News Summary
The historic Tapp’s Department Store in downtown Columbia is set to be redeveloped into The Shoppes at Tapps, featuring boutique retail space and a 24-hour gym. With a plan to unveil in July 2025, the project includes 11,000 square feet of shopping and a $25 per month gym membership, aimed to revitalize and enhance the local shopping and fitness scene.
Columbia, SC — The historic Tapp’s Department Store building in downtown Columbia is set to undergo a significant transformation, as developer LTC Hospitality Solutions has announced plans to convert the landmark site into a boutique retail space and a 24-hour gym. The new project is expected to be unveiled in July 2025.
The most notable feature of this redevelopment is The Shoppes at Tapps, which will occupy the main level of the existing structure, offering 11,000 square feet of boutique retail space. Among the features of this new shopping destination is a retail brand named Icon, which will have approximately 3,000 square feet dedicated to its offerings. With a focus on attracting high-end retail brands, The Shoppes at Tapps is aimed at enhancing the shopping experience in downtown Columbia by introducing modern, sophisticated store environments.
In addition to the retail space, the basement will house a 24-hour gym called 24-7 Gym. This gym will be equipped with new exercise machines and dedicated studio spaces for activities such as personal training, hot yoga, and cycling. Memberships for the gym will start at $25 per month, making it accessible for many residents looking for fitness options.
To accommodate the influx of shoppers and gym-goers, LTC Hospitality Solutions has secured 40 reserved parking spaces directly across the street from the Tapp’s building. The newly planned hours for The Shoppes at Tapps will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
The Tapp’s building has a rich history in Columbia, originally opening its doors in 1940. Once a bustling department store, it has since transitioned to providing apartments and housing small businesses after its closure in 1995. The building was rehabilitated in 2003 to preserve its Art Moderne architectural style while incorporating residential spaces.
Local residents have expressed enthusiasm for the redevelopment, noting a long-standing absence of retail options in the area aside from the Soda City Market. They have indicated a desire for more clothing stores, particularly following the loss of larger department stores such as Macy’s and the original Tapp’s. As interest grows in revitalizing downtown Columbia, comments from the community reflect a wish to re-establish the once-thriving retail atmosphere that the Tapp’s building is known for.
As the plans for The Shoppes at Tapps and 24-7 Gym move forward, the project aims to breathe new life into the downtown area, providing residents and visitors with enhanced shopping and fitness options while honoring the historic significance of the Tapp’s building.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX
- The State
- Post and Courier
- Columbia Metro
- Cola Today
- Wikipedia: Historic Sites in Columbia, SC
- Google Search: Tapps Department Store
- Google Scholar: Tapps Building Columbia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Columbia, South Carolina
- Google News: Tapps Building
