The level of activity in the City of West Columbia’s business community is robust.

There are 2,547 businesses in West Columbia. And from January until August, 162 new business licenses had been issued by the City of West Columbia, according to Ellen Ravenell, the city’s Business License Official.

Those new businesses include some high-profile additions.
Black Rooster, the French Bistro-like restaurant with a rooftop bar, opened at the northeast corner of the multi-million Brookland project. Primal Gourmet opened on Meeting Street in July.

“It is doing a booming business,” said West Columbia Mayor Bobby Horton. He dined at the restaurant earlier this week. “This is absolutely great. It’s a wonderful setting with a very vibrant, and inviting atmosphere. The City of West Columbia is thrilled to have Black Rooster. It compliments all of the other wonderful businesses we have. Horton said in the last week or so, he has also dined at Terra on State Street.

“I just don’t know where you can find so many fine restaurants in such a compacted area. There’s also Al’s Upstairs on Meeting Street, and Cafe Strudel on State Street, too.”

Chaye Alexander is the owner of the recently opened Chayze Lounge that moved into West Columbia’s River District at 607 Meeting Street. Crowds have been great at the new location and lots of talented jazz and rhythm and blues acts have already played there. More are coming.

Some of the upcoming performances coming to Chayze Lounge include: A Night of Soulful Grooves: A Night of Jazzy Grooves With Willie Walker & Conversation Piece Band; Reggie Graves & Jazz Theory Live! An Evening of Soulful Rhythms; Groove Masters Live! A Night of Jazzy Grooves; The Tre’King Band Presents A Night of Soulful of Grooves; Experience An Evening Spoken Jazz with Eboni Ramm; A Night of Jazzy Soul with Tre’Sounds Band; Jazzy Trinity Presents A Night of Soulful Melodies and the Second Annual RCRF Jazz Fest.

Chayze Lounge also rents space for meetings and private functions.

While much of the growth in West Columbia is in the River District, Other parts of the city are also growing.
Renovation is underway on 1205 D Avenue in Triangle City in West Columbia to create a new flex space.

The former medical office building is being redeveloped by Joe E. Taylor Jr., the former S.C. secretary of commerce. “This new investment will be an upgrade to this commercial area of Triangle City,” said Taylor, who hopes the project will set the tone for revitalization of other Triangle City properties.

Taylor will also build an office building on Meeting Street, and he is planning the addition of more than 30 single-family homes in the Center Street area.

Bill Mooneyhan, a member of the West Columbia Planning Commission. He said he is going to expand his auto repair service building on B Avenue in Triangle City. Construction is scheduled to start on Sept. 15.

“There is so much going on in Triangle City,” said Mooneyhan. “The building across from my shop has been bought and a new business that does home renovations is coming in. Around the corner, an old car wash has been converted into office space.

“It’s very exciting. So much going on in West Columbia. I’m so glad to be a part of it. It’s the most active I’ve seen the West Columbia business community, and I’ve been in business for close to 40 years.