News Summary
Harbison Boulevard in Columbia is expanding its retail options with the opening of new stores including Sierra Trading Post and Rack Room Shoes. These additions are part of revitalization efforts to enhance shopping experiences in the area, known for attracting significant daily traffic. The local community has shown excitement for these developments, and the Columbia Chamber of Commerce is optimistic about further enhancing the retail landscape.
Columbia Welcomes New Retail Stores Along Harbison Boulevard Corridor
Columbia’s bustling Harbison Boulevard corridor is set to see several new retail openings, including a Sierra Trading Post store at 136 Harbison Blvd and a Rack Room Shoes location at 144 Harbison Blvd. The developments come as part of broader revitalization efforts aimed at enhancing shopping options in the area, which attracts approximately 28,100 vehicles each day.
Details of Store Openings
The Sierra Trading Post will occupy the space previously held by Bed Bath & Beyond, which closed its doors in 2023. Construction is actively underway, and building permits are prominently displayed in the windows of the site. Sierra Trading Post is known for offering outdoor apparel, footwear, and gear at discounted prices. This new store adds to the retailer’s existing presence, with nearly 120 locations spread across the United States, including two other stores located in Anderson and Greenville, South Carolina.
Additionally, a Rack Room Shoes store is set to open soon at the former Party City site, which also closed earlier this year. Similar to Sierra, the new Rack Room Shoes location has a “coming soon” banner and a visible building permit. Rack Room Shoes operates around 500 stores across the nation, providing shoppers with a selection of name-brand sneakers, dress shoes, and sandals.
Upcoming HomeGoods Grand Opening
In addition to Sierra and Rack Room, HomeGoods will open next week in the Shoppes at Stadium, taking over the space that was once occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond. The grand opening is set for February 20, from 8 to 10 a.m. HomeGoods is a part of the TJX Companies, which also owns Sierra, T.J. Maxx, and Marshalls. The addition of HomeGoods is viewed as a significant part of the area’s revitalization efforts.
Traffic and Community Response
Harbison Boulevard has become a key retail destination, offering a mix of shops, restaurants, theaters, and the Columbia Centre mall. The area’s popularity among locals is underscored by the positive response on social media regarding the imminent arrival of these new stores. Residents are enthusiastic about the enhancement of shopping options available in the city.
Future Retail Landscape
According to the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the local retail space is predicted to experience a vacancy rate of 5.5% by 2025, which is above the national average. The Chamber is proactively looking to attract additional corporate businesses such as HomeGoods and Trader Joe’s to further enrich the retail landscape of Columbia.
Conclusion
The new retail openings along Harbison Boulevard are a significant development that reflects the city’s ongoing efforts to provide diverse shopping options to residents and visitors alike. As these stores prepare to welcome customers, they promise to contribute positively to the local economy and enhance the shopping experience in Columbia.
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Rochester First
- Komu News
- Columbia Missourian
- Times Union
- Wikipedia: Columbia, South Carolina
- Google Search: Sierra Trading Post
- Google Scholar: Retail Development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: HomeGoods
- Google News: Columbia New Stores
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, 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 Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
