News Summary
West Columbia has celebrated the grand opening of JJ’s Place Bakery, which has been over two years in the making. The new bakery, located at 557 Meeting St., aims to serve the community fresh baked goods from Monday to Friday. With a successful start, offering various breads and treats, JJ’s Place is focused on fostering community connections and plans to expand its services shortly.
West Columbia Welcomes JJ’s Place Bakery
West Columbia celebrated the grand opening of JJ’s Place Bakery on June 2, 2025, marking the culmination of over two years of renovations and development. Located at 557 Meeting St., the bakery sits conveniently next to Brookland United Methodist Church and east of WECO Bottle & Biergarten.
The bakery will operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, providing a new local destination for fresh baked goods. Following the success of its bread business at the Soda City Market, where the owners will continue to sell Saturday mornings, JJ’s Place aims to cater to the community’s cravings all week long.
Early Success and Popular Offerings
In its first week of operation, JJ’s Place exceeded sales expectations, indicating a warm reception from the community. The bakery offers a range of popular bread options, including jalapeno cheddar, the traditional sourdough (their top-seller), and garlic rosemary. Beyond breads, customers can also indulge in an assortment of baked treats such as brownies, danishes, muffins, scones, and more. One standout item is the flavorful cinnamon bun, which is particularly noted for its robust cinnamon flavor and delicately applied icing.
Owners’ Background and Community Focus
The bakery is owned by Janice Caldwell and Andrew Reininger, who have both been deeply involved in the culinary scene, particularly in bread-making. Janice began her baking journey as a teenager with oatmeal cookies and has since expanded her repertoire through experimentation and culinary literature. Their passion for baking is complemented by a desire to build bonds within the West Columbia community.
Both owners emphasize the importance of connecting with customers, sharing personal stories, and creating a friendly atmosphere that encourages community engagement. They aspire for JJ’s Place to become a staple in the neighborhood where residents can enjoy high-quality baked goods.
Future Plans for Expansion
As JJ’s Place settles into its new home, the owners are already looking toward the future. They are planning to develop a website to facilitate online orders, which would further enhance their customer service. In addition, they aim to expand their staff to keep up with growing demand.
The bakery’s exterior humorously declares that it is “finally” open, a nod to the long wait that customers experienced while renovations were completed. With its blend of community spirit, delectable offerings, and a commitment to quality, JJ’s Place Bakery is poised to become a beloved local fixture in West Columbia.
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Additional Resources
- Cola Daily: JJ’s Place Bakery Opens New Storefront
- The State: West Columbia Welcomes New Bakery
- Post and Courier: Columbia SC New Restaurant Update
- Columbia Business Report: New Bakery Opens in West Columbia
- West Side Rag: Bakery and Bagel Shop Update
- Wikipedia: Bakery
- Google Search: West Columbia bakery
- Google Scholar: baking
- Encyclopedia Britannica: bakery
- Google News: bakery news
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.
