As downtown Greenville continues to receive accolades for its downtown restaurant mix, Columbia Mexican restaurant Cantina 76 will join the fray.

Rare Steakhouse quietly vacated its space recently at ONE City Plaza and Cantina 76 will take over the mid-Main Street location in early summer, after some interior renovations.

The popular Mexican inspired taqueria and bar has two locations in Columbia and the four partners said that Greenville was a logical next step. “It’s a great city and close by,” said managing partner Rob Ward. “Three of the business partners went to the University of South Carolina and one to Clemson. It really was a no-brainer.” The team had been looking at opening a Greenville restaurant for the past two years but waited until “a Main Street opportunity came along.”

Ward said the look and feel of the former Rare space will change somewhat, but existing wood floors and some of the décor will remain.

Cantina 76 makes everything fresh, in-house daily and is known for its specialty margaritas which include agave nectar and freshly squeezed lemon juice. “It an environment for everyone that’s easy, fun and the food’s fresh,” he said. “It’s a concept that works and appeals to all individuals.”

Cantina 76, which opened its first restaurant six years ago, has been voted Best Margarita, Best Mexican Restaurant, Best Happy Hour and Best Bang for Your Buck, in Columbia’s Free Times alt weekly readers’ poll. The partners also own Za’s Brick Oven Pizza is Columbia. Hiring for the Greenville restaurant will begin in about a month. For more info, www.cantina76.com.

Cantina 76 Owners

Rob Ward, Managing Partner, Cantina 76 and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza

A native of Columbia, S.C., Rob Ward is managing partner at Cantina 76 and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza. He also serves as general manager at Cantina 76 Devine Street and Cantina 76 on Main in Columbia. Prior to co-founding Cantina 76 in November 2009, Rob lived in San Francisco and Atlanta, where he worked in tech startups including MediaMetrix, a pioneer firm in web measurement. Rob is a graduate of the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, with a major in finance and marketing. Rob enjoys playing golf and hiking in the mountains of South Carolina.

Craig Wyatt, Managing Partner, Cantina 76 and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza

A Columbia, S.C., native, Craig Wyatt is managing partner at Cantina 76 and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza. Craig has lived in Chicago and Atlanta and recently served as vice president of steel supply chain software firm Tennex; previously, he worked for Jemison Metals for 16 years. He holds an economics degree from the University of South Carolina. Craig enjoys hanging out with his son, traveling the world, enjoying restaurants and exploring food culture.

Chad Elsey, Managing Partner, Cantina 76 and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza

Originally from Charleston, S.C., Chad Elsey is managing partner at Cantina 76 and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza. Chad has lived in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and he came to the restaurant business from a career in pharmaceutical sales and mortgage banking. Chad has a degree in finance from the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. He enjoys traveling, exploring local restaurants and nightlife and hitting the beach.

Jeb Babcock, Partner, Cantina 76 and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza

A Columbia, S.C., native, Jeb Babcock is a partner at Cantina 76 and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza. He holds a degree in biological sciences from Clemson University and runs his own investment firm, Emerson Capital Management, based in Columbia. Jeb enjoys playing golf, spending time with his daughter, and going to the beach along the South Carolina coast.