One of Columbia’s top restaurants is suing a trucking company over the rights for the Motor Supply name. Motor Supply Company Bistro is one of the oldest restaurants in Columbia’s Vista and one of the top-rated city-wide. The upscale eatery opened in 1989 in a building formerly used by a mechanic and motor supply business – hence the restaurant’s name. Now, a trucking company doing business as Motor Supply Inc. has caused confusion, a lawsuit seeking to defend the restaurant’s trademark alleges. The two businesses have been quietly battling since late 2021. Now, a jury could decide who has a right to the Motor Supply name. Motor Supply Co. is spelled out in bright neon letters on a vintage sign outside of one of Columbia’s premier fine dining restaurants. The business’ first owner, Eric Nord, found the sign while renovating the historic building and the rest was history. Before he bought it, the structure housed an auto-shop. The owners were in their 90s and ready to retire, according to court filings. Eddie Wales, a one-time waiter at Motor Supply Co. Bistro, bought the shop from Nord in 2000 and has led the restaurant ever since.
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