[Innovista]

Nice article on Innovista. It's hard not to be optimistic after reading this. It states that Columbia has "a continuum of innovation unlike anything else in the Southeastern Innovation Corridor."

[Five Points]

I like the idea, but I'd like to be more original than "Keep Five Points Weird" and rip off Austin. I can't think of a catchy phrase right now, but I'll work on it.

There is a campaign called "Keep Five Points Funky" already. Not too well known, but they have bumper stickers around in various stores and bars. Here's the website.

[Five Points]

I am somewhat of a Five Points resident (less than 1/2 mile away) and am a little bit concerned about the height. I think Five Points needs more density from a street level and does not need it's own skyline. I'd much rather see four two-story projects go up than a single eight-story project.

[Historic Congaree Vista Developments]

I'd like to see more restaurant diversity as well, but it's hard to argue with their decision. The other multi-tap beer joints are always packed.

[Olympia Mill Village Updates]

Affordable homes coming to Olympia/Baseball Stadium area. USC Development Foundation sold the 1.14 acre area between Catawba St and the new stadium to the Columbia Housing Authority. There will be 15-17 mill village homes built. The plan is for 1,500 square feet homes at a price point of $140,000.

Link to article

[Five Points]

A new structure is going up next to Locals, looks like a new bar or restaurant. It's between Locals and the College Mart facing Harden St.....anyone have an idea what this is?

It's going to be a deli and bar called Lucky's. It has common ownership with College Mart, so it's connected at the back. I assume the connection is for employees only. The good thing is that it's connected to Locals (though not exactly flush) and it fits in well with the rest of the strip. Another positive is that it blocks a good bit of the view of College Mart from Harden St.

[Main Street/CBD Developments]

Seasonal downtown open-air market features homemade breads & pastries, flowers, fine art, handmade soaps & candles, gift baskets, handmade jewelry & pocket books, arts & crafts, and free entertainment. Free admission! Main Street Marketplace is held on Boyd Plaza in front of the Columbia Museum of Art. (Corner of Hampton & Main). It is every Friday in May-June and September-October. Description compliments of City Center Partnerships website.

Here is a link:

City Center Partnership

[Historic Congaree Vista Developments]

I spoke with someone at the TBonz Restaurant Group (Charleston-based company that owns Liberty Taproom). He said that they will be opening their second Vista restaurant in the fall. It's called Pearlz Oyster Bar and it will be moving in next door to Nonnah's. Pearlz currently has one location in downtown Charleston.

About Pearlz