For the second time in the span of a month, a Midlands restaurant that has been serving the area for nearly 50 years has closed.

Yamato, which proclaims itself “South Carolina’s original Japanese steakhouse,” has closed its original Columbia location in the Harbison area. A sign posted to the door at 300 Columbiana Dr., down the road from the Columbiana Centre mall, announces that the location is permanently closed and thanks customers for “allowing us to serve you for 49 years.”

The State’s Chris Trainor first reported news of the closure.

Per the Yamato website, the Columbia restaurant was established in 1975, with a Myrtle Beach location (which the website lists as still being open) following in 1995.

The hibachi-style steakhouse featured tableside cooking and sushi, among other options.

In December, Al’s Upstairs, which had served fine Italian food to West Columbia for 44 years, also closed its doors.

Cayce sets date for Soiree on State

The date for an annual event in the Cayce-West Columbia area is set.

The City of Cayce’s annual spring block party, Soiree on State, will take place March 23 

The festival, which takes over State Street in the city’s River Arts District, also announced its lineup, with the reliable part band Cash Money Experience set to headline, supported by local acts Mitchel Lee, Prettier Than Matt and the Sam Edwards Jazz Trio.

The city promises “art everywhere” along with local food, vendors and a kids area to complement the live music at its signature “party in the street.”

It’s Restaurant Week

South Carolina Restaurant Week is back in action Jan. 11-21.

The annual statewide event, put on by the state Restaurant and Lodging Association, seeks to give “local, regional, and national food lovers the opportunity to enjoy amazing values during lunch and/or dinner at a number of participating in casual and high-end South Carolina restaurants,” per its website.

“Restaurant Week’s goal is to position South Carolina as one of the top culinary destinations in the nation by increasing awareness of the many dining opportunities available in the state, as well as stimulating business and revenue for restaurants throughout South Carolina.”

Lexington County-area restaurants offering specials for Restaurant Week include:

- Catch Seafood

- Lizard’s Thicket

- Carolina Ale House

- Columbo’s at the DoubleTree

- The Melting Pot

- Uberrito

- Black Rooster

- Liberty on the Lake

Many other Midlands restaurants are participating. For a complete list, and for details on the deals being offered, head to restaurantweeksouthcarolina.com.

Lexpo 2024 slated for February

The Lexington Chamber is bringing back its annual business expo for another year.

The annual Lexpo event is set to take place again at the Barr Road Sports Complex (213 Barr Rd.) on Feb. 15.

“Lexpo provides an opportunity for more than 90 businesses to network, promote their business, and showcase their products and services to both current shareholders and the general public,” the chamber website states, calling the event one of Lexington’s largest business expos.

All shareholders in the chamber receive complimentary tickets, while the general public gets in for $2.

The event will again include Flavors of Lexington, which will feature local restaurants and caterers providing “their best culinary samples,” while the happy hour vibe injected in recent years will remain, as “complimentary libations will also be available.”

Exhibitor slots are still available. Find more info at lexingtonsc.org.

24 Hour Pickleball sets opening date

An around-the-clock Pickleball facility is set to open soon.

Announced about a year ago, 24 Hour Pickleball has been readying its site at 4590 Augusta Rd. (U.S. Highway 1) between Lexington and West Columbia for a while now. The facility, which is set to offer 12 courts and host tournament and league play throughout the year, has announced March 1 as its opening date.

Passiveinvesting.com, the private equity group based in Columbia and Charleston behind the endeavor, previously expressed a desire to establish many locations of its concept dedicated to the quickly growing sport, explaining that the Lexington area was an intentional choice for its first facility.

“We are very excited to break ground on our first site, right here in the Midlands of South Carolina. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the country right now,” Mitch Craps, project manager for 24 Hour Pickleball, said. “Our club will give members of our community the chance to learn, play, and compete in a climate controlled, state-of-the-art facility.”

More info on how the athletics facility will operate, including how you can access the members-only business, can be found at 24hourpickleball.com.