COLUMBIA — Columbia’s retail scene is seeing a wave of new openings, from restaurants to major retailers, even as the city’s vacancy rate remains above the national average.

According to the Plaza Commercial Realty 2025 Market Report , Columbia’s retail vacancy rate currently sits at 5.68%, compared to the national average of 4.10%. A vacancy rate measures the percentage of storefronts that remain unoccupied in a given area.

While Columbia’s retail vacancy is higher, the city’s office and industrial vacancy rates are actually lower than national averages.

Despite turnover in some parts of town, new businesses are moving in. Recent openings include Magnolia’s Whisky & Wine Bar, Scratch Italian Fare, Burlington, Five Below and HomeGoods, with the long-anticipated Trader Joe’s set to ope

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