Here are your 230 ideas. Vote on your favorite idea here.
Harper’s Restaurant abruptly closed on Wednesday, April 19 after 27 years of business – and ever since, people have been talking about what could/should/would go in the prime piece of Five Points real estate on Harden St.
Five Points is currently in talks with developers about potential tenants – and they’re interested in public opinion – so: We asked you on Instagram, Facebook + Twitter what you think should go into the ~6,800-sqft. empty space.
After reading through all of your 230 comments (woah), we counted up the ideas with the most comments, duplicate comments + comment “likes” across all three of our social media platforms, and narrowed down your feedback to the top 10 ideas.
Read all top 10 ideas. Then vote on your favorite.
🔝 🔟 👇
- A local restaurant offering fresh food (no chain) | 75 votes
Photo by pexels
My inner foodie is ecstatic that a lot of you want to see more locally-owned restaurants, ft. locally-sourced ingredients, in Cola. All of our lunch breaks could benefit from a spot offering sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. made with local ingredients. A girl can dream.
- A Biergarten | 37 votes
Photo by @thechester_
We know that a “Biergarten” just •sounds cool• and involves drinking beer outside in a mug the size of your face – but what exactly is it? A beer garden (translated from the German word Biergarten) is an outdoor area where beer + local food is served, typically at shared tables (like The Chester in NYC). Music + games are also usually involved to feel that Gemütlichkeit (a German word for a state or feeling of warmth, friendliness + good cheer).
- Tupelo Honey Cafe | 27 votes
Photo by @cbreaux001
Down home, Southern cooking with a foodie flair + brunch to boot. Tupelo Honey started in Asheville in 2000 and now has locations all over the Southeast, including Greenville, Myrtle Beach + Charlotte. (So, yeah, it’s kind of a chain now. But I’ll still take the biscuits, honey + blueberry jam.)
- Brewery + restaurant | 28 votes
Photo by @wfbrews
We love River Rat, Conquest and all of the current + soon-to-come microbreweries in town that keep Cola’s craft beer scene afloat, but what Five Points is •really missing• is a craft brewpub with a full menu + wait service – like West Flanders Brewing Co. in Boulder, C.O. (‘Scuse us as we count down to Hunter-Gatherer’s new brewpub opening.)
- The new Rise Gourmet Bakeshop & Restaurant | 16 votes
Photo by @shadesofpinck
Rise – run by acclaimed NYC/Cola chef Sarah Simmons – closed its Five Points location (926 Harden St.) a couple of months ago. When they closed, they said they’d relocate the shop elsewhere in Cola. So you’re saying there’s a chance?
- Caviar & Bananas | 19 votes
Photo by @emilydorio
A gourmet, boutique grab-n-go store like Charleston-based Caviar & Bananas would certainly make Five Points feel trendy. They have a custom salad bar, hot bar, bakery, coffee shop, wine section and a lot of fancy, sparkling water.
- P.F. Chang’s | 12 votes
Photo by @kevin_dunn12
You know, the upscale Chinese bistro that has 200+ restaurants alllll over the country. I’m all for some dim sum + chicken lettuce wraps, but I’m kind of a restaurant chain snob (if you haven’t picked up on that already).
- Fresh Market | 12 votes
Photo by @ains_dunn
I have a soft spot for this one. I feel sophisticated + European whenever I walk into a dimly-lit Fresh Market grocery store with Mozart playing in the background and a variety of bulk fine candies + fresh flowers to spend my paycheck on. But, there’s one not too far from Five Points, in Trenholm Plaza off Forest Dr.
- Chuy’s Restaurant | 6 votes
Photo by @amandarbryant
An Austin, Tx.-based taco chain. Because tacos are at the top of everyone’s priority list. Not arguing with that logic.
- Dave & Busters | 6 votes
Photo by @louie_19_
Is the location in Harbison not enough Dave & Buster’s for Cola? I’m all for Dance Dance Revolution + air hockey + greasy burgers, but maybe someone could open up a local arcade bar (read: barcade) instead of another chain? #KeepFivePointsWeird, y’all.
VOTE ON YOUR FAVORITE IDEA HERE.
All 230 comments 👇
Aaron Shaw: The new Rise Gourmet Bakeshop + Restaurant
Rock Doni, Tony Albanese: A nice restaurant or microbrewery
Karla Spires: Fresh Market
Brittany Sandonato: brewery/restaurant similar to Heist in Charlotte
Mo Quinn: Chilis, Olive Garden, Taco Bell, or Wine Bar.
Courtney Thomas Melendez: Caviar & Bananas
Haygirl O’Hay, Jalawnda Bailey: Dave and Busters/Sports Bar
Courtney Nowak Khan, Travis Hauck, Janine Jones Wall, Fiona Reed, Nicole Katharina, Barbara Lengel: Munich-style Biergarten
Cyndi Martin: restaurant with fresh food
Donna Jones: Fresh Market/7 days a week farmers market
Namita Koppa: a covered public space for community events
Lindsay Blair Simmons: Halls Chophouse
CJ Lake: El Burrito
Will Whitney: Moctezuma Taqueria
Holly G. Fetner: Rick Erwin
Tina Boehm- Shepke: physical activity place with a restaurant + bar
Jonathan Yongue, Michael Glawson: Not a franchise
Drew Thompson: Bricktop’s Restaurant or Firebirds
Derek Bowers: Cheesecake Factory
ColaTown Foodie: Tupelo Honey Cafe, sister restaurant to XBB or Gan Shan Station, Sesame Burgers and Beer, or Brewery 85
Nina Myrick, Marjorie Palmer Cleary: Tupelo Honey Cafe
Douglas Groendyke, Jessica Bartos: P.F. Changs
Brooke Elizabeth: board game bar/cafe
Brandon Falls: The Cowfish
Ricky Mollohan: a driving range
Anna Newell: Bacon Bros. Public House
Bryant Faries: a drugstore/bank combo
John Brantley: small casino with $1 minimum tables for college students
William Robert Baker: Vickery’s
Proctor Rogers: Bookstore
Kathy Maffett Elkins: all local market including a food court
Elizabeth Kurtz: McDonald’s
Bhanu Shekhawat: A garden
Hannah Ritchie, Heather Hawn: moderately priced local cuisine or build-your-own salad and soup place
Melissa Klopfer: real vietnamese, Dollar Tree, mini Belks, Voodoo Donuts, Duck Donuts, or Krispy Kreme
Pat Blackwell, Elizabeth Jeffords: Garibaldi’s
Sari Catherine Powell: no apartments or chains
Brian Miller: Biker Bar
Paige Bouknight Frierson: no bank
Kim Fowler: no gas station or verizon
Mike Steinhilper: Rodney Scott’s BBQ
Marjorie Palmer Cleary: Tacomac
Jimmy Phillips: members only swim up pool bar, restaurant + spa
Cassidy Foulk: Buffalo Wild Wings
Kyle Lacio: Hip Wa Zee
Brenda Brinkley Byrd: a good craft brewery
Shares
April Huff, Shimeka Hamlet: Cheesecake Factory
Evan Goodwin: Dave & Busters
Bernard Parker: Applebees
Justin Collins Roller disco
David Laird We are in desperate need for a Five Points bookstore ala-- Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
Cwestlikethedirection Would it be crazy to have a new brewery right in the middle of five points?
Csparrow6789 Anything but another gross college bar!!!!
Austin_gawler Tupelo Honey!
Margaretdeansf San Jose ‼️
Luhrooo @chuysrestaurant 🌮🍸@magnoliahousecreative
Mrs_jnj Chuy’s ‼️
Ccr228 Dean and Deluca (with wine bar attached like CLT), Cowfish, Capital Grille
Thescvoyager Halls Chophouse @hallschophouse
Loriencamille @chuysrestaurant yessssssss
Ashalayceebee Cheesecake factory, cheddars, another broken egg cafe,tupelo honey
Mcfallandoats Five guys burgers!
Bradkingsmore @abarigamebar would be awesome
Brooksieboola Roosters @roostersuptown
Hashtagaimee @colatoday a brewery!! And absolutely no franchise restaurant
Marshonmarsh Dean and deluCa with outside wine bar. OR small brewery with rooftop seating like @revelrybrewing --- @hallschophouse needs to go on somewhere, maybe Main Street?
Possumlmr All I want is a P.F. Chang’s. Gluten free heaven
Leighapaige @chuysrestaurant 😍😍
Lilianarenee Come to SC @snoozeameatery
Cind_eee1105 Tupelo Honey Cafe plz!
Wbesley Another Harpers
Ndkeck No chains!! Please no chains!
Angelamsheppard @theindigoroad: @mercantileandmash or any one of your fab restaurants!! @edmundsoast or @wearewarehouse or something like @pinewoodnashville
Es_teecee Something that has great brunch menu and bottomless mimosas!! 😍
Hippy_do_da_creations_ How about something healthy? Would be great to have a healthy, fresh food option :)
Anxiousevan @mercantileandmash
Sodacitymusic There are plenty Tupelo Honey’s. I wouldn’t go. Something original! Brewery or resty!
Thomashydrick @Wbesley How about a mega Harpers? Just double down on everything. 20 chicken fingers in each platter. Pimento mac and cheese year round. The lights will be so dim, they’re actually off.
Zach_nemr A bar
Lrharris12 Either @hallschophouse or @ritasfollybeach !!!!
Paulinaaaa @kyle.dekoning if only @biscuitheadavl would come here🤤
Mbeshay01 Cheesecake Factory
Pauldoesntexist An incinerator that disposes of frat boys
Maggieglass @tacoboychs please!!!!!!
Allysonlauraine @ameliesfrenchbakerywould make a KILLING in @fivepointssc !! Perfect space for it, too. 🗼🍪☕️😍
Vivientoumey A bookstore/brunch cafe, maybe with local entertainment at night
D_powell_77 McDonald’s or Terra 🙏 🙀
Immakeepitflossypoppin Another new restaurant/bar with an original concept that will carry over into nightlife that will help class up 5 Points.
Melanieleathw @allysonlauraine yes!!
Altmanlg @hnklittlebit what do you think?
Michaelshag @outback @lnorris Outback for sure lol
Lmlindy Something like @st.rochmarket in NOLA. Could open opportunities for smaller food businesses to share their delicious treats
Courtmelendez @caviarandbananas
Lmlindy @ace_eat_serve (Denver,CO) delicious Asian food and a ping pong hall
Chscott4 Literally anything but a chain
Erin_huddles I agree, @biscuitheadavlwould be perfect please
Lmlindy Something like @districtdonutswould be a good place in 5 points - donuts, burger sliders, and beer
Kacwalker I’d love another lunch option in our hood. It’s a huge space, but something local would be really awesome. Honestly, I think we’ve got lots of great taco options. So anything but tacos.
Bwinecoff Can we get @tupelohoneycafeinto sc
Marycothonneau Tupelo Honey!
Culleration Tupelo Honey is good!
Ann_wells Yes!!! @lilianarenee_ One of the things I miss most about Denver is @snoozeameatery
Danielajlop A bookstore with a cafe!!
Carolina_lori Vapianos!
Sunchild1913 Harpers....put it back
_mason.sonefeld_ Cabelas
Breeinmotion @Benihana or @ameliesfrenchbakery
Anthony_j_charles NO CHAINS. 🚫🚫🚫🚫
Lauradickert I like the brewery or Tupelo Honey ideas ❤️
Suttonn_ @yafokitchen @cookiedonyc
Smmw_ Whatever it is, please let it stay open late for drunk food 😋 #nomnom
Arie_bell Cheesecake Factory
Kva_bowdoin @ann_wells oh man this @snoozeameatery looks like it’s got it going on. Let’s bring one to Cola!! 🍳🥓🥞
Gettin_slizzaard Mcdonalds 568576%
Gettin_slizzaard @littleclarencebigworld
Carterek @paulinaaaa I second that thought!
Urproblematicbae Bookstore 📚
Sarah_scully_ Something similar to @publicotap that has fresher options, not a chain with a cool/modern atmosphere. Possibly have room for local entertainment. 5 points needs more places like this similar to the Vista!!
Jwrush A steak house, not a chain, or an Outback
Littleclarencebigworld Please McDonalds @gettin_slizzaard
Littleclarencebigworld @j_barn711
Kristin_elayne2 @hopdoddy @shakeshack@wahlburgers_ 🍔
J_barn711 @McDonalds and you better have touch screen order kiosks
J_barn711 Anything that doesn’t offer $1,000 ~small portions~ that take subpar instagrams but the chef thinks belong on the cover of Southern Living. AND EVERYTHING DOESNT NEED AVOCADO KALE OR CHIPOTLE CREME ON IT. Remember folks, the college supports the city, not the city supports the college
Chelsee_shortt I like the idea of activity. Maybe like an old school arcade bar? I agree with those saying no franchise. I like the idea of modern like Publico. Do we have many farm to table menus in Columbia? Healthy options for sure! Brunch/lunch or breakfast place would be nice.
Gray_james Craft brewery.
J_barn711 Or best idea yet, an actual 21+ bar for 5 pts
G_ellington Houstons
Elizgrobinson Kicken Chicken! @kickinchickenchs
Skyedbaum Skyline chili 😍
Brettrickert Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers! @freddysusa
Jessiepcs @thefictionkitchen are you all willing to open a restaurant in Columbia? Pleaseeeee?! 😍😍😍
Paigegwhalen @caviarandbananas
Scottygupton @hometeambbq time for a gamechanger!
Magnoliahousecreative @chuysrestaurant!! 🌮🌮🌯🌯🍹🍹
Magnoliahousecreative @zacharyloganhardy
Elizabethwalterss Caviar&Bananas would be perfect!! It’s a Café AND Gourmet Market that has a huge variety! It has locations in Charleston, Greenville, and Nashville. It only seems right that their next location would be in Columbia!! @caviarandbananas
Tylerrevolution I wish Five Points had enough parking space because I think a place similar to New Brookland Tavern would be excellent down there. You know...just with air conditioning.
Tylerrevolution But I also think a Shake Shack would be excellent there.
Abbeyhudes Brewery that is also a restaurant! Like the ones in Asheville that have board games
Abbeyhudes Or a Flying Biscuit Cafe
Artsmartacademy I know it’s not right...but a Starbucks would kill it there!
Lateshasmurray Houston’s Restaurant, Trader Joe’s, a high-in nail salon 💅🏽, Boutique Draft-House Movie 🎥 Theatre 🎭
Grackalac Kickin chicken!!!!!
Chloerodgers @benstuneup!!!! @davidmlaird @h_coop_ @ryalcurtis
Itsloriwheat @fivepointssc what about SHAKE SHACK? So popular in Atlanta and LA.
Itsloriwheat @fivepointssc what we are really lacking in Columbia compared to cities like Charleston or Greenville is ATMOSPHERE. So please only do a chain if its something delicious and proven to be popular in bigger cities OR do a locally owned restaurant that will actually provide a scene with atmosphere, craft cocktails, farm to table food, etc. We need to start TRYING to be more like Nashville or Charleston or Savannah. Or ANYWHERE with an actual scene.
Coachholler Home team BBQ with mind erasers......duh.
Hirsch.mel I second Tupelo Honey! Or a place like Nashville’s “Pinewood Social” check out their website, it’s amazing!
Emilyelizabethholler @hometeambbq
Broll__ An Alcoholic Arcade Bar and Grill...duhh
Ladydameprints @allysonlauraine@ameliesfrenchbakery is such a great suggestion!!
Ashnco Any local business!
B_bess Driving range @hflynn7@devoreandrew
Yungbubba_803 A well dressed night club,cause the vista has been winning that area
Julie1228 Plz
Thefictionkitchen @jessiepcs 😍
Cookiesbycat @callieshotlittlebiscuit @thedailychs @swamprabbitcafe
Broll__ @yungbubba_803 college students would destroy it in a day
Sisistraus @itsloriwheat 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Emilymorganeck What about a Tootsie’s???? @muldrord @hannahcorso
Kat.g.carter NOT MCDONALDS!
M.p.kelley Something upscale but accessible and not a chain. Basically, something like Harpers.
Loriencamille What about something like the @ashevillebrewingco? Brewery/restaurant/movie theater???
Hannahdez09 Harper’s! Harper’s should go right back there! 😤
Girlnextdoor18 @colatoday Columbia needs a late night diner, like Early Bird Cafe, #earlybirdcafe this would not be the spot for it though (NMain fits that better). @hometeambbq would rock that spot. #nochainresturants
Alexfinley96 What about something like @stonepincompany ? We need more things to do in that area rather than just food and bars alone.
Asyounginer @snoozeameatery SC wants you!
Championjohn @burgerfi would be an amazing choice here. It has the modern and contemporary look and feel of a Chipotle but instead makes amazing burgers! And it has a great menu with variety. Burger joint with class. I think it would do well in that spot!👌🏽
Jhzoo2x2 Authentic brick oven pizza place
Kristinmorris A *good* and locally owned 24-hour diner! Remember 5pts Diner?!
_mason.sonefeld_ Cabelas
Lizgreardon Not a mattress or tire store. Not fast food. Not a brake or oil change place. Not a gas station. Not a chain restaurant. But basically anything else 😂 Something locally owned would be awesome -some cool restaurant or brewery.
Dnancejr What Liz said👆
Cececyndi Uno Chicago Pizzeria or @Vapianos
Cececyndi @vapianousa
Zach_nemr A bar @colalovesbars
Youradhconsultants Kind of tired of chains, but TGI Fridays would be great...new local spot, with a
tiki bar, type deal.
Bobbylitesc A Brewery that has Smoked Wings.
Ericthompson803 24 HOUR KRISPY KREME, are y’all serious?
collinsporthistory Can we just have Harper’s back?
L3ender Dog Sports Bar!
Heygirlheyhowie Dave and busters or Julian’s
Mergan.shouse Local restaurant or diner!
L_owl Henry’s
Parrishja @hometeambbq
Shives05 San jose
Nathanaellingerfelt Oh yeah! Columbia really needs more apartments!!!
Enstergerm People from Ohio
Mikeyfresh55 Baracde
Not_pearman PARKING. Electric charging for EV cars. Since Tesla is coming out with a cheap
Electric Vehicle (EV)
Fi_fireed Biergarten!
Susannahwilkes Olive Garden
Sunchild1913 @vapianous
@hellojohnlowry1: Tupelo Honey Cafe
@UofSCBookstore: Bucadibeppo
@forevershauni_: Chopt Salad
@PhillipBush: Hudson’s Smokehouse
@Mcclambchops: Piada
@tevita_mac: Cheddar’s
@christineshelek Rooster’s Southpark
Our team’s picks for the old Harper’s space?
Beth: Student apartments. Hands down.
Chloe: A 24-hour diner. Apparently there used to be one called Five Points Diner. I see a natural fit here…
Sam: Bay Street Biergarten. They have tap tables (a.k.a. pour your own pint at your table, whenever you want). My wedding rehearsal dinner was there. I’m obvi obsessed.
Mariah: Skyline Chili. It’s a delicacy in Ohio… chili on spaghetti. (Don’t knock it til’ you try it.)
Cade: Brewery + restaurant. Good ol’ sandwiches + burgers with hundreds of craft beers on tap.
Just kidding about those student apartments. (Don’t throw your phone at the wall just yet.) I’m a major proponent of Columbia becoming a Southeastern foodie destination like Asheville + Charleston, so I would love to see a locally-sourced, gourmet Mexican restaurant (like Limones in Asheville or Joe T. Garcia’s in Fort Worth) with a lovely outdoor dining space.
(P.S. – If you’re still mourning the loss of Harper’s, their Charlotte-owned restaurant group has another restaurant in Cola: 1801 Grille on Lincoln St.)
–Beth
