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.
New developments + UPDATES
Completed in September of 2024, a public naming contest was conducted by the Five Points Association where the community was asked to submit names for the newest permanent art installation in the Five Points district. Hundreds of names were submitted, with the winning name being announced at our annual JerryFest event on Sunday, October 6, 2024.…
COLUMBIA, S.C., October 9th, 2024 – The Five Points District, known for its eclectic art scene and vibrant community, is proud to announce the official naming of its newest public art installation, “Fritz”. The 1,200-pound robot head, created by local artist, Clark Ellefson, is anchored at the north end of Saluda Avenue, near the main…