Starbucks coming to Cayce, maybe Millwood Avenue

Listen to this article

Contractors are putting the finishing touches on the new Starbucks on Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce, while another Starbucks could be coming to Columbia.

On Tuesday, Columbia’s Board of Zoning Appeals voted 5-1 to allow a special exception permit for a restaurant drive-thru for properties at 3017 and 3023 Millwood Ave.

The site is currently home to Revente’s Second Chances, a clothing store that donates profits to The Women’s Shelter, along with a pet supply store and groomer.

Don Danford, who owns Don Danford Designs and The Birdhouse consignment furniture shop on the property, said he would be moving his business when his lease expires in May 2020. Danford hopes to relocate to a location somewhere on Millwood Avenue.  

The Cayce Starbucks was built in the 700 block between Taco Bell and Captain D’s.

City Manager Tracy Hegler said the new Starbucks is part of Cayce’s growth plan for the Knox Abbott Drive corridor. A streetscaping project has been done on the road between the Blossom Street Bridge and 12th Street while water lines were installed.

“The city has made very strategic decisions about how it grows through great zoning, proactive planning and smart investments,” she said. “With these decisions the city balances the needs of our businesses, residents and visitors.”

Cayce Mayor Elise Partin said the streetscaping was done to make the corridor more appealing to new businesses.

“Businesses want to be in cities that invest in themselves and their infrastructure, and it’s fun to see this new addition to Cayce,” she said.

An opening date is not yet known, and Starbucks did not respond to requests for comment. However, hiring for the Cayce location has been going on for several weeks.