A downtown Columbia eatery will stay open after previously announcing closure
A downtown Columbia restaurant that previously announced it plans to close now says it will remain open, after all.
Sound Bites Eatery, the sandwich shop that has been at 1425 Sumter St. since 2021, initially announced in late December that it would not be renewing its lease for the space and would close on Feb. 6. But now it appears the restaurant will keep rolling.
“Well, Friends, there is more news to come but we want you to know (so that you can keep getting Fresh with us) that there are new developments in the works and Sound Bites Eatery will remain OPEN indefinitely, DEFINITELY!!!,” the restaurant said in a Feb. 5 Facebook post. “Come #getfreshwithyourfriends in our space, lovingly created for you! Be healthy, be happy, be Fresh and inspired as we continue to grow with you, Columbia!”
The announcement the restaurant would be sticking around received a big response on Facebook, with 166 likes and more than 35 comments as of Tuesday afternoon.
“The best news of the year!” was the Facebook response from Matt Kennell, who leads the downtown Main Street District organization.
The Post and Courier Columbia first reported on the possibility of Sound Bites remaining open.
The menu at Sound Bites includes a host of sandwiches, salads, wraps and more. Among the sandwiches is the In Da Club, which comes with turkey, ham, pancetta, provolone, balsamic vinaigrette and pesto mayo on grilled brioche.
This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
