News - Columbia Transformation: From Sliders to Housing Innovations

In an exciting culinary expansion, White Castle has teamed up with Automated Retail Technology to introduce 'Crave & Go' vending machines across the United States, with South Carolina receiving 46 machines, and 11 of those in Columbia. These innovative kiosks offer customers hot sliders in under two minutes, with pricing starting at $5.59 for Original Sliders. Key Columbia locations include the University of South Carolina School of Journalism, Columbia College Student Union, and select Murphy USA gas stations. Simultaneously, downtown Columbia is undergoing a significant change as the last remaining retail space on the 1100 block of Washington Street has closed. Express Mart has shuttered its doors to pave the way for a luxury hotel development by The Kessler Enterprise. This transformation follows Columbia City Council's decision to sell the 94,000-square-foot property for $2.9 million, marking the end of an era for the Washington Square building. Moreover, a new chapter in affordable housing is unfolding in Columbia with the conversion of the rundown Grand Motel into Grand Village. Spearheaded by Homeless No More and made possible by a substantial $10 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to United Way of the Midlands, this $12.8 million project will create 30 affordable housing units complete with a community center in honor of the late Jim Christopher. Expected to be completed in the coming year, this initiative symbolizes hope and progress in addressing housing needs. Columbia is undergoing a multifaceted evolution, from satisfying cravings with quick and innovative dining solutions to addressing critical housing shortages. These developments highlight the city's dynamic change, balancing commercial advancement with crucial community support initiatives.