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Restaurants continue plans to open despite rezoning request denial

The building has sat vacant for years. A new bar and restaurant are set to open in the coming weeks.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A storied Five Points business is planning to come back in the coming weeks, but under some restrictions despite a recent rezoning request.

An opportunity to serve alcohol later was the request from Yu Sing Tam, the owner of the property at 742 Harden Street, formerly the 'Horseshoe' bar in Five Points. 

On Thursday, he presented his request and plans for two new restaurants to Columbia's Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA), and asked to have the mandatory stop of alcohol sales moved from midnight to 2 a.m.

"One in the front most restaurant and bar, obviously 80% food, 20% alcohol. In the back, it's more 60-70% alcohol. It used to be they didn't even serve food in the back, now the chicken stand is going to go to the back," Tam said. "So I'd say at least 40% in the back is going to be serving food. To close at midnight is too early, most people don't come out to drink until 10 o'clock."

The proposed change did receive backlash from District 20 Senator Richard, 'Dick' Harpootlian

"I'm not opposed to people drinking, good golly. I am opposed to college students coming in there at midnight to finish off what they've been drinking," Harpootlian said. "I've seen the menu, and I'm going to take this man at his word, but another two hours is not going to make or break him."

According to Harpootlian, the property has sat vacant for years after the bar's previous management was cited for alcohol distribution violations. Tam said the previous management will not have any hand in reopening the restaurant. 

"I am going to do my part to combat underage drinking," Tam said.

The board ultimately rejected the request, encouraging a waiting period before they would accept any changes.

"I think we gotta allow him to get back in business for a year, and see how it goes, make sure he's not having any violations, DOR violations, anything like that," said BOZA Chair John Gregory.

Tam said he still plans to open the restaurant sometime in the next week, following the City's recommendations.

The board also asked about changes to the outside of the building. Tam said he is in the process of repainting the building and updating the Harden Street side façade.

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