Nearly a year after a fire devastated its headquarters in West Columbia, barbecue chain Maurice’s Piggie Park is finalizing plans to rebuild. The fire, which occurred in October 2022, destroyed the building that housed essential food preparation and processing facilities, barbecue pits, and offices. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the incident.
Lloyd Bessinger, co-owner of Maurice’s Piggie Park along with his brother Paul Bessinger, stated that demolition crews are approximately three weeks away from completing their work. This phase is focused on clearing debris, including metal, concrete, and bricks, from the site located near Charleston Highway.
Plans for a New Facility
Once the demolition is completed, the restaurant will collaborate with an architect to finalize the new building plans. Following this, the team will seek bids from contractors to initiate construction. Bessinger anticipates that the new facility will not be ready until at least late 2026.
The demolition process faced delays due to the discovery of hazardous asbestos, a consequence of the building’s age—it was approximately 60 years old and constructed during a time when asbestos was commonly used. Bessinger explained that the project required coordination with environmental regulators to secure necessary approvals before demolition could commence.
Established in 1953, Maurice’s Piggie Park has grown to include seven locations across the Midlands. The destroyed headquarters served as the central kitchen for preparing smoked meats and house-made sides for all restaurant locations. Bessinger assured customers that the rebuilt structure will feature enhanced smoking capabilities, aiming for a more efficient operation. “So we’re going to have a much better operation and much more efficient,” he said.
Temporary Operations Continue
While the reconstruction is underway, the restaurant has adapted by setting up smokers in the parking lot of its West Columbia location. A canopy has been installed to shield the smokers from rain. Additionally, the restaurant is utilizing a temporary kitchen located about a 20-minute drive away on Garners Ferry Road to prepare popular side dishes, including banana pudding, baked beans, and coleslaw.
Bessinger noted that all staff have been retained during this transition. A delivery truck is facilitating transportation for employees who work at the temporary kitchen, ensuring they can maintain their jobs. “We have all our eight locations open, and we’re seven days a week serving our barbecue every day now,” he stated. “So we’ve gotten through the hiccups and gotten everything worked out.”
As demolition wraps up and plans for a new facility take shape, Maurice’s Piggie Park remains committed to serving its loyal customers while navigating the challenges posed by the fire and subsequent reconstruction efforts.
