Columbia’s getting a new BBQ spot in a bustling retail corridor. Here’s the opening date

A new barbecue restaurant has set an opening date on one of Columbia’s busiest retail corridors.

Mission BBQ, which has numerous locations across the U.S., has set a Tuesday, April 30, grand opening for its store at 275 Harbison Blvd., according to a banner on the company’s website.

The new Mission BBQ will be next to First Watch, the new brunch restaurant that opened earlier this year in the shopping center at 275 Harbison Blvd. Other businesses nearby include Rooms To Go furniture store, 2nd & Charles book store and Crunch Fitness gym, among others.

Workers appeared to be putting finishing touches on the Mission BBQ storefront Tuesday morning when a reporter rode by. Smoke was billowing from a smoker grill being tended to by an employee out in front of the restaurant.

“We’re proud to be opening in Columbia, SC on April 30!” the banner on Mission’s website reads.

The menu at Mission includes a host of barbecue staples, including ribs, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, turkey and sausage, as well as sides such as mac and cheese, baked beans, slaw, green beans and fries.

Mission BBQ leans into a patriotic theme at its restaurants.

“We believe there is nothing more American than BBQ,” the company says on its website. “And nobody more American than the brave men and women who have sworn to protect and serve Our Communities and Our Country.”

The Harbison Boulevard area northwest of downtown Columbia continues to be one of the region’s key shopping and retail districts, with numerous stores, restaurants, bars, movie theaters, hotels and other amenities. The Columbiana Centre mall also is along Harbison.

Nearly 30,000 cars per day travel down Harbison, according to state Department of Transportation traffic data.