Longtime Columbia Italian restaurant makes ‘difficult decision’ to close after 40+ years
An Italian restaurant that has been a Columbia mainstay for more than four decades will close its doors before the end of the year.
The Villa, located at 1704 Bush River Road, announced on its business Facebook page that it will be closing for good on Dec. 22. The restaurant will end lunch service after this week, and then it will be open only for dinner service Mondays through Saturdays up until Dec. 22.
The business said on social media that a lot of “hard thought” went into the “difficult decision” to close up shop.
“We are truly grateful for all of the loyal customers that have made The Villa such a success for the last 45+ years. We hope that everyone will come and see us again before December 22,” The Villa’s post said.
Per The Villa’s website, the Bush River Road location has been open since May 1977. There also was a Villa location in Five Points for more than two decades. That Five Points spot closed in 1993. Some of the murals that adorned the walls of the old Five Points location were cut out and moved to the Bush River Road spot in 1993.
The Villa announced its closing on Facebook Monday in a post that had been shared nearly 500 times as of Tuesday afternoon. Nearly 300 people had commented on the post, with many sharing warm memories of the restaurant.
“So sad. We have been coming to The Villa for at least 41 years,” customer Carol Averitte wrote. “We’ve had lots of family celebrating in the back room. Even though we don’t live in (Columbia) anymore, we will stop by and get an uncooked Villa Special to take home with us. Hoping we can come and enjoy The Villa one more time!”
Another customer wrote that she was “heartbroken” over the news.
“Our family eats dinner there all the time,” customer DW Tracey wrote. “The Villa is always the place to go when we don’t know where to go, because the food is perfect every time. I’ve enjoyed so many meals with friends and family over the years, at Bush River and in Five Points.”
