Top Tier Restaurant Closed in Columbia
The restaurant at 1614 Main St. shut its doors following a turbulent period of licensing and ownership changes.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Dining Out
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Top Tier, a dining destination on Main Street in Columbia, officially closed on Sept. 27, 2026. The establishment had been in operation since February 2025.
Why it matters
The closure follows a difficult period for the restaurant, which faced significant operational hurdles related to its liquor licensing. The business struggled to maintain stability after the state denied its alcohol permit in late 2025.
The restaurant operated at 1614 Main St. for approximately 19 months. It endured a four-month period without a liquor license before the state granted a new one in March 2026.
The players
Claudette Outen
She became the owner of the establishment following legal requirements for the restaurant to maintain its operating license.
Norman Harvin
The former owner was barred from involvement in the restaurant as part of a court order regarding the facility's liquor permit.
South Carolina Department of Revenue
This state agency oversees the issuance and denial of liquor licenses for establishments operating within South Carolina.
The details
After the South Carolina Department of Revenue denied the liquor license in November 2025, the restaurant operated with reduced hours for several months. A court-mandated change in ownership saw Claudette Outen take control from former owner Norman Harvin as a condition for the permit's renewal.
Timeline
February 2025: Top Tier opened for business on Main Street.
November 2025: The South Carolina Department of Revenue denied the liquor license.
March 2026: A new liquor license was granted after a change in ownership.
Sept. 27, 2026: The restaurant officially closed its doors.
Culture Shift
The closure highlights the intersection between local hospitality success and strict state regulatory compliance. Such regulatory hurdles often create barriers for small businesses trying to navigate the complexities of state-governed alcohol permit renewals.
Residents in the Columbia area will no longer be able to patronize this specific Main Street location. Those who had previously visited may need to seek alternative dining options as the space clears out.
The takeaway
This situation demonstrates how critical state regulatory compliance is for the survival of small businesses in the hospitality sector. Entrepreneurs should remain aware of how ownership changes and licensing status directly affect their daily operational capacity.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, browse our Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post and Courier.
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