Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Here's a Fatz I missed back during the chain closing as it's in a place I rarely drive by at the first I-26 exit for Clinton. I noticed it a few times while it was empty, but was always past the exit by the time I saw it, and now it has been repurposed as a Mexican restaurant, El Poblano.

The approach is a bit odd in that you basically have to go through a gas/convenience store's parking lot to get back to the restaurant and hotel. I did not try the restaurant, but it has generally good reviews (as always with a few one-star ones thrown in).

I noticed this place, in the Mast block, driving down Main Street the other day while I was looking for something else.

The latest google reviews are just dated "a year ago", so I can't say more than they probably closed in 2024.

Hope you're enjoying the fun!

Here's another of Columbia's many restaurants, this one under a downtown parking garage, of which I was sadly unaware. The Strudel Shop opened in 2022 according to The State, and closed his past weekend.

Their Facebook, referenced in The State story seems already to be gone, but their web site is still up for now, and has some tasty looking pictures.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Hat)

For some reason, the only Korean restaurant I've ever been too was in Korea. Given that I liked it well enough, I don't know why I haven't tried one again. That said, this building will always be Lizard's Thicket to me, as it was our go-to outlet for that chain for many years.

Googling doesn't turn up any media hits, but Reddit group ColumbiYEAH suggests the owners went back to Korea on vacation, and just decided to stay.

There's a bit of confusion as to the exact name of this place: I have gone with what the main google hit says.

(Hat tip to commenter Russell)

I have never cared for Chipotle in general, and this one in particular as the few times I had eaten there I always had an issue: For instance the chips were stale the last time. My sister & nieces did enjoy it, but it was a running joke that they were always out of something basic like cheese with one fellow customer even going across to Publix to buy missing items.

The have moved a few blocks closer to I-77, into the new construction at the former site of San Jose, which gives them a drive-through. My understanding is that tonight they were out of guacamole.

Commenter Tom mentioned this State story about this longtime zoo area hotel closing. The story is a bit confusing as it says that Hilton dropped this operation as a franchaise, but the usual case for something like that is to keep the doors open with a quick reflagging, or just operating as something generic like "Suites At The Zoo" for a while, but apparently it was already in train for the staff to be laid off and the property put on the market.

Commenter Heath provides the above pictures and comments that Hilton has been assiduous about getting its brand off of everything. It's not a bad looking building, though some of the reviews suggest it has seen better days inside.

(Hat tips to commenters Tom & Heath)

I never visited Royal India Bazaar, though I always assumed it was connected to the adjacent Village Of India, which I have eaten at and enjoyed.

Commenter Brandon says that it was there for at least 20 years (which would predate the restaurant) and was very nice to shop at.

I have always thought of this shopping center as the "Big Lots" plaza, but I guess I will have to change that mnemonic going forward.

(Hat tip to commenter Brandon)

This Dairy Queen replaced the old Hardee's and opened during the Pandemic of 2020 when people were desperate to get out of the house somehow, whether they could go inside and eat or not: During the opening weeks, the line of cars would be backed up on US-17 for half a block.

After that, things settled down, but from my observation the place seemed to do a decent business, making me think the closing may have more to do with the chain's ongoing issues than anything with this particular store.

I was a little bemused during my walk-around to see Dennis The Menace surfing on a mural. Dennis was the chain's spokeskid during the 70s, and one radio commercial of Dennis and his pal Joey talking gave me a (probably annoying) catch-phrase to throw into conversations: Yeah, Joey: Like a super-brazier chilli-dog! I had thought Dennis & Dairy Queen had parted ways years ago, but I guess not.

Here is a very brief news note on the closing. As of early 2025 there is no activity with the building.

Commenter Mr. BO sends these pictures saying that he was a satisfied customer.

This would be right next to the former Steve's Subs, and in fact a number of storefronts in this plaza have featured here over the years.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr BO)