A new shop for acai bowls, smoothies has opened in Columbia. Check out where it is

A new shop with acai bowls, smoothies and other treats has opened its doors in a popular Columbia hospitality district.

Cocobowlz, which already had a number of shops in the Upstate, now has a store open at 2015 Devine St. in Five Points. It is in the former location of Sub Station II, next door to the Insomnia cookies shop.

Cocobowlz specializes in bowls with a multitude of flavors. They typically come with a base of acai or pitaya fruit, and a host of toppings can be added.

For instance, one menu item is the Unforgettabowl, which has almond shavings, kiwi, blueberries, strawberries, cacao nibs, goji berries, flax seeds, almond butter and honey drizzle. Another is the caramel apple bowl, which comes with granola, apple, banana, cinnamon and caramel drizzle. Meanwhile, a reporter from The State opted for a Berry Strong smoothie during a visit to the Columbia shop this week. That one comes with organic acai, banana, mixed berries, almond milk and honey.

Other Cocobowlz locations in South Carolina include spots in Greenville, Mauldin, Simpsonville, Clemson and other Upstate spots.

The arrival of Cocobowlz caps a strong year of openings and announcements in the Five Points shopping and nightlife district.

The district has welcomed a number of new restaurant and retail shops in 2022, including Japanese eatery FuruSato Bento, The Turning Pointe dancewear store, Botanica de Santee clothing and gift shop, Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint, the Falafel King restaurant, Swiff Luxury streetwear store, Gameday Nutrition, Orangetheory Fitness and the Flying Biscuit restaurant.

Also, a new independent bookstore called All Good Books is being planned at 734 Harden St. A brunch restaurant, Ruby Sunshine, has been announced for the former Yesterday’s location on Devine Street. And Sweet GG’s bakery is headed for a spot in the 600 block of Harden Street.

In July, the Boyd Foundation and GrowCo announced a new tech incubator hub at 711 Saluda Ave., in the former White Mule live music space. The Boyd Foundation has donated $1 million to get that hub up and running.