Columbia’s restaurant and entertainment landscape is experiencing significant upheaval, with more than a dozen establishments closing across the city in recent months. The closures stem from multiple factors, including a major downtown redevelopment project by hotel developer The Kessler Enterprise, broader economic pressures on casual dining chains, and shifting market conditions. Several long-standing local institutions, including a 42-year-old sushi restaurant and a 35-year-old sandwich shop, are among those shuttering their doors. The wave of closures reflects both targeted real estate development and industry-wide challenges facing independent and chain restaurants alike.
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Editor’s Note
This news briefing was created with the assistance of AI to summarize stories. The briefing was edited by a Post and Courier journalist before it was published.
Luxury development spurs restaurant closuresColumbia sushi bar to close indefinitely after 40+ years, building sold for new upscale hotel
Camon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar closed after nearly 42 years at 1332 Assembly St. on July 18 after the building was sold to hotel developer The Kessler Enterprise as part of a redevelopment plan. The $2.9 million deal included the Washington Street parking garage and ground-floor storefronts. The restaurant’s staff said it was seeking a new location to continue operations. —Riley Edenbeck, July 9, 2026
Second downtown Columbia eatery announces closure after city hotel deal
Sky Bistro Lounge closed on Aug. 2 at 1120 Washington St. after four years in operation. The closure was linked to the same Kessler Enterprise redevelopment project that displaced Camon Japanese Restaurant. —Pat Moran, Aug. 4, 2026
Chain restaurants announce Columbia-area closuresColumbia location of restaurant chain combining Southwestern and Asian cuisine suddenly closes
Takosushi permanently closed its downtown Columbia location at 1332 Main St. in the Arcade Mall on July 9 after nearly four years of operation. The restaurant did not provide reasoning for the closure in its announcement. The closure left the chain with one remaining Midlands location in Lexington and seven total locations across South Carolina and Georgia. —Riley Edenbeck; July 10, 2026
National restaurant chain featuring endless salad closes 2 of 3 remaining Midlands locations
Ruby Tuesday closed its West Columbia location at 2504 Augusta Rd. and another at 7490 Garners Ferry Rd., leaving the chain with one remaining Midlands location in Lexington. Both locations were listed as permanently closed on Google and the chain’s restaurant locator. The closures left approximately 200 Ruby Tuesday locations remaining nationwide. —Riley Edenbeck; July 13, 2026
For real this time: 1 of 2 remaining Columbia locations of national chicken chain has closed
Slim Chickens permanently closed its northeast Columbia location at 456 Killian Rd., which had opened in January 2024. The location briefly closed for renovations in July before reopening under new management with a limited menu, but ultimately shuttered permanently. The closure left one Slim Chickens location in the Columbia area at 7544 Garners Ferry Rd. —Riley Edenbeck; Aug. 21, 2026
Columbia restaurant, ‘neighborhood gathering spot’ closes doors as chain makes cuts
Hickory Tavern closed its Vista location at 907 Senate St. on Aug. 23 as part of a broader restructuring by parent company Artistry Restaurants. The closure was one of four Hickory Tavern locations shuttering, including three in North Carolina, as the company focused resources on locations “best positioned for long-term success.” The chain retained 16 total locations across North and South Carolina. —Riley Edenbeck; Aug. 24, 2026
Jazz club plans exit; local haunts shutterA Columbia burger spot closed for renovations and hasn’t reopened. Future unclear.
Burger Tavern 77 at 2631 Devine St. posted a sign indicating it would close for renovations from July 1 to July 5, but remained locked as of July 9 with no indication of reopening. The restaurant’s phone line disconnected without a voicemail box set up and its online ordering site was unavailable. The closure came after the burger spot received a C grade on a February health inspection, though it later regained an A grade in March. —Sydney Dunlap; July 10, 2026)
Columbia-area spot known for ice cream, chicken, more to close and reopen with new concept
Mel’s Dairy Bar announced it would close on Aug. 2 and reopen in September with a new concept and menu. The restaurant, which opened in summer 2025 after the owner of the former Zesto location retired, was previously advertised for sale at $275,000. The space is located at 3239 Forest Drive in Forest Acres. —Sydney Dunlap; July 21, 2026
1 less downtown sandwich shop: Popular Columbia lunch spot closes after 35 years
Hampton Place Cafe closed its doors on 1230 Hampton St. after 35 years of serving lunch to Columbia residents. The cafe, which first opened in 1990, was known for sandwiches and salads served to downtown office workers and students. It was the second sandwich shop to close on or near Main Street this year, following a Sub Station II closure in February. —Sydney Dunlap; July 28, 2026)
Chayz Lounge is moving to another state. Owner calls it a ‘full circle’ moment.
Chayz Lounge, a West Columbia jazz club that operated for nine years, announced it would close at the end of December and relocate to Durham, North Carolina. Owner Chaye Alexander said the Columbia market’s limitations made it difficult to justify continuing operations, and she plans to move the club into a historic downtown Durham building. The club will host 20 more weekends of shows before closing. —Pat Moran; Aug. 13, 2026)
A Columbia Mexican restaurant that moved in 2025 is calling it quits
Chicanas Bar and Grill closed its northeast Columbia location at 119 Sparkleberry Lane, which it moved to in 2025 from Spears Creek Road. The restaurant announced via social media that it was “not feasible” to keep the doors open any longer but did not elaborate on the specific reasons for closure. The restaurant had hosted karaoke, salsa nights, car meets and other community events. —Jordan Lawrence; Aug. 15, 2026
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