A first look at the planned Publix supermarket coming to the BullStreet District. | Rendering by 4240 Architecture
Catch a Fireflies game, grab dinner at Gather COLA, and pick up your groceries — soon you’ll be able to do all three in one trip to the BullStreet District.
Publix Super Markets announced it will open a new 50,325-sqft store at Bull Street and Colonial Drive, next to REI Co-Op, marking a milestone for Cola’s largest urban redevelopment project.
The new supermarket expands walkable access to groceries for the more than 1,000 people who call BullStreet home, plus thousands more living in nearby neighborhoods.
Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann noted that downtown hasn’t seen a major grocery investment since Publix opened its Gervais Street location in 2004. “This announcement brings real relief to what has long been a grocery desert in our capital city,” he said.
Groundbreaking for the BullStreet location is expected in summer 2026.
“Elf Jr. The Musical” | Friday, Dec. 5, Saturday, Dec. 6, Saturday, Dec. 6 | Times vary | Broad River Arts Center | $10+
Saturday, Dec. 6
Meeting Street Artisan Markets - Holiday Edition | Saturday, Dec. 6, Saturday, Dec. 13, Saturday, Dec. 20 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, West Columbia | Free | Celebrate the season, find the perfect holiday gifts, and support local artisans at the Meeting Street Artisan Holiday Market, a can’t-miss event for the whole family.*
“We’re really swinging for the fences this time around,” said Corey Simmons of 2 Fat 2 Fly, a local food truck turned restaurant that went viral 15 years ago. We’re still waiting for exact info, but the duo is teasing a special announcement soon.
Closing
Bittersweet news: sIceCream Taco owner Sonia Norman announced she’s closing the West Columbia shop to pursue her dream of living abroad. She plans to spend a year in Thailand and will announce an official closing date soon.
Transit
Columbia Metropolitan Airport will host a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 4 p.m. to celebrate the completion of its expanded security checkpoint. The project doubles the number of screening lanes from two to four and adds new amenity rooms and lounge spaces for passengers.
Seasonal
Forest Acres is hosting its Sweet Seasons celebration today, Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. due to yesterday’s weather. The free event features hot chocolate, face painting, balloon animals, photos with Santa + The Grinch, live performances, and the annual tree lighting.
Environment
The SC Department of Environmental Services has released a draft of WaterSC’s long-term water resources plan and is seeking public comments through Sunday, Dec. 7. The plan outlines water availability through 2070.
Try This
The Light Up NOMA Cookie Crawl returns to North Main Street on Saturday, Dec. 13. Explore area businesses and collect cookies, and stick around for The Story of Christmas and a community tree lighting.
Health
Meet Horizon IX, an innovative hearing aid that a leading audiologist calls “nothing short of a miracle.” With dual processors for sharper speech and less noise, it offers a nearly invisible design for all-day comfort. Try it at no risk for 45 days and experience effortless hearing for the holidays.*
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Health
This FDA-registered vibrator is recommended by doctors because it boosts arousal and supports natural lubrication, thanks to its bendable shape designed to stimulate all the right spots. Even better? Save 35% + an extra 15% with code H4PPY15.*
Category
Coming Soon
🦪 A reel catch for Five Points
Take in the views of Five Points through the front windows. | Rendering by Garvin Design Group
Slip 53, a modern oyster bar and coastal kitchen, is coming to Five Points in spring 2026. The new restaurant will open in the former Pecknel Music Co. building with the postcard mural on Saluda Avenue.
“We’re taking everything we love about great seafood and hospitality and giving it a home in Five Points,” says Casey Peissel, co-owner. “We want Slip 53 to be a laid-back yet refined dining experience that feels fresh, relaxed and easy to enjoy.”
Led by Peissel of Backstreets Grill and Steve Cook of Saluda’s, the concept will feature a raw bar, inventive seafood dishes, and coastal-inspired design with valet service and a private dining suite.
The Slip 53 name is a nod to the building’s past tenant, Gasque’s Sport Shop, which opened in 1953. The project is being developed by Cason Development Group, with Garvin Design Group as architect and Boyer Commercial Construction leading the build.
The Buy
Three viral products that are actually worth paying attention to:
☕ A JavaSok — aka an insulated neoprene sleeve for your favorite iced drinks. The widely popular product is an Amazon bestseller + one of the top gifts of the season. Bonus: Discover Soks for cans, water bottles, ice cream pints, and more.
🥘 The StoveShelf — as seen in Business Insider and Food & Wine. It’s a high-quality magnetic attachment for your stovetop that stores frequently used items like spices, condiments, and cooking oils.
🐻 Something that’s on every teenager’s holiday wishlist: the viral Starbucks Bearista bear cup. If you couldn’t get your hands on the original (they sold out within minutes), we found the perfect look-alike on Amazon.
Here’s another holiday market to add to your list to avoid the last-minute rush. Hazelwood is hosting a market at the brewery on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 12 to 6, featuring 15 vendors with lots of gift options.
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