Here are the two new businesses coming to Highside Market in Columbus this fall

The Columbus-based development firm The Cotton Companies has announced two more businesses that will open locations in its anticipated mixed-use development Highside Market.

Parlor Doughnuts and Mountain High Outfitters are opening their doors in the development later this year, the company said. Other retailers and restaurants recently announced that will be located in Highside Market include Council Wardrobe Studio and It’s Tamale Time.

Located in downtown Columbus, Highside Market is a reuse development utilizing new construction and preserved structures that date back to 1939, according to a news release.

The 55,000 square foot development features 20,000 square feet of restaurant space, 20,000 square feet of retail space, 15,000 square feet of office space, a greenspace and outdoor lounge areas.

Almost 75% of space in Highside Market is leased, CEO Chris Woodruff told the Ledger-Enquirer, and developers are actively looking for partners to fill the remaining spaces.

“At the Cotton Companies, our mission is to change communities one building at a time,” Woodurff said. “We do this through creative design and seeking out unique businesses that will fill a need in the market.”

Here’s what to know about the new businesses coming to Highside Market.

Mountain High Outfitters

Mountain High Outfitters is an outdoor retailer and active lifestyle boutique selling outdoor apparel, footwear and gear. The retailer has 18 locations throughout Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Utah and Florida.

Chris Groom, founder and CEO of Mountain High Outfitters, found his love for the sporting goods industry after graduating from the University of Alabama. Groom moved to Wyoming where he lived in an outdoor environment and worked in a sporting good store. His experience inspired him to found Mountain High Outfitters.

Columbus residents can expect the 4,000 square foot store in Highside Market to open this fall, Woodruff said.

The outdoor lifestyle in Columbus made the city appealing for the retailer, Groom said. Columbus has the world’s longest urban whitewater course, a 15-mile-long Riverwalk and other outdoor activities that makes it a good fit for the store, Groom said.

Mountain High Outfitters is a big addition to Columbus, Woodruff said, which is home to the International Canoe Federation World Championship and World Cup.

“These are internationally known events and carry substantial clout in the outdoor recreation marketplace,” he said. “We have a very active outdoor community and know that MHO will complement our friends and outfitters like White Water Express.”

Parlor Doughnuts

Parlor Doughnuts is a doughnut and coffee shop that will occupy a 1,179 square foot space in Highside Market, according to the news release, and is expected to open this fall.

The brand identified Columbus as a market they were interested in, Woodruff said, which led to their partnership with Highside Market.

“We helped welcome them to the city and also the state of Georgia,” he said.

Parlor offers a variety of doughnuts and specialty drinks. The brand’s doughnut flavors include Plain Jane, Maple Pecan, Cookies N’ Cream, Bourbon Caramel, Coconut Cream Filled among others.

“We have no doughnut like this in the area,” Woodruff said. “They are layered, styled donuts with healthy unique toppings.”

There are also vegan, gluten-friendly and keto-friendly products on Parlor Doughnuts’ menu.

The brand was founded in Evansville, Indiana, in 2019 and currently has 20 locations nationwide. But the franchise is growing fast, the release said, with Parlor Doughnuts expecting to have 50 locations by the end of this year.

Highside Market will be hosting special events monthly until its grand opening later this year, Woodruff said, and residents can get updates on their website or on their Instagram page.

“We are excited about the partners we have coming to Highside,” Woodruff said. “As developers, we want the project to open close to full occupancy.”