A new bakery, bistro is headed to Columbia’s CanalSide. Here’s when it could open
There soon will be baked goods and other foods coming to the CanalSide development in Columbia.
Mery’s Kitchen is prepping a bakery and bistro at 622 Canalside St. in the development that is just off Taylor Street, near the confluence where the Broad and Saluda rivers meet to form the Congaree. Business owner Mery Gillard said she is aiming to open the business in early June.
Mery’s Kitchen has been operating as a catering business, specializing in cakes, breads and other baked goods. Gillard said she is excited about starting a brick-and-mortar version of the business.
A native of Kosovo who grew up in Germany, Gillard said she has traveled the world extensively. Her goal is highlight food from a different country each month at the CanalSide location.
“That’s going to be my playground,” Gillard said. “I’m going to introduce one country of Europe each month. It will be based on my travels, and I just want to bring the world to Columbia. It’s going to be takeout and dine-in, as well. It will be a slice of Europe here.”
Gillard said the menu for the CanalSide Mery’s Kitchen shop isn’t set quite yet. She said it will have a cafe/bistro vibe and will serve lunch and, perhaps eventually, dinner. Gillard noted the shop will include a bakery with breads and other treats.
She added that members of the military and first responders who come to Mery’s Kitchen in uniform will get 25% off.
Mery’s Kitchen is the latest in a small burst of business activity at the Sola Station at CanalSide development, which features a wealth of apartments.
In March, the Midtown Market, which fancies itself a “Southern bodega,” opened at 337 Taylor St. in the development. That market is essentially a small grocer, carrying milk, beer and wine, fresh produce, prepared meals from Soul’d Food and the Food Academy, canned goods, sodas, candy, hygiene products, frozen food, pet food, artisanal soaps and more.
Then, last week, Bierkeller Columbia, long popular at special popup events, announced it will launch a full-service production brewery and restaurant at CanalSide. That is slated to open in the fourth quarter of this year.
Gillard said she is glad to be a part of the buzz at CanalSide and noted officials there have been helpful as she’s looked to start a brick-and-mortar Mery’s Kitchen.
“It’s very exciting,” Gillard said. “And, honest to God, this was one of my prayers answered, and this is where God wants me to be. They have been so graciously working with me that I could not say ‘No.’ I’m excited to be there, and I have a vision that I think will work out great.”
This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
