Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

I don't think Victoria's Secret is officially bankrupt, but apparently a planned buyout fell through leaving the chain in desperate straits. Of course the COVID-19 crisis didn't help any either, and they are now in the process of closing 250 some stores.

This Sandhill location apparently closed in June as reported by commenter Bethany, but when I drove by then, the signage was still up, and the merchandise was still inside -- the "Lock the doors" order must have come down very quickly. When I got back in early July, the storefront was cleaned-out and blank.

I see from the label-scar that they were neighbors with a maternity store called Motherhood which pre-deceased VS and for which I never did a closing.

(Hat tip to commenter Bethany)

I was at Baskin Robbins the other day, and noticed that the adjacent Pizza Hut delivery/take-out storefront was empty. I'm not sure when they left, but I know for sure they were there this time last year.

I used to go to Pizza Hut all the time, but I don't think I've been in one during the last five years, and didn't even consider this place for takeout during the crisis. I'm not sure when exactly they fell off my list, but there are so many options now. (For instance, I did use Marco's up the block several times for delivery during the lockdown -- it's not bad).

This plaza used to be called Forest Park, but I'm not sure it still is. The roadside marquee used to have an "FP" logo, but lately it has been replaced by whatever grocery store is in the main slot at the time.

ColaDaily reports that this and the Beltline Lizard's Thicket will be closed temporarily due to staffing issues during the COVID-19 crisis. (Old Chicago in the Vista had signage indicating the same issue). They do plan to re-open both stores at some point.

I can only recall eating at this store twice though I have probably been there more. The most memorable experience was when I had been working across the country for a month, and *really* wanted some comfort food, so as soon as I touched down at the airport, I was already planning what vegetables to pick!

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

Well, I could be wrong, but it appears to me that despite the banner Submarine Crab, the follow-on in the old Pho Viet, Zesto, Burger King location on Decker is gone. I have driven by there a number of times in the past week or two, and have never seen the place open, so I suspect they have succumbed to the COVID-19 curse, though I suppose the current over-crabbing of Columbia didn't help.

Stay safe, happy 4th!

Well, they door signs only call out a temporary closing due to the crisis, but with the real estate sign by the road, and the LoopNet listing, I'm afraid we can chalk up another casualty of COVID-19.

I have been in this antique mall many times over the years, but not in the last several years for some reason or another. I'm trying to think if I actually bought anything there, and I can't bring anything to mind, though I do specifically recall looking for old phonebooks there (and not finding any -- they are surprisingly rare). With the closing of Ole Town Antique Mall and Columbia Antique Mall, this leaves Old Mill on State Street as the only sizable area antique mall I can think of.

UPDATE 10 July 2020: Commenter Dennis offers that this building was once a "Brown Sign With The Sewing Machine In The Corner" Factory Outlet, so I have added that to the post title. See also here for the Factory Outlets. Also adding the map icon, which I forgot.

According to ColaDaily, corporate is reluctant to declare this location gone for good, but everybody else agrees that it is another permanent casualty of the COVID-19 crisis.

I believe I have only eaten at this IHOP once. As I mentioned in my closing for the Assembly Street location, I started having constant issues at the downtown store after the rebuild, so one late night I drove out to Lexington instead. I found it a much more pleasant experience, but the distance involved meant I did not do it again.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

I have written about Pier 1 Imports before and don't have much to say about this store. I think I was inside once some ten years or so ago. The whole chain is in bankruptcy now and all the stores are shutting. Wikipedia says they are still hoping for a buyer to keep the online side of the brand alive, but to me that seems like a longshot.

Commenter ED pointed out this COVID related closing saying:

it is doubtful it is a location you would stumble upon

and that is definitely true. This place is way past The Flight Deck on Old Chapin Road on a peninsula in Lake Murray on the way to what looks to be a private island. The area is rural and quite nice looking to me.

I really like the wood paneling in this building too.

(Hat tip to commenter Ed)

This spot at the Flight Deck complex has gone through a number of pizza restaurants since I became aware of it. In particular, I have done closings for Brix Bistro / The Bistro. I noticed only fairly recently that Papa Gio's was there, finding them while I was there to get pictures of something else.

Early during the COVID-19 crisis, I saw another pizza restaurant advertising by the roadside when I drove by: Ferrara Pizza & Pasta. Judging from the Yelp reviews, they started in early March 2020, so I'm guessing probably Papa Gio's moved out with the end of the year in 2019, though it could have been later.

Papa Gio's continues to have locations on Broad River Road and farther out on August Highway (US-1) in the old Allstar Pizza location.