A well-known gift shop is moving from Columbia’s Main Street to another popular district

A Columbia gift shop is in the midst of moving from one popular district in the city to another.

Uptown Gifts, which for several years has been located at 1204 Main St., not far from the State House, is moving to 745 Saluda Ave. in Five Points. The Five Points location is right next door to La Boheme, and near a number of other businesses, including Saluda’s restaurant and Bang Back Pinball Lounge.

The Main Street location of Uptown Gifts remains open for now, and has been having clearance sales. Owner Michelle Cormier said the lease there runs through July. Meanwhile, Cormier has already been operating the Five Points location, though it’s keeping sporadic hours until she can add staffing and complete the move from Main. Cormier asked customers to keep an eye on the Uptown on Main social media pages for updates on the days and hours the Five Points shop is open.

Uptown Gifts initially opened on Main Street in 2018, and Cormier purchased the business in 2020. A native of Massachusetts, Cormier has had a long career in the gift industry. Prior to owning Uptown Gifts, she worked in the wholesale side of the industry, and also had a gift shop called Timeless Treasures in Massachusetts for 14 years.

Cormier said there are a handful of reasons she decided to move from the spot at 1204 Main to Five Points, including rent costs and parking availability.

The shop owner said, as she was considering a move, she was looking at Facebook one night and saw that the spot at 745 Saluda Ave. was available.

“I had looked around for space,” she said. “I looked in Forest Acres, I looked on Devine Street. Nothing hit me as the right spot. They were either too small, too big, no storage. There are a million different things. Then I saw this place (in Five Points) pop up on Facebook. And I came and saw it and spent a day talking to (nearby) store owners and businesses to get a feel. Everyone has been so welcoming.

“It makes your heart feel right when you know you can continue with your dream.”

She said Saluda Avenue, in particular, strikes a chord for shopping in Five Points, with a number of stores and boutiques along the thoroughfare.

“There is something for everybody on this street,” Cormier said.

Uptown will continue to offer an eclectic inventory of gifts and gift-related items. The shop has clothing, mugs, Gamecocks and Clemson decor and accessories, home decor items, Nora Fleming dishes and minis for hosting parties, numerous items highlighting the South Carolina state flag and much more.

The shop also offers chocolate truffles, which are a favorite with customers and nearby workers who are looking for a midday sweet treat.

Cormier said she will be on the lookout for new items that could be of interest to customers in Five Points.

“I’m looking forward to spending some time in the neighborhood and getting to know what people are looking for and what I might be able to add to the mix,” she said.