Landmark Columbia cafeteria has new succesor

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “It was very sad to leave, we were very disappointed,” says Helen Gartman, former S & S Cafeteria employee. When the S & S Cafeteria in the Richland Mall shut down nearly one year ago, those whoe dined and worked here like Helen Gartman, say they lost out. “It was very heartbroken that we didn’t know we were losing our jobs and had to leave so soon,” says Gartman. Crandall Sims reporting,”The former S & S was so popular here at the Richland Mall, that the owners say they have received calls weekly from people asking when a new cafeteria would move in here.” Thursday they received their answer with the unveiling of Sadie’s American Cafeteria. “It’s what the residents of Forest Acres have asked for so we are giving them what they asked for,” says David Martin, longtime Columbia Caterer and Restauranteur. David Martin and his family, who also run Villa Tronco will be operating the new cafeteria. He says they named it after his later Grandmother. The owners of the Richland Mall say they are excited to see this day come. “It’s feels like homecoming, like a family reuninon,” says Bill Walkup, Managing Member of Century Capital Group LLC, owners of Richland Mall. While it may have a new name, not much is expected to change. “This place will again become a gathering place for families and for friends,” says Walkup But it’s also going to put those like Helen, who previously worked here back to work. “I’ve missed all of my customers and my friends that I enjoyed over the years that stood by me,” says Gartman. The restaurant will hire 50 people, the majority of those are expected to be former S & S employees. “In this recession that’s an important, an extrememely important thing to take note of,” says Walkup “It’s a new beginning and I hope everything goes well and I feel it will be really well,” says Gartman.