Another longtime Columbus-area restaurant is preparing to say goodbye, and for many Hilliard residents, this one is going to hit especially hard.
Legacy Smokehouse announced that it will officially close at the end of May, with its final weekend of service scheduled for May 29 through May 31.
For nearly a decade, Legacy has been one of Old Hilliard’s defining gathering spots. What started as a scrappy barbecue operation with a trailer, smoker, folding tables, and “a whole lot of hope,” as the restaurant described it on social media, eventually grew into a full restaurant and rooftop bourbon bar that became woven into the fabric of the neighborhood.
“Legacy became more than a place to eat,” the restaurant shared online. “It became part of birthdays, graduations, weddings, fundraisers, team meals, Friday nights, patio nights, and Old Hilliard memories.”
The closure comes after years of challenges and reinvention for the restaurant.
Legacy Smokehouse first opened in 2018 inside a historic Main Street building that had previously housed Bookphil, a beloved rare bookstore that operated there for more than 45 years. The building itself became part of the restaurant’s identity, helping shape the cozy, neighborhood feel that made Legacy such a popular destination.
In late 2021, a devastating fire heavily damaged the property, forcing the restaurant to shut down for more than a year while repairs and rebuilding efforts took place. When Legacy finally reopened in 2023, it felt like a victory for both the restaurant and the community that rallied around it.
Now, ownership says recent health concerns involving managing partner Chad Smock helped lead to the difficult decision to close the restaurant in its current form.
“Legacy Smokehouse wasn’t just barbecue,” Smock said in a statement. “Legacy was our customers, our staff, the incredible Hilliard community. Turning the page on this chapter is incredibly difficult.”
While the physical restaurant is closing, the team says they hope this is not necessarily the end of Legacy altogether. According to ownership, future plans could potentially include catering, special events, or a different version of the brand down the road.
Westwood Collective CEO Andy Warnock said the restaurant represented more than just a business for Old Hilliard.
“Legacy represented community and the evolution of Old Hilliard,” Warnock said. “We’re incredibly grateful to Legacy’s partners, their staff, and the thousands of patrons who supported the brand over the years.”
The restaurant’s final weeks are expected to draw plenty of longtime regulars looking to revisit one last meal, patio night, or rooftop drink before the doors close for good.
And while Legacy’s future remains uncertain, it sounds like the team hopes this isn’t necessarily the final chapter.
“So yes, this chapter is closing,” the restaurant shared online. “But we’re hopeful there’s another one ahead.”
The building at 3987 Main St. will officially become available for lease beginning June 1. According to Westwood Collective, multiple potential concepts have already toured the space, including a private cocktail club and a do-it-yourself bar and gathering concept.
Legacy Smokehouse’s final day of service will be May 31. The restaurant also noted that all gift cards must be redeemed before closing day.
