Excitement in West Columbia as Southern Glazer’s Breaks Ground on New Facility
West Columbia is buzzing with excitement this week as Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits has officially broken ground on its new facility in the city. Despite a few raindrops earlier in the day, the enthusiasm was palpable among representatives, local officials, and community partners who gathered to mark this significant milestone.
A New Chapter for Southern Glazer’s
Southern Glazer’s is an internationally renowned, family-owned company that specializes in distributing wine and spirits. The new facility will take up a whopping 85 acres off of the 12th Street Extension in West Columbia. Johnny Burg, the Vice President of Operations, stressed that this new facility is not just a big deal for the company, but also represents a major investment in the future of South Carolina. “This facility represents a significant investment in the future of South Carolina’s operations and stresses our commitment to the enhanced service in this market,” Burg said during the groundbreaking ceremony.
Driving Economic Growth in the State
This new Lexington facility is set to have a tremendous economic impact on the community and the state alike. It is expected to create over 500 jobs, benefiting not only those who will be employed during its construction but also for the long-term operational phase after it opens. It’s really a win-win for West Columbia and the surrounding areas!
The facility plans to feature an impressive 412,500 square foot warehouse equipped with 13 receiving doors to streamline operations. There’s even going to be a specially designed bottle room that can hold up to 8,000 cases and a cold room that can accommodate 32,000 cases. Not to be overlooked, the facility will also have a two-story office building that promises to house a dynamic workforce ready to serve customers efficiently.
Advancing Innovation
Steve Baker, Executive Vice President and General Manager, expressed his optimism about the new facility’s capabilities. He mentioned, “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.” The proximity of Amazon’s operations nearby only adds to the allure, as Baker promised customers that Southern Glazer’s could also provide next-day delivery services.
A Special Moment with the Governor
The groundbreaking ceremony also featured a special appearance from Governor Henry McMaster, who took a moment to acknowledge the occasion by presenting Southern Glazer’s with a commemorative gift. It’s not every day that a major company decides to set up shop in your city, and the Governor’s involvement emphasized the importance of this project for West Columbia and the state.
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles from this exciting day, plans are already underway for the facility to officially open in the fall of 2026. With Southern Glazer’s commitment to service and innovation, it seems like West Columbia is not just building a new facility but also paving the way for future growth.
So there you have it, West Columbia! We have some thrilling times ahead. The new Southern Glazer’s facility promises to bring jobs, economic growth, and enhanced services to our community. It’s just the kind of news that lights up our days and unites us as a community!
