Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

As we discussed earlier those Rite Aid locations which have been purchased by Walgreens and are close to an existing Walgreens location will be closing. The process has started now, and this store, at the west corner of Two Notch & Rabon Roads will be closing on 13 June. I didn't have a chance to go in, and these pictures through the rain aren't that great, but you can see that signs are up.

How close is this store to a Walgreens?

Directly across the road:

(Hat tip to commenter Megan)

UPDATE 10 July 2019 -- As mentioned in the comments, this is now a Dollar Tree:

I had not noticed this closing until commener Andrew pointed it out, but in fact there was a nice article mainly about this family business last year in The Free Times:

Stepping into Washington Street Barber Shop, just off bustling Main Street in downtown Columbia, is like stepping into a time capsule.

The barber shop at 1122 Washington St. has dark, wood-paneled walls like the ones in an old basement rec room. Tacked and taped to those walls are dozens of articles from The State newspaper, many of which detail the exploits of the Gamecocks sports teams through the years.

In the corner there’s a checkerboard set up, just in case anyone wants to get in a game or two as they wait for the barber’s chair to come open. Over near the row of chairs that constitutes the waiting area, there’s a standup dish with an ever-rotating supply of candy. Hershey’s Kisses, little Kit Kats, the good stuff.

An ancient tube TV — the picture is starting to wane — is always running, and it seems to forever be playing the classics: Gunsmoke, The Andy Griffith Show, Bonanza.

Washington Street Barber Shop is blissfully free of many of the trappings of the modern salons that pass themselves off as barber shops.

In the end, the story came down to rising property values in the area, and an expiring lease (though there is yet to be a new tenant).

Commenter thomas adds:

The Barber Shop that Andrew mentions was originally on Hampton Street and the florist was next door. The buildings were demolished to construct the bank building which was originally First Union and is now Wells Fargo. They relocated to Washington Street. There was a grocery store behind there at the corner of Assembly and Hampton. Wayne Evans and his father operated the barber shop and his father died several years ago.

I don't recall the shop specifically in that location, though I do recall that grocery.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

I have noticed for the past few months that Tire Kings on Two Notch near Fontaine is preparing to move.

Their new location will be 2230 Two Notch Road, which is by the AARO Rental Center. I hope they keep the crown logo sign which is nice.

UPDATE 13 June 2018 -- The move is complete:

UPDATE 29 August 2018 -- The new location:

I have been noticing this place on Screaming Eagle Road, about halfway between Percival Road and US-601, for years. I always thought I would stop someday, but had never got around to it. The last few times I went to the coast, it seemed like it might be closed, so I finally did stop to take a closer look, and it is in fact closed. Since the last newspaper on the stack is dated 28 February 2018, I'm guessing it happened in early March.

There was a story in The State from a few years ago about their fried, burnt, bologna sandwiches which mentions that the owner was in poor health. I certainly hope this was not the reason for the closing, but whatever reason, it is always a shame to see these unique little local stores close.

According to The State, the Saluda location of the Bohemian will be closing sometime this summer, with liquidation already underway. The related Devine Street decor store will not be closing. Here is a little more detail from The Columbia Star

This store only opened in 2010, so I must have driven or walked by previous tenants many times, but I cannot now bring any to mind.

(Hat tip to commenter palmettoconnection)

UPDATE 5 June 2018 -- Sale signs now up:

UPDATE 8 June 2018 -- In the comments for the Delaney's Speakeasy closing, commenter Joe Shlabotnik remarks that there was a Pizza Inn in the vicinity. Actually it turns out it was here:

Burro Loco is a restaurant that has always interested me, because it seemed like it should be good, but never was. I have long had this place on an informal timeline where I would stop by about every five years to see if it was there yet, and it was due probably this year, but now it looks as though I will not get the opportunity.

The closing message on the restaurant site is pretty bland and noncommital (though it is nice that the staff were relocated). The Sun News essentially printed the same press release with no further information.

I find several things a bit curious however. First, there is no signage at the restaurant itself. Not your typical Closed for Renovations much less a more informative See us this fall! or whatever. Second, there is no indication at all that any work whatsoever has taken place here, despite four months having passed, and third, the door marquee indicates they were open until 10pm 7 days, not the 11pm weekend closing I would expect for a bar based hot-spot. I'm moved to suspect that the chain acted to stop the bleeding, but doesn't yet really have an idea what to do with the place. We'll see, and I hope I'm wrong as I would like to see this place finally get good.

UPDATE 7 December 2018: The Sun News reports the building is for sale.