West Columbia Italian restaurant Al’s Upstairs is closing after 44 years. Here’s when

Al's Upstairs in West Columbia is closing. Here's why and when

Al Loftis, owner of Al's Upstairs at the corner of Meeting Street and Sunset Boulevard, made the announcement on the restaurant's Facebook page Monday afternoon.

West Columbia Italian restaurant Al’s Upstairs is closing after 44 years. Here’s when

The restaurant with views over the Congaree River to the Columbia skyline has been a Midlands mainstay for four decades. Now it is set to close up shop.

Why are a lot of Columbia restaurants closed on Sunday and Monday?

While diners might lament the lack of options on Sundays and Mondays in the Midlands, staffing shortages, expensive license laws and time-off for staff contribute to the widespread closings, local restaurateurs told Free Times.