Now that retail stores can open and outside dining is allowed at restaurants, West Columbia businesses are reacting to those  developments. 

“We have two tables out front,” said Martha Cook, owner of Compton’s on B Avenue in West Columbia. “Our customers are eating at those.” 

Before that, Compton’s was serving carry-out orders. 

Cook said Compton’s will be ready when the governor gives the “green light” for inside dining. 

“We’ll space our tables,” said Cook and “practice social distancing.”

She also said the staff at Compton’s follows all DHEC and CDC protocols during the coronavirus crisis, including lots of sanitizing and hand washing. “We take it very seriously,” she said. 

While the coronavirus crisis has been a challenge, Cook is optimistic. “We will survive,” she said.

Lainie Lewis is at “Ground Zero” in West Columbia’s River District. She said she temporarily  closed the doors of her business, State Street Trading Co.  It’s at 134 State St. 

“We’re open now, Lewis said Wednesday, “but we were closed five-or-six weeks.”  Lewis reopened on April 23, and she has seen business slowly begin to return. 

“I’ve had support and good local traffic,” said Lewis. “And there has been a higher volume of  purchasing from those who are coming in.”

Down the street from State Street Trading Co. is Cafe Strudel. The restaurant began offering  take-out service after the governor closed on-premise dining in March because of the coronavirus. 

“We’ve been operating a food truck,” said Trip Turbyfill. The food truck has been been at Carolina Pottery and Lowe’s on US 1 in West Columbia. It has a stop scheduled for Nephron and Saluda Chase, among many others. 

Turbyfill said Cafe Strudel is also offering outside dining  at its State Street site. Its hours are daytime only from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. until  4 p.m. on Sunday.

Bob Close, owner of Bricks and Stone Pizza Company, on US 1 in West Columbia has modified the restaurant’s hours of operation for the time being. 

Bricks and Stone is open from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It offers take-out and delivery. 

Stone Boot Co. on Meeting Street has been open for the duration of the coronavirus crisis. It’s owner Randy Stone said he sells boots and shoes for construction and industrial workers.   

“I’m ready for people to get back to work so they can afford to spend money with me,” Stone said. He said the sooner the economy comes back, the better. 

Stone said the western boots and accessories he sells are not essential, but those items will sell in a vibrant, reopened economy. 

While things have been different, the West Columbia business community is taking it all in stride, its owners will welcome a full recovery.