constantly evolving, yet
Preserving history
Five Points is where modern developments, new projects and community improvements combine in beautiful harmony with the 100-year history of the neighborhood village.
constantly evolving, yet
Preserving history
Five Points is where modern developments, new projects and community improvements combine in beautiful harmony with the 100-year history of the neighborhood village.
COLUMBIA’S ORIGINAL
VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD
Since 1915
Where Five Points currently exists was once a large wetland area that Rocky Branch creek flowed through. To create the Five Points district, the City of Columbia diverted the stream’s flow underground in 1915. With the expansion of neighboring Shandon and Wales Garden, commercial industry really took off along Harden Street. These initial developments became Columbia’s first suburban shopping center and made Five Points the oldest non-Main Street shopping center in South Carolina. Because Five Points has been a shopping and commercial district for 100 years now, many locally owned businesses are proudly serving their third generation of loyal customers.
From ox carts to streetcars, to modern day modes of transportation, this bustling area has never lost its charm and appeal. Throughout its evolution, this village neighborhood has remained focused on charm and flavor, consistently striving to provide diversity, culture and class that only a community that cares about its visitors can provide. Now the heart of Five Points buzzes daily with foot traffic as business professionals enjoy an open air lunch, artists paint scenes and sell their wares in unique galleries, young and old shop for the perfect outfit or special gift. All the while traffic continues to carry residents in and out of the city village to the University of South Carolina, downtown business district and to homes in the six surrounding neighborhoods.
COLUMBIA’S ORIGINAL VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD
Since 1915
Where Five Points currently exists was once a large wetland area that Rocky Branch creek flowed through. To create the Five Points district, the City of Columbia diverted the stream’s flow underground in 1915. With the expansion of neighboring Shandon and Wales Garden, commercial industry really took off along Harden Street. These initial developments became Columbia’s first suburban shopping center and made Five Points the oldest non-Main Street shopping center in South Carolina. Because Five Points has been a shopping and commercial district for 100 years now, many locally owned businesses are proudly serving their third generation of loyal customers.
From ox carts to streetcars, to modern day modes of transportation, this bustling area has never lost its charm and appeal. Throughout its evolution, this village neighborhood has remained focused on charm and flavor, consistently striving to provide diversity, culture and class that only a community that cares about its visitors can provide. Now the heart of Five Points buzzes daily with foot traffic as business professionals enjoy an open air lunch, artists paint scenes and sell their wares in unique galleries, young and old shop for the perfect outfit or special gift. All the while traffic continues to carry residents in and out of the city village to the University of South Carolina, downtown business district and to homes in the six surrounding neighborhoods.
-
1915
Five Points officially established
Rocky Branch creek was diverted underground to create the area known as Five Points.
-
1919
First business opened in Five Points - Gulf Filling Station
The station serviced commuters traveling in and out of the city.
-
1928
Claussen's Bakery constructed
-
1935
Gibson’s Economy Drug Store was built
Known to most now as Yesterday’s, the building was constructed in a triangular shape where Harden meets Santee and Devine.
-
1939
Five Points Theatre opened
Tickets were only nine cents and was a favorite place for locals until its closure in 1979.
-
1940
Saluda Avenue stores were developed
-
1941
Harold “Groucho” Miller Opens the original Groucho’s Deli
The original Groucho’s still stands today and is a regular fixture frequented by college students, families and business professionals alike.
-
1949
Columbia’s first grocery store opened - A&P
A&P, where Men’s Warehouse now stands, was joined shortly after by Winn Dixie nearby. The new grocery stores were bigger, prices were cheaper, and people from the surrounding neighborhoods were clamoring to get in.
-
1973
Stage Door first bar to sell a mixed drink in S.C.
Before then, people could bring their own bottles and pay $.50 per drink as a set-up fee.
-
1976
Yesterday's offered Columbia's first Late-Night Menu
Hootie & the Blowfish were frequent late-night customers in the ‘90s.
-
1978
Yesterday's and Group Therapy opened
With Carolina, Allen and Benedict all nearby, bars started to come into the area and the district saw an influx in student activity as early as the late 1970s.
-
1979
Gourmet Shop opened
With Carolina, Allen and Benedict all nearby, bars started to come into the area and the district saw an influx in student activity as early as the late 1970s.
-
1983
St. Pat's in Five Points inaugural year
Started as a way to create more visibility for the village and draw people away from Savannah’s St. Pat’s celebrations, St. Pat’s in Five Points is now the largest one-day festival in South Carolina.
-
1984
Rockafellas’ opened
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Green Day, Dave Matthews Band, Limp Bizkit and Hootie and the Blowfish and more all played at this iconic venue now know as Jake’s
-
1997
Five Points Fountain was constructed
-
2004
Major Streetscaping project started
Largest streetscaping project on the east coast at the time that was completed in 2007.
-
2007
Five Points was a recipient of the Art for Public Spaces grant and installed the hidden Leprechauns
-
2007
2nd Saluda Avenue fountain completed
-
2010
Hootie & The Blowfish Monument completed
-
2014
JerryFest Inaugural year
-
2019
Five Points Association listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Five Points includes 74 “resources,” mostly buildings dating from the 1920s – 1940s.
-
1915
Five Points officially established
Rocky Branch creek was diverted underground to create the area known as Five Points.
-
1919
First business opened in Five Points - Gulf Filling Station
The station serviced commuters traveling in and out of the city.
-
1928
Claussen's Bakery constructed
-
1935
Gibson’s Economy Drug Store was built
Known to most now as Yesterday’s, the building was constructed in a triangular shape where Harden meets Santee and Devine.
-
1939
Five Points Theatre opened
Tickets were only nine cents and was a favorite place for locals until its closure in 1979.
-
1940
Saluda Avenue stores were developed
-
1941
Harold “Groucho” Miller Opens the original Groucho’s Deli
The original Groucho’s still stands today and is a regular fixture frequented by college students, families and business professionals alike.
-
1949
Columbia’s first grocery store opened - A&P
A&P, where Men’s Warehouse now stands, was joined shortly after by Winn Dixie nearby. The new grocery stores were bigger, prices were cheaper, and people from the surrounding neighborhoods were clamoring to get in.
-
1973
Stage Door first bar to sell a mixed drink in S.C.
Before then, people could bring their own bottles and pay $.50 per drink as a set-up fee.
-
1976
Yesterday's offered Columbia's first Late-Night Menu
Hootie & the Blowfish were frequent late-night customers in the ‘90s.
-
1978
Yesterday's and Group Therapy opened
With Carolina, Allen and Benedict all nearby, bars started to come into the area and the district saw an influx in student activity as early as the late 1970s.
-
1979
Gourmet Shop opened
With Carolina, Allen and Benedict all nearby, bars started to come into the area and the district saw an influx in student activity as early as the late 1970s.
-
1983
St. Pat's in Five Points inaugural year
Started as a way to create more visibility for the village and draw people away from Savannah’s St. Pat’s celebrations, St. Pat’s in Five Points is now the largest one-day festival in South Carolina.
-
1984
Rockafellas’ opened
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Green Day, Dave Matthews Band, Limp Bizkit and Hootie and the Blowfish and more all played at this iconic venue now know as Jake’s
-
1997
Five Points Fountain was constructed
-
2004
Major Streetscaping project started
Largest streetscaping project on the east coast at the time that was completed in 2007.
-
2007
Five Points was a recipient of the Art for Public Spaces grant and installed the hidden Leprechauns
-
2007
2nd Saluda Avenue fountain completed
-
2010
Hootie & The Blowfish Monument completed
-
2014
JerryFest Inaugural year
-
2019
Five Points Association listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Five Points includes 74 “resources,” mostly buildings dating from the 1920s – 1940s.
New developments + UPDATES
New developments
+ UPDATES
St. Pat’s in Five Points Announces 2024 Band Lineup
St. Pat’s in Five Points, one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Southeast, announces the lineup for its 42nd event, set for Saturday, March 16, in Columbia.
“St. Pat’s in Five Points has been a cornerstone celebration in the Columbia community for more than four decades,” says Heather McDonald, executive director of the Five Points Association. “As we unveil this year’s lineup, we’re thrilled to feature an array of genres that showcase emerging talents alongside established artists, reflecting our commitment to providing a diverse and dynamic musical experience.”
JerryFest in Five Points Announces Band Lineup
JerryFest, a FREE outdoor concert annually held on the first Sunday in October, returns October 1, 2023, and will feature more music and regional acts on two stages this year. JerryFest runs from 11:30 am–8:00 pm with an official after party at Publico from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm. Multiple bands will be performing Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead music, along with the addition this year of some other jam–band favorites.
“We’re very excited for this year’s festival expansion,” says Heather McDonald, executive director of the Five Points Association. “Attendees will not only get to enjoyGrateful Dead music they are accustomed to listening to that day, but also the musical catalogs of other bands who embrace the jam-band culture. This is going to be a musical fun-filled day for all to enjoy down in the Five Points district.”
St. Pat’s in Five Points Announces 2024 Band Lineup
St. Pat’s in Five Points, one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Southeast, announces the lineup for its 42nd event, set for Saturday, March 16, in Columbia.
“St. Pat’s in Five Points has been a cornerstone celebration in the Columbia community for more than four decades,” says Heather McDonald, executive director of the Five Points Association. “As we unveil this year’s lineup, we’re thrilled to feature an array of genres that showcase emerging talents alongside established artists, reflecting our commitment to providing a diverse and dynamic musical experience.”
JerryFest in Five Points Announces Band Lineup
JerryFest, a FREE outdoor concert annually held on the first Sunday in October, returns October 1, 2023, and will feature more music and regional acts on two stages this year. JerryFest runs from 11:30 am–8:00 pm with an official after party at Publico from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm. Multiple bands will be performing Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead music, along with the addition this year of some other jam–band favorites.
“We’re very excited for this year’s festival expansion,” says Heather McDonald, executive director of the Five Points Association. “Attendees will not only get to enjoyGrateful Dead music they are accustomed to listening to that day, but also the musical catalogs of other bands who embrace the jam-band culture. This is going to be a musical fun-filled day for all to enjoy down in the Five Points district.”