To celebrate National Small Business Month, SCMC is highlighting the small businesses that shape South Carolina.
This week, we’re showcasing one of our newest members, Villa Tronco.
Located in downtown Columbia, Villa Tronco is a fifth-generation, family-owned Italian restaurant with deep roots. What began as a small fruit store in the 1930s has grown into an institution that has become part of Columbia’s story.
For Villa Tronco’s fifth-generation restaurateur Tripp Roche, the story is personal.
“I grew up in it,” said Roche. “Some of my earliest memories are being upstairs playing ping pong with my grandfather or just being around while my family worked. I did not fully understand it at the time, but I was watching how relationships were built and how much pride went into taking care of people.”
While Villa Tronco has evolved, the approach has been steady. The team has embraced modern tools like social media and other ways of connecting with customers, while staying focused on what has always mattered most.
“What I am most proud of is that we have stayed true to who we are while still finding ways to grow,” said Roche. “We have been able to bring new energy into the business without losing that sense of tradition. And honestly, just the fact that we are still here, still family run, and still a place people come back to year after year means everything.”
That consistency has made Villa Tronco more than just a restaurant. It has become part of the fabric of Columbia, serving for decades as a gathering place where milestones are celebrated and relationships are built.
“Small businesses are everything to South Carolina,” said Roche. “They give places their identity. Without them, everything starts to feel the same. They are run by people who live here, who care about the community, and who are invested in it long term.”
That connection is what has helped sustain Villa Tronco for generations. Longstanding support from customers, along with strong local relationships, has helped the business continue to grow and adapt.
“The biggest thing has been the people,” said Roche. “The community in Columbia has supported us for generations, and that is not something we take lightly.”
Looking ahead, the focus is on building on that foundation while continuing to grow in the right ways.
“We are focused on continuing to grow while staying true to who we are,” said Roche. “What gives me confidence is the foundation we have. When you have something that has lasted this long and continues to bring people together, you know there is something real there. I think the future is bright and we are just getting started.”
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