COLUMBIA — The BullStreet District’s forthcoming open-air food hall has announced an official opening date of Dec. 5, but those looking for early access to the highly anticipated development are in luck as two food vendors have announced they will be selling food early.
Gryomania Grill was the first to open up its Gather COLA kitchen to the public, announcing the move on social media Nov. 21. The fast-casual Greek restaurant originally based in Elgin is currently open for take-out only with options to order through DoorDash, Uber Eats, the Gyromania Grill app or over the phone at 954-552-4563.
In a social media post, the restaurant said phone orders will be cooked fresh and walked out to customers while the rest of the Gather COLA building is still closed.
“Thank you for supporting us during this time,” Gyromania Grill said online. “Fresh, fast, and flavorful Greek food — made with love for our community.”
On DoorDash, the restaurant has a variety of menu items available from salads to lamb platters. Caesar salad, baklava, stuffed grape leaves dolmathakia and beef souvlaki pita were featured as the “most ordered.”
The facade of Gyromania Grill at Gather COLA in the BullStreet District.
Sydney Dunlap/Staff
Meanwhile, Big Easy Seafood announced it will open early with a family and friends event on Nov. 30 from noon to 8 p.m.
The new restaurant is a spinoff of the Spicy Voo-Doo food truck and will serve seafood favorites with a New Orleans flair. A menu posted by Big Easy owner Cedric Cole features street fish and shrimp po boys, seafood platters and sides like jambalaya and red beans and rice.
“Y’all ain’t ready for the heat coming out this window!” the restaurant shared on social media. “Pull up, show love, and let your taste buds take a trip to the Big Easy without even leaving South Carolina.”
Following the event on Nov. 30, Big Easy will be open noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 1-3. Regular hours will start on Dec. 5, with the restaurant opening from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.
When Gather COLA officially opens as Columbia’s first food hall after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 5, it will feature a total of 10 restaurants including a few local food trucks transitioning to permanent locations, two restaurants from North Carolina and one new concept from former Coa Agaveria y Cocina manager and bartender Matthew Koleske.
In addition to food vendors, the 32,000-square-foot, multi-level dining hall will also have two bars and three retail vendors — a flower pop-up, a vintage store and a Crumbl cookies location. It will also host live music and events with weekly trivia and music bingo nights beginning the week of Dec. 7.
A list of vendors and more information about Gather COLA are available at gathercola.com.
Dining and Cooking