By: Meg Southern
Y’all. I’m about to let you in on one of Columbia’s hidden gems.
There’s a wicked cool block in the Vista that includes a local brewery, a drool-worthy burger joint, a quick and delicious lunch spot, a gorgeous venue space, the city’s hottest new café and bakery, AND a dozen ‘gram-worthy photo ops. Where is this magical place, you ask? It’s the City Market complex in the 700 block of Gervais Street, and it contains some of Columbia’s oldest surviving buildings that once served the prominent railways that crisscrossed the Vista. Originally constructed between the 1860s and early 1900s, the complex was rehabilitated and adapted as a mixed-use development in 2016. Brick pavers, low brick seat walls, and a palmetto-lined alley all make it feel like the Vista’s best kept, cozy secret.
And part of the reason it feels like a secret is because it’s easy to drive past it. There’s no public surface parking in the complex and the alley between the buildings is pretty tight for thru-traffic. This is intentional: the site is intended to encourage a pedestrian-first, car-second vibe.
Before you throw your hands up in exasperation and order Uber Eats, consider these six reasons to walk, catch the Soda Cap Connector, or grab a Blue Bike and get down to City Market:
The entire menu at smallSUGAR
You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten here. There – I said it. Every new thing I put in my mouth from smallSUGAR is the new best thing I’ve ever eaten. Serving pastries and baked goods, grain bowls, salads, sandwiches, and the most scrumptious breads and spreads ever whipped up, the café is open from 7 am to 3 pm every day of the week. And y’all, the service here is unparalleled. Seriously the only thing sweeter than the lattes and pastries is the wait staff.
The patio and brews at Twisted Spur Brewing
Now open to your furry friends, the patio at Twisted Spur Brewing is the best place in the Vista to imbibe your after-work drinks in warm weather. In the colder months sit inside and check out the historic vault and massive brewing equipment visible behind the bar. This place has a cool backstory about a Gamecock alum who returned home after a stint apprenticing with brewmasters out West. The name Twisted Spur? It’s reference to his alma mater. Twisted Spur doesn’t distribute, so if you want to sip their delicious brews – like the Southern Belle blonde or the Deadhead Red - you’ll have to come check out the building. #gogamecocks #drinktwistedspur
Lunch at Newk’s Eatery
Newk’s is your new go-to for delicious, fast, healthy lunch fare. Round up your office or your friends or your dogs and enjoy seating on the back patio. Sandwiches, soups, and salads are all plentiful. Your days of sad desk salads are over. Thank me later.
Burgers and shakes at GrillMarks
Sometimes you’re just over kale salad and what you really want is a burger. Like a gargantuan, piled high, homage-to-Bobs-Burgers-puns kind of burger. With a side of fries or onion rings any way you want them. OR you want a monster milkshake…maybe a little boozy…Whatever your indulgence, you’ll find it at GrillMarks. And you can eat it on the sweet covered patio that overlooks Gervais Street and includes TVs, so you’ll never miss a play. Check out their lunch specials for wicked cheap but wicked delicious deals you can snag in the middle of the day.
Parties at City Market Place
The real hidden gem of the complex, City Market Place is your next favorite venue for swanky farm-to-table dinners, rehearsal dinners, weddings, office parties, and awards ceremonies…or like, your super baller 30th birthday party. Southern Way Catering handles the booking for this space, so get in touch with them to check availability and plan your next special event.
Gram it before your friends do
Everybody’s ‘gramming the world’s largest fire hydrant and the Tunnel Vision mural on the back of the Federal Land Bank Building. Beat your friends to the next hottest Instagram spot: the palmetto-lined brick alleyway at City Market. Come at golden hour and snap some sunset-washed selfies or come after dark and enjoy the glow of overhead string lights. Everybody looks good against a rustic brick background.
Looking for a convenient guide to City Market? Find the complex on Instagram at @citymarketvista and on Facebook at @CityMarketTheVista “Co
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