Shop featuring Black-owned companies opens in Columbia

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A shop dedicated to showcasing products from Black-owned companies held its grand opening in Columbia on Thursday, Nov. 17.

BOPs, which stands for “Black-owned products,” is located inside NoMA Warehouse at 2222 Sumter St.

The shop will offer a wide variety of products including clothing, personal care, cleaning products and more.

Owner Layla Sewell won a pitch competition with Benedict College’s creative entrepreneurs, which led her to open the store, according to a news release. Sewell said the store’s mission is to “create a tangible shopping experience where Black businesses are supported and Black people are celebrated.”

Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann noted that BOPs adds to the number of small woman-owned shops that have recently opened in the city.

“We continue to push in efforts to grow our small businesses because they are the ones that are going to grow with us and who are going to grow and invest in our community,” Rickenmann said.

Store hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.