FOREST ACRES, S.C. — The City of Forest Acres will see several new restaurants coming to the area in the new year.
In Trenholm Plaza, two new restaurants will be taking up vacant spaces that have been sitting for a while, according to the city. The former BLD Diner will now become a Chicken Salad Chick location, and the place where Rosso used to sit will now become an Asian Fusion restaurant called CO.
Carolyn Strickland who was out shopping in Trenholm Plaza on Monday says her family would love to see some new restaurants.
"Any new restaurant, we love new restaurants. Then, we don't have to drive to the Vista so it's great," Strickland said.
Over near Lowe's Foods, there will be a new Takosushi restaurant where the old Baskin Robins sat. The space that formerly held The Pizza Joint on Forest Drive will become a restaurant called Vicious Biscuit. And at 2089 N Beltline, renovations are going on at the former Golden Chick site to make way for a new Slim Chickens.
Councilman Stephen Oliver says the city is focused on building momentum off of the growing interest city leadership is noticing.
"I think they're really going to pop when they open up, I think people are excited about it. Just to see that we have some interest, we have small chains, local establishments that are moving here, and national chains that are seeking us out because they are seeing the numbers in Forest Acres, they see how loyal our residents are, and they see the people that are driving from all around Columbia to come here. That says a lot for our city," Olver stated.
There are no specific opening dates for the restaurants as of yet.