First Citizens Bank and Blue Flour Bakery announce alliance on Main Street
August 17, 2016
COLUMBIA, SC – First Citizens Bank announced it has formed an alliance with Blue Flour Bakery, based in Irmo, S.C. Teri Pringle, owner of Blue Flour Bakery, will become a tenant and rent the First Citizens Café space on Columbia’s Main Street from the bank beginning this fall. The bakery will serve breakfast sandwiches, savory baked items and its popular cookies, bars and brownies. It will be Pringle’s second retail location in the greater Columbia area.
“Teri approached us about this opportunity earlier this year, knowing we both are passionate about the continued revitalization and development of downtown Columbia and Main Street,” said Sharon Bryant, regional executive vice president for First Citizens Bank. “She operates her other location with the same commitment to quality and exceptional customer service our café patrons have come to expect and enjoy from us over the past three years. This alliance is a natural progression of our desire to celebrate this acclaimed historic landmark and offer a prime location on Main Street for people to meet and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and delicious baked goods.”
First Citizens will continue to use the courtyard for events, and the courtyard will be named “The First Citizens Terrace on Main.” The second floor of the Brennen Building will continue to serve as office space for members of the First Citizens Wealth Management team.
“Our brick-and-mortar bakeries have become go-to places for socializing, celebrating and experiencing incredible customer service,” said Pringle. “We look forward to our alliance with First Citizens Bank on Main Street. Our menu is seasonally inspired, so our bakery case will change daily. We specialize in custom-decorated sugar cookies for all special occasions and bakery gift boxes, and we will provide local honeys, jams, and coffees that complement our bakery items.”
Blue Flour Bakery plans to make some interior renovations prior to opening on Main Street, so the First Citizens Café will close to the public Friday, Sept. 2, to expedite construction and ensure it does not interfere with the café’s customer experience. Blue Flour Bakery plans to open for business by early November.
“This exciting new arrangement is a wonderful example of two strong businesses working together to take our downtown to new levels of energy and success,” said Matt Kennell, president and CEO of the City Center Partnership. “It is exactly the kind of unique retail experience that defines Columbia’s Main Street revitalization.”
About First Citizens Bank
Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., First Citizens Bank serves customers at more than 500 branches in 20 states. First Citizens Bank is a major subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq: FCNCA), which has more than $32 billion in assets. For more information, call toll free 1.888.FC DIRECT (1.888.323.4732) or visit firstcitizens.com. First Citizens Bank. Forever First®.
About Blue Flour Bakery
Teri Pringle has a background in the hospitality industry working for Marriott corporation as well as the Hilton Hotel Brand and then created Blue Flour Bakery 10 years ago starting in Irmo, SC. For more information, visit blueflour.com.
