Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

(The two pictures directly above come from commenter Jimmy -- Thanks! I have the feeling someone else sent me some others as well, but I can't get to that hard drive right now unfortunately)

Beacon Hill Block was the strip mall on the corner of Airport Boulevard & Boston Avenue which housed, among other businesses, the former Lizard's Thicket and Subway.

I have not been by lately, but commenter Brandon Brown says the signage indicates a Murphy's Express will be going in here.

Here is a not particularly informative notice from West Metro News.

(Hat tips to several folks, including commenters Gypsie, Matt & Brandon Brown)

UPDATE 26 January 2023 -- Work continues:

UPDATE 17 April 2023 -- The new Murphy Express on this spot is now open:

I'm glad I saw this year's Nights of 1000 Candles last week when it was still pleasant outside. I know the folks who saw it tonight were probably brittle with the cold.

Since I couldn't get any weekend tickets, I went on a Wednesday this year,and my impression is it was a little more subdued, but there was still a pretty good crowd. I didn't notice any big changes from last year, but as always, it was a very impressive display, and a nice way to spend an evening. I believe they are sold out for the rest of the year, but if you do find you can get tickets, I recommend it.

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Here's another drycleaners which has recently shut down. Michael's was in a somewhat oddly situated lot in the midst of all the intersection crazyness at the Garners Ferry Road/Leesburg Road/I-77 interchange. It struck my notice a few years ago because their signboard was advertising a computer position, and I had to wonder what that would entail.

From their closing sign, it apppears that Halloween was their last day of operation.

Ivy & Leo in Trenholm Plaza is moving leftwards a few suites into the slot formerly occupied by Simply Mac. This lateral move will let Publix expand their store into the vacated adjacent space. This has long needed doing, as that Publix was crammed into a former A&P slot, and is much smaller than their typical store. I like Publix in general, but have always felt cramped when I shop this one.

The Post & Courier has the story here.

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)

Update 20 July 2023 -- This storefront is now gone:

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I can't quite remember exactly what was in this storefront (which predates Columbia Mall) when I was growing up, but I think it was some sort of hardware or sporting goods (of the angling type) store. At any rate, Party City has been here for many years now, but the writing was sort of on the wall when they opened a new location at Woodhill in the old Pier 1 spot. They were still open the last time I drove by, but I would not expect them to last into the new year.

(Hat tip to commenter That Guy)

UPDATE 18 February 2025: Updating tags.

This Burnette's moved from its longtime Trenholm Road home a few years ago, and now this location has closed as well as the whole chain shuts down.

The announcement was on their Facebook page without a specific reason given other than "the time has come", but I have to think big changes over the years in the way we dress and wash have to be a factor. Burnette's had been in business since 1964, so a 58 year run is pretty good!

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)

I am not much for cupcakes (or cakes at all, for that matter), but I did notice Cupcake DownSouth on a walk through The Vista back in March of 2012, when, apparently, they did not have the word(s) DownSouth on their sign.

Commenter Mr. Hat reported this closing, which is confirmed on their Facebook. Apparently there is a Mount Pleasant location which will be open for an additional week.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Hat)

I noticed this vacant suite on the endcap of the Hickory Tavern wing of Shoppes At Woodhill when I was driving by the other evening, and was trying to remember what was there before. I turned up the first picture above establishing that it was a Sprint store at one time, but a little more googling brought up Wine & Design, which I'm not sure exactly what the concept was, but apparently you went there and did some sort of art project while relaxing a bit with a glass or two of wine. I know they moved at least once before from one part of Richland Mall to another. I suspect they moved here shortly after that, which would have been a 2017/2018 timeframe.

From what I can tell, they closed up shop around 2020, probably largely because of the pandemic, I would guess.

This Zoe's Kitchen in the strip mall directly across from Sandhill and also housing The Fresh Market has now completed the conversion and is open as a Cava.

As of this time, I believe the one on Sunset is still converting, and the one on Lake Murray Boulevard is actually still open as a Zoe's.