Renaud Consulting helps restaurants and retailers find space in Columbia and the rest of Howard County, from the Mall in Columbia and the Merriweather District to Dobbin Way Center and the village centers. We serve Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland.
Where People Actually Go in Columbia
- Merriweather Post Pavilion, the outdoor concert venue in downtown Columbia, brings big crowds on show nights.
- The lakefront. Lake Kittamaqundi is downtown's front yard. Sushi Sono, an award-winning Japanese restaurant, and The Collective Offshore, known for crab cakes and scallops, both look out over the water, and the Merriweather Lakehouse hotel sits on the shore.
- The Merriweather District is downtown's walkable restaurant and apartment district: Smashing Grapes pairs global wines with a full menu, Blackwall Barn & Lodge does farm-to-table, and Food Truck Wednesdays fill Merriweather Row Plaza in the warm months.
- Howard County's Koreatown. A short drive away, Route 40 in Ellicott City is lined with Korean restaurants and bakeries, from barbecue to Kim Bob Na Ra's kimbap.
Sources: Visit Howard County on award-winning restaurants; Visit Howard County on Sushi Sono; Merriweather District dining; Merriweather District Food Truck Wednesdays.
What's New and Coming in Columbia
- The Mall in Columbia is adding destination restaurants. Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse, and Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, the Shanghainese restaurant brand from New York, are coming soon. Howard County Police also runs a satellite office at the mall.
- In the Merriweather District: Toastique recently opened on Mango Tree Road.
- Elsewhere: Chadol Korean BBQ brought its all-you-can-eat concept from Rockville to Columbia.
Sources: Baltimore Business Journal; What Now on Fogo de Chão; Nan Xiang locations; Howard County on the police satellite office; Daily Voice on Nan Xiang; The Baltimore Banner; Chadol Korean BBQ.
What Tenants Should Know in Columbia
- Columbia is a planned town of villages. Its village centers serve neighborhood shopping and services and suit quick-service food and family restaurants. Compare parking, access, permitted uses and total occupancy cost center by center.
- Downtown is more than one market. The mall, the Merriweather District and the lakefront are different settings for a restaurant or shop. Weigh concert-night demand against ordinary weekday and weekend trade.
- Look at the whole lease package. We negotiate rent, tenant improvement allowances and free rent for our clients.
Howard County Permits and Licenses
Columbia isn't a city. It's an unincorporated part of Howard County, so building permits and occupancy go through Howard County's Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits. The food service facility license comes from the Howard County Health Department, and liquor licenses go through the Howard County Board of License Commissioners.
Our Columbia Lease
- Quickway Japanese Hibachi, Dobbin Way Center, 2,500 SF (tenant rep)
More Maryland leases: Maryland retail space.
Questions About Columbia Retail Space
Is the Mall in Columbia a good place for a restaurant? It's Howard County's main shopping destination, with Fogo de Chão and Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings coming soon. Whether it fits depends on the space, occupancy costs, build-out and lease terms.
What's the difference between the mall and the Merriweather District? The mall is an enclosed shopping center with anchor stores. The Merriweather District is a walkable neighborhood next to it, with restaurants, apartments and offices near the concert pavilion, and the lakefront is another downtown dining setting.
Who issues permits in Columbia? Howard County. Columbia isn't an incorporated city, so building permits, the food service facility license and the liquor license all come from Howard County agencies.
Who do I call about Columbia retail space? Call Andrew Poncher, SVP and Director of Leasing, at (571) 765-4430, or John Marigliano, Senior Vice President, at (571) 765-4423.
Other areas we serve: Maryland, Baltimore, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia.