DINNER’S READY American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe finally renovates inside of Tennessee restaurant in $38k remodel after failed inspections
DINNER'S READY American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe finally renovates inside of Tennessee restaurant in $38k remodel after failed inspections
AMERICAN Pickers star Mike Wolfe has finally renovated the inside of his Tennessee restaurant in an over $38k remodel after suffering construction issues in recent years.
Mike, 60, has been working on transforming a former winery into an outside area with a pergola, firepit, stage and more in Columbia, Tennessee.
The renovation is part of Mike’s goal to revamp the small town, where he owns his bike shop Columbia Motor Alley, vacation rental Two Lanes Guesthouse and other businesses.
The U.S. Sun has obtained exclusive photos of the latest renovations made to the property.
In new photos obtained by The U.S. Sun, the building on the property appears to have been remodeled on the inside.
Wooden shelves and molding have been added, as well as a door with a window on each side that leads to another room.
There is also a vintage sign above the inside door that reads “esso.”
Construction materials could also be seen, as the inside appears to still be under construction.
The U.S. Sun can confirm Mike filed a new building permit for the property on December 2.
The permit read, “Neon rooftop signage approved by Historic Zoning to replicate what was originally on the building.
“The sign is to be fabricated and installed by Columbia Neon.”
The total project construction value for the sign is $10,000.
The permit was approved just days later on December 4.
According to the permits, the total cost of the renovation is now $38,630.
The American Pickers star dropped $600,000 on the former wine bar in September 2022.
BUILDING TROUBLES
According to building records obtained by The U.S. Sun, a permit was filed in August 2023 for a wood pergola.
The final fire inspection held on April 12, 2024, failed.
The document read, “Provide manufacturers installation information for hanging gas heaters, in order to confirm distance to combustibles.
“Light sockets between pergola and building need, light socket safety caps, put in place of blub.”
A second final fire inspection on September 16, 2024, also failed.
The inspections were officially completed and approved in November 2024.
The total cost for this specific permit is $17,730.
A second permit was also taken out in November 2023 for “installation of 1′ Underground gas line for fire pit including risers, regulators, and necessary materials. Replacement of 3/4′ gas line to 1′ gas line to provide proper flow for future appliances. Fire Pit and Hanging Heater Installation.”
This permit set Mike back $4,400.
A third permit was filed in August 2023 for “footers for planter walls and pergola.”
All of the inspections are unscheduled and the construction is setting Mike back $6,500.
As for the actual building, Mike filed a permit to “remove existing roof systems down to existing deck. Inspect and replaced damaged or deteriorated decking” and more.
This set Mike back $20,081 and all inspections passed.
PROPERTY PLANS
Mike explained in the permit that the building currently has no tenant.
He also revealed the business will not obtain a food permit, and will not prepare and serve meals.
But the U.S. Sun previously reported plans to turn the property into a restaurant.
A source who worked on the construction 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.”
But the restaurant never opened, as those in the town could only speculate what the area would be used for.
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.
The front of the restaurant has a wooden pergola with lights.
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.
Some pavers are elevated to act as a stage for karaoke and performers.
There are also two vintage gas pumps.
The outdoor area is lined with a black metal gate and brick planter boxes with shrubs.
Mike has posted updates on Instagram of the construction, as he posted in November 2023, “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.”
COLUMBIA PROPERTIES
The History Channel star has renovated many properties in Columbia, Tennessee in recent years.
The U.S. Sun previously revealed the construction set him back $322,461.
A source told The U.S. Sun of Mike’s work, “The town is happy Mike is taking this on to help bring new life to Columbia.”
But a second insider claimed, “It’s kind of interesting because a lot of people don’t want change and some people do, so we’re in that flux.”
In addition to Mike’s business, new companies are opening in the town.
The source continued, “They are building a six-story condo with a restaurant. Next to that is going to be a car place.
“The town is changing rapidly.”
SHOW DRAMA
Mike stars on American Pickers alongside his brother Robbie, Jon “Jersey Jon” Szalay, and Danielle Colby.
American Pickers is currently airing episodes for Season 26.
The season is experiencing record-low ratings.
