News Summary
Columbia is seeing the opening of two new food establishments with Curiosity Coffee Bar expanding to Richland Library and Little Caesars preparing for its grand opening. Conversely, Pelican’s SnoBalls in Elgin will be closing its doors after seven years due to landlord disputes. The new venues are expected to enhance the local dining landscape while the closure of Pelican’s marks the end of a beloved local treat.
Columbia is welcoming two new food establishments while bidding farewell to a beloved local treat. Curiosity Coffee Bar has opened a second location at Richland Library’s main branch, and Little Caesars is ready for a grand opening at the recently developed Market at Spears Creek. In contrast, Pelican’s SnoBalls in Elgin plans to close its doors later this month due to an unresolved dispute with its landlord.
Curiosity Coffee Bar Expands to Richland Library
Curiosity Coffee Bar, a cherished coffee shop already known in Columbia for its original spot at 2327 Main Street, has opened a new outpost at the Richland Library located at 1431 Assembly Street. The new location features a diverse menu that includes hot coffee, espresso, cold brew nitro coffee, various teas, hot chocolate, and breakfast sandwiches, catering to both the busy library patrons and coffee enthusiasts.
In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Curiosity Coffee Bar will be highlighting specialty coffees from Papua New Guinea and Indonesia throughout May. This initiative reflects the shop’s commitment to not only serving great coffee but also honoring diverse cultures.
Little Caesars Set for Grand Opening
On Saturday, May 3, Little Caesars, one of the largest pizza chains in the nation with over 4,000 locations, will host its grand opening at 185 Earth Road. This new store is part of the Market at Spears Creek complex, which also features a recently opened Publix grocery store as its anchor tenant. The grand opening festivities will kick off at 10 a.m., with the first 100 customers receiving an enticing reward: free pizza for a year.
The grand opening celebration will also include engaging activities such as prize wheel giveaways, the energetic tunes of a DJ, and a special appearance by the brand mascot, Little Caesar. This event marks a significant addition to the community, promising to be both exciting and rewarding for local pizza lovers.
Closure of Pelican’s SnoBalls
In stark contrast to the exciting new openings, Pelican’s SnoBalls at 2291 Highway 1 South in Elgin has announced its closure on May 18. The decision to shut down the location comes after an unresolved dispute with its landlord. Having served the local community for seven years, Pelican’s SnoBalls expressed deep gratitude to its customers for their unwavering support throughout the years.
Despite the upcoming closure, Pelican’s remains committed to serving the community by participating in various events and offering pop-up stops in the Elgin and Lugoff areas. The company has also confirmed that its northeast Columbia location at 202 Graces Way will continue to operate, with plans to expand its menu to include soft-serve and scooped ice cream, ensuring that the Pelican’s SnoBalls legacy will continue in some form.
Conclusion
Columbia’s food scene is evolving with the addition of Curiosity Coffee Bar and Little Caesars, bringing new options for residents and visitors alike. Conversely, the impending closure of Pelican’s SnoBalls marks the end of an era for the local dessert spot. As these changes unfold, the community remains optimistic about the new flavors and experiences that will enrich the local dining landscape.
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Additional Resources
- KOMU: Special Prosecutor Assigned to Former Columbia Restaurant Owner’s Case
- Wikipedia: Columbia, South Carolina
- Columbia Tribune: Columbia Restaurant Inspections
- Google Search: Columbia restaurant news
- Columbia Business Report: Columbia Restaurant Names New Executive Chef
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Columbia, South Carolina
- Post and Courier: Ratio Closing in Columbia, SC
- Google News: Columbia food scene
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
The IRMO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIrmo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Irmo, Lexington and Richland Counties, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Irmo Okra Strut Festival, Harbison Community Events, and local sports tournaments at the Palmetto Health Credit Union Foundation Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, plus leading businesses in retail and healthcare that power the local economy such as Village at Sandhill and Lexington Medical Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
