Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

This spot, in the Publix plaza on Broad River Road used to be The Fuji Cafe, and probably a number of other things I can't recall. Que! Bueno (sometimes spelled without the exclamation point) had been there at least since 2022 as the Irmo outpost of a local Mexican chain.

My sister was to meet a friend here last Saturday, and they arrived to find the place closed. Judging by Google reviews, apparently this happened within the last week or so, and all the furnishings are still inside. I never ate here myself, but am told it was pretty good. As far as I know, the other locations are still open.

(Hat tip to my sister)

This building on the corner of Rosewood & Kilbourne was for many years an independent pharmacy. I just noticed the other day that it is now a CDL training facility and it appears that Medicine Mart closed around 2025.

Still going through old pictures...

I stopped here the night of 13 January 2014 to get some pictures of the neon window signs for Carolina Jewelry & Pawn, but never came back for any daytime shots because at the time, it hadn't closed. It did that sometime in 2015, with Tri City Pawn being the follow-on operation which itself closed around 2021 and the slot is now Notre Luxury Skin.

I can't find a name for the gas station that was on this spot prior to the Gas Way, but I did come across these pictures of the Gas Way being built back in February 2013.

I was going to go back and get some better shots of this, but apparently that's not going to happen, so anyway...

This car wash on the corner of Bush River & Arrowood Roads, was, I believe, built as a Frank's, though I could be wrong and it might pre-date that. At any rate, it was a Frank's for many years, becoming a Take 5 when that firm bought out Frank's. Earlier this year, Take 5 began closing a number of their locations as mentioned here, and it apparently became a Whistle Express after that, which I believe it still is.

Curiously Google Maps thinks that Arrowood Road starts north of Bush River, but once it crosses, it gains a 'w' and becomes Arrowwood Road. They might even be right.

I believe this closing leaves the Clemson Road location the only Biscuitville left in the Midlands. The parking lot was blocked off with cones, and the oil change place was still open, so I couldn't park and see what the sign had to say, but at any rate this is very recent and I don't see any media notice of it. I do see an article on the opening which apparently happened on 4 March 2025, and the Town of Irmo's welcome notice.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

I know this ATM was in service as late as January of 2026. I'm not sure about the drive-through lanes, BOA has stopped most of that at their branches. The space is fitting up to be another bank: Huntington Bank.

Actually this space is larger than it looks as the building is pretty deep. I can tell that from the StreetView shots, but did not notice it as I was driving by.

Elevate Social Club was evidently a membership club that closed in late 2025, with Ruckers set to open in the space by early 2026. In the event, the West Columbia zoning board determined that Ruckers would recieve most of its revenue from alcohol (a bar monetizing alcohol, imagine that!) and would not be allowed to open under that business model, or any "club" concept. The owners didn't think they could make the transition to a restaurant model, and abandoned the idea.

(Hat tip to commenter Lavender)

Going for the Chicken-Trifecta, here is the Slim Chickens on Killian Road, across from the Freddy's.

It appears now that the chain's move into the Midlands has failed, and the only stores left in South Carolina are in Florence, Myrtle Beach and Moncks Corner.

The State had the story, such as it is.

The reviews for this wingery which replaced Schlotzsky's which closed in 2024 look to be pretty good, however one of the last reviews which is from around July mentions that the hours are gettin erratic, which is One Of The Signs, so I'm going with July for a closing date. However arguing against that somewhat is the fact that the curb signage is still out which I wouldn't expect to last long past a closing.

Anyway, all I know about the place is that it as part of a chain which is still around, and actually has some non-chicken items I would order.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Bill)