Shop Around: Granger Owings Bespoke to open next month

Granger Owings will open a new concept store, Granger Owings Bespoke, next month in the historic Arcade Mall at 1332 Main St.

The upscale menswear shop will replace Granger Owing’s brother shop, Circa 1332, which opened in the same location in 2012. While the shop’s name and concept will be changing, some familiar aspects of Circa 1332 will remain. For instance, Circa Barbershop will continue to operate and will even add a second chair. The shop will also add an espresso machine and additional customer seating.

Bespoke will feature more tailored sportswear and feature brands such as Peter Millar, Allen Edmonds, Hickey Freeman and Cole Haan.

“We felt it was time to introduce Columbia’s gentlemen to a shopping experience that would make them feel as if they were on Rodeo Drive,” said second-generation partner Vaughn Granger Jr., who started working at Granger Owings in 2001 as a University of South Carolina student. “The niceties that we felt were once reserved for the elite now seem to be bringing themselves to South Carolina, and we couldn’t help but believe Main Street was a big part of that. Columbia is attracting a brand new generation of talent and business, and it’s our job to make sure they don’t have to leave to experience what other big cities offer.”

Granger Owings is one of the oldest retailers on Main Street, selling upscale professional and casual clothing for men and women since 1978. Bespoke will officially open Feb. 15.

Granger Owings’ store at 1333 Main St. also will remain.

New York chef plans to open full-service Columbia restaurant

Sarah Simmons, New York City chef and owner of Rise Gourmet Goods and Bake Shop on Harden Street, has announced she is working planning a full-service restaurant for the Columbia market. While Simmons isn’t ready to discuss location, she will unveil the concept at her guest chef appearance at the James Beard House in New York on Feb. 12, where she will be joined by Aaron Hoskins — her New York restaurant CITY GRIT Hospitality Group’s culinary director — and Rise’s chef de cuisine, Charley Scruggs. The dinner can be viewed live on the James Beard House webcam at http://www.jamesbeard.org/kitchen-cam.

"We have seen the demand for casual fine dining in the city," Simmons said. "We're excited for the opportunity to bring a concept to life that elevates southern food and highlights the amazing access we have to local protein and produce in South Carolina."