Kroger Sav-On, 2322 Augusta Road (US-1 near I-26): 2000 45 comments
I've written about Kroger Sav-On before. I believe the fate of this Kroger, near the Wal-Mart on Highway 1 near I-26 came about for similar reasons.
When Kroger first hit the Columbia market (and I believe this store, like Decker & Fort Jackson, was in the initial build-out), it was upscale, but by the time these stores closed, it had been leapfrogged by other chains' new generations. This store in particular has a nice new Bi-Lo across the street from it, and a Wal-Mart Supercenter just a block or two away. So (and this is all pure speculation), they weren't as nice as the Bi-Lo, and couldn't be as cheap as the Wal-Mart. Kroger's answer, in general, has been new stores like the one near Spring Valley High School, but that requires new construction.
Anyway, I noticed the other day that the building is no longer empty -- Kimbrell's furniture has set up there now. That's good to see, and I wish something would take the buildings on Fort Jackson & Decker!
UPDATE 11 March 2011: Changed closing date to 2000 based on commenter Andrew's research. Also added full street address.
45 Responses to 'Kroger Sav-On, 2322 Augusta Road (US-1 near I-26): 2000'
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gary
18 Aug 08 at 8:01 pm
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I remember the Kroger in West Columbia. My parents went there all the time before Bi-Lo opened. My first "behind the scenes" look at a grocery store was a tour that I took there with my Kindergarten.
To Gary - it was the Family Mart. I vaguely remember shopping there with my mom.
Jonathan
19 Aug 08 at 1:27 pm
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Ok this closed in 2000:
KROGER WILL SHUT 4 STORES IN MIDLANDS STORES IN SUMTER, WEST COLUMBIA, LEXINGTON AND COLUMBIA TO CLOSE
R. KEVIN DIETRICH, Staff Writer
Some 250 Kroger employees will lose their jobs over the next couple of weeks as the supermarket chain closes four Midlands stores.By April 7, Cincinnati-based Kroger will shutter locations at:
* 605 W. Main St., Lexington
* 2322 Augusta Road, West Columbia
* 2500 Decker Blvd., Columbia
* 873 Broad St., Sumter
Employees were told of the closings Tuesday.
The closings are part of Kroger's effort to consolidate operations in South Carolina.
Published on 2000-03-22, Page A1, State, The (Columbia, SC)
Andrew
10 Mar 11 at 11:37 pm
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Just a heads up, Krogers on St. Andrews is closing next month. They had all of their cooking utensils and supplies 80% off today.
Alicia
27 Mar 12 at 1:10 pm
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@Alicia, are you talking about the one at 817 St. Andrews Road (at Fernadina Road) or the one in Irmo...
I sense an interesting trend developing:
St. Andrews used to have 2 Wendy's, Blockbusters, Food Lions but now they're down to only one of each of those.
The Food Lion (#185) That used to be at 6169 St. Andrews closed in Feb. 2010 and is now Big Lots #5123
In 2005ish, Eckerd went from two to one as the one at St. Andrews Road & Broad River Rd. closed (now Dollar Tree). It moved out around 2000-01 from St. Andrews Square (655 St. Andrews Road).
Wendy's at 655 St. Andrews Road Closed Nov. 2008 and remains vacant.
and now in 2012, St. Andrews is going from two Krogers down to one...
The Blockbuster (817 St. Andrews Rd.) closed sometime in the 1998-03 timeframe and is now Cyclegear.
St. Andrews Road still has two of the following: McDonald's, Bi-Lo, Dollar General, Pizza Hut and Tripp's Fine Cleaners. It also has two Contract Postal Units.
Andrew
27 Mar 12 at 5:01 pm
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YEp it's the one by Fernandino. The one in Irmo is staying open.
Alicia
29 Mar 12 at 2:26 pm
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I am not 100% surprised because the 817 St. Andrews Kroger lagged behind the one in Irmo (and the georgous one at Sparkleberry Square) in terms of the remodeling.
I sense a need to send some sort of prayer, positive energy, etc. in the way of Gator Investments because they will have a large task to fill the void at St. Andrews Crossing
Andrew
29 Mar 12 at 5:05 pm
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so I rode by Kroger (817 St. Andrews Road) and they had a sign indicating that effective March 30 (Eatser 2059) but no sign of it closing for good.
Andrew
29 Mar 12 at 11:29 pm
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Today's The State features the following quote following the 817 St. Andrews Road Kroger:
“This particular location has experienced declining sales and negative profit over an extended period of time, and its closing will help Kroger operate more efficiently,” spokesman Glynn Jenkins said in a statement.
So now, if you're Gator Investments, time to get your recruiting hat on...if you're a resident of the area, see if you can score anything at a liquidation price and enjoy one last Chick-Fil-A in Kroger lunch.
Andrew
30 Mar 12 at 5:47 pm
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They should have left the houses that were there before they moved them or had them torn down. Kroger was still doing good back in 1999, but after that, I'm not sure.
Saturday's child
30 Mar 12 at 11:05 pm
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I part of me is feeling that Kroger is a grocery brand that could very well be in trouble... since 1999, they've gone from 8 area locations (9 if you want to count Sumter) down to 3. It baffles me that they keep the one at 3403 Forest Drive going like they do
Andrew
30 Mar 12 at 11:26 pm
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Well one thing about the Forest Drive store is that it is 24 hours, which Fresh Market, Publix and The Pig are not. You have to go all the way to Wal Mart at I-77 or Bi-Lo on Devine to get to other 24 hour stores.
ted
31 Mar 12 at 12:04 am
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I know that Kroger has several manufacturing plants around the country and the chain is more popular in other areas than here in Columbia.
Terry
31 Mar 12 at 8:30 am
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The reason why there's more to choose from Grocery wise, Gas wise, places to eat and things to do in Greenville AND Charleston..it's because COLUMBIA IS BORING! AND most Columbians are self centered and overly confident.
Saturday's child
31 Mar 12 at 11:18 am
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Kroger is #25 on the Fortune 500 list. They aren't in trouble, just more popular in other areas of the country.
David
31 Mar 12 at 5:37 pm
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If they can maintain a decent market presence with 3 locations and support the overall Kroger network, more power to them...
Andrew
31 Mar 12 at 6:32 pm
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Kroger #409 (817 St. Andrews Road) is in its final week. The shelves have begun being cleared out as I write this. While I am not 100% sure, I think it's entirely possible that the Chick-Fil-A has served up their last meal. Pharmaceutical records have been transferred to Walgreens #9487 (1223 St. Andrews Road). Interestingly enough, this makes two closings that Walgreens got the pharmaceutical records (Kmart #4043 (4400 Ft. Jackson Blvd.), which is closing this June, had their records transferred to Walgreens #6136 (4467 Devine Street)). April 27, 2012 at 6:00 PM will mark the final curtain call for Kroger #409.
Andrew
21 Apr 12 at 11:28 pm
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Andrew - I haven't heard anything about the Kroger on St. Andrews closing. That is shocking. With all the apartment complexes along Kay St. I would have thought that they would have had at least a steady business. Although I have to say that many other businesses on the Broad River side of I-26 along St. Andrews are suffering the same. It's looking like I-26 is the demarcation line between where things are starting to go downhill. Only a matter of time before it hits me in Irmo.
Homer
22 Apr 12 at 2:14 am
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409 lost something like $20 million over the last 15 years. They lost $1.2 million last year and projected to lose $1.9 million this year. Kroger is currently looking to add 2 or 3 new stores in the Columbia market place. The Spring Valley store will be receiving another remodel where they will finally be moving their aisles to run vertical not horizontal. The Forest Drive store had $3million spent last year on a small remodel and is scheduled for a massive $7million undertaking this year.
chris
22 Apr 12 at 4:06 pm
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I'm surprised the 3403 Forest Drive location can be worth spending $7M to remodel it. A part of me was surprised that one stayed open when the one at 4305 Ft. Jackson Blvd. closed in Nov. 2007...but Chris, you opened my eyes as to why #409 is closing
Andrew
22 Apr 12 at 9:33 pm
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The Jackson Blvd. location didn't surprise me a bit. I used to frequent that one quite a few times when a friend of mine lived on Jackson and I could never find anything in there since it was one of the first gen stores (like the original Bush River and Decker stores). The placement of everything was not what I was used to. The thing I liked about the St. Andrews store was the fact that I could get a Chick Fil-A and not have to go anywhere near Harbison. I do most of my shopping at the Kroger in Irmo as well as the Aldi right down the street. I do, however, miss the Piggly Wiggly that used to be in Lake Murray Center. They always had some great local produce and the people there were always helpful and would bend over backwards to help you in any way they could! I just miss that store!!!
Homer
23 Apr 12 at 12:39 am
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Andrew the Forest Drive store isn't worth $7 million it is a bad business decision IMO. When the Spring Valley store and the Irmo store were remodeled the last time 4 years ago or so it was said that it cost $7 million to build a brand new store that was in the 80,000 sq ft range. The Forest Drive is only having the store expanded to the current sidewalk I believe but all the perishable departments are being completely gutted and redone. The store has to be remodeled to compete with the incoming Whole Foods and their is rumors of two Trader Joe's coming (one in Lexington and one on Forest Dr.)
chris
23 Apr 12 at 3:10 pm
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Homer the Jackson Blvd store was not a first gen store. It was a Family Mart then an A&P then a Kroger. I can't believe that Whole Foods isn't tearing that store down and starting over. The place is 40 to 50 years old.
chris
23 Apr 12 at 3:12 pm
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The Ft. Jackson Blvd. Family Mart was A&P owned, then Kroger bought them out in either 1982 or 1983 at the latest. I remember when it was built once the old Drive-In was torn down in 1981. It must have been more logical to use the old building to save money than to tear it down and start all over again. The building itself is only 31 years old. The property where the Drive-In was I'm sure is at least 50 years old or older. I may not remember a whole lot about the Drive In there, but I know it's was there at least since 1962 or earlier.
Saturday's child
23 Apr 12 at 3:55 pm
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Actually Kroger bought out ALL the A&P Family Marts in Columbia in 1982 or maybe in late 1981. One of the very last A&P's I think was the one over at Dutch Square.
Saturday's child
23 Apr 12 at 3:58 pm
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Looking at 3403 Forest Drive, I gather that they will build out towards the actual Forest Drive side. There appears to be room where they could conceivably build out toward the Troy St. side of the building if they wanted to (though it would require relocation of utility lines). In the past, I've had visions of them finding somewhere nearby and building something comparable to Sparkelberry Square. Especially if Richland Mall were to completely close.
I recall when 4305 Ft. Jackson Blvd. closed that Edens & Avant (now known as just Edens) had a plan to raze the former Kroger and build something else. Be that as it may, when Whole Foods signed the lease, they decided it worth their while to gut the building and repurpose it for them and leave a portion for a different tenant for what will become Cross Hill Market. Be that as it may, Goodyear's old building on the Ft. Jackson Blvd. side and an a different building on the Cross Hill Road side that had been 10-15 different things were razed. Chris's post about 817 St. Andrews Road makes me wonder though if 4305 Ft. Jackson experienced a similar performance and that's why it finally closed. I was boggled how that one closed when 3403 Forest Drive stayed open.
If Kroger decides to build an 80K square foot store, they could look very easily at the former Kmart at 99 N Arrowood Road.
Andrew
23 Apr 12 at 4:23 pm
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saturday's child you were right about the age of the building my fault. I worked at the Ft Jackson store we were much more profitable than the closing St Andrews store. The problem was the store was really old and not in the future plans of Kroger. The corporate people were going to spend money but not enough and eventually the whole issue fail through when the market bottomed. At one point the rumor was to close the Ft Jackson store leave open the Forest Dr store and build a brand new mega store like in Aiken then close Forest Dr. but it eventually didn't pan out
chris
23 Apr 12 at 8:09 pm
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Man - I had no idea the building was that old!! Show's you how often I frequent that side of town. I haven't been over in probably five years.
@saturday's child - I think you are right about the last A&P being the one at Dutch Square. I remember when I was little going to the old A&P that was on Sunset @ River Dr. when the old drive-in was still in the forks of the road.
Homer
23 Apr 12 at 9:09 pm
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ted
23 Apr 12 at 9:43 pm
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Homer, the Piggly Wiggly I think you are missing was actually in High Pointe Centre (store #60). Believe it or not, out in Lexington on US 378 & St. Peter's Church Road, Piggly Wiggly #115 is located at Lake Murray Shopping Center at 760 Highway 378. The comments on the Irmo closing page provide some interesting insight as to why it closed.
Andrew
23 Apr 12 at 10:18 pm
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@Andrew - I don't know how I could have mixed up the name of the strip mall. I only drive by it everyday...lol. But the again, there are so many shopping centers in Irmo I can never keep them straight. It's almost like someone puts about a dozen words in a sack and pull out 3 or 4 to come up with the name for a new one.
@Ted - I vaguely remember going to the Sunset Drive-In before it became a porn palace. In the later days, I used to get a kick out of the flood lights that used to blind you as you came up River Dr. to block out the images on the screen. Now the only reason to go to that part of town is Edna's!!!!
Homer
23 Apr 12 at 10:45 pm
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When did the A&P on Sumter HWY at Greenlawn Road close? That was the last grocery store before Sumter when I was a kid.
tonkatoy
24 Apr 12 at 6:32 am
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That A&P closed in 1986, I think, as well as the one in Trenholm Plaza. Coincidentally, that's also when the Family Mart at Jackson Blvd became a Kroger. Previously the Kroger was in another shopping center farther down the road--but I don't recall which one. I just remember Bi-Lo was in one and Kroger was in another.
badger
24 Apr 12 at 8:49 am
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The Bi-Lo that's on Garners Ferry was built sometime in the early 80's I think.. There's used to be some kind of Motel/Hotel there along with a bar I think..and in front of that was Putt Putt.. then it was all torn down and Bi-Lo was built. The only Krogers I remember before they bought the Family Marts out were at Bush River Mall and Decker Mall. Those were build for Kroger by Kroger.. Harris-Teeter didnt stay around all that long either.
Saturday's child
24 Apr 12 at 9:18 am
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The old Kroger was next to the BiLo that was in the same strip mall as Columbia East Theaters. After Kroger left, I think it was a C&W dance hall/bar called Tombstone or something.
tonkatoy
24 Apr 12 at 9:18 am
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I remember the Bi-Lo, but dont remember Kroger being there for some reason.. I didnt get to that side of town back then since it was a "far piece" from the St. Andrews/Irmo side of town back in the early 80's.
Saturday's child
24 Apr 12 at 9:25 am
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Looking at it from Garner's Ferry, the Kroger was to the right of BiLo, but in a separate strip mall. You couldn't get their directly from BiLo.
tonkatoy
24 Apr 12 at 9:48 am
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OH.. I still dont remember it though. I take it that the building is still there? I remember goin' to the Columbia East Theater maybe a couple of times, and the Bi-Lo, but I guess I never paid any attention to Kroger. That had to be in the early 80's though..
Saturday's child
24 Apr 12 at 10:02 am
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Yeah, bingmaps shows it still standing and it says Mediallion Center on it. two hotels in front of it, one to the left of it. parking lot was all chopped up during the hotel construction and you can only access it through E Exchange Road.
tonkatoy
24 Apr 12 at 11:43 am
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the area I think you are referencing is at 7355 Garners Ferry Road which is the site of the Southeast Campus of the Word of God Church and Ministiries. Be that as it may, Bi-Lo #65 exists at 7830 Garners Ferry Road (which is where Pineview becomes Hallbrook on the Hallbrook side).
the Old A&P site I think tonkatoy is referencing at Garners Ferry & Greenlawn is the site of Garners Ferry Plaza where the Leesburg Post Office is. It had a Piggly Wiggly that moved across the street when they bought Harris Teeter's 4 Columbia locations in 2001. The plaza has since undergone a significant facelift and has landed Aaron's and Family Dollar.
Andrew
24 Apr 12 at 11:46 am
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I'm thinking (but could be wrong) that the old A&P was on the west of Greenlawn, where the Days Inn currently sits. The old Pig, on the east side of Greenlawn in the shopping center, I think started life as a Pig.
badger
24 Apr 12 at 12:20 pm
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badger, you may be right, the time frame that tonkatoy and Saturday's Child were discussing this as happening was before I came along
Andrew
24 Apr 12 at 12:32 pm
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The Pig was built in 1985 or so. The A&P was on the west end of the strip mall on the east side of Greenlawn Road.
tonkatoy
24 Apr 12 at 1:58 pm
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With the A&P and some other places out on Garners Ferry around and past the Vets Hospital.. wasnt it a dead area or more empty? I cant imagine much of anything being out in that area in the mid 60's or earlier. I remember Marion Burnside building and Greenlawn have been there forever, I dont remember any A&P..but then again, I grew up on the Cayce side of town near the Airport back in the "1860's"..where us kids back then would do our work by Candle Light. HAHAHAHA..
Saturday's child
24 Apr 12 at 2:05 pm
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Yes, the A&P was located just down from the Leesburg Post Office, and then became a Piggly Wiggly when they moved from the Cedar Terrace Shopping Center.
Terry
25 Apr 12 at 6:15 am
The Kroger stores on Ft. Jackson Blvd and the one on 12th street in West Columbia originaly opened as something else. I don't remember the name but they were owned by A&P (another name from the past). I remember that the one on 12th street was where the Columbia chief of police was caught taking a bribe by SLED. His name was Arther Hess. He skipped bail and was caught at Disney World.