Displaced Columbia Mexican restaurant sets reopening date

COLUMBIA — It’s been a long few weeks for fans of a downtown Mexican staple, as Vista fan favorite Monterrey Mexican Restaurant has worked to transition from its former location on Senate Street to a new space in the district.

But after a little over a month of anticipation, the wait is finally coming to the end. Monterrey announced that it will officially reopen to the public at 700 Gervais St. Suite C on July 16.

“Thank you for all the calls, questions, and visits,” the restaurant said in a July 13 social media post. “We made it and are ready to show you our new spot.”

What forced the move?

The move comes after the restaurant learned it would be displaced from its long-time home at 931 Senate St. last year, when Columbia approved an $80 million proposal to build a seven-story, 200-unit apartment building on Senate Street in December. Columbia City Council and Richland County also granted major tax cuts to support the development.

The project will displace the current building on the site, which previously housed Monterrey, along with burger chain Five Guys and Republic Biergarten and Kitchen. City documents from Dec. 6 indicate Five Guys intends to move into a new retail space on the property when it is completed.

Monterrey announced that it would close and move to a new location in May, and opened for the last time on Senate Street on May 30.

Since then, the restaurant has posted several social media updates on construction to the new space, including a video showcasing new patio seating, many wooden booths and a large bar with light-up features. It will join several other restaurants in its corner of the Vista — such as next-door neighbor Tsunami, Twin Peaks, Old Chicago and Grill Marks — where Gervais slopes toward Huger Street and the Congaree River.

The restaurant’s new address is 700 Gervais St. Suite C and based on Monterrey’s social media, it will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.