By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher

The landmark Round Table restaurant in Columbia has new owners who want to keep the history and uniqueness of the 70-year-old establishment alive.

Husband and wife Gary and Vickie Blackwell have owned the Round Table for about two weeks after purchasing it spontaneously from former owner Evelyn Williams who had it for 15 years. While dining at the Round Table, Gary asked Evelyn if she knew of a good business he could go into, and she told him she was considering selling the Round Table. Gary and Vickie thought it over and bought it from Williams.

The story of how Vickie and Gary ended up in Columbia begins in Iraq where they met each other a few years ago. They were working for a company building small villages where soldiers could take a break from combat.

After Iraq, they lived in Huntsville, Ala. briefly before moving to Columbia, where Gary grew up. Vickie grew up in Louisiana, and Gary wanted to come back to Marion County to be near his family. When they got to Columbia, they were trying to decide what kind of business to go into, and Gary considered a Chuck E. Cheese’s. He then thought about opening a pawn shop, which Vickie was not crazy about, but she said she would support him if that’s what he decided to do.

Gary and Vickie are the fourth owners of the Round Table, and they love talking about the history of the establishment.  The house dates back to 1915 and once served as a boarding house for workers during World War II. Ida Rawls first opened the house to workers from the parachute plant and gave them a place to sleep, bathe and get something to eat.

The Round Table is steeped in Southern tradition, serving fried chicken and banana pudding on a daily basis, and visitors can relax on the front porch after a meal. Other menu items include pork chops, country ribs, meat loaf, beef tips with gravy, smoked Boston butt and a full helping vegetables.

The Round Table has endured through the years, Gary said, adding, “Most restaurants don’t last that long. This place has always been individually owned.”

With the tables that spin around in circles, complete strangers eat next to each other and leave as friends. Vickie said she wants to start a tradition at the Round Table in which the servers introduce diners to others seated at the table to help start a conversation. Gary said he loves getting to know the many unique individuals who come in the restaurant. “I meet no stranger,” Gary said. His wife agreed, adding, “He feels comfortable with anyone.”

Vickie and Gary hope people who have not tried the Round Table in a while will visit under the new ownership. The same chef is at the Round Table, Oliver Williams, and in fact, Gary said a stipulation to them buying the restaurant was that Williams stay. Kitchen staff will now be required to wear uniforms, Gary said, noting that Williams is decked out in a full-fledged chef suit now.

Gary loves Columbia but hopes something can be done to liven up the Downtown area, because it seems like much of the business is headed out to Highway 98. “Too many businesses are leaving Downtown,” he said. “Surely someone can come up with something to bring business Downtown.”

It looks like the Round Table will continue to be a mainstay in Downtown Columbia, and Vickie said she would like to do more rehab work on the house. They plan to put in new carpet and construct an elegant tea room.  Their vision for the Round Table is to grow the tradition so it can continue to be passed on. The more immediate goal, said Gary, is to keep hot food on the table for the customers.

“We just want everyone to come see us and try us out,” he said. “We just want to keep the history of the Round Table alive.”

The Round Table is located 318 Church St. and is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open the second Saturday of the month from noon-6 p.m. There are six spinning tables, and a total of 92 people can be seated.  Monday-Friday lunch is $9.62, and on Sunday it is $11.42; those prices include drink and tax.