How Gather COLA represents a new vision for Columbia development

Fall is in the air, and with the changing seasons comes more growth and development at the BullStreet District in downtown Columbia.

The new season means the continuing development of a new concept at the 181-acre urban development project – Gather COLA, an open-air food hall and event space aiming to be a central gathering point for people of all ages and demographics.

Columbia’s Gather space is patterned after Gather GVL, an open air dining hall that opened on Augusta Street in Greenville in February 2020.

Doug and Mack Cross, the father-and-son team who came up with the concept for Gather GVL, are also working on the Gather COLA project through their Four Oaks Property Group.

Construction on Gather COLA began in April. The 32,286-square-foot space will feature nine diverse food vendors, two bars, pop-up retail spaces for local businesses, more than 8,500 square feet of flexible office space, and an outdoor gathering area with seating that will play host to a wide variety of live entertainment and seasonal events.

The goal is to open Gather COLA sometime between fall and the end of the year, with a fall opening more likely.

Gather is located at 1014 Freed St., which sits at the corner of Sabal and Freed across from the REI outdoor store.

Design for the project is being handled by Columbia’s Garvin Design Group, with Hood Construction as the contractor and Cason Development bringing in the tenants. The three companies are working hand-in-hand with Hughes Development, master developer for the BullStreet District.

All 12 food vendor spaces for Gather Columbia were leased as of early September, according to Holly Buxton, development associate for Cason.

Since Gather was announced, developers have been working to create a space that will offer something for everyone who either lives or visits BullStreet.

“The main thing we wanted to do was create a place where everyone in your family — whether you’re 5 or 55 — is going to be pleased,” Buxton said. “The whole goal is to always have good vibes there. Gather will be open seven days a week and there will be themed nights throughout the week, trivia nights, live music once or twice a week — always something going on.”

Buxton said the Gather COLA concept has been in the works for several years and will bring a new vision of dining and entertainment to a city that already has plenty of traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants as well as a thriving food truck scene.

“It’s definitely an innovative concept for Columbia,” Buxton said. “We feel like Columbia is ready for something like this. Gather GVL is just a positive place with a lot of good energy when you walk in. The concept has been so successful in Greenville, and the BullStreet District is already so remarkable that we felt it was the right place to offer something like Gather.”

The venue’s two bars will offer beverages for a variety of tastes, with craft beer featured in the downstairs bar and the upstairs, rooftop venue, Remedy, featuring craft cocktails.

“We’re excited to bring Remedy to Columbia as a part of Gather,” said Mark Martino, manager of Remedy, in a recent social media post. “Remedy is all about connection, and Gather gives us the perfect platform to serve bold cocktails in a vibrant, open-air setting built for togetherness.”

Tenants for the office space have not yet been announced.

Vendors in the food hall will offer everything from traditional Southern food to a variety of international cuisines including Greek and Asian. The confirmed tenants include: Bessie’s Burgers and More; Gyromania Grille Express (Greek); Big Easy Seafood; Coco Bowlz (acai bowls); Smoke It Up Express (barbecue); Bahn Sai (Thai food and Asian fusion); Los Chicanos Jr. (Mexican); and Bull and Bread, a sandwich shop.

Popular Columbia soul food eatery Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles will also have a location in the food hall, to add to its location on Parklane Road in the Northeast.

A rotating selection of pop-up vendors will be featured at Gather. The first, yet to be announced, will feature vintage clothing.

“We are thrilled that Four Oaks Property Group and Cason Development Group are partnering to bring the successful Gather concept to Columbia,” said Chandler Cox, project manager and director of development at Hughes Development Corp. “Gather GVL has shown how powerful the combination of community, entertainment and exceptional food and beverage can be, and we’re excited to bring that same lively addition to the BullStreet District.”

Gather’s opening will add to yet another dynamic event space to the BullStreet District. It’s the second social-oriented venue to come to the development this year, following the official opening of the historic The Laundry space in April at 2046 Talley Street.

The Laundry features 7,000 square feet of indoor event space on two levels, as well as an expansive green space flanked by mature trees known as The Grove. The venue is designed to accommodate a wide range of events from weddings and rehearsal dinners to corporate functions and cocktail receptions. The Laundry is the flagship tenant in the Laundry Building, the oldest surviving service building of the historic BullStreet District campus. The 4,326-square-foot main level features a bridal suite, catering room and brick archway with views of the Babcock building. Its upper level, measuring 2,716 square feet, offers a well-lit main room that can be used for events such as wedding ceremonies, dinners or parties.

Like other historic buildings on the BullStreet site, The Laundry was built with preservation in mind. Architectural elements that were preserved include a historic clerestory and original steel sash windows. An exterior steel staircase was renovated and overlooks the historic Bakery building, Segra Park, and an open space known as “Steam Tunnel Green.”

Other new developments and ongoing projects in 2025 at BullStreet include:

Central Energy, the former steam plant at BullStreet, has been restored as a modern, flexible venue, and currently serves as the host space for services of Downtown Church, a Presbyterian congregation based in downtown and known for its inclusive, dynamic services.

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen opened its first Columbia location on the ground level of the Bennet at BullStreet development in February.

VIA Health Partners, a hospice group based in the Carolinas, moved into the second floor of the historic Ensor Building in February.

Coastal Crust Wood-fired Pizza is currently under construction in the revitalized Williams Building, centerpiece of The Lawn at BullStreet. This will be the family-owned restaurant’s first Columbia location. Coastal Crust already has locations in Greenville and Travelers Rest in the Upstate, as well as James Island, Mount Pleasant and at Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms.