Columbia’s Vista expands as more students move into area

Leaders in The Vista hope more retail stores will follow an influx of students as housing projects begin sprouting in the area in the next couple of years.

Planned projects could add housing for 2,500 more students to the thriving shopping, dining and entertainment district. And several stores and restaurants already are opening to take advantage of its burgeoning population, Congaree Vista Guild leaders said during a media breakfast Wednesday.

“We are excited to see more retail that goes after the student business,” said Sarah Lewis, executive director of the guild, which helps guide growth in the area, during the event at Le Peep, a breakfast, lunch and brunch restaurant that recently relocated to the Vista from Northeast Richland’s Village at Sandhill.

Among the newest offerings:

Black Bean Co., which bills itself as an “energy food restaurant,” will open in April at 701 Gervais St. The Charleston-based eatery sells health, vegan and natural organic food, according to its website. Its three Charleston-area restaurants sell a range of wraps, salads and sides, ranging from $3.50 for 8 ounces of couscous or pasta salad to $7.95 to $9.95 for wraps and $5.95 to $10.95 for salads.

Shop Around reported in November that the restaurant chain – which owns Liberty Tap Room and Pearlz in the Vista and Rioz Brazilian steakhouse in the Harbison area – is planning a new restaurant for the Vista, but owners said it would be premature then to announce the new concept.

Homegrown has several brands that are not currently in the Midlands, including Italian restaurant Capriz, Flying Fish and Kaminsky’s Baking Co., according to its website.

Efforts to reach the owners Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Vista leaders said they will work hard to maintain the Vista’s unique, artistic vibe even as new retailers open and students move into the neighborhood en masse.

Larry Hembree, board president of the Vista Guild and managing director of Trustus Theater, said leaders want the area to be a place where customers can park and then walk to attractions, such as dinner and a show. They are considering ways to shuttle visitors from the Vista to Main Street to Five Points – and, eventually, possibly even the nascent Bull Street development.

He said the Trustus also is considering adding a piano bar within the next 18 months for patrons to enjoy after shows.

As the area comes into its own, Hembree said he was reminded of a quotation from the Wizard of Oz: “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard.”

This story was originally published February 19, 2014 at 7:58 PM with the headline "Columbia’s Vista expands as more students move into area."