Summer will be a season of new beginnings in West Columbia.

Primal Gourmet will open in June and Bricks and Stones Pizza Company in July.

Chayze Lounge has already opened, and the New Interactive Art Park cut the ribbon June 15.

Michael Mayo of Palmetto Outdoor has escorted thousands of tube riders over the Congaree River rapids.

He said the new art park is an example of West Columbia’s commitment to the public.

“We already see families moving here from Florida, Ohio, and Missouri, among other places because of this city’s investment in green space,” said Mayo. He said the new interactive park is a “waterside recreational attraction that will be inviting for everyone.”

Businesses are attracted to West Columbia, too, including new eateries.

“We plan to open near the end of June, probably around June 20,” said a spokesman for Primal Gourmet.

Primal Gourmet, in the former McGee Auction building at 725 Meeting St.is a new lunch and dinner spot. Owner Gregg Martin said it offers an eat-in or take-home menu, and pre-ordered meals for pick-up.

Some other features of the new location are: a cafe with super fast service and the ability to design your own healthy lunch or dinner on the spot; a market featuring fresh produce, meats, seafood, dry goods, and products all from South Carolina; a coffee service; freshly made gluten free products; cooking demos and classes; and community and educational events.

Bricks and Stones Pizza Company is coming to Woodberry Plaza on Augusta Road. It’s next to Big Lots.

Bob and Terry Close of West Columbia are the owners.

We serve brick oven pizza, in our old school pizza parlor,” said Bob Close. “Our oven cooks at 800 degrees, we cook a large pizza in about 3 mins.”

He also said all or the restaurant’s sauces and dough are made fresh daily. And that’s not all.

“We make our Tiramisu fresh daily,” said Close. “We are a specialty pizza company. We serve authentic New York (style) pizza.”

He said Bricks and Stones has what’s called a “Grandma” pie. It’s something the folks up there (in New York) know well. It’s a thin crust version of the Sicilian square pizza. Most folks think it’s more flavorful, without all the dough.

In addition to the food, Bricks and Stones will provide a visual spectacle.

“Our oven is the focal point of our restaurant. It has a large rotating stone deck that helps keep the consistency in our product, there are no hot or cold spots to have to move the pizza around like a conventional wood-fired oven,” said Close. “We also hand toss each pizza, our chefs are out in front so the customers can see them preparing their pizza.

“It’s a nice, comfortable environment, modern look, we’ll have great servers, keeping a light friendly environment, we’ll have a light appetizers and dessert offering, as well as a nice variety of craft beer and wine.”

Another business that has just opened in West Columbia, in a renovated facility, is Chayz Lounge. It’s at 607 Meeting Street. It features live music and serves as an event venue.

“Chayz Lounge offers an intimate setting that invites you to experience the finest jazz and rhythm and blues talents, up close and personal, the way it was meant to be,” said owner Chaye Alexander.