One of Columbia’s most prominent natural food stores is opening a new location.

Rosewood Market long has been a local staple due to its natural and organic, alternative lifestyle options. It has been on Rosewood  Drive, at two locations, for more than 50 years.

A mini, grab-and-go version of the market is taking over the popular fruit smoothies and boba tea shop, Corner Blend.

The mini-market will be located on the corner of Main and Blossom Streets.

Bryan Tayara, the owner of Rosewood Market, said he noticed that “almost all of the food options on Main Street are overly processed and low in nutrients.” The goal is to bring a healthier alternative to students, downtown residents, and commuters.

Being located adjacent to the University of South Carolina’s campus will allow college students who prefer to eat “cleaner” food have access to better options. Tayara said he has noticed a surge in college students who are eating cleaner.

“Students especially are noticing that they’re sensitive to these over-processed convenience foods, and they’re cutting them out of their diet,” Tayara said. He thinks the surge can be attributed to social media exposing people to a better way of living.

Veronica Neff is one of those students. Neff has been a shopper at the Rosewood Market for a little over a year now.

“For me, it’s about feeling healthier, cleaner and knowing exactly what is in the food I’m putting into my body,” Neff said. “… I think the mini-market is a significant step towards making healthy lifestyles more accessible … and that it shows that Rosewood Market cares about meeting the community where they are.”

Another student, Kylie Helm, passes through the market’s intersection daily for class.

“Although Corner Blend was a favorite of mine, I am happy to have a healthier alternative …,” Helm said.

The mini-market will not focus only on clean eating, but healthy lifestyle events as well. Community members can expect to see free yoga classes, wine tasting events and other events to promote health and positivity.

The market will sell quick bites from its kitchen, a curated selection of natural and organic groceries, body care items, vitamins and supplements, fresh produce, frozen foods, less toxic cleaning products and natural wines.

“It’ll be a true corner market much like what you’ll find in larger cities,” Tayara said.

He also said community support has been overwhelming.

Construction for the mini-market started on Sept.1 and has been moving quickly, he said.

He said he is planning a grand opening, possibly in mid-October. The hours will remain the same as the main location on Rosewood, which are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.