...Or so it appears. Say hello to Drake’s upstairs neighbor. 🚨

Text your happy hour crew: Main St. may soon be home to a rooftop bar + restaurant in the space above Drake’s Duck-In (at 1544 Main St.)... and we’re already picturing ourselves sipping a mezcal cocktail on a hot August day, watching passersby down below lounge in the newly-renovated Boyd Plaza outside CMA.

The ~$450,000 renovation plans to restore the building’s exterior to its original 1940s look, and completely renovate the second floor (which was previously a bookstore when opened in 1872, then a shoe store, but hasn’t been accessible for ~80 years). The plans include a seven-seat bar overlooking Main St., space for ~12 tables, a rear open deck, a small kitchen and an office – with entrances leading upstairs on both the south + rear sides.

Photo by @colatoday

The building's owners' (also the owners of Drake’s) were granted a Certificate of Design Approval for exterior changes and preliminary certification for the Bailey Bill historic tax credit for the renovation at yesterday’s City of Columbia Design/Development Review Commission meeting,

They're still looking for a tenant to fill the space + "to be another unique, character-building business on Main Street.” (Any takers?) No construction or opening date has been reported.

We’re loving the rooftop rodeo happening in our city this year. Shout out to River Rat Brewery’s new rooftop bar and Black Rooster (a.k.a. the Brookland development’s future sky-high digs) for making our city tip top.

– Beth + Chloe