COLUMBIA, S.C. — New businesses are being constructed and opening up on Main Street in Downtown Columbia. According to Columbia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carl Blackstone, more businesses are opening between Laurel and Hampton Street, along Main Street.
"Seeing this type of expansion, and seeing more restaurants and different types of shops come down to this side of Main Street is just so exciting," said Charlotte Knoop, Vice President of Marketing and Branding for LTC Management.
Knoop said she is from Columbia and have watched Main Street develop into the business district.
"The other night, I went from one restaurant, down to the beginning of main street, back down to the 1600 block," Knoop said. "It's really exciting to see all these different opportunities that businesses are creating for the Main Street District and for Columbia as a whole since this is the heart of Columbia."
The latest business to open in the business district is Smoked.
"We just opened up Smoked which is an elevated, fine dining restaurant, which is smoked meats, oysters, and a micro-brewery actually all in one place," Knoop said.
Carl Blackstone is the President of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. He said with new businesses, it's helping boost the local economy.
"Another fine-dining establishment at the end of Main street would be really great," Blackstone said.
He explained with more stores and restaurants opening, more jobs are being brought into the city.
“You also bring in hospitality taxes, you got sales tax for food, you’ve got alcohol taxes for beverages, so all that comes back in support of the city," Blackstone said.
Another fine-dinning business that's under construction on Main St. is Ambrosia. It will feature upscale classic Greek dishes and an upstairs venue for large events.