Longtime coffee shop in downtown Columbia closes its doors
A fixture of the food and drink scene on Columbia’s Main Street has closed its doors for good.
Drip on Main, the coffee shop on the ground floor of the office building at 1441 Main St., has closed after nearly nine years, according to owner Sean McCrossin. The business had been temporarily closed because of a staffing shortage since late October.
The Drip location on Saluda Avenue in Five Points and its related, neighboring Scoopy Doo Gelato Shop, remain open.
McCrossin told The State that lingering issues from the COVID-19 pandemic, including staffing shortage concerns, played into his decision to shutter the Main Street shop and put more focus on the Five Points stores.
“Not being able to have high-quality service, atmosphere and food, to the level that I expect, was kind of hurting the brand,” he said. “So, I decided that, rather than continue on (at Main Street), I can focus more on what we do at Five Points and hopefully maintain that level of my own personal expectations.”
The Drip closure news was first reported by The Post and Courier.
McCrossin said the pandemic had more of an impact on the Main Street Drip location than it did the one in Five Points, in terms of business and traffic.
The coffee shop owner said he has heard from longtime customers who have expressed dismay about the Main Street closure. At the same time, McCrossin said he is embracing the opportunity to look ahead for the Five Points shop.
“People tell me they are really bummed that the (Main Street) shop is closed, and I feel like that is really genuine and very sweet and kind of people,” he said. “But I kind of live my life with a principle that everything is in flux and change is inevitable. I’m trying to embrace that idea more than anything else. I do know that I’m not as worn out. I’m not as tired, so it’s got to be better.”
