A new grocery store is finally coming to Columbia’s north Main Street
When Christa Williams was on the campaign trail for a District 1 seat on Columbia City Council in 2021, she would often hear from residents about their desire for a grocery store in north Columbia.
And while she didn’t end up winning that seat on council, she took those words about a grocery store to heart. Now she’s putting it into action.
Williams, a community activist, longtime employee of the state Department of Corrections and a member of the S.C. Army National Guard, is planning to open Uncle Willie’s Grocery Store at 2205 Main St. That’s just north of Elmwood Avenue, next door to Sweet Temptations Bakery.
Uncle Willie’s will be a small, full-service grocery store, Williams told The State. She said it is named after her late great uncle, Willie Aiken Jr., who was integral in raising her in rural Santee. She said Aiken was into farming and would provide fresh vegetables to neighbors in rural areas.
“When I decided to open up a grocery store because of the need that is in north Columbia, I thought about him and what he had done for his community when he was coming up in life,” Williams said.
Parts of north Columbia have struggled with food insecurity and a lack of access to nearby grocery stores in recent years, particularly since a Harvey’s grocery store on north Main closed in 2018. Williams said she sees the need.
“There have been just continuous requests by residents in the area,” Williams said. “(They ask), ‘When are we going to get a grocery store?’ I’ve heard it over the years, and I heard it when I was running for council. One of the things I wanted to do while I was running for council was put things into action, the things that I heard the community saying they needed the most.”
Williams faced off against attorney Tina Herbert in the 2021 Columbia City Council race in District 1, with Herbert ultimately winning the seat in November.
Williams said she plans to make the most of the roughly 2,400-square-foot space at 2205 Main.
“We are going to have fresh produce, fruit, vegetables, meats,” Williams said. “We’ll have coolers, freezers, dry goods, baked goods and even a selection of international products.”
Williams also said Uncle Willie’s will have an area of the store where local artists can sell their products.
Williams said she hopes to be able to open Uncle Willie’s this spring and noted there will be a grand opening event announced ahead of the launch.
This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 11:08 AM.
