Trenholm Plaza Welcomes Columbia’s First Chipotle Mexican Grill
August 28, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – August 28, 2009 – Gourmet burritos made with high-quality ingredients are in store for shoppers in Forest Acres. Chipotle Mexican Grill is scheduled to open at Trenholm Plaza late this year.
We love being able to introduce Chipotle to Columbia, commented Lyle Darnall, Managing Director at Edens & Avant, which owns Trenholm Plaza. This is a national brand with local interests and a business model we respect. Changes to the center so far have been enormously popular, and we expect to get more great feedback when Chipotle opens.
The first restaurant of its kind in the Columbia market, Chipotle is not a typical fast food restaurant. The company’s Food with Integrity mission represents a return to organic and sustainable farming methods and frequently includes sourcing ingredients locally. Dubbing their menu items Slow Food. Fast, the restaurant chain is best known for the food quality, using only naturally-raised, antibiotic-free chicken and pork. More than 50% of the beef is raised this way, and 30% of their beans are grown organically.
Chipotle will feature outdoor dining and be located in the building along Forest Drive currently undergoing redevelopment to match the new design at the remainder of the center. Custom-made lighting fixtures, decorative pavers, and new seating areas that enhance the customer experience are some of the improvements shoppers will see unfold over the next few months.
Our decision to redevelop the building in place allows us to cast a wide net in terms of attracting retailers that fulfill our vision of making Trenholm Plaza the connecting point for the community. We can cater to retailers looking for a small space, and we can accommodate larger shops, with a good mix of local and national tenants, continued Darnall. Trenholm Plaza has unique character, and details like this help us maintain that character while making changes that we hope will improve the shopper’s experience while she’s here.
Bumble Boutique/B.E.E. Maternal opened adjacent to Starbucks earlier this month. The specialty retailer of children’s clothing and maternity wear will move to a permanent location adjacent to Hooligan’s once construction of that building is complete. Additional retailers coming to the center will be announced in the near future.
About Edens & Avant
With 140 shopping centers in 14 East Coast states, Edens & Avant is one of the leading retail real estate companies in the nation. Founded and headquartered in Columbia, the Company’s portfolio consists of neighborhood, lifestyle and power centers, with many located in infill locations in urban markets. Edens & Avant has regional headquarters in Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Miami. For additional information about the Company and its retail real estate portfolio, please visit www.edensandavant.com.
