Columbia Closings   What’s not in Columbia anymore

Normal posting resumes in two weeks or so.

I have been holding off doing a closing on the Family Dollar on Platt Springs Road because I wanted to get back out there and get some inside pictures before it closed, but for one reason or another, I never did, and it looks iffy at this point, if they are in fact still open.

This closing was announced before the recent big list of Family Dollar store shutterings. I was kind of surprised at that announcement because before that, they had seemed to be a chain on the move, and recently opened a new store on Two Notch. But the same thing happened to Fred's recently -- apparently the smaller discount store market is pretty cut-throat.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

I'm afraid Goatfeathers is another Columbia institution (30+ years) I let slip by without a visit. The place closed on 31 May as the owner retired to Hawaii.

All the signage and displays are still up however, and The Free Times says it might re-open someday.

And I forget just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile

I think a chocolate Nirvana would definitely be my favorite kind, and Columbia's is moving from Richland Street near Bull to the much tenanted former Jesudi's location on Fort Jackson Boulevard, most recently home to Sammiches.

It hasn't been a hospitable spot for regular restaurants recently, perhaps a bakery concept will do better.

(Hat tip to commenter Justin)

Here's a bit more bad news from Richland Mall, and this in one of the most high visibility areas, just across the corridor from Barnes & Noble.

Wow! This will teach me to stop throwing away everything from the credit union that doesn't look like a statement. Being in the Vista today, I drove down Pulaski Street to hit the no-fee ATM at Carolina FCU and was rather surprised to find it, and the substantial building in which it was housed, completely gone.

Well, perhaps not *completely* gone, as they are now working out of a trailer on Devine Street which is basically the same piece of property approached from the other side.

No ATM though.

(It appears the demolition also includes the old Gaines W. Harrison & Sons building at 724 Pulaski.)

Kicks Just Keep Gettin' Harder To Find

The State reports the upcoming closing of Kicks Shoes on Devine after 15 years in business. It seems that the changing retail market for shoes, which includes strong online competition, coupled with the lingering 2007 recession are the main factors.

3 August will be the store's final day.

How do they even tell?

Get out there, persue some happiness and hold some truths to be self evident.

I have some other pictures of this place with the whole "Blue Ocean" moniker still on the sign if I recall correctly. As soon as I come across them, I'll add them as an update. Anyway, I've noticed for a couple of months that this place on Forest Drive more or less across from the old Bojangles was closed. I wasn't entirely sure it was gone for good though until late June when I noticed a new placard proclaiming that the location would soon be Fish & More. Still sounds fishy to me..

UPDATE 15 July 2014 -- Added the first two pictures above, with the original name still on the sign.