Smoked brings new flavor to historic Main Street

A new flavor is coming to Main Street in 2021. Smoked is a combination of an oyster bar, smoke house, and microbrewery designed to create a one-of-a-kind experience in Columbia. Smoked continues the Middleton family’s stream of distinctive historical renovations on the 1600 Block of Main.

Three buildings at 1639-1645 Main are being historically rehabilitated and combined to become Smoked. The buildings were originally constructed in 1866 by store owner Michael Ehrlich and designed by local architect Gustavus Theodore Berg. The Ehrlich Building, as it was previously known, is one of the earliest structures built on Main Street following the Civil War. The buildings, rich in historical achievements, are rightly located in the heart of Columbia’s Historic Main Street District.

The new renovations are being done by a project team of experts in historic preservation and adaptive reuse. United Community Bank, Inc. and Rogers & Lewis Law Firm have provided valuable historic research and consulting. The Garvin Design Group serves as the architect and interior design team, and Mashburn Construction is to complete the building’s comprehensive upfitting.

Sara Middleton stated, “Our passion for restoring historic properties and bringing ‘outside the box’ restaurant experiences to Columbia will be on full display with Smoked. With my love of oysters and my brother Greg Middleton’s passion for smoked barbeque, we hope to bring a new and unique culinary experience to the city. We are thrilled to bring growth to Columbia and further expand its exceptional dining and entertainment options.”

Smoked will combine the tastes and textures of a high-end oyster bar with the rich barbeque traditions of the South and a microbrewery, in an up-scale, intimate setting.

Scott Garvin, president of Garvin and Design, stated, “Adaptive reuse has become one of our firm’s niches, and we are so grateful to work with an experienced team committed to preserving the building’s historic features while creating a really cool new space.”

The approximately 13,000 square-foot space has a multitude of stunning features, including views of the microbrewery, a 360-degree oyster bar, dining lounges, private event spaces, and a state-of-the-art luscious, green courtyard. The building’s historic storefront will be restored, providing clear views to the interior from the street. Interior fixtures and finishes will elevate the dining experience and provide a dual sense of opulence and comfort.

Lee Mashburn, president of Mashburn Construction, said, “This is more than just a project utilizing historic tax credits. This team’s ability to develop creative concepts and our ability to then execute those ideas collaboratively have granted us the best opportunity for success. Smoked is a multi-faceted rehabilitation, restoration and revitalization project that requires a high-level of expertise, and we are proud to be engaged in another impactful project on Main Street with the Middleton family.”

Scott Middleton said, “We are excited to create more high-quality dining and entertainment opportunities for Columbia residents in the Main Street District. Smoked will be a signature restaurant that combines outstanding food and service creating a unique dining experience.”

Smoked is set to open by fall 2021.

Columbia Star | December 31, 2020 | Contributed by S.C. Press Association