LEXINGTON — A family-owned and operated Cuban restaurant known to residents of downtown Columbia is expanding its operation.
Cuban Corner will open a second location in Lexington, it announced in a Facebook post Oct. 16. The restaurant is known for serving authentic Cuban sandwiches, croquettes, steaks and other staples such as ropa vieja, fried plantains and empanadas.
“What began with a tent, a family, and a dream to share the flavors of Cuba has grown into something we’re so proud of,” the owners said on Facebook. “Thank you for every kind word, every visit, and every bit of support that helped bring us here.”
Cuban Corner was born as a vending booth at the weekly Soda City Market in downtown Columbia over four years ago. For owner and founder Yaema Galguera, it was an avenue to bring authentic Cuban cuisine to the city after immigrating to South Carolina with her family.
Galguera’s husband, two daughters and mother all work at the brick-and-mortar restaurant that opened at 1212 Hampton St. in late 2025. The family saved thousands of dollars to open the permanent space, Galguera told Free Times in October 2025, and are now preparing for another.
The second restaurant will be located in The Shoppes at Flight Deck off Columbia Avenue and W Main Street in Lexington, the owners confirmed via Facebook comments, and Galguera hopes to open in November or December.
Galguera couldn’t be immediately reached for more information on where the restaurant will be located in the shopping center.
In a video posted to Galguera’s Facebook on Oct. 18, people are shown taking out trash, painting the walls and rearranging tables in the new space that appears to have a large seating area and a bar.
“Working on our dreams,” Galguera said in the post’s caption.
At The Shoppes at Flight Deck, also referred to as Flight Deck Plaza, Cuban Corner will be in good company — the center is home to the recently-opened Mother’s Oysters + Pies, an Eggs Up Grill, Brothers + Beer Lexington, Hokkaido Ramen House, The Lex Nutrition & Energy and several other shops and restaurants.
The shopping center is just outside of downtown Lexington in a busy retail area. The stretch of Columbia Avenue near the Flight Deck area sees traffic from around 34,600 cars per day, according to state Department of Transportation data.
Dining and Cooking