in the Vista from other quality regional and national retail brands,” said J.P. Scurry of Colliers International, who worked to attract Urban Outfitters and brokered the sale of the 15,050-square foot building to developer Crosland SE. Scurry and Scottie Smith of Colliers are assisting Crosland SE in their efforts to secure a tenant for the remaining 5,000 square feet of the building facing Senate Street.
The Congaree Vista Guild estimates investments of at least $100 million within the neighborhood will take place within the next year. In addition to new desirable restaurants, retailers and businesses in the neighborhood, the City of Columbia is making several streetscape improvements in the Vista, including pedestrian-friendly bumpouts designed to calm traffic and make street crossings safer for foot traffic.
“As we prepare to celebrate our past with the 25th anniversary of the Vista and Artista Vista, our annual gallery crawl, this spring, the Vista Guild is excited about what this growth means for Columbia,” said Lewis.
The Congaree Vista’s hotels, restaurants and bars generate $110 million annually in hospitality tax from food and beverage sales. In addition to coming development, the Vista has seen several businesses including The Peanut Man, the Vista Marketplace and ByFarr, a graphic design and letterpress shop, open in recent months.
For more information about the Vista Guild, visit www.VistaColumbia.com or contact Sarah Lewis at (803) 269-5946. Follow the Vista Guild on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @VistaGuild.
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