The rate of new business openings in West Columbia in 2021 outpaced 2020.

There were 154 new business openings in 2020. With a week left in 2021, there were 199 new business openings in West Columbia, according to Anna Huffman, the City of West Columbia’s communications and technology director.

Establishments that opened for business in 2021 include: Savage Craft Ale Works on Center Street; The Hideout in Weco on State Street; Studio 221 Interiors on Meeting Street; Gentleman’s Quarters in the Brookland

Development; Jake’s on Meeting; Select Physical Therapy in the Brookland Development; Franks Car Wash on Charleston Highway; D’Alberto, Graham & Grimsley Law Firm on Meeting Street; and The Cake House Casa del Pastel on Ninth Street.

The Preserve & Co. is also one of the new businesses that opened in 2021. It opened at 731 Meeting Street in West Columbia’s River District in late November. The boutique features women’s clothing including hats, outerwear, tops, bottoms, accessories, jewelry, shoes and dresses.

“Business has been great since we opened,” said  Shikila Tucker-Curry, Preserve & Co.’s owner. “We love it here.” 

She also said the visual perspective from Meeting Street helped her choose the location for her shop.

“When I saw the view of the Columbia skyline, it was exciting,” Tucker-Curry said.

Sierra Barton, owner of Tall Oaks Boutique at 130 State Street, is also pleased with her location.

“This building is great,” Barton said. 

Tall Oaks Boutique is a women’s apparel store in the former Clarks Beauty Shop location. The recently refurbished building, with its exposed brick walls, is more than 100 years old.

“We’re getting lots of weekend traffic from the overflow crowd at Cafe Strudel,” Barton said. “We’re also attracting students from the University of South Carolina who find our location convenient. There’s lots of parking at the City of West Columbia parking lot that is just across the street from us. There were other options for us to locate, but this location has turned out to be just right.”