Excitement Builds in West Columbia with Southern Glazer’s Groundbreaking
West Columbia was buzzing with excitement this past Wednesday, even with a slight drizzle trying to steal the show. Representatives, elected officials, and local partners gathered together to celebrate the groundbreaking of Southern Glazer’s new facility. This international family-owned company, known for distributing wine and spirits, is making a big leap with their new space in our community.
A New Chapter for West Columbia
The new facility will sit on an impressive 85 acres off the 12th Street Extension, making it a significant investment in South Carolina‘s future. “This facility represents a significant investment in the future of South Carolina’s operations and stresses our commitment to enhanced service in this market,” shared Johnny Burg, the Vice President of Operations for Southern Glazer’s.
And just how much impact will this facility have? Well, it’s not just about the wine and spirits; it’s about jobs, too! The construction and ongoing operation are expected to create over 500 jobs, benefiting our community both now and for years to come.
A Peek Inside the New Facility
So, what can we expect from this new facility? The state-of-the-art building will include a 412,500 square foot warehouse equipped with 13 receiving doors. Not only will there be a bottle room capable of holding up to 8,000 cases, but there will also be a cold room that can manage a whopping 32,000 cases! And that’s not all; there will be a two-story office building as part of the setup.
Steve Baker, the Executive Vice President and General Manager, expressed pride in the innovative design of their new warehouse. “Our state-of-the-art warehouses are the most advanced in the industry, and we’ve transformed our supply chain to be one designed around customizing services for our customers,” he said. Plus, with Amazon being just next door, they’re confident they can offer next-day deliveries to their clients, which is quite the game changer!
Local Support Makes It Possible
Among the attendees was none other than Governor Henry McMaster, who came out to lend his support. He presented Southern Glazer’s with a special gift to commemorate the momentous occasion. It’s clear that this project has the backing of community leaders and is looked upon as a bright new chapter for West Columbia.
Looking to the Future
The goal is for this fantastic new facility to open its doors in the fall of 2026. With a mix of community optimism and local leadership support, it is exciting to think about the future possibilities this venture brings to the area.
As the dust settles from the groundbreaking ceremony, one thing is clear—there’s a buzz of anticipation in West Columbia, and we can’t wait to see how this project unfolds. It’s a step forward that not only enhances local business opportunities but also strengthens our community. With Southern Glazer’s commitment to our state, the future definitely looks bright!
Stay tuned for more updates as we watch this impressive facility take shape and continue to bring jobs and economic development to the heart of South Carolina!
