TOP TEN LIST

1. Apple Store
Apple is one of the hottest brands in the world and Apple Stores are destinations. Columbia is one of the only major cities in the region without an Apple Store. Reports surfaced recently that Apple was looking for retail employees for Columbia. We’ll see. While downtown provides the benefit of being close to campus, Columbiana or Sandhills is a more likely destination. Closest locations are Augusta, Greenville, Charleston and Charlotte.

2. Costco
Looks like Costco is coming to Piney Grove Road near Harbison. But we've heard that before. So until they break ground, I'm keeping them here at number two on the list. Closest locations are Spartanburg, Augusta and Charlotte.

3. Tupelo Honey
A delightful Asheville restaurant specializing in creative Southern cuisine. They’d be a great addition to the downtown area. I’d love to see them on Main Street with Mast General, the Nickelodeon and the Saturday Soda City Farmers Market. But they’d fit into the Vista, Five Points, Forest Drive or Devine Street. Closest locations are Asheville, Charlotte and Greenville.

4. PF Chang's
I’ve typically left chain restaurants off the Most Wanted List, but lots of people ask about PF Chang’s. I still think that Harbison is a good potential location for them, but there is very little available restaurant space available. I'm currently hearing that the Bull Street property is a possibility. Closest locations are Augusta, Charlotte, Greenville, Asheville and Mt. Pleasant.

5. Mini
Considering how many Minis you see in Columbia, it’s pretty shocking that there isn’t a dealer in town. Many of these dealerships are next to a BMW dealership (since Mini is owned by BMW). But Columbia’s BMW dealership is at an aging complex on Two Notch and I’m not sure if the dealership is looking to relocate. I’d assume that the most likely location for a Mini dealer is at Killian Road and I-77, an area where many of the Two Notch dealerships are relocating. Closest dealers are Charlotte, Greenville and Charleston.

6. Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn would be a great addition to the market in Columbia and I could see them in Sandhills, Columbiana or even the Forest Drive area. Closest locations are Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte and Atlanta.

7. Ann Taylor
Columbia has several Ann Taylor Loft stores, but not the more upscale Ann Taylor. Originally, the Loft in Trenholm Plaza was reported to be an Ann Taylor. The company then mentioned there were plans to put an Ann Taylor at Columbiana, but no store yet. Closest locations are Charlotte, Augusta, Greenville and Charleston.

8. Container Store
An awesome store with containers for every storage need. Nearest location is in Charlotte.

9. Teavana
Teavana is a chain of tea stores often located in malls. Would be a nice fit in Columbiana or Sandhills. Nearest locations are in Greenville and Charlotte.

10. Riverfront Park between Gervais and Blossom
One of the most interesting undeveloped areas in Columbia is the land bound by Gervais, Blossom and Huger. A massive park has been mentioned there in the past. That section is the only part of the river that does not have a section of the Greenway.

Others Receiving Votes
Dave and Busters, Tesla, Crate and Barrel, Papersource, Maggianos, Bass Pro Shop, Cheesecake Factory, Eddie Bauer, Pottery Barn Kids, Tanger Outlet Mall, California Pizza Kitchen, Seated Dining at Columbiana, H&M, Luxury or Boutique Inn