BAD PICK? American Pickers star Mike Wolfe’s new Tennessee restaurant yet to open five months after completing construction

AMERICAN Pickers star Mike Wolfe’s new Columbia, Tennessee restaurant remains closed five months after completing renovations in November.

Mike, 60, owns properties in Columbia, Tennessee including bike shop Columbia Motor Alley, Two Lanes Guesthouse vacation rental and more.

The U.S. Sun previously reported the American Pickers star planned to open a restaurant where a former wine bar used to be.

Now, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal the eatery remains unopened five months after completing construction in November 2023.

A town source claimed, “It used to be a vintage wine bar and lounge. They closed that down and Mike Wolfe bought it and built that.

“It’s just sitting there. I don’t know what they’re doing with it.”

A second insider claimed the space currently acts as an outdoor seating area for the next-door restaurant Prime and Pint.

MIKE’S VISION
The U.S. Sun previously revealed photos of the finished product of the outside area from November 2023.

The front of the restaurant has a wooden pergola with lights streaming from the beams.

There are gray pavers under the pergola with concrete for the rest of the space.

The fire pit area also has pavers, as there is a brick bench for customers to sit around the fire.

There are pavers that are elevated, which will act as a stage for karaoke and performers.

The outdoor area is lined with a black metal gate and brick planter boxes with shrubs, along with other greenery.

According to property records viewed by The U.S. Sun, Mike dropped $600,000 on the property on September 15, 2022.

The 976-square-foot red-and-white building, which was built in 1953, remains untouched, as the inside has construction materials.

COLUMBIA EATERY
The U.S. Sun previously obtained photos of when the property was under construction.

A source claimed at the time: “It’s going to be a restaurant. They are going to sell pizza, soda, that kind of stuff.

“Construction workers are building a stage for karaoke, a fire pit and a pergola in front of the building.”

Mike even stopped by the property on the morning of November 3 to check out the progress.

In photos obtained by The U.S. Sun, Mike was seen showing workers exactly what to do to execute his vision.

‘MEMORIES FOR YEARS TO COME’
Mike has kept Instagram followers up to date on the progress, as he posted a photo on Instagram of the outside of the building with construction workers hard at work in November.

He captioned the photo: “It’s time to choose plants for the 1940s Esso Station Courtyard project. This property will have an intimate unique experience In the heart of @visitcolumbia TN Historic District.

“Come see all this little town has to offer. Big thanks to @tmoney_design For helping make all the green decisions.”

He also posted in late November: “When I first came to Columbia TN 6 years ago this building immediately caught my eye. Thru all of the changes over the years this little Esso Service Station has managed to weather the storm.

“So many of these places have been scraped from the earth. Erasing such a big part of transportation history in America. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to reimagine how this property could continue to serve the community. This outdoor space will create memories for years to come.”

KING OF COLUMBIA
Also in town is Mike’s vacation rental Two Lanes and his car garage Columbia Motor Alley.

The American Pickers star is working to give the small town, which is about an hour south of Nashville, new life.

According to property records, one commercial property rented out to Hazelwood Laboratories is 4,320 square feet and valued at $214,100.

Mike also became the owner of a 2,900-square-foot property with a value of $192,700 that Muletown Coffee rents out.

Another commercial property is 4,653 square feet and is appraised at $336,300.

The space is a drama theater called Packard Playhouse.

Mike also purchased a three-bathroom, 3,166-square-foot home for $700,000 on May 20, 2022 in the small town.

A source told The U.S. Sun that Mike’s project to revamp Columbia is “costing $93million.”

The insider added, “The town is happy Mike is taking this on to help bring new life to Columbia.”