Papa Gio's, 1965 Augusta Highway: October 2024 1 comment
This place is now called Veneziano's. Looking at the Google reviews, it's hard to say exactly when this happened, but apparently the ownership changed about a year ago, and the name probably changed around October of 2024. I had eaten several times at Papa Gio's, and it was not my favorite place. I found that consistently the garlic knots had very little or no garlic on them, and since they did not have 10 inch pizza, I would order a calzone, which would generally have cold ricotta in the filling.
I decided to try Veneziano's, and found the interior much the same with the exception of some tables being removed in the area directly behind the hostess stand. Service was good and friendly, but I still found that the garlic knots had no garlic, and the calzone was filled with chilled ricotta...
Equal Opportunity Title Services, LLC, 2221 Bull Street: Summer 2025 1 comment
Commenter Gypsie points to this nice little house/office across from the Bull Street district. I'm sure it has been many things during its nearly 100 years on the spot.
LoopNet puts the build date at 1930 and says there are hardwood floors and seven parking spaces. Apparently for 240K it's yours.
(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)
Discount Beer & Tobacco, 1812 Augusta Highway Suite L: 1 September 2025 (Moving) no comments
Discount Beer & Tobacco in the Luce strip mall on US-1 in Lexington is moving 1o 1600 West Main Street. This is several blocks East of the current location, and looks like it would be replacing perhaps Boost Mobile or Eagle Express at the corner of West Main (US-1) and Westside Drive.
Bojangles, 930 Elmwood Avenue: 19 August 2025 (Temporary) 1 comment
The Bojangles at the corner of Elmwood and Park is closed for remodeling.
They have revamped a number of stores over the past few years, just reopening the one on Fort Jackson Boulevard.
The State has the story (to a very limited extent) here.
Diablo's Southwest Grill, 5541 Sunset Boulevard Suite C: 13 August 2025 no comments
I thought every now and then that I might stop in here, but I was never in the area at the right time, or at least when I hadn't already decided where to go.
The business has been up for sale for a while, and apparently they have not found a buyer, shutting down about 13 August, judging by comments on their Facebook and this State story.
(Hat tip to commenter JamesR)
Beni Hibachi, 3315 Farrow Road: Summer 2025 3 comments
Here is another spot which has succumbed to the curse of 3315 Farrow Road. I don't know anything about it other than their Facebook suggests they opened in September of 2024.
Banh Mi Boys, 625 Whaley Streeet Suite C: Early August 2025 no comments
This Olympia spot, sharing a building with liquor & convenience stores, announced late last year that they would have to close if they could not sell the operation. In the event, that did not happen, and The State has the story on the actual closing.
This is one of many spots around town I was never really aware of, but they apparently had quite a wide-ranging menu.
(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Hat)
King Smoke & Vape, 4505 Broad River Road: Spring 2025 1 comment
This former Waffle House was vacant for more than ten years before becoming King Smoke & Vape sometime early in 2025. To me it seemed that the Grand Opening sign had barely gone up before the place was closed, but Google reviews suggest it was open several months at least.
Day & Night Food Mart, 2338 Two Notch Road: Summer 2025 5 comments
This place was apparently also known as Day & Night Minimart. I thought it had been around forever, but the Google reviews suggest it was only since around Summer of 2023.
When I took these pictures, it was setting up to be a restaurant called The Flavor Spot, which may be open by now.
Wayback Burgers, 5230 Sunset Boulevard: Late July 2025 1 comment
Here's another place I wasn't really aware of. Judging from the name and the decor, they were going for a retro vibe, which can certainly work for a burger place. This storefront is in the Lexington Square enclave which is anchored by Lowes Food.
(Hat tip to commenter JamesR)