Five Points building vacant after ceiling damage, other issues

A new business has left its Five Points storefront just months after opening its doors, leaving the building empty.

The property sits at 721 Saluda Ave. between the pickleball and tennis store Break Point Cola and 2G’s Clothing.

Earth Mother Eclectics, a metaphysical shop, apothecary and vintage store, moved to the building early this year. But a water leak caused damage to the ceiling three days after the company’s soft opening, the store said in recent posts to Facebook and Instagram.

The issues with the ceiling revealed asbestos and black mold, the posts stated.

Following the discovery, Earth Mother Eclectics was closed for several weeks before announcing on social media that it had broken its lease.

The property owner hired a contractor to remove 146 square feet of asbestos-containing materials in early May, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. The asbestos needed to be removed before the mold and water damage could be addressed, DHEC said.

The vacant building is owned by the family partnership H&T Saluda Avenue Associates. It owns roughly 20 Five Points properties, according to Carlos Salter Sr., who manages the partnership.

Salter said the partnership worked as quickly as possible to resolve the building’s issues. The roof was replaced and the mold and asbestos has been removed, he said.

Lee Trapp, who handles leasing for the building, said the property is ready for new tenants.

“Everything’s taken care of. It’s ready to go,” he said.

Trapp said he’s already received calls from businesses interested in leasing the property, but declined to say which ones.

Steve Cook, former president of the Five Points Association, said it doesn’t surprise him that the building on Saluda Avenue had issues because Five Points is one of Columbia’s oldest business districts.

Earth Mother Eclectics was formerly located in West Columbia under the name Palms to Palmettos before its stint at Saluda Avenue. Now, it’s taken to Facebook and Instagram to ask for suggestions about a third location.

Before Earth Mother Eclectics, the vacant building most recently housed Corbeau, a boutique that closed its doors last last year.