Motor Supply Co. Bistro in Columbia, S.C., celebrates 30th anniversary

December 3, 2019

Pioneering farm-to-table restaurant commemorates milestone with December specials

It has been three decades since Motor Supply Co. Bistro in Columbia, S.C. — one of Columbia’s longest-standing restaurants — first opened its doors, leading the charge to revitalize the capital city’s fine dining scene.

Now celebrating its 30-year anniversary, Motor Supply has established itself as a progressive, upscale eatery known for its wines, artisan cocktails, relaxed atmosphere and chef-driven menu of sustainable, farm-to-table cuisine. Reservations are available online at http://motorsupplycobistro.com.

The story of Motor Supply begins in 1989, when it opened on Gervais Street in downtown Columbia as one of the first restaurants in the historic Congaree Vista district. Motor Supply’s emphasis on farm-to-fork dishes and dedication to sustainable Midlands farms became known in the community, and began to draw in locals and visitors alike. It soon became a driving force behind the farm-to-table initiative in Columbia, S.C.

“Sustainability and dedication to local farms has always been a part of Motor Supply’s mission,” says Wes Fulmer, executive chef at Motor Supply. “When I joined the team in 2014, I knew I not only wanted to continue these efforts, but expand upon the list of local, sustainable S.C. producers we work with. We’re proud to be a part of this ongoing farm-to-table movement.”

Motor Supply has come a long way since its humble beginnings — not only on the surface, like the addition of a comfortable outdoor patio in 2014, but also in the way it has been recognized locally, regionally and on a national level. Over the years, Motor Supply has been awarded “Best Restaurant” in all three major local readers’ choice awards, and in 2019 it landed the number five spot in Southern Living’s readers’ poll of The South’s Best Restaurants.

“Watching Motor Supply grow into the establishment it is today has been immensely fulfilling,” says Eddie Wales, owner of Motor Supply. “We owe our growth to our dedicated team, the Midlands community and each and every customer who has supported us along the way.”

Motor Supply is celebrating this milestone with a few special affairs throughout the month of December. The anniversary happenings lead up to the restaurant’s 30th New Year’s Eve dinner on Dec. 31, 2019. Guests can make reservations at http://motorsupplycobistro.com and follow along with anniversary festivities on social media at @MotorSupply.

Throw it back with ‘90s-inspired lunch specials
To commemorate 30 years of made-from-scratch cuisine, Motor Supply is bringing back some of the restaurant’s most popular lunch specials from the 1990s. Guests can enjoy throwback dishes like blue corn chicken, shrimp French Quarter, the meatloaf sandwich and a grilled salmon Caesar salad on the lunch menu for one week only, from Tuesday, Dec. 10 to Saturday, Dec. 14.

Lunch is served at Motor Supply Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch reservations are available online for any size party at http://motorsupplycobistro.com.

Sip libations made from the “thirsty thirty” bourbon barrel
Motor Supply is receiving its next Russel’s Reserve bourbon barrel in mid-December, just in time to say cheers to 30 years. This is barrel number five for the Motor Supply team, shipped straight from the rickhouse at Wild Turkey Distilling Company in Kentucky.

Head Barman Josh Streetman is crafting cocktails special to the restaurant’s anniversary using the single barrel whiskey from what is fittingly named the “thirsty thirty” barrel. “Thirty years deserves a special libation, and I’ll never turn down a reason to craft a new cocktail,” says Streetman.

Find “thirsty thirty” libations and other holiday favorites on Motor Supply’s cocktail list in December.

New Year’s Eve at Motor Supply
Motor Supply’s 30-year anniversary is leading up to the restaurant’s 30th New Year’s Eve dinner on Dec. 31, 2019. Guests can ring in the New Year on Gervais Street with a NYE meal off the luxe, a la carte menu crafted by Executive Chef Wes Fulmer and his culinary team, and sip on hand-crafted libations by Head Barman Josh Streetman.

New Year’s Eve reservations are available online at http://motorsupplycobistro.com/reserve.

 

About Motor Supply

Known for its artisan cocktails, refined yet relaxed atmosphere and daily-changing, chef-driven menu of sustainable, farm-to-table fare, Motor Supply Co. Bistro has been serving New World, made-from-scratch cuisine in the historic Columbia, S.C., Congaree Vista since 1989. The temperature-controlled outdoor patio features tables made from reclaimed, N.C. barn wood, roll-up garage doors and original, vintage brick. Reservations can be made by calling (803) 256-6687 or by visiting www.motorsupplycobistro.com.