Shop Around: Beer cafe coming to the Vista; new restaurant in Harbison
And owners of Knoxville, Tenn.-based The Casual Pint craft beer market franchise have announced plans to open three stores in Columbia starting in spring 2016 — the first of which will locate at 807 Gervais St. in the Vista.
“The six breweries and the overall craft beer enthusiasm in Columbia make moving to the area a no-brainer,” said Nathan Robinette, chief executive of The Casual Pint.
Owner, operator and local entrepreneur Doug Harmon began the process of opening the newest Casual Pint franchise in Columbia in late September. Harmon is quick to point out that The Casual Pint is not a bar, but “a beer cafe.”
“Craft beer isn’t a passing fad. This college town has a thriving craft beer scene that is eager for a community-driven business like The Casual Pint,” Harmon said. “With college graduates and young professionals opting to stay in Columbia, our city deserves a place where everyone can enjoy artisan brews without worrying about the usual bar environment.”
The Columbia location will be the franchise’s 13th store, joining Greenville as the second location in South Carolina. The Casual Pint features features hundreds of bottled local, domestic and international brews as well as a rotating tap wall for take-home growlers and on-site tastings in a dedicated bar area.
New Harbison restaurant
A new Asian restaurant, Tao Asian Infusion, is coming to 285 Columbiana Drive next to Columbiana Mall, according to representatives with NAI Avant.
The 5,934-square-foot retail space is located across Columbiana Drive in the Shops at Columbiana Crossing strip mall that is home to Casa Linda and Five Guys.
NAI Avant, who represented the broker and could not release details about the lease, confirmed the restaurant is not a chain, but an eatery that will be a second area restaurant for local owners.
This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 11:22 AM with the headline "Shop Around: Beer cafe coming to the Vista; new restaurant in Harbison."