‘This is goodbye’: A soul food restaurant closes at Columbia’s Village at Sandhill
A soul food restaurant in a popular northeast Columbia shopping district has closed its doors.
Esther’s Soul Food and Kitchen, which was located at 631 Promenade Place in the Village at Sandhill shopping district, closed May 21, according to posts on its social media pages. It also is listed as “permanently closed” on Google. The restaurant had been there since 2021.
The restaurant announced its closing in a Facebook post featuring graphic that said “This is goodbye.”
“Thank you for allowing us to service your soul food and live entertainment needs,” the post reads. “It’s been fun, see you around. Your Favs, Esther’s Soul Food + Kitchen.”
The closure announcement drew a big reaction on Facebook, with more than 400 people reacting to the post as of Tuesday morning. There were nearly 200 comments on the post, and it had been shared nearly 200 times.
“I am so so sad to hear this!” one commenter on the post exclaimed. “Thank you for all the good food and amazing times and memories you have helped my family and I create.”
Esther’s was known, of course, for its soul food, including smothered pork chops, fried whiting, chicken livers and onions, candied yams, cornbread, mac and cheese and much more. The spot also was known for its coffee and brunch and often had live music.
“Thank you all so much for all the love, all the support that you guys have been showing us over the years,” Esther’s owner Richard Conklin said in a lengthy Facebook live video the day of the restaurant’s closure, noting that there had been “lines out the door” in the days leading up to the closing once word had gotten out.
Conklin did, however, tease the possibility of a future project, saying that “better things are coming.”
This story was originally published May 23, 2023 at 11:59 AM.
