Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Il Focolare Pizzeria suffered some unwanted fireworks the night of the Fourth as a kitchen fire did enough damage to shut them down for an unknown period of time while repairs are made. When I drove by, it looked like the damage did not extend to the exterior walls or roof of the building, but as you can see from the pictures in the various links below, the cooking area is rather frazzled.

Il Focolare Pizzeria started in 2019, and replaced another pizza spot Citta del Cotone.

You can read about the fire at the restaurant's Facebook, in The State or on WIS.

(Hat tip to commenter James R)

Slim Chickens replaced (after a hiatus) another chicken operation Golden Chick which closed in 2019. Slim Chickens opened here in March of 2024 giving them somewhat over two years in operation.

I'm not a chicken fan, but my sister & niece tried it once, were not impressed, and I don't believe went back.

None of the news stories give any reason for the closing though commenter John indicated that he witnessed staffing issues there. Personally, I think that being on the same block as Zaxby's can't have helped.

You can read about the closing at The State or at The Post & Courier.

(Hat tip to commenter John)

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I never got a picture of Club 1509 after it replaced Kandy Shop in this building, but I did notice that it was gone some time ago, judging by the last posts on their Facebook, probably in 2024.

There is now a church, True Word Church setting up in the building.

Oh for the halcyon days when I could nonchalantly mount the trampolines at King's Funland at the beach! Nowdays just thinking about trampolines makes my bones hurt...

Flight Adventure Park at Sandhill was trampolines and more -- You can see a shot of the floor at The Post & Courier. What impressed itself on me immediately was the size of the parking lot, and the fact that they apparently bussed kids in.

The timing of this closure seems rather odd: It's summer, and all the kids are out of school. You would think this would be the busiest season, and the time to catch up if business had been lagging. It's certainly a turn of events that can't help the beleaguered shopping complex.

We'll have to see what develops here -- It's a huge building so it's hard to imagine what could go in there, though something has before: I can see a label scar from its previous existence, but I can't quite bring to mind what it was.

You can read stories about the closing at The State and WIS

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

Seven people shot over 65 days is a bit much, and the RCSD shut down this Broad River Road area club after a killing on 14 June. Today the RCSD announced they have arrested the alleged killer, who frankly, should already have been in jail.

It's a fairly small club for all the trouble it has caused, and I was not tempted to get out and get any closer pictures.

You can read more stories on WACH and The Post & Courier.

(Hat tip to commenter Lavender)

In general, I'm more a fan of Jimmy John than Subway, though I used to eat semi-regularly at the one on Garners Ferry back when I worked on Bluff Road. This one I never did eat at, and the Google reviews suggest that was good planning on my part. I had noticed some months ago that it was closed and took these pictures one evening later than I should have. I was planning to go back sometime and get some in actual daylight, but apparently that's not going to happen if it hasn't so far, so it is what it is.

I have noticed a number of Subway closings recently, for instance one longtime shop in Murrells Inlet is gone. They have apparently had some hard times in recent years and were sold in 2020, about the worst year to do anything involving restaurants. Ironically, given my comment above, the new(ish) owners actually own Jimmy Johns as well, though I stand by my preference.

It appears that A Peace Of Soul has kind of been tapering operations for a while, but they did a full closing last week, and the place is now slated to be an Indian restaurant. A Peace Of Soul started as a follow-on to the chef's father's operation Lamb's Bread, closed during the pandemic, re-opened and now is apparently transitioning to pop-ups and a food truck.

You can read about it at WIS, on The State or The Free Times.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

I was not aware of Chile Caliente, and so never ate there, but I do remember this suite as the final resting place of local Mexican chain Taco Cid. Judging by the door note, two locations of this brand remain in the area, so perhaps one day I will get a chance to try it.

(Hat tip to commenter Lavender)

I can't really find out anything about Laguna Sports Bar other than I saw it open as the follow-up to Club Colorz. Judging by that picture, and a Google Streetview from the following year, it did not last long at all.

However, the main reason I was looking at closings for this address again is that the right wing of this twin building pretty much burned down, and the left side took a good bit of damage in the rear as well. I don't believe there will be anything new in this spot until the whole thing is razed and rebuilt.

Also, while I have usually seen this listed with 6212 Two Notch as the address, apparently it is also, or perhaps is now 1486 Bella Vista Drive.