Columbia’s incoming food hall announces retail vendors. Check them out
An incoming food hall at a growing Columbia district has added a trio of retailers to its opening lineup.
Gather COLA, which has already announced 10 food vendors and two bars as part of its project at the BullStreet District, said in a Thursday release that three retail vendors also have been added to the effort. Those include nationally known sweet spot Crumbl Cookies, a vintage clothier called Ageless, and a flower pop-up from The Avenue Events that will allow customers to build their own arrangements.
The coming food hall and venue is being constructed at 2191 Pickens St. and is a project from Greenville’s Four Oaks Property Group, Cason Development, and Hughes Development, the lead developer for BullStreet. It is set to open in late fall, a release said.
“Columbia deserves a lineup that reflects its warmth, grit, and creativity,” Gather COLA co-founder Mack Cross said in a statement. “These vendors have proven talent and a commitment to serving people well, and Gather COLA gives them a platform to grow. We built variety in on purpose so groups and families can enjoy dining together. Family-friendly, welcoming, and distinctly Columbia — that’s the kitchen table we’re setting.”
The food and beverage vendors that have been announced for the project are as follows:
* Banh Sai — This will be an outpost of the Asian fusion restaurant of the same name out of Wilmington, N.C. The menu at the original location features Asian bowls, burritos, Bao buns, fried chicken, pork egg rolls and more.
* Bessie’s Burgers & More — This is a new effort from the popular food truck Bessie’s Bites & Sweet Delights. They’ll offer smashburgers, sides, desserts and more.
* Bull & Bread — Here’s an offshoot from the creators of the popular Wilmington, N.C. sandwich shop The Half. Bull & Bread co-owner Carl Cross has said that Gather COLA will be “a place that caters to everyone young and old and everybody who is anybody can show up and have a great experience.”
* Cocobowlz — This is a growing chain that has become known for its acai bowls and smoothies. The company currently has Midlands shops in Irmo and Five Points.
* Gyromania — Already a popular restaurant in Elgin, Gyromania is now ready to come downtown as part of Gather. They are known for their gyros, Mediterranean platters and other fresh Greek offerings.
* Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles — Here’s one that brings the sheen of critical acclaim to the in-development food hall, as Kiki’s was a James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist in 2024.
* Los Chicanos — They’ve been a well-known Mexican food truck in the Midlands in recent years, and now they are set to have a brick-and-mortar presence at Gather.
* Melt Cheesesteaks & More — This spot will offer Philly-style cheesesteaks, hot Italian beef, seasonal specials, and peach bread, among other things
* Remedy — This will be a cocktail bar perched above an amphitheater at the site, making it a prime place for mingling and sipping.
* Session Taproom — What would a food hall be without a spot to grab a beer? Session will offer, according to organizers, “a carefully curated lineup of beers and easy-drinking sippers.”
* Smoke It Up — If you are opening a food hall in Columbia, you probably want to have a barbecue presence. And that’s what Gather is getting with Smoke It Up, which has operated a successful food truck in the area for several years. Keep an eye out for those ribs.
* Spicy Voodoo’s Big Easy Seafood — A taste of New Orleans will come to Gather with this one. Like several others that are a part of this project, it will be an offshoot of a popular food truck.
This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
