Hendrix – coming soon to Main St. – needs your help.

We’re still coming off the high of choosing our next Governor – but you have another big decision to make that will dictate life in Columbia from this day forward:

Choosing the logo for Hendrix, Main St.’s newest rooftop restaurant + bar.

Okay; we kid – this vote isn’t as impactful as, say, voting for South Carolina’s next most powerful leader. But it’s a pretty cool opportunity to help visually shape the future of Main St.

ICYMI, Hendrix is slated to open the first week of December. News of the development was first announced in July, and construction on the building at 1649 Main St. (former home of Hennessy's, remember?) began in September. In August, we got a sneak peek of the inside, a first look at renderings ⬇ + a recap of the building’s history with Historic Columbia.

Now, they’re letting you, our very own COLAtoday readers, choose the logo they’ll use for the foreseeable future. Are you ready to cast your ballot?

Here are the 4 logo options:

Logo 1:

Logo by Joseph Lemmons

Logo 2:

Logo by Joseph Lemmons

Logo 3:

Logo by Joseph Lemmons

Logo 4:

Logo by Joseph Lemmons

Now, vote in the poll below (or click here) to choose your favorite one. ⬇ Voting closes Sunday at noon, and we’ll announce the winning logo in our newsletter on Monday, Nov. 12.

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Thanks for voting. Keep an eye on the POD section of our newsletter Monday to see the winning logo.

Keep reading for the history + future of the space. ⬇

Rewind: History of Hendrix

Way before Hennessy’s, E.T Hendrix was the tenant of the building – hence where the new restaurant's name Hendrix comes into play – operating a grocery and meat market there from 1906-1926. In 1928, Ruff Hardware Company moved into the space – which underwent a $60,000 renovation (~$900,000 today). In 1949, the building went through another reno to stay on-par with Tapp’s Department store across the street – the icon of “new Columbia” at the time. After 70 years of being home to Ruff Hardware, Hennessy’s took over in the 1990s – until closing in 2011. And the building remained vacant until now.

Fast-forward: 2018 Hendrix

The 2,200-sqft. restaurant + rooftop bar is owned by Jon Sears and Chris Davis – the men behind Jakes on Devine + several other Five Points establishments. Javier Urarte, former Sous Chef of Motor Supply, will be the Head Chef of Hendrix – cooking “modern American food with a Latin flair,” serving a wide-ranging menu of $6 tapas to entrees ~$20-30. (We’re told his paella will be *the* dish to order.) Wade Penland, Columbia native and restaurateur, will help run the show as their GM.

Hendrix will take up two levels of 1649 Main St., with the dining room (on the second level) able to hold ~90 people, and the rooftop bar (equipped with heaters for the Winter) able to hold ~85 people.

Hendrix’s rooftop space concept rendering | image via Garvin Design Group

Hendrix’s second-floor concept rendering | image via Garvin Design Group

The rooftop vibe will pretty casual – offering awesome views of the city, beer, wine + cocktails. The dining room will more traditional, but with a cool, rustic feel – designed by local interior decorator Christy Davis. There will be hand-painted tiles on the front bar, pops of color throughout, big couches to hangout on, exposed brick + art on the walls.

Potential design swatches from Hendrix’s branding board | Designed by Christy Davis

Why 1649 Main St.?

“The building just pops,” co-owner Jon Sears told us. Being on the revitalized 1600 block of Main St. – along with the look of the inside of the building, the exposed brick + the large windows – made it a no-brainer for the guys taking over the space. They had been looking for space to house a new restaurant on Main St. for the last 4-5 years.

With Hendrix, the team is hoping to put a different spin on everything they’ve seen in Columbia over the years – and trying to do something that’s never been done here before.

Don’t forget to vote. Because how cool would it be to say you chose Hendrix logo?

–Chloe + Sam