Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

But enjoy the weekend!

The Lexington franchaise of Candy Boquet was in this theater-themed storefront in the Flight Deck complex at the corner of Old Chapin Road and US-1. Just looking at the national webside makes me think of Edible Arrangements somewhat, though with the bonus that you don't have to eat your boquet before it goes bad.

I wonder what this storefront was originally? Perhaps a video rental store? Looking at the marquee in full resolution, you can see that there are words behind the current Or Lease text, but I can't really make it out.

Just as a side note, driving this section of US-1 is purely miserable in Lexington at this time. Just past The Flight Deck there is a bad section of roadwork exacerbated by unsyncronized lights.

(Hat tip to commenter James)

It's almost September -- got your spook on yet?

The last phonebook entry I have for Carolina Pools, Spas & Billiards (there are several different permutations of the name online) is the February 2005 phonebook. I don't have the Feb 2006 book, but it is definitely gone by the 2007 book, so I am going with a 2005 closing date. This little strip mall on Fernandina Road is now mostly known for Green's beverages, but I believe it was at one time anchored by a grocery in that spot. This unit is to the left of that, and as you can see here, is now a hot-spot for all you Halloween zombies, ghosts, ghouls, and naughty nurses.

Moving across the street from yesterday's Bingo Parlor, we have a vacancy in the back of The Shops Of O'Neil Court as the former Americal Speedy Printing Centers location has closed with the merger of that company into Allegra (which still sounds like it should be an allergy remedy to me..) with the merged office on Broad River Road.

I believe this building on O'Neil Court next to the old Todd & Moore and just across the street from The Shops Of O'Neil Court started life as a Garcia's Mexican Restaurant, then it was Roadhouse Grill.

It's been a bingo parlor for a number of years now, but it appears that business wasn't that good, and the building is now up for sale on taxes.

UPDATE 28 August 2013 -- Here are some shots from an overcast day, so shooting against the sun wasn't as big a problem as with the shots above:

UPDATE 25 January 2018 -- This is now MoBay’s Legacy Caribbean Bar and Grill which according to The State moved here from Parklane:

lunch and dinner choices include jerk chicken, pork and ribs; curry shrimp, chicken or goat; oxtails, wings and burgers, and some fish dishes.

According to the Lexington Patch, Goody 2 Shoes is a family owned and operated shoe store that specializes in children's footwear.

As commenter James mentioned a while back, they have been holding a very coloful going-out-of-business sale in recent weeeks. It appears that they went to the bare walls, and are now closed.

(Hat tip to commenter James)

I was unaware of this old tennis club off of Lake Murray Boulevard just west of Saint Andrews Road until commenter James mentioned it.

The place is built on two levels, with the main building and old court surfaces down a steep hill from Lake Murray Boulevard. I would not like to come in and out of this parking lot on a daily basis! The old pro-shop, clubhouse (and probably snack bar I would suspect) is at the back of the parking lot, with level space behind that where there look to have been at least two courts, and in all likelihood several others less discernable now as well.

At the side of the first level, a set of steps leads up the hill to a second level. It's all wooded now, but I suspect there was at least one more court up there. I probably shouldn't have tested the steps on my less than svelte frame, especially given the bushes and trees growing up through them and the raised nail heads, but they were still sturdier than they appeared.

UPDATE 24 August 2013: Commenter Badger sends in a link to this obituary. It seems the owner was Mr Fred Wiles Atkinson, Jr. He sounds like a nice guy, and with his life history, I would not be surprised at all if he and my parents were acquainted. He passed in 2008, so this place probably closed a couple of years before that.

(Hat tip to commenter James)

Red Hot Tomatoes was the most recent business in the old 5 Points Theatre on Harden Street. The first shot above is from 2009. I'm not sure exactly when it closed, but the 2 Fat 2 Fly truck was listing the location as "Old red hot tomatoes" as of March 2013.

In the grand cycle of reintarnation, the place is now another watering hole called Overtime Sports Bar.

Well, Hypnosis Information Line -- that's one of the more interesting listings I've seen. Unfortunately I don't know anything else about it. Or maybe I did and I've been told to forget..

LoopNet says this nice old home was built in 1930 and now has 8 offices. This link says it was forclosed on at some point, but since it also says it sits on 44 acres and was built in 1992, I'm not sure I give that any credence.

Anyway, the key point is that it is soon to become Silver Spoon bakery and coffee, something that Devine Street really could use.

Aveda affiliate Huei Salon has moved from the Target plaza at 5135-B Sunset Boulevard (next to the old Baker Brothers / Judy's location) to Topspin Plaza a bit closer to Lexington proper at 5343-N Sunset Boulevard.

(Hat tip to commenter RM)

UPDATE 20 August -- Forgot I had pix of the place in operation at the Judy's closing, so I copied one to above.