News Summary
Local entrepreneur Bart McKinney plans to launch a second B Mac’s Southern Buffet in Columbia’s Harbison shopping district by July 2025. The new restaurant will offer a diverse menu of Southern cuisine, including fried chicken and seafood, with table service options. McKinney aims to meet the demand for Southern buffets in the area, with a larger kitchen to improve service and expand offerings. He will engage in hands-on management to ensure success, as he builds a dedicated team to serve the Columbia community.
Columbia – Bart McKinney, a local entrepreneur, is slated to open a second B Mac’s Southern Buffet in the Harbison shopping district, aiming for a launch in July 2025. The new restaurant will be located at 1230 Bower Parkway, strategically positioned near the Bi-Lo grocery store where McKinney once worked.
The new B Mac’s Southern Buffet will offer an extensive menu, featuring favorites like fried and baked chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and desserts such as ice cream and cobbler. Customers can also look forward to a variety of seafood dishes, including crab, fried fish, and oysters, available on Fridays. The Columbia location will introduce a new dining experience with table service options, including hand-cut steaks and burgers, which are not currently offered at the Waycross location.
Columbia’s location promises a larger kitchen than the original, allowing for expanded menu offerings and improved service. McKinney anticipates a strong demand for the new restaurant, citing a shortage of similar Southern cuisine buffets in the Columbia area compared to the smaller town of Waycross.
The establishment will open every day of the week, with operating hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and extended hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
McKinney’s Return and Background
McKinney, who previously relocated to Waycross, Georgia, for work with Walmart, opened the initial B Mac’s location there. He is now eager to return to his hometown of Columbia, where many family members still reside. The new site in Harbison, a well-frequented shopping area, sees an average of 19,600 vehicles passing daily, which is expected to boost foot traffic to the restaurant.
Columbiana Station, where the new B Mac’s will be situated, is a vibrant area anchored by the Regal Columbiana Grande cinema and includes various local eateries such as Tsunami, Brothers & Beer, Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles, and the British Bulldog Pub, along with a Bonefish Grill chain. McKinney is excited about the restaurant’s positioning within this diverse culinary landscape.
Lessons from the Past
In previous attempts to expand his business, McKinney faced challenges with staffing at locations in northern Florida, specifically in Callahan and northern Jacksonville, which ultimately led to their closure. The Waycross location has cultivated a more stable employee base and a dedicated customer following, which gives McKinney greater confidence in the Columbia venture.
For the new location, McKinney plans to take a hands-on approach, committing to work full-time for the first three months. He intends to be strategic in staff hiring, ensuring a team that aligns with the restaurant’s values and reputation. An assistant manager from the Waycross location will transition to Columbia to assume the role of kitchen manager.
Future Plans
While McKinney is considering future expansions of the B Mac’s brand, he is prioritizing the establishment and stability of the Columbia location before moving forward. His ultimate goal is to provide a dining experience that resonates with the local community and meets the demand for Southern cooking.
As the opening date approaches, residents of Columbia can expect the rich flavors of Southern cuisine with the welcoming buffet experience that B Mac’s Southern Buffet promises to deliver.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The State
- News 10
- Columbia Metropolitan Magazine
- The New York Times
- Altoona Mirror
- Wikipedia: Southern cuisine
- Google Search: Southern Buffet Columbia
- Google Scholar: Southern cuisine buffets
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Southern cuisine
- Google News: Columbia restaurant news
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
