Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

I have never cared for Chipotle in general, and this one in particular as the few times I had eaten there I always had an issue: For instance the chips were stale the last time. My sister & nieces did enjoy it, but it was a running joke that they were always out of something basic like cheese with one fellow customer even going across to Publix to buy missing items.

The have moved a few blocks closer to I-77, into the new construction at the former site of San Jose, which gives them a drive-through. My understanding is that tonight they were out of guacamole.

Commenter Tom mentioned this State story about this longtime zoo area hotel closing. The story is a bit confusing as it says that Hilton dropped this operation as a franchaise, but the usual case for something like that is to keep the doors open with a quick reflagging, or just operating as something generic like "Suites At The Zoo" for a while, but apparently it was already in train for the staff to be laid off and the property put on the market.

Commenter Heath provides the above pictures and comments that Hilton has been assiduous about getting its brand off of everything. It's not a bad looking building, though some of the reviews suggest it has seen better days inside.

(Hat tips to commenters Tom & Heath)

I never visited Royal India Bazaar, though I always assumed it was connected to the adjacent Village Of India, which I have eaten at and enjoyed.

Commenter Brandon says that it was there for at least 20 years (which would predate the restaurant) and was very nice to shop at.

I have always thought of this shopping center as the "Big Lots" plaza, but I guess I will have to change that mnemonic going forward.

(Hat tip to commenter Brandon)

This Dairy Queen replaced the old Hardee's and opened during the Pandemic of 2020 when people were desperate to get out of the house somehow, whether they could go inside and eat or not: During the opening weeks, the line of cars would be backed up on US-17 for half a block.

After that, things settled down, but from my observation the place seemed to do a decent business, making me think the closing may have more to do with the chain's ongoing issues than anything with this particular store.

I was a little bemused during my walk-around to see Dennis The Menace surfing on a mural. Dennis was the chain's spokeskid during the 70s, and one radio commercial of Dennis and his pal Joey talking gave me a (probably annoying) catch-phrase to throw into conversations: Yeah, Joey: Like a super-brazier chilli-dog! I had thought Dennis & Dairy Queen had parted ways years ago, but I guess not.

Here is a very brief news note on the closing. As of early 2025 there is no activity with the building.

Commenter Mr. BO sends these pictures saying that he was a satisfied customer.

This would be right next to the former Steve's Subs, and in fact a number of storefronts in this plaza have featured here over the years.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr BO)

Commenter Gypsie notes that there is some kind of work going on here, which I also see. I wonder if it's to become a Seven-Eleven? If you google the address, that's one of the hits that comes up, though if you actually click on the link it's not available at the Seven-Eleven corporate site. Of course it's also possible it was previously a Seven-Eleven at some time.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

If this Zesto weren't there for my entire life, it was pretty close. Richland Mall came, went, came and went again while Zesto chocolate dipped one soft-serve cone after another. In fact I have to admit that unless my folks got me something else when I was very young, those chocolate dip cones are all I had at Zesto, with the dark shell cracking over the creamy goodnes the first time you bit it and lasting down to the part where you ate the cone and got ice cream all over your fingers.

The owner is retiring after a good long run, and it's certainly well deserved. I can't really see the building being repurposed as there is not enough parking for a full sit-down restaurant, and not enough space for a drive through, but time will tell. In the meantime, there's those decades of sticky memories.

Here's ColaDaily on the closing, and here's WIS on the final day.

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)

UPDATE 22 January 2025: