The Other Store: A Sandwich Shop in Columbia's Five Points

What The Other Store is and where to find it

The Other Store is a sandwich shop in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, the walkable commercial district along Harden Street near the University of South Carolina campus. The shop makes sandwiches to order, focusing on fresh ingredients and straightforward combinations rather than chain-style assembly. It sits among other independent restaurants and shops that draw both students and neighborhood residents.

Five Points itself has been a gathering place in Columbia since the early 1900s, and the area has cycled through different businesses over the decades. The Other Store fits into that tradition of neighborhood spots where people stop in regularly, know the staff, and come back for the same order or try something new depending on the day.

Key Takeaways

• The Other Store makes sandwiches to order in Five Points, a walkable neighborhood near USC with independent shops and restaurants.
• The shop emphasizes fresh ingredients and custom combinations rather than pre-made or chain-style sandwiches.
• Five Points is accessible by car or on foot, with street parking and nearby lots, and the area draws both students and long-term residents.
• The neighborhood has other dining and retail options within a short walk, making it easy to spend an afternoon exploring.

What to expect when you visit

The Other Store operates as a made-to-order sandwich counter. You tell the staff what you want on your sandwich—the bread, the protein, the vegetables, the condiments—and they build it while you wait. This approach means you can customize to your preferences rather than choosing from a fixed menu of named sandwiches, though the shop may also offer house specials or recommendations.

The counter service model is typical for sandwich shops in college neighborhoods and walkable urban areas. Expect to wait a few minutes during lunch hours or after classes let out, especially on weekdays. The space is usually casual—the kind of place where you order, grab a seat if there is one, and eat there or take your sandwich with you.

Five Points as a neighborhood to explore

Five Points extends along Harden Street and the surrounding blocks, with independent coffee shops, vintage stores, bookshops, and other restaurants within walking distance. The neighborhood has a reputation as a student hangout, but it also draws people who live in nearby historic homes and apartment buildings. The mix means the area feels active during the day and evening, with foot traffic from classes, work, and people out to eat or shop.

Parking is street parking or small lots scattered through the neighborhood—not a single large garage. If you are driving, arriving earlier in the day or on weekends usually means easier parking. The area is also walkable from nearby residential streets and from the USC campus, so many people arrive on foot.

When to go and what the neighborhood feels like

Weekday lunch hours (roughly 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) are the busiest times, when students and people working nearby stop in. Weekday afternoons and evenings are quieter. Weekends draw a different crowd—people browsing the shops, meeting friends, or exploring the neighborhood without the rush of the lunch period.

Five Points has a casual, independent feel. The storefronts are smaller than chain locations, and the businesses are locally owned. The neighborhood is known for being welcoming to students, artists, and people looking for something different from the standard shopping or dining options elsewhere in Columbia. The sidewalks are usually busy enough to feel safe and lively, especially during daylight hours.

Other things to do nearby

Five Points is concentrated enough that you can walk from one end to the other in 10 or 15 minutes. While you are in the area, you might browse a used bookstore, stop at a coffee shop, look at vintage clothing or home goods, or eat at another restaurant. The neighborhood has a reputation for having options for different tastes and budgets, so it works well if you want to spend an afternoon without a fixed plan.

The University of South Carolina campus is adjacent to Five Points, so if you are visiting Columbia to see the campus or attend an event there, Five Points is a natural place to eat or walk around before or after. The neighborhood also sits close to other parts of Columbia's midtown area, so you can combine a visit to Five Points with exploring nearby streets and attractions.

How to find current hours and contact information

Hours and contact details for The Other Store change, and the best way to confirm before you visit is to search for the shop online or call ahead. Google Maps, the shop's social media pages if they have them, or a direct phone call will tell you whether they are open on the day and time you plan to go. Five Points businesses sometimes adjust hours seasonally or for special events, so checking ahead saves a wasted trip.

If you are planning to visit Five Points for the first time, arriving during a weekday afternoon or a weekend morning gives you the most flexibility to explore without fighting crowds, and it is easier to find parking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Other Store a chain or independently owned?

The Other Store is an independent shop in Five Points, not part of a larger chain. It is one of several locally owned businesses in the neighborhood.

Can I order ahead or do I have to order at the counter?

Most sandwich shops in this style operate as counter service only, meaning you order when you arrive. Call ahead to ask if The Other Store takes phone orders or if you need to come in person.

Is Five Points walkable if I don't have a car?

Yes. Five Points is designed for walking, and it is accessible from nearby residential areas and the USC campus on foot. If you use public transit, check the COMET bus routes that serve the Harden Street area.

What should I know about parking in Five Points?

Parking is street parking or small neighborhood lots, not a dedicated garage. Arrive earlier in the day or on weekends for easier spots. Weekday lunch hours are the busiest times for both foot traffic and parking.

Are there other sandwich shops nearby if I want options?

Five Points has several restaurants and cafes within walking distance. The neighborhood is known for independent food options, so you have choices depending on what you are in the mood for.