Longtime lunch spot Compton's Kitchen closed after nearly 5 decades in West Columbia

WEST COLUMBIA — Compton's Kitchen, the Southern food restaurant that served well-loved breakfast and lunch options for nearly five decades, has closed. 

"We are sorry to announce that the restaurant is closed," an announcement on the restaurant's website reads. 

It's unclear when the longtime eatery, at 1118 B Ave. in West Columbia, officially shut its doors.

Owners for the restaurant did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

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Perry Compton, a South Carolina native, opened his home-cooking restaurant on D Avenue in West Columbia in 1977, according to the restaurant's website. He moved his restaurant twice during his time as owner, landing at its final location on B Avenue. 

With a meat-and-three menu featuring Southern food classics like fried chicken, potato salad and collard greens, the restaurant established itself as a popular lunch spot with an impressive catering program. 

Martha Cooke took over ownership of the eatery in 2000 after managing it for a decade. In late 2022, Asia Dove took over as owner of the restaurant. 

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