COLUMBIA, S.C. — The well-known Rockaway Athletic Club restaurant in Columbia -- known for its pimento cheeseburgers -- is under new ownership, but its exact future is still unknown.
News19 had seen people post online reports that the restaurant was being sold or possibly closing.
On Wednesday afternoon, real estate company Cason Development Group confirmed to News19 that the property had been sold and closed on. The company later said in a social media post that they're hoping to make some improvements to the exterior of the building.
"[We] are hoping to resurrect either that business or something very similar to it." they wrote. "We are working with a local group, and want it to be something that meets the needs of the two neighborhoods on either side of it, Rosewood and Shandon."
News19 went to the restaurant to speak to the current management, but no manager was there. Messages for comment were left, but none of those have been returned so far.
But employees there said they'd been told the restaurant would close in the coming days, at least temporarily, and that current employees wouldn't be retained.
Rockway is known for its burgers- particularly its pimento cheese burger- and as a spot for drinks. It has been around for about 40 years. It's known for its plain brick exterior that does not include a sign.
Rockaway burned down 22 years ago but was rebuilt.