TheState.com: Delawese Fulton

Talking Shop: Saffron adds spicy touch

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:09 EDT

Saffron is spicing up the dining scene on Devine Street.

Open for about two weeks, the Moroccan restaurant has replaced Al-Amir Mediterranean at 2930 Devine and has brought a flavor-packed menu along with it.

The restaurant’s name is indicative of one of the many spices and herbs used to prepare its North Africa-influenced fare — including baba ghanouj, couscous, lamb kabobs, baklava and pizza.

“We just wanted to do something new,” Sarah Amar said of her and her husband, David,’s decision to open the restaurant, which neighbors Half-Moon Outfitters and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza on Devine.

Her husband’s years of working in his family’s Moroccan restaurant in Israel and her training as a chef readied them for the challenge of operating their own, she said. They chose to make a start in Columbia because she had friends and family here.

Preparing a special feast for moms

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:43 EDT

“Pampering mom on Mother’s Day, that is what it is all about,” says executive chef Robert Singletary.

This Sunday marks the 15th Mother’s Day that Singletary and cooks at the Clarion Hotel Columbia have prepared a feast for everyone’s special lady.

As many as 600 moms and their relatives are expected to dine Sunday at the Gervais Street hotel.

The hotel’s chef and eight cooks will prepare at least 100 pounds of bone-in ham, 140 pounds of roast beef, 100 pounds of lamb and 100 pounds of chicken for the annual banquet, said restaurant manager John Belyew.

“It’s excellent for the people, families. And it’s a lot of work,” Belyew said. “We include our entire banquet staff ... and kitchen help, totaling 40 people. It’s a day-and-a-half affair.”

Two more closings on Main Street

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:03 EDT

In the same week Main Street staple Lourie’s announces it will close next month, a pair of nearby businesses also will go dark.

The Capitol City News & Maps shuttered, and Rising High Bakery closed temporarily.

The Main Street retail closures come when many local and national retailers are struggling in a down economy.

Capitol Newsstand owner Mark Carman said he shut down the store Tuesday because of undisclosed health reasons. The half-century old newsstand across from the State House had closed for about five months in 2005.

This time, Carman said its closure is for good.

Miyo’s sets stage for Asian cuisine

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:21 EDT

A bond over food with her father inspired Michelle Wang to become a restaurateur.

“To me, food is a media to express love. I have always loved cooking,” Wang said.

“Cooking was how my dad expressed his love. He would cook good food for me,” said the 38-year-old who grew up in Shanghai, China.

By this winter, Wang’s Miyo’s Gourmet Group will open its sixth Columbia-area restaurant in 12 years at the Village at Sandhill.

Already this year, Wang has announced plans for a new Lady Street eatery, dubbed M Vista, that will open May 19. This is in addition to her M Cafe on Sumter Street and Miyo’s restaurants on Main Street, Forest Drive and Bower Parkway.

Talking Shop: Deli promises real taste of Philly

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:24 EDT

If you’re a fan of authentic Philly cheesesteaks and hoagies, Paul and Abigail Vella say they have the real deal for you.

The Vellas, owners of the new Paul’s Philadelphia Eatery,which opened Wednesday at 931 Senate St., has brought a Northern accent to Columbia’s usual deli scene.

For years, Johnson & Walestrained chef Paul Vella longed for the distinct flavors and tastes of his native Philadelphia. Its sweet peppers, sharp provolone cheese and shaved ribeye was the best, he said.

“He really missed the foods he was use to at home,” said Paul’s wife, Abigail. “So, I told him he should do it himself,” she said.

With a personal investment of $45,000 and a $160,000 small business loan, Paul left his job as an assistant district manager for a restaurant chain and set out to open his own place.

Talking Shop | Fish, pottery join mix in Northeast

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:57 EDT

The growing neighborhoods along Hard Scrabble and Lee roads have brought some firsts for the once-rural, now-booming Northeast Richland community.

No more than four months old, the Rice Creek Crossing shopping center is home to a pottery store and studio, comic-book shop and seafood market.

Pattie Clark’s The Art Elements pottery boutique sells vases, bowls and other knick-knacks that shoppers can design — and even make — themselves.Clark, an artist, offers painting and clay sculpting classes.

Next door to Clark is Kel-Rin Komics. Owned by Ena and Christopher Hagon, the shop specializes in new and classic comics and card games such as Yu-Gi-Oh.

And fresh seafood lovers in Northeast Richland will soon thank fellow resident Jon Ryan for saving them a 30-minute drive to an across-town fish market. Ryan’s Fish 4 You will open at Rice Creek Crossing in July and sell 17 fish varieties including salmon, crabs, lobsters and squid.

Talking Shop | Speculation develops about Trenholm Plaza

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:39 EDT

Since retailers Tuesday Morning and Rogers Brothers Fabrics left Trenholm Plaza in February, owners of the center’s smaller stores say they have been hearing rumors about all sorts of changes coming to the popular Forest Acres shopping center.

Several store owners and managers said they heard that the section of the center closest to the Trenholm Road and Forest Drive intersection would be demolished and replaced by a big-box retailer.

Others said there was talk of several stores near the intersection would be renovated to make room for an upscale restaurant.

“We haven’t heard anything official,” said Beth Pope, a manager at Corma’s health food store.

Regardless of what happens, Hooligan’s Ice Cream & Deli shop owner Ivan Roldan said, “We’re staying. We’re not going anywhere” after 28 years.

Talking Shop | Marriott to become cultural box office

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:04 EDT

If you want to know how to get tickets to your favorite theater show or ballet — quick and in a hurry — ask Coleman.

Coleman is the downtown Columbia Marriott’s new cultural concierge service — personified.

Starting June 1, the Marriott and its new ticket desk will be a one-stop destination for its guests and Columbia residents to buy tickets for events at the Colonial Center, Workshop Theatre, Nickelodeon, S. C. Philharmonic, Columbia Classical Ballet, Trustus Theatre, the Columbia Museum of Art and other venues.

“It’s a local effort. We’re going to be a box office for arts in Columbia,” said Peter Austin, general manager of the Marriott.

Posters and displays of “Coleman” — the conceptual butler — will direct event-goers to the hotel service desk where they can pay and leave with their ticket in hand, Austin said.

Talking Shop | Lands’ End opens store within Sears

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:44 EDT

Lands’ End has opened a store in Columbia — its first in South Carolina.

The Columbia Lands’ End shop debuted this month at Sears in Columbiana Centre.

The popular catalog and online retailer has opened more than 200 stores-within-a-store since 2005. It was bought by Sears Holdings Corp. in 2002. The first Lands’ End shop within a Sears store was in New York.

For more than 40 years, Lands’ End catalogs have been sought by shoppers looking for quality, classic and preppy shirts, sweaters, khakis and swimwear.

Sears is using the Lands’ End brand in its stores to capture more customers and sales.

Survey | What will be your Thanksgiving fare?

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:11 EST

Retail reporter Delawese Fulton wants to know:

Do you plan to serve or eat turkey, ham, turkey and ham or something vegetarian.

Keep watch next week for a her story about the results. And if you want to argue the merits of ham over turkey, or vice versa, email her at ddfulton@thestate.com.

Talking Shop: Historic Columbia shop reopens

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:05 EDT

Art, replicas and fancies of the 19th century can all be found at the Historic Columbia Foundation’s Museum Shop.

Sure, it is off the typical and beaten path of retail apparel, accessories and electronics but finds at this store affect the consciousness.

On Saturday, the near 40-year-old shop — which sells collectibles, private-label jellies and jams, face jugs, goat’s milk soap and lotion and other whatnots — will reopenafter a month of renovations. The purveyor of history has modernized its digs a bit, said manager Jackie Rhodes.

The museum shop, at 1601 Richland St., is near The Township auditorium (on the Henderson Street side). Visitors can find souvenirs of the homes of first Federal architect Robert Mills, former slave and midwife Celia Mann, soldier and plantation owner Wade Hampton I and several others.

“We have so many things here that can enhance their experience of Columbia,” Rhodes said.

Bi-Lo to promote green grocery bags

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:34 EDT

Bi-Lo Inc. is the latest retailer to go green.

Although reusable market bags have been around for years, this is new for the Mauldin-based grocer.

Publix, Whole Foods, Fresh Market and other grocers and environmentally-conscious shoppers have long pushed and used cloth, reusable bags over the traditional paper and plastic — which some scientists say take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.

Bi-Lo is piloting its green bag effort in about 80 of its more than 220 stores here and in Georgia and Tennessee, spokeswoman Joyce Smart said.

The Super Bi-Lo at the Village at Sandhill in Northeast Richland is participating in the pilot.

A 24-year-old former pharmaceutical sales rep opens a Devine Street shop that sells old-fashioned, handmade apparel

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 18:38 EDT

Clothier hopes dresses equal successes

TALKING SHOP

Annabelle Cain has brought her own brand of entrepreneurship, couture and Southern originality to Devine Street.

The 24-year-old former pharmaceutical-sales rep has transformed a hobby of making handmade skirts and dresses for family and friends into a business where she designs, sews and sells custom pieces.

Her dress shop is called LaRoque — which is her maiden name. “It’s original, vintage-inspired — with a modern twist,” she said of her clothing style.

Parents’ eyes on where toys come from

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:30 EDT

Local toy shop owners say the latest recall of Mattel toys has many parents asking where the product was made before they ask ‘How much?’

“Parents now ask for toys not made in China,” said Katie Rook, a manager at Be Beep A Toy Shop in Forest Acres.

Parents and toy shoppers are being more proactive than reactive to the recalls. Few major injuries have been reported from the recalled toys.

Parents generally are taking the recall in stride but are asking questions, consumer and retail industry analyst Britt Beemer said.

The most consumers can do is stay abreast of which toy products might be affected by lead contamination.

Jamaican eatery spices up Two Notch

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:42 EDT

You need an escape from all this heat.

So why not try one with an island breeze and a Jamaican twist?

Try a dine-in, air-conditioned treat at the new Island Spice restaurant at 10014 Two Notch Road.

Well, the Jamaican restaurant is not quite new to Columbia. It was a takeout eatery on Parklane Road for about four years before moving farther northeast to a large space at the retail center neighboring Rush’s on Two Notch.

Owner Andrew Blackfordsaid now his customers can come in, sit down and enjoy curry and jerk chicken, goat, pork, fish and island-style fruit cake.

Willy’s Bar is gone, but Vista Room is on tap

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:21 EDT

Back in March, it was announced that Willy’s Bar & Grill would close temporarily and reopen as something new.

Owner Bill Dukes said this week that Willy’s is gone for good and that the Vista Room at Blue Marlin will be in its place, 1200-B Lincoln St.

Dukes said Willy’s was a popular Vista lunch spot but that he wanted more of the dinner crowd.

The new Vista Room, adjacent to Dukes’ popular Blue Marlin restaurant, will have a separate entrance and host private functions and meetings.

The former Willy’s bar will be carpeted, well-lit and is set to open during the first week of September.

New store to boost Columbia Place

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:18 EDT

Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear’s opening today at Columbia Place is pivotal for the Northeast Richland mall, which is redefining itself.

In the two years since JC Penney’s left the mall to move farther north to the Village at Sandhill, several other mall tenants have done the same or have open second locations at the new center.

H. Rubin Vision Centers and a Hallmark store were the latest to relocate.

Fortunately for the mall, Columbia’s only Macy store and one of two Dillard’s stores remain and announced no plans to leave.

Steve & Barry’s, selling clothing staples of T-shirts and pants for about $10 apiece, is expected to help the mall become a destination shop for working families.

Columbia photo shop closing

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:05 EDT

Columbia Photo Supply Co. — the only remaining local, independent photography services retailer — will shutter its doors by month’s end.

After 35 years in business, owners Charles Edwards, Joan Edwards and Richard McIlwain have agreed to sell their Devine Street store to developers who will build a new retail center.

“We hate to close, ... but some developers have made one good proposal on the property,” Charles Edwards said Thursday, between tending to customers.

Dial, Dunlap & Edwards commercial real estate firm is managing the sale, which is expected to close in September. Owen Real Estate of Columbia plans to develop the retail center.

Edwards, 62, added that he is looking forward to retirement after working five years in the photo industry and spending another 35 running Columbia Photo. He plans to travel.

New Wal-Mart a big boost for Bush River Road

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:43 EDT

The new Bush River Road Wal-Mart Supercenter has given that area a much needed retail boost.

More than a dozen shops and eateries have opened nearby since the Wal-Mart near the Interstate 26 exit opened in May .

Even competitors are impressed.

“It should bring more customers,” said Stan Gomes manager of a Kmart store a mile away on Arrowwood Road.

Local retail analysts have not considered the Bush River area near the Richland and Lexington county lines a prime location for retailers or shoppers in recent years.

Shopping center may be transformed in the style of Village at Sandhill

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:15 EDT

TALKING SHOP

Could Dutch Square Center become the “Village at Dutch Square” — a smaller version of the live-work-shop concept retail center?

Two sources confirm discussions by developers in the past year to remake Dutch Square as an outdoor mall.

Anna Almeida, development services manager for Richland County, said center developers proposed the idea during a planning meeting with Richland County and Columbia city officials.

And a Columbia commercial real estate firm manager said he heard from sources close to center management that renovations could begin in late 2008.