A new restaurant is headed to the former Yamato space in Columbia’s Harbison area

Back in January, Yamato Japanese steakhouse closed its doors after decades in business in Columbia. But now the flames are set to return to that location.

Sukiya Japanese Steakhouse plans to open in the spot at 360 Columbiana Drive, which is in the busy Harbison shopping district northwest of downtown Columbia. Banners are hanging outside the restaurant boasting that Sukiya is coming soon.

Sukiya is a brand that will be familiar to diners in the area. There already is a location at 5228 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington , in the shopping center that is anchored by a Lowes Foods.

Yamato abruptly closed its doors on Columbiana Drive in January after operating in Columbia for 49 years. It had been in the Columbiana Drive building since 2000. A Yamato location in Myrtle Beach remains open.

The Columbiana Drive and Harbison area remains one of the key retail districts in the Midlands region. Large nearby retailers include Columbiana Centre mall, Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Publix, among others. And there are a host of restaurants near the spot where Sukiya is coming, including Miyabi, Carrabba’s, Braza Do Sul , and Texas Roadhouse.

An opening date has not been publicly announced.