Chick-Fil-A, 421 Bush River Road (Dutch Square): December 2009 31 comments
Well, it was probably inevitable, but Columbia's original Chick-Fil-A and one of the last original stores in Ductch Square has shut down. They had been in that same location for 40 years, which is like since the Pre-Cambrian in mall-time. I'm not a fan of chicken and don't believe I've ever been in a Chick-Fil-A to get so much as a drink (though I could be wrong, 40 years is a long time!), but I've always admired the chain a little bit for sticking to their guns about not opening on Sunday no matter how much more expedient that might be.
I'll try to get a shot from the other side of the corner at some point, there was a whole table of people seated there at the time.
On the plus side, a new pizza operation has set up in the recently closed D'Avino's on the other side of the hall from Chick-Fil-A
UPDATE 16 July 2010: Added a second picture.
UPDATE 28 January 2021: Add tags, full street address, map icon.
31 Responses to 'Chick-Fil-A, 421 Bush River Road (Dutch Square): December 2009'
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kelz
23 Jan 10 at 10:16 pm
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It's too bad that this happened. Dutch Square looks the best it ever has in it's now 40ht year of being there, but all the good stores are long gone now, and there's nothing really keeping the old Mall going other than Belk's maybe.
How many original stores can you name that arent there anymore? I remember most, but not all of them..Del
24 Jan 10 at 12:54 am
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Wow.. I've worked with Chick-fil-A for for several years and I know for a fact that the one at Dutch Square was the first chick-fil-a in columbia. Actually it's one of the first one's the chain, as the first store opened in Atlanta 43 years ago. It's a shame that such a mile stone is closing.
Henry West
30 Jan 10 at 12:42 pm
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The Hallmark store has a sign that says they are moving out of the mall. That will make The Rogue the only remaining original tenant.
E.J.
6 Feb 10 at 10:02 pm
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Radio Shack?
ted
7 Feb 10 at 1:14 am
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Ah yes. How could I forget radio shack. I guess I should have said last original store in the original location. RS started in the location directly across from the pet store. Also, is it my imagination or has that store that sells prints (2nd on right coming out of Belk)... has that always been a gallery of some sort?
E.J.
7 Feb 10 at 9:03 am
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No, the gallery was a clothing store previously (Round Robin, I think), and I recall it being a two story toy store circa 1977, but I cannot confirm that. I'm relying on memories of my youth.
59 Ford Wheelman
7 Feb 10 at 6:40 pm
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There *is* a Chik-Fil-A outside the mall now, though it's close to the Boozer area. I think it was just a matter of time. I've been eating most Saturdays at Super China Buffet for some years now. (For those who remember, this is in the old Eckerd space.) I used to walk up the mall to Waldenbooks, before that was closed. I suppose that was due to online shopping, primarily, possibly the B&N competition, as well; they do still have a presence at Harbison in Columbiana.
I seldom go up inside Dutch Square anymore, though. Belk and the AMC theatres are what keeps the mall alive, I think.
Barc
8 Feb 10 at 3:26 pm
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As for the original stores, one might also count Picadilly, as they bought out Morrison's in the mid '90s.
Barc
8 Feb 10 at 3:27 pm
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Wasn't really sure where to put this, but Mike's post regarding Baskin Robbins under Wild Birds Unlimited made me think that the Baskin Robbins at Dutch Square might have been an original store. Yellowpages.com still lists them open, so I'm not sure if they've closed or not, as there is also a listing for a Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts combo on Broad River Rd @ Boozer. The Dutch Square location has been there as long as I remember. Are they still open?
Jonathan
9 Feb 10 at 1:41 pm
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The Baskin/Dunkin is at Boozer Shopping Center. It was fairly recently remodelled as it used to be a Dunkin' only operation.
I think the Baskin at Dutch Square is gone but I'm not absolutely sure of that. It and Jackson Camera were really odd in that they were physically in the main mall building, but had no mall access..
ted
9 Feb 10 at 1:48 pm
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The Baskin Robbins at Dutch Square is gone. I always thought it was strange, like you said, that their only entrance was from the parking lot. They had the same set up at old Woodhill Mall. And they were so tiny!
The store at Boozer Shopping Center used to be a Mr. Donut -- a chain I still miss and will always regard as superior to Dunkin' Donuts. Krispy Kreme is in class by itself and cannot be compared to either. Apples to oranges etc.
Dennis
9 Feb 10 at 5:45 pm
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The first time I ever ate anything from Chic-Fil-A was right here. Looks exactly like it did when I left Columbia in 1982. But I seem to remember the side counter having a few more Lemonade fountains...
Mike M.
16 Feb 10 at 5:09 pm
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Wow, thanks a lot for this! I used to work here when I was a kid, but haven't really been in Columbia in about 20 years. Have fond memories of eating their waffle fries and sandwiches made of "real" chicken breasts!
Ariella
11 Mar 10 at 1:38 pm
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In the mid-80's... SPUDS was next door to this Chik-Fil-A. To the left, as you are facing it.
The SPUDMAX, and the SEAFOOD SLIMMER SPUD were on the menu.
Behonkus
14 Mar 10 at 10:30 pm
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Dutch Square original stores: Woolco (now Burlington Coat Factory and Office Depot), Tapps (now the movie theater), J B White (now Belk), Butler Shoes, Thom McAn shoes, Endicott Shoes, Record Bar, Singer Fabric and Sewing Center, Waldenbooks, Radio Shack, and Eckerd's Drugs. I was 12 when it opened and they provided maps so you could find your way around. Funny!!!!
Ann
9 Apr 10 at 9:17 am
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Ann, I'd love to have a scan of one of those maps if you have one..
ted
9 Apr 10 at 11:12 am
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Dont forget Louries, Record Bar, Thom McAnn, Cromers, Woolworth's, Hickory Farms, Waldens, A World of Gifts, Orange Julius, Morrison's, Eckards, Barrel of Fun, Curtis Mathis, Sharp's.. I know there were others, but I cant remember them all..
Del
10 Apr 10 at 7:46 pm
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I remember the first time I came to DSM to do Christmas Shopping with my family in the early 70's. Had my first Chic-fil-A at that location and tried to stop by anytime I was at DSM from then on. That mall and the quality of its stores has gone downhill so much. I remember the old Jerry Webber (sp?) tobacco store that had much more than just tobacco. Radio Shack had a lot of cool scanners, CB's, and ham stuff at one time. Now they are mostly just an outlet for cheap phones.
For so many years, Dutch Square had so much under its roof to interest anyone. Now it is mostly junk jewelry and "dollar" stores.
Ray Price
5 May 10 at 1:04 am
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Oh yeah, I think I can remember that sweet smelling tobacco store. (Tobacco smells great .. until you set it on fire).
ted
5 May 10 at 1:21 am
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I remember the piano and organ store. My cousin used to take lessons on saturdays. Me and her sis used to shop, eat@ the lunch counter @ Woolworths. We always had such a good time
Lynn
30 Aug 10 at 2:08 am
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I remember well when Dutch Square first opened in 1970. It was Columbia's first enclosed shopping mall. It was a treat for a 13 year old kid like me even though I never had money to buy anything outside of a Cromer's Icee or bag of peanuts. I doubt if PETA would tolerate a store with live monkeys anymore.
What caused the demise of the mall or is it really a dead mall yet? A lot of people won't go to Harbison because of the traffic. DS could be a good alternative to the madness of that area.
joelc
1 Jan 11 at 2:05 pm
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My first job was at Chic fil a Dutch Square. 1975
BC Bobby
2 Mar 11 at 1:06 am
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the one on sparkelberry square is closed for remodoling
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interesting...their about us page shows events still are taking place there...don't know how long it'll take but they won't keep it closed longer than need be
Andrew
25 Apr 11 at 8:42 pm
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hey Andrew its either that it did closed temporary or that it was open and still remodeling at the same time
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I went by the Sparkelberry Square Chick Fil A today and it appears to be back in business
Andrew
3 May 11 at 3:48 pm
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yes i saw it too but weird
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This was the first place I ever had waffle fries. Every time my parents took me there I would ask if I could get some waffle fries, even if I wasn't hungry.
Apparently when I was a child, I was with my dad and brother in Radio Shack, was like 2 years old. I ran out of the radio shack to the toy store that was a ramp tier up from barrel of fun. KB Toys? I can't remember now. My dad apparently freaked out - after that I was on a leash.
Matt
30 Jan 13 at 10:36 am
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So Crab Shack is now open across the hall in a place that housed Stuft-Stuff (and several others) and now I've seen signage athat Chef T Takeout has plans to open here....
Andrew
13 Jul 16 at 11:44 pm
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JOHN B.LEE MAGNAVOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT CENTER WAS AN ORIGINAL TENANT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM CHICK F FILA. I WAS THE REGIONAL SALES MANAGER FOR MAGNAVOX. IN ITS DAY A BEAUTIFUL MALL.
Bob Strickland
16 Jul 20 at 3:27 pm
i am very made they closed. i say this because i got layed off. i think that my boss didnt handle the money right so me and my best friend got layed off with a bunch of other people. now im broke and i dont like it at all. i so hate bret for doing this to us all. i miss all my close friends that i worked with there. i guess all good things come to an end some time!!