Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Mountain Top Marine on Sunset heading into Lexington has been winding down for a while with the property up for sale, and a gradually decreasing number of boats on offer. When I went by a few weeks ago, their sign said four were left (though I counted differently) now their website lists only one remaining.

I always keep in mind the old test for buying a boat:

Can you stand under a cold shower tearing up $100 bills and like it?.

So far the answer is no.

(Hat tip to commenter James R)

It appears that the Zaxby's out past Aldi on Garners Ferry Road is closed for some sort of remodeling. There are no details on the sign, but the sign is still branded Zaxby's, so I guess they plan to re-open in due course.

(Hat tip to commenter Badger)

The Post & Courier reports that Jay's liquor, beer & wine licenses were revoked on 6 May, so I'm using that date for the closing.

This place had apparently been on the edge for a while as there had been a number of incidents, such as a shooting on 29 March as reported on WIS.

Lots of businesses have come and gone in this long depot building, but I don't see that I have specifically done any postings on Suite D, and I can't recall was was here before. Anyway, its the Vista so I'm sure something new will be in before long.

(Hat tip to commenter badger)

I have to admit I was never into Gamecock paraphernalia, even when I was at USC and my father taught there. That said, it seems to be a pretty big business (along with similar for Clemson) and Addam's has been in this spot for a good number of years. This summer however, they are moving into the Vista at 740 Gervias Street which I guess would be in the same building Sylvan's moved to.

(Hat tip to commenter Thomas)

I actually thought this place was closed several months ago because I never saw any cars there, and I had to ride around the parking lot to verify it was open. That was then & this is now, I guess...

Since I rarely watch TV or listen to the radio anymore, I don't have any idea what the distinguishing feature for this chain was, or why I would pick it over Five Guys on the high-end or McDonalds on the low end. In the event, perhaps I was not alone.

Certainly all in all, I would much rather still have Pizzeria Uno on this spot.

The State has the story.

(Hat tip to commenter Brian)

This Lizard's Thicket, in a former Shoney's building on Forest Drive is closed for renovations. The chain just redid one in Lexington as well, so perhaps they are looking to freshen up several sites. Of course, to my memory, the one on Beltline was updated and nonetheless closed.

I last at at this one on my niece's birthday last December, and it was fine: Your typical Lizard's experience. I don't recall noticing anything particularly wrong with the physical plant, but who knows what kind of issues there might be behind the counters.

I believe I ate at Uncle Mikey's once several years ago, possibly after Pastaria 811 closed and I was looking for a new second go-to at the beach. In the event, I thought it was just OK, perhaps because there was live entertainment that night which I hadn't expected, and the place was a bit noisy. After the owner retired and sold the place, it was set to drop the "Uncle" and just become Mikey's Pizzeria, something I am unsure ever actually happened: I see some "coming soon" posts, but no actual reviews. At any rate, if it did happen, it didn't last too long and the building is now for sale.

In the meantime, it appears there is a possibility that the original owner will come out of retirement and open a spot by Smuggler's Deli on the bypass.

WBTW had the closing story:

As mentioned by a number of commenters, this creamery on Clemson Road, by Krispy Kreme has changed ownership and branding and is now Holy Cow, a spot that is also opening in Lexington.

I'm trying to recall if I ever stopped here. I know I have been to the Krispy several times, but I am coming up blank on the ice cream. If it ever actually gets warm this year I may have to check it out.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Guy)

I had wanted to see The Beach Boys at the Alabama Theater earlier this year, but could not get it together. In the event, I believe the date may have been rescheduled for later this year. Had it taken place, it would likely have been my last time to see two Beach Boys together, as long-time member Bruce Johnston announced his retirement from touring last month. With Bruce spending his nights in his own bed, Mike Love & Al Jardine are the only two official Beach Boys still active, though they don't get along well enough to tour together.

Anyway, when I mentioned I was going to the Beach, my sister pointed me to a news article mentioning that Mike's Beach Boys would be at the OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic golf tournament at the Grand Dunes resort, so I picked up a ticket (a really odd and frustrating process, ending up with something you can't just print out), and headed out Friday afternoon.

It turned out that the shuttle parking lot was the old Myrtle Square Mall site (which is still completely vacant after all these years), so i parked and got on a bus which took us a mile or so north. I had never been back in Grand Dunes, which is gated, but it is quite nice with golf, houses and a country club all right on the ocean. The concert site was backed up against the shore, and you could see boats passing by behind the stage. It was quite a chilly evening for May, and I had my sweater buttoned up.

The opening act was an Italian singer I had not heard of, Benedetta Caretta. She sang to backing tracks, without a band (aside from one song where she brought out a guitarist). From where I was standing, I could barely hear her, but she seemed to have quite a nice voice.

After she finished her set, which was probably about five songs, the roadies starting setting up for the main show, and Mike & co opened with a 1968 top-20 hit, "Do It Again", moving directly after that into the more well-known "Surfin' Safari".

John Stamos mentioned Mike's recent 85th birthday, and yes, I have to admit, Mike was not having a great voice night. He was certainly game, and the audience was appreciative, but the numbers which were originally sung by another Beach Boy back in the day came off better as the band was quite good, both vocally and instrumentally. I'm not quite sure why Stamos was there, whether it was a one-off, or if he is on the tour, but he has been associated with the band since the 1980s so it's never a real surprise to see him turn up. I thought he did a very nice version of Dennis Wilson's classic song, "Forever".

I didn't capture any of the first songs on video because from where I was standing, the sound was trash. I thought it was down to the wind and the sound system, but when I walked just a few feet closer a bit later on, I was suddenly in the focus zone, and the sound was excellent, and I did record several numbers (fumbling the start a few times) and the traditional closing duo: "Barbara Ann" & "Fun, Fun, Fun".

The setlist was something like this, though I won't vouch for the order except for the first two & last two numbers:

Do It Again
Surfin Safari
Catch A Wave
Surfin' USA
Surfer Girl
409
Little Deuce Coupe
Shutdown
Don't Worry Baby
I Get Around
Darlin'
Help Me Rhonda
Be True To Your School
Sloop John B
God Only Knows
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Good Vibrations
Forever
California Girls
California Dreaming
Rockaway Beach
Kokomo
Barbara Ann
Fun, Fun, Fun

Given the venue and time limit, there weren't a lot of deep cuts, but probably "Rockaway Beach" surprised some folks.

I was unsure at first whether this furniture & mattress operation in Harbison Court were actually going out of business, or if liquidation was their normal mode. However, there is a panel truck parked at the plaza entrance which proclaims that they are in fact going out of business. That does leave aside the question of a Spirit Halloween mode where they open up to go out of business..

At any rate, this is the old Tuesday Morning slot, so I imagine management was glad to have anybody paying rent, for any term.