Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

I know I had seen this little plaza thousands of times over the years of living in the area, but it never impinged on my consciousness as I never had to visit any business hosted there. I was a bit surprised to find, on hearing it had been razed and going to check it out, that it is quite an elevated lot, towering over the road, and the neighboring dental office.

Commenter Larry reports that this, like the adjacent two properties (the former Turning Pointe & Marlboro Inn) has been bought by the Lexington Medical Group.

(Hat tip to commenter Matt)

Post-cancer apparel shop The Forms Boutique moved from Devine Street to this Richland Mall outparcel in 2011.

I can't find anything definitive online, but it appears that they closed for good last year.

When commenter Gypsie posted that Shealy's PDQ Too had closed, I speculated that I had probably never in my life been down that stretch of road.

After driving out there, I can confirm it: Definitely countryside I had not seen before.

It appears to me from looking at the web that this is more a re-brand than an actual closing and follow-on operation. The Farmhouse Grill Facebook page carries over some Shealy's logos, along with questions from visitors about the new sign. I didn't see any statement about it, but it seems clear from this and the fact that the phone number has not changed that it's generally the same place.

The menu looks pretty good.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

Read the rest of this entry »

Compton's Kitchen was a family run meat-and-three which has been around since late 1977 in several different locations. including Topspin Plaza in Lexington, ending up in this Triangle City storefront. I never ate there, but I like the murals.

Nobody seems exactly sure when the place closed, but it was definitely gone by mid February, so I'll just go with "February 2024". Both The Post & Courier and The State have stories, here and here

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

As of yet the demolition appears to be limited to taking down some parking lot lights and cutting some trees. I would guess not much interior teardown has been done, because I don't see a lot of refuse & dumpsters, but that's just a guess.

I'll keep updating this post as the demolition continues...

Read the rest of this entry »

The Bojangles at Cross Hill Market on the corner of Cross Hill Road, Fort Jackson Boulevard & Devine Street has been razed. The restaurant is to be built back with two drive-through lanes and patio seating. You can read about it on WLTX or at The Post & Courier.

There doesn't seem to be a firm date to expect the new building to be in service.

(Hat tip to commenter Midnight Rambler)

Dems on Lake Murray Boulevard is closing on the retirement of the owners.

According to ColaDaily, they have been in business for 54 years, and that's certainly a very good run. The owners also state they are open to the building continuing as a jewelers with another name and owners, but apparently there is nothing definite on tap.

I remember the place as Dems House Of Diamonds from radio ads growing up, and they were still operating under that name in their Boozer Shopping Center storefront. They moved from that location to the current one in 2004.

There is no definite closing date as it all depends on the inventory, but the ColaDaily piece suggests the closing sale could last into April.

(Hat tip to commenter JohnR)

Koffee Koala was the follow-on in this Cayce Crossing suite to another animal themed coffee bar The Lazy LLama, which closed in 2021.

According to their Facebook, while 3 February was their last day as a storefront after being unable to renegotiate the lease, they continue doing a delivery business through their website.

(Hat tip to commenter Robin)

Granby Grill was the follow-on operation in this storefront to White Duck Taco Shop. It wasn't really on my radar because of the location, but judging by their Facebook, which took a very good-natured approach to their closing, as well as tweaking The State for only noticing them at that point, the owners seem to have a lively sense of humor. In fact, they namechecked me in their opening announcement on the White Duck closing post, and I certainly take no pleasure in closing that loop.

The Facebook entries go on past the closing date, and it appears they were working on other concepts for the place, first burgers and then perhaps biscuits. I'm not sure if either of those will happen, but the biscuit nameplate is up, and the door was unlocked and ajar when I dropped by to get these shots, so we will see what happens.

(Hat tip to commenter Logan)