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Have Your Say Archive 1 January 2019 Through 31 December 2019   302 comments

Posted at 12:30 am in

I always enjoy hearing from you (though I may not always respond, or implement your suggestion).

Ted

Go to last Have Your Say entry

Have Your Say archive pages are here:

Have Your Say Archive 9 November 2008 through 3 September 2010

Have Your Say Archive 4 September 2010 through 31 December 2011

Have Your Say Archive 1 Jan 2012 to 31 December 2013

Have Your Say Archive 1 Jan 2014 to 31 December 2015

Have Your Say Archive 1 Jan 2016 to 31 December 2016

Have Your Say Archive 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017

Have Your Say Archive 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018

Written by ted on February 3rd, 2019

302 Responses to 'Have Your Say Archive 1 January 2019 Through 31 December 2019'

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  1. The Circle K at the corner of Park Terrace and Harbison Blvd has suddenly closed!! Possibly because a new location is being built at corner of ST Andrews and Piney Grove?

    Arthur

    2 Jan 19 at 8:40 am

  2. A post over at the Columbia section of the City-Data site says the Harbison Circle K will be knocked down and replaced with a bigger modern Circle K.

    Jodie Peeler

    2 Jan 19 at 3:39 pm

  3. I found your site and love this place. So many childhood memories. I posted a few minutes earlier, found your posts on Red Wing Rollerway and, man, THAT was my childhood every summer. It's so sad to see it go. Those demo photos hurt in the feels, and I would have paid good money for one of those diner booths for my home but, that happens.

    Anyway, I couldn't find anything on Brendle's. It was near the old Richway/Gold Circle/(and now) Target on Garners Ferry. I think there were a couple of others in the city as well, but that's the one I was familiar with. Sorry, I don't have any photos but it was in the same strip mall as Target, Chic-fil-a and some other stores I can't recall.

    Richard H

    2 Jan 19 at 9:51 pm

  4. @Richard H --

    Hmm, hadn't thought about Brendle's in a while, and never went into one that I can recall. This article suggests they closed the Columbia stores in 1993 as a bankruptcy downsizing, and Wikipedia says they went bust again in 1996 and decided to dissolve the chain at that point.

    ted

    3 Jan 19 at 1:09 am

  5. If I'm not mistaken, Brendles was the first tenant in the large space beside Outback Steak House on Harbison, in the same area most recently occupied by Babies-r-us.

    Heath

    3 Jan 19 at 10:55 am

  6. I think Heath is right about Brendles being on Harbison but weren't they also the follow up store after Service Merchandise left at the location on Diamond Lane?

    ED

    3 Jan 19 at 5:21 pm

  7. @ED,

    Not unless they didn't last long enough to put up their own sign..

    ted

    3 Jan 19 at 8:02 pm

  8. I don't remember Brendle's but I do remember coming across a price tag when I was in 5th grade from them but I now know they had gone belly up several years before then. Be that as it may, I do remember the space at Harbison Court where Babies R Us recently closed having a sprting goods store (this was before Bower Parkway) but I don't know what it was called.

    I actually remember Service Merchandise on Diamond Lane and shopping there. The whole Service Merchandise company liquidated in 2002 and Brendle's had gone under by that point. The Service Merchandise sat vacant for years until Word of God Church & Ministries bought the property and moved in (which is discussed on the Service Merchandise page).

    As for the Circle K at Harbison and Park Terrace, I have a feeling that such was to rebuild the store...I wonder how the Subway behind it (which I remember being a car was at one point) will turn out in this (I wound't be surprised if it winds up being razed)...

    Andrew

    3 Jan 19 at 9:07 pm

  9. @ED. Brendles was at Dutch Square in the old Wolco, now Burlington/Office Depot location.

    Tom

    4 Jan 19 at 6:36 am

  10. Actually Brendles was around when I worked at Service Mdse. in the early 1980's. Brendles took over a small side portion of the old Woolco store. But Brendles didnt last long at all..it was very small on the inside. It gave Service Mdse. a little competition, but not much. I never remember Brendles being anywhere else but Dutch Square Mall.

    Del

    4 Jan 19 at 5:25 pm

  11. Richard, I believe Brendle's on Garners Ferry was in East Pointe Plaza, the original home of WalMart in east Columbia.

    Joe Shlabotnik

    4 Jan 19 at 8:22 pm

  12. Hi....for some odd reason I thought of the old Columbia Athletic Club and googled it, and I ended up here ! I was in Columbia during the mid 80's for grad school and still try to hit a football game (or the 5 Points party.....or both !) every year. Doesn't look like you touched on a place called Wits End. Do you remember that place? They had open bar happy hour every Friday for members !
    Thanks !

    Leonard Shustack

    5 Jan 19 at 3:39 pm

  13. Leonard,
    Check the entry for the Salsa Cabana. It was in the former location of the Wit's End at 2005 N. Beltline Blvd.

    Midnight Rambler

    7 Jan 19 at 9:25 pm

  14. I was driving out Dreher Shoals Road in Irmo (might be Dutch Fork or Ballentine in that area) on Saturday and saw that Beef O'Brady's had closed. This was in the Publix plaza next to Alodia's. Did not really surprise me. We had eatne there on a few occasions and they were inconsistent at best. One visit would be the best meal, the next would fail to meet expectations. It appears something else has already opened in that location, but I was unable to read the new sign from the road.

    James R

    8 Jan 19 at 2:56 pm

  15. Has anyone mentioned that WG Wings on St. Andrew's Rd. has closed. A friend of mine told me about it this evening.

    Homer

    8 Jan 19 at 7:15 pm

  16. The State Paper is reporting that The Backpacker will close after 45 years in business. This store outlasted most of it's competition, including Dunham's and Moe Levy's.

    https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article224124485.html

    ED

    9 Jan 19 at 3:00 pm

  17. This may have been talked about before, but I'm trying to find out about a diner that was on North Beltline back in the mid-80s. It was right across the street from the Biltmore apartments, right around the corner from Falcon Drive (A.C. Flora High School). I think it may have been in the same building where J.Peters restaurant is now. Does anybody remember this?

    Cam

    10 Jan 19 at 11:49 am

  18. Cam: Are you possibly referring to "Brights". Brights was close by, but not actually in that location.

    badger

    10 Jan 19 at 3:51 pm

  19. @Badger, not sure of the name, I was a kid in the mid-80s, and I don’t remember the diner being there after maybe 1985 or so. All I can remember now is big glass windows facing Beltline all along the front of the diner. I believe the entrance was on the right side of the building, kitchen was behind the “bar top”, directly across from the big windows. I know it wasn’t the building where Casa Linda’s is, that was the Mandarin Chinese restaurant back then, and has been Mexican restaurants since. I was wondering if the JPeters/Salsa Cabana/ Original Pancake House building had maybe been repurposed from the diner. Seems like the diner would have taken up that whole building at one time, if it’s the same one. I’ll check out the Brights page on here. Thanks Badger.

    Cam

    11 Jan 19 at 3:47 am

  20. Well, don’t see a page for a Brights diner on here. I’ll keep digging around, see if I can come up with any info. I have fond memories of that diner, I remember really liking the food, even though I was young and finicky back then.

    Cam

    11 Jan 19 at 3:54 am

  21. Cam: I mentioned 'Brights' some years earlier in this Pizza Hut closing. My memory was a little fresher back then. : http://columbiaclosings.com/wordpress/?p=275

    badger

    11 Jan 19 at 11:41 am

  22. As reported earlier today Amazon is looking into buying some of the closed Sears locations and turning them into Whole Foods stores.

    If they were to do this do you think some of the other businesses that like to tag along near Whole Foods would move in nearby and revitalize sections of some malls?

    Joe Shlabotnik

    11 Jan 19 at 11:48 am

  23. @Badger, Thanks, apparently Brights was in a long gone building closer to Falcon Drive.

    @Joe Shlabotnick, I can see Amazon building a Whole Foods out closer to Clemson Road and Sandhills, but I highly doubt they would repurpose any part (Sears included) of Columbia Mall. I took my kids there about 10 days before Christmas. It is definitely a shell of its former self. I could see Amazon possibly repurposing the Sears at Columbiana, but we shall see.

    Cam

    11 Jan 19 at 2:17 pm

  24. just read on there fb page chocolate nirvana closed

    michael

    11 Jan 19 at 8:16 pm

  25. Not a closing but a passing away. For those of us old enough to remember, this man was responsible for developing and promoting the Columbia Record Club, the 1-800 toll-free number for businesses, the magazine subscription card, and the US postal ZIP code system.

    RIP Lester Wunderman, an American visionary.

    It is amazing how some people can see the future and then make it happen.

    Joe Shlabotnik

    12 Jan 19 at 3:06 am

  26. Manifest on Broad River is closing if not closed already. going out of business sales since before christmas

    Kabuto Grill at Parklane and O'Neill Ct closed
    they had great food... too bad

    brian

    12 Jan 19 at 11:04 pm

  27. Manifest's last day is supposed to be the 26th.

    Homer

    13 Jan 19 at 7:43 am

  28. Not a closing but an opening. Looks like there will be a gas station at the corner of Longtown and Killian. I wouldn't be surprised if it is a Sharpes Shop.

    Sidney

    13 Jan 19 at 10:33 am

  29. 32 Degrees in Trenholm Plaza is closing or may have already closed.

    The Cafe inside 1201 Main has closed and been replaced by something that is only open 1 day a week. I heard that 1201 Main's owners got free rent due to the building owner's seeing the restaurant as an amenity.

    Matt

    13 Jan 19 at 10:41 pm

  30. With Manifest, I remember when it first opened and Carl Singmaster was manager. I think it was in the old UFO Hippie Hangout building from the 60's and early 70's on North Main St. There's really no good used record stores anymore. I miss School Kids Records in 5 Points.

    Del

    14 Jan 19 at 1:51 am

  31. Portfolio Art Gallery in Five Points will be closing at the end of February. https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article224519525.html

    Summer

    16 Jan 19 at 10:33 am

  32. The Eagles Cleaners in Lexington (2 doors down from Chocolate Money) Suite A, has closed. High rent district? They apparently have another location in Chapin...that's a little out of my way. Off to find a new dry cleaner.

    Beth

    17 Jan 19 at 10:58 am

  33. There is a Planet Fitness going in the old Crossings strip mall on the corner of Clemson and Hardscrabble next to the McDonalds.

    NYNative

    18 Jan 19 at 6:13 pm

  34. Figured I would throw this out here, and hope for the best. Does anyone have any idea where to find pictures of the interior of the long-closed Annabelle’s Restaurant in Columbia Mall (Place)? Annabelle’s has been mentioned on here (years ago), but there were no pictures of the interior. I have searched the internet to no avail. It’s been almost 25 years since I set foot in there, and although I went there many times with friends and family, my memory of the place gets foggier as the years pass.

    Cam

    24 Jan 19 at 10:49 pm

  35. @Cam, I am sure you know this but there is actually still an Annabelle's in New Bern, NC. From their Wiki article, it sounds like that this location stayed open after the company went out of business. Looking at pics on Google, the restaurant looks similar to the one at Dutch Square and Columbia Mall. Same signage and the it has an upstairs. No sign of a salad bar though.

    ED

    28 Jan 19 at 5:50 pm

  36. @Ed, thank you, I appreciate the info. I did find pics of the New Bern Annabelle’s when I Google searched. That restaurant does not resemble entirely the one in Columbia Mall from what I can remember, as there were several different “themed” areas in the Columbia Mall Annabelle’s. The New Bern restaurant looks a little more mundane. At Columbia Mall, there was a section that looked like a jail cell, with at least two tables in it. When you entered the restaurant, to the left and down a couple of steps, there was a section that was set up with a nautical theme, and it almost felt like a completely different restaurant from the rest of the place. If you walked straight in and went directly forward, there was an area that was set up like an outdoor patio or something of the sort. The upstairs area was all fairly consistent, except for one table that sat by itself on an overhang near the entrance. It was a unique place, and I haven’t found anywhere else quite like it (Applegate’s Landing was close, but long gone too). Anyways, thanks for your comment. Reminiscing is great!

    Cam

    29 Jan 19 at 6:18 am

  37. Sam's Fine Wine and Spirits on Killian is closed and boarded up. The location is still on their website. Google Maps already has them noted as permanently closed thought. Too bad. I needed that Sam's package store to deal with a certain nearby dealership. :)

    Brian

    1 Feb 19 at 9:03 pm

  38. Sam's closed because Killian Spirits opened up. Sue and Doug from Sumter were waiting for the traffic light to be put in place to open up their "Mega" liquor store. It's smaller inside than it looks from the outside. Sue is a very nice little Korean lady that I met the first time I went in there. Prices are pretty good. Of course nobody can beat Greene's but they do beat the little mom and pop liquor stores in the area. They have beer, wine and liquor.

    Sidney

    2 Feb 19 at 10:43 am

  39. I saw a sign for a restaurant space available in the Shoppes at Flight Deck, in Lexington. Looks like Arkos has closed. That space has been several restaurants.... nothing seems to survive. No street frontage so I guess it's a tough sell.
    Papa Gio's seems to be doing well... I love it back when it was Brixx. Soon to see what comes to Arkos.

    Brian

    5 Feb 19 at 1:43 pm

  40. The old baseball stadium on Assembly Street is scheduled for demolition soon. I saw a lot of future major leaguers play there and had a some great times with friends and former team mates watching the games.

    Sunshine, hotdogs, beer, peeing in a trough....pretty close to heaven.

    Joe Shlabotnik

    6 Feb 19 at 3:00 am

  41. Yeah, I hope Ted can do a post on it before it's gone.

    Kenneth

    7 Feb 19 at 6:05 pm

  42. Frank Robinson, one of the greatest players of all time, passed away yesterday. He played in this stadium before being called up to the big club by the Reds in the '50s.

    Joe Shlabotnik

    8 Feb 19 at 3:56 am

  43. NBC is reporting that Payless Shoe Source is in its second bankruptcy and trying to find some buyers. If it fails to do so it could close all of its 2700 stores nationwide

    Tom

    8 Feb 19 at 1:44 pm

  44. Ted have you seen cinematreasures.org ?
    It's a "still open" site rather than a "closed" site.
    How can it not have any info about Columbia SC?

    Dennis

    11 Feb 19 at 4:44 pm

  45. I've visited from time to time. I get some traffic from links on their site.

    ted

    12 Feb 19 at 7:41 pm

  46. The urgent care on Forest Drive (across the street from Jack Oliver and the cleaners) has a For Lease sign in front of it. I had noticed for more than a month that there never seemed to be anyone there. I had also used them several times. It was hit or miss on getting a doctor that was any good.

    Matt

    13 Feb 19 at 10:40 am

  47. ^^Similarly, the Doctor's Care on South Beltline, near Midlands Tech and the Lizard's Thicket, is now a vet, I think.

    badger

    14 Feb 19 at 5:19 am

  48. The Doctor's Care badger mentioned moved into a new building where Pizza Man was and such ahs been noted on that page already...one of several cases where Doctor's Care has moved into a new nearby location.

    Andrew

    14 Feb 19 at 5:08 pm

  49. @Matt -- I went to take some pictures, and it looks like that Urgent Care is still open, though their space is up for lease. I guess they will probably stay until their term expires and close then.

    ted

    15 Feb 19 at 12:29 am

  50. It's official. Payless Shoes is closing all its stores.

    Tom

    16 Feb 19 at 3:15 pm

  51. After seeing Tom's notion of the Payless Shoe Store liquidation I checked and determined that the following trio comprise the remaining ones in the area:

    1. #3845: Columbia Place Mall (7201 Two Notch Road)
    2. #993: East Forest Plaza (5422 Forest Drive, Ste. 102)
    3. #5232: 713 West Main Street (Lexington)

    So as the liqudation unfolds they're liable to feature here (in due course)...

    Andrew

    16 Feb 19 at 4:09 pm

  52. Local talk is that former Wells Fargo Branch in front of closed BI-LO at Two Notch and Rabon will become Starbucks.

    Thomas

    18 Feb 19 at 6:56 am

  53. I noticed while running downtown the other day that the salon, The Color Amber, in the Claire Tower is closed.

    Justin

    18 Feb 19 at 6:57 am

  54. Riding through Sandhills Saturday evening and noticed 2 stores will be closing. Things Remembered and Crazy 8. They are right across from each other. Sandhills will be a ghost town probably within 10 years. I thought Killian Station was going to put them under, but it doesn't look like they are going have any stores, only restaurants and coffee shops.

    Sidney

    18 Feb 19 at 8:33 am

  55. Sedgewood Golf Course on Garners Ferry Road closed down after the first of the year. I believe it was built in the mid '60s.

    Maybe Richland County will buy it and provide some necessary upgrades.

    Joe Shlabotnik

    19 Feb 19 at 9:12 am

  56. I just saw that Rosso in Trenholm Plaza has closed. Always a favorite place for us. The post indicated that the chef is hoping to reopen elsewhere which makes me wonder if their lease wasn't renewed.

    Beth

    19 Feb 19 at 3:04 pm

  57. The Post and Courier Newspaper out of Charleston is reporting that Bi-Lo will close 22 store, 10 of them in SC. The article confirms that one of the locations will be in Mt. Pleasant. From what I have seen on Facebook, the Bi-Lo in Lexington and on Emmanuel Church Road will also be closing.

    ED

    21 Feb 19 at 4:55 pm

  58. I received an e-mail from Groupon stating that Tin Lizzy's in Columbia has closed. I don't remember buying the Groupon for them. Is this the one in the Vista?

    James R

    22 Feb 19 at 1:35 am

  59. Currently BI-LO has two Lexington locations:

    1. 421 Columbia Avenue (next door to Village Square Theater)
    2. 760 Highway 378

    I wonder (in response to ED's notion) which of these two are closing but I believe that such closings are related to ongoing financial struggles of Southeastern Grocers that resulted in 18 SC closures around this time last year (to include 3 Harvey's locations)...

    Andrew

    22 Feb 19 at 10:20 am

  60. The Bi-Lo location closing is the one in "downtown" Lexington on Columbia Ave. I am kind of surprised it's not the on on 378 since it is competing directly with a Publix.

    Here is an article talking bout the closings in this area, it also mentions the closing of Tin Lizzy and Rosso Trattoria

    https://www.wltx.com/article/news/two-lexington-county-bi-lo-grocery-stores-to-close/101-af6778be-7d58-40d1-b4a4-91b477b83f29

    This is a complete list of Bi-Lo/Harvey's stores closing in SC:

    Bi-Lo
    111 Edgewood Avenue, North Augusta, SC 2984
    421 Columbia Ave., Lexington, SC 29072
    2916 Emanuel Church Rd., West Columbia, SC 29170
    720 N. Main St., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
    2199 Southport Road, Spartanburg, SC 29306
    2700 Gentry Memorial Hwy, Pickens, SC 29671
    1315 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29605
    14154 E. Wade Hampton Blvd, Greer, SC 29651
    1909 US Hwy. 17 N. Bypass, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

    Harveys:
    901 Church St., Conway, SC 29527

    ED

    22 Feb 19 at 12:06 pm

  61. JamesR - News19 has reported the closing of Tin Lizzy's as well.

    https://www.wltx.com/article/news/sorry-were-closed-2-midlands-restaurants-closed/101-a32e1a74-420c-45fb-b389-f037bfbe20a0

    Sidney

    22 Feb 19 at 12:47 pm

  62. Yes, I just saw that Tin Lizzie's in the Vista has closed. I had been there multiple times for lunch and enjoyed it, although felt like the food had gone downhill some in recent months.

    Beth

    22 Feb 19 at 2:10 pm

  63. I'm surprised it took Tin Lizzie's this long to fold. They changed the menu several months ago and the food quality, which was never stellar, dropped like a stone.

    59 Ford Wheelman

    22 Feb 19 at 4:55 pm

  64. The 22 BI-LO, Harvey's and Winn-Dixie stores closing:

    Winn-Dixie #207 (Pharmacy), 3435 North Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33064-6605

    Winn-Dixie (Liquor Store) #277, 3435 North Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33064-6605

    Winn-Dixie #299 (Pharmacy), Cross County Plaza, 4360 West Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409-3106

    Winn-Dixie #495 (Pharmacy), Staufley Station, 5975 Mobile Highway, Pensacola, Florida 32526-1883

    Winn-Dixie #676 (Pharmacy), Bloomingdale Plaza, 179 East Bloomingdale Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33511-8102

    Winn-Dixie #723, 1850 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, Florida 33903-3366

    Harvey's Supermarket #1675, 901 Church Street, Conway, South Carolina 29526-4133

    Harvey's Supermarket #1713 (Pharmacy), Oakbrook Plaza, 2640 Northeast 14th Street, Ocala, Florida 34470-4802

    Winn-Dixie #2390 (Pharmacy), 5732 North Hiawassee Road, Orlando, Florida 32810-5036

    Winn-Dixie #2379, Formosa Gardens Village, 7840 West Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee, Florida 34747-1729

    BI-LO #5093 (Pharmacy), Belmont Village, 6507 West Wilkinson Boulevard, Belmont, North Carolina 28012-2891

    BI-LO #5103 (Pharmacy), Petersburg Shops, 500 Fury's Ferry Road, Augusta, Georgia 30907-7900

    BI-LO #5105 (Pharmacy), 720 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29582-3030

    BI-LO #5135, 421 Columbia Avenue, Lexington, South Carolina 29072-2615

    BI-LO #5156 (Pharmacy), Camfield Corners, 8620 Camfield Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277-2396

    BI-LO #5286 (Pharmacy), Sweetgrass Corner, 1909 United States Highway 17 North, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464-7453

    BI-LO #5297, Collins Corner, 14154 East Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greer, South Carolina 29651-1554

    BI-LO #5408 (Pharmacy), Cedar Springs Crossing, 2199 Southport Road, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306-5906

    BI-LO #5522 (Pharmacy), Edgewood Square, 111 Edgewood Square, North Augusta, South Carolina 29841-2878

    BI-LO #5552 (Pharmacy), Cedar Square, 2700 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, South Carolina 29671-9088

    BI-LO #5563 (Pharmacy), 1315 South Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, South Carolina 29605-1330

    BI-LO #5580, Sandy Ridge Square, 2916 Emmanuel Church Road, West Columbia, South Carolina 29170-3010

    BI-LO #5625, 4480 Columbia Road, Augusta, Georgia 30907-4253

    Knight

    23 Feb 19 at 1:50 am

  65. Southeastern Grocers still has a quantity of under performing BI-LO stores to address.

    Knight

    23 Feb 19 at 1:53 am

  66. At some point, you have to admit the problem is not 'underperforming stores'

    ted

    23 Feb 19 at 2:10 am

  67. The State is reporting that 32 degrees yogurt shop in Trenholm Plaza is closing. Wonder if something is going on over there?

    Tom

    23 Feb 19 at 6:16 am

  68. It's hard to compete as a mid-market grocery store with Walmart. I suspect that super price sensitive shoppers will go to Aldi and Lidl. Price sensitive ones who want the brands they're used to will go to Walmart. People who value service and atmosphere will go to Publix or Lowe's. So who are stores like Bi-Lo and Food Lion catering to? A Walmart or sub Walmart experience for prices that are closer to Publix just doesn't add up. The only place I think they can be successful is in a rural market where other options are too far away.

    Heath

    23 Feb 19 at 12:27 pm

  69. @tom: The State is about a month late to the party.

    ted

    23 Feb 19 at 1:07 pm

  70. "@tom: The State is about a month late to the party."

    That's why Ted is THE MAN! All Hail ColumbiaClosings.com!!

    Sidney

    23 Feb 19 at 4:12 pm

  71. I am in the market for a new gas stove and I am hoping the readers of this site who know more about Columbia that I do can direct me to a good appliance store. I have been to Best Buy (no gas stoves), Home Depot (limited in store display) and Lowes (same as Home Depot). I have no issue with buying the gas stove from Home Depot, but due to a unique set up, I cannot buy online without seeing the stove first. The online descriptions do not give me all of the information I need. Prestige Appliance and H.H. Gregg are both out of business, so I am not sure where to go to see the stoves in person.

    Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

    Thanks.

    JamesR

    24 Feb 19 at 10:54 pm

  72. I always buy my appliances at Sears.

    Oh, dang..

    ted

    25 Feb 19 at 2:40 pm

  73. Try Jeffers McGill.

    Joe Shlabotnik

    25 Feb 19 at 5:17 pm

  74. From The State newspaper:

    Trenholm Plaza is losing another business.

    Gwen Rawls Italian Shoe Boutique is closing on Thursday. It has been open for seven years.

    “We would like to thank you for your loyalty and patronage to Gwen Rawls over the past 7 years,” a post on the store’s Facebook page said. “It’s been a tremendous pleasure having you as a valued client.”

    The page advertised 70 percent off on remaining inventory. The store was packed on Monday.

    Read more here: https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article226771844.html#storylink=cpy

    Sidney

    25 Feb 19 at 7:39 pm

  75. @Joe - Thanks. Jeffers McGill was one of two places my wife found. The other was Wessinger Appliance in Chapin. I will take a look. I appreciate the recommendation.

    JamesR

    26 Feb 19 at 1:35 pm

  76. We just bought a range from S&G appliance and were really pleased with the service.

    I wonder if Trenholm Plaza's rents have gotten too high?

    Beth

    26 Feb 19 at 9:11 pm

  77. Apperantly from other news articles I have read today Walmart is going to close a store here in Columbia but I can’t find any info on which one is closing! Anyone know? These are the two sources below:

    https://www.richmond.com/business/local/walmart-closing-a-neighborhood-market-store-on-iron-bridge-road/article_e44d061f-8bb3-56d4-9c2e-db230362c730.html

    And:

    https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/business/article_472f2126-3aae-11e9-b27f-03d0f9a6090e.html

    Dustin

    27 Feb 19 at 9:52 pm

  78. @Dustin -- It's odd. I have done a news.google.com search and find a number of recent Walmart closings, but no blanket announcement from the corporation. Perhaps they learned from Sears not to put out a consolidated list of all closings since it looks more alarming that way.

    At any rate, if I had to guess a Columbia "Neighboorhood Market" to close, I would pick Broad River Road beacause.. Broad River Road.

    ted

    27 Feb 19 at 11:26 pm

  79. https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article226916874.html

    Ted,
    You were right.

    Jason

    28 Feb 19 at 11:28 am

  80. Wasn't this location given as one of the reasons that the former Bi-Lo/Harvey's on Broad River closed? I guess this will leave Food Lion closer to Greystone as the only store on this street.

    ED

    28 Feb 19 at 11:59 am

  81. I saw a 'Store Closing' sign on the Bi-Lo on Emanual Church Road in West Columbia this am. This area has really grown last few years, and a Wal-Mart marketplace opened across the street. It's a nice, but very large, store. As the crow flies, it's pretty close to a Piggy Wiggly that closed two years ago @ Exit 55. Also, a Publix opened a few miles away in Red Bank.

    Andy

    1 Mar 19 at 11:20 am

  82. The Harvey's at Widewater Square closure (IMO) has more to do with the bankruptcy that Bi-Lo/Harvey's parent company of Southeastern Grocers is experiencing but I have no doubt that the Walmart neighborhood market that is about to close at Broad River & Beatty Road was a factor in why it did...at 817 St. Andrews Road there was a Save A Lot that I heard that since Walmart went in it did a number on their business (and both have already featured here)...as for ED's quesiton about the Food Lion near Broad River & Greystone being the only store left...there is also the Publix at Kennerly Crossing (Broad River & Kennerly).

    The Bi-Lo at Sandy Ridge Square (Emmanuel Church & Old Barnwell Road) is another casualty of the struggles Southeastern Grocers is experiencing but no doubt that the new Walmart Neighborhood market at the same intersection is a key factor that resulted in the forthcoming closure of this particular Bi-Lo...

    Andrew

    1 Mar 19 at 6:48 pm

  83. The GAP, Victoria's Secret and JC Penny have all announced that they will be doing some store closings, but they did not say where.

    Tom

    4 Mar 19 at 6:34 am

  84. I am not surprised at the two BI-LO stores that are closing. Store closings will continue to occur as needed.

    Knight

    5 Mar 19 at 11:25 am

  85. Walmart is closing the location on Broad River that was just opened in 2016.

    Victoria's Secret, Macy's and Charlotte Russe will not be closing stores in Columbia.

    Rashaad

    5 Mar 19 at 2:38 pm

  86. With the Family Dollar, Macy's, JCP, Gap and Victoria's Secret closings, March 19 is turning into a brutal month for retail and we have not even finished the first week of the month!

    Tom

    7 Mar 19 at 7:00 am

  87. The Lexington Ledger posted on their Facebook page that Captain D's on Columbia Avenue in Lexington caught fire. Not sure how bad, but possibly closed temporarily. If so, bad timing. Lent is probably their busiest season.

    JamesR

    8 Mar 19 at 1:13 am

  88. Charlotte Russe will now close all stores including stores in Columbiana and Columbia Place.

    U-Haul will open a Storage Facility in the former Kmart on Two Notch Road. ****You saw it here first**

    Rashaad

    8 Mar 19 at 1:18 am

  89. A few closings/moves/changes I have seen in the past few days:

    The Payless Shoes in Lexington has its "Store Closing" signs up. This, of course, is no surprise. It was already mentioned here that all of the Payless Shoes are closing.

    The Eclectic House at 1709 Sunset Blvd. has moved to 716 Meeting Street. If I understand their Facebook page correctly, they are saving the old white house they are moving out of. Their new location is in with the Sightler's Florist & Market Place.

    The old neon car sign for Frank's Tire on Fairlane Road (Sunset Blvd. by the Lexington Medical Center Hospital) has been removed and replaced with a sign for Mavis Discount Tire. Frank's originally sold to a regional company called Tire Engineers. Before the ink was even dry on the deal, Tire Engineers was bought by Mavis Tire.

    JamesR

    8 Mar 19 at 1:31 am

  90. So in response to my earlier comment that the Lexington Ledger reported a fire at Captain D’s on Columbia Avenue, it looks like Captain D’s is open.

    JamesR

    8 Mar 19 at 3:24 pm

  91. I found this article in repsonse to JamesR's report on the fire at Lexington's Captain D's...apparently it was a discarded smoking material in a flower bed ignting mulch that triggered it...

    Andrew

    8 Mar 19 at 7:36 pm

  92. AutoPros on Two Notch Rd is closed. It was in the old Suzuki dealership. I think they closed at the end of the year. It was a great place to get an oil change because they did everything for about $30.

    Matt

    11 Mar 19 at 9:29 am

  93. The Free Times is reporting that the Local Yocal on Main Street has closed.

    Justin

    12 Mar 19 at 8:55 pm

  94. Newk's on Gervais Street in the Vista closed yesterday for good.

    Judy

    12 Mar 19 at 9:51 pm

  95. The old Subway on Devine Street has been taken down.

    Frank

    13 Mar 19 at 10:00 pm

  96. The sign on the door of the Wells Fargo on the corner of Forest Dr and Beltline has "moved". It is closed.

    Sidney

    14 Mar 19 at 2:52 pm

  97. Just a question from your days in Myrtle Beach SC. Did you know a fellow named Grant Tinker? He worked in the early 80s at the arcade you did fixing machines. He died in a one car accident somewhere around 81-83. I've always tried to remember him and so few are left who do. Thank you and I love your site.

    Charlton Butler

    17 Mar 19 at 9:24 am

  98. Looks like the Smashburger in Lexington has closed. The address was 5449 Sunset Blvd. Never ate at this llocation but did eat at the one in Irmo once and I thought it was pricey for a burger place, even when compared to Five Guys.

    ED

    17 Mar 19 at 11:09 am

  99. Smashburger *may* have a *slightly* better burger than Five Guys, but their fries are so much worse that there's no comparison.

    OK, their booths are better than Five Guys awful metal chairs too, but not enough to make up for the fries.

    ted

    17 Mar 19 at 6:17 pm

  100. The Hardee's on Arrowwood Road (near Dutch Square) has closed - the signs are down.

    luisde

    19 Mar 19 at 11:36 am

  101. My sister just read that LifeWay Christian Stores were closing all 170 stores they own. There is one at 1009 Bower Parkway in Irmo next to the Panera Bread. I am not sure if there are any others in town.

    JamesR

    20 Mar 19 at 10:42 pm

  102. Here are two stories on the Lifeway Stores closing.

    https://religionnews.com/2019/03/20/lifeway-christian-resources-to-close-all-stores-in-2019/

    http://www.newschannel10.com/2019/03/20/christian-bookstore-lifeway-announces-it-will-close-all-its-store-locations/

    JamesR

    20 Mar 19 at 10:46 pm

  103. Miyo's in Sandhill, can anyone confirm any signage or information on this location.

    Patron

    20 Mar 19 at 11:40 pm

  104. The gas station / convenience store at the corner of Gervais and Bull Street recently completed its renovation. It is now branded as an Amoco. I have not seen an Amoco station since the 1990s when Amoco was bought out by BP. Does anyone know anything about the return of the Amoco brand? I looked on the BP website and all it says is the Amoco brand was reintroduced in 2017 but it does not say why.

    JamesR

    21 Mar 19 at 12:45 am

  105. Miyos is closing at Village at Sandhill. The last day will be 3/30/2019.

    Rashaad

    21 Mar 19 at 4:10 pm

  106. Miyos closing at sandhill is surprising. Rent to high?

    John

    21 Mar 19 at 6:09 pm

  107. I’m reaching out to the owner next week. Village at Sandhill is under new management. Expect better stores and better decisions from management.

    Rashaad

    22 Mar 19 at 12:20 am

  108. Looks like The Hardee's on Charleston Highway has closed.

    Mr. Bill

    25 Mar 19 at 11:33 am

  109. Moe Levy's closing down.

    https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article228229594.html

    Sidney

    26 Mar 19 at 8:31 am

  110. @JamesR - My guess is nobody associates Amoco with 'Deepwater Horizon' - not true for BP.

    luisde

    26 Mar 19 at 1:04 pm

  111. The Hardee's at Dutch Square, Arrowood Blvd, is closed and all signs removed. Long-timer apparently killed by CookOut across the street. I like Hardee's better.

    gofinsc

    26 Mar 19 at 2:12 pm

  112. Sorry luisde for not reading earlier comments before I put mine in. But I still like Hardee's better.

    gofinsc

    26 Mar 19 at 2:18 pm

  113. The Hardee's attached to the Smart at the intersection of Sunset Blvd. & Corley Mill Road has been closed for some time. I thought it might have something to do with the construction going on but these other closings may be connected.

    JohnR

    27 Mar 19 at 8:18 am

  114. I'm pretty sure the gas station Hardee's on 378 closed a while back. Probably a year or so?

    Heath

    27 Mar 19 at 10:25 am

  115. @ ED - I stopped in at the Smashburger on Lake Murray Blvd in Irmo. They said the Lexington location closed because of issues with the lease and the landlord. The lady I spoke with claimed to be the GM of the Lexington location before she was moved to the Lake Murray store.

    @luisde - interesting thought. I had not considered that possibility. Deep water Horizon was 2010, so I considered it to be too long ago to be a factor. I remember I was living in Morgantown, WV at the time. All of the local BP stations removed the BP logo in favor of the corporate logo (BFS for Bruceton Farm /Food Service) that operated the franchises as a result of the incident.

    JamesR

    27 Mar 19 at 11:57 am

  116. The Hardee's mentioned at the intersection of US 378 & Ginny lane that was part of a gas station/fast food combo has already featured here.

    The one near Dutch Square I have seen closed up since luisde noted it (hasn't featured here yet but likely will soon)...as for the one Mr. Bill referenced, I haven't been down US 321 to determine whether it is the one at 1413 Charleston Highway (between Knoxx Abbott & where US 302 comes in) or the other one at 3014 Charleston Highway (near I-26 and in front of the former Piggly Wiggly at Cayce Crossing)...

    Andrew

    27 Mar 19 at 5:45 pm

  117. Andrew - it's the Hardee's at 1413 Charleston Highway. I passed by it a couple of days ago, and it's shuttered.

    Payne

    31 Mar 19 at 7:04 pm

  118. The Wells Fargo on Sunset Blvd next to LMC has closed down. the ATM is still in operation for now.

    JB

    1 Apr 19 at 11:37 pm

  119. These Wells Fargo locations closing are within close proximity of another Wells Fargo. If these locations are ones chosen so far, one could guess that Garners Ferry (Landmark) may lose a location next.

    Rashaad

    2 Apr 19 at 8:53 pm

  120. Attention all on Columbia Closings, I want you to be the first to know. I HAVE CREATED A NEW CULANARY EXPIERIANCE.
    It is of PROFOUND PROPORTIONS.

    After more than 60 years, the creation of this dinning option has no equals, I call it... wait for it... THE BANANA DOG.
    TA DAAAA.
    How could something so simple have been overlooked for so long?
    If you love, or even just like banana sandwiches you should try this next time you are thinking of having one. The recipe is simple, so simple in fact it takes all the work out of assembling a banana sandwich. No slicing the banana, no worrying about the thickness of the slices, no slices falling out while eating your sandwich.
    The recipe is as follows...

    1 Hot dog bun
    2 tsp mayonnaise
    1 banana

    Peel banana and leave whole
    Spread mayonnaise equally on both insides of hot dog bun.
    Place whole banana in bun as a hot dog would be placed.
    Enjoy.
    Options would be to add your favorite ingredients on top such as P-Nut butter, crushed nuts, honey, cinnamon sugar, etc.
    I like mine with a splash of whipped cream.

    I hope you like this. I'm working on a "Fried" banana sandwich and when perfected, will post the recipe.

    Rick

    5 Apr 19 at 8:21 pm

  121. @ Rick. Ha! My mom used to make Banana Dogs for my dad a few decades ago. We'll waive the royalty fees though.

    Heath

    8 Apr 19 at 10:59 am

  122. @Rick -- you lost me at mayonnaise. Peanut butter now, we could talk..

    ted

    8 Apr 19 at 10:52 pm

  123. The owner of The Twilite lounge also owned the Edisto market on the corner. He opened the Twilite to lure the drunks from the store to Twilite to keep them out of the store. The ploy didn’t work and the drunks wandered back to the store. The Twilite soon became the college hangout for students from around the area. The owner, Mr. Cagle had two managers that he felt did a great job and he offered to back them in other clubs. This began McDoogal’s in St Andrews, the Yacth Club at Lake Murray, the new and revamped Twilite Lounge and Sahari’s At Hilton Head Island. Other food and beverage operations were opened without all three partners involved. There were fourteen food and beverage operation opened in total with other partners.

    Larry Cooke

    10 Apr 19 at 8:13 am

  124. @Heath - Thanks for waiving the fees HaHaa. @Ted - They are just as good with peanut butter only, and you reminded me of something I haven't made in a while "Homemade Cashew Butter" almost the same as p-nut butter but better. I'll have to dig out the recipe but it's basically cashews ground fine in a food processor while drizzling a little peanut oil in until desired consistency, seems like it also had honey drizzled in. I'll find the recipe and list it.

    Rick

    11 Apr 19 at 8:09 pm

  125. Not that it's a closing per-say, but looks like the older section of the VA Hospital on Garners Ferry Rd is getting ready to be torn down to build yet another parking garage and some new building of some kind. Once again, Columbia keeps tearing down what's left of historical buildings and houses to put some stupid modern buildings in their place. I dont know who's worse..the City of Columbia or USC ? If you want to take pictures of the VA buildings before they're gone for good, now's the time to do so.

    Del

    14 Apr 19 at 12:38 pm

  126. @ted Not a Columbia Closing but it looks like Litchfield Beach Fish House in Litchfield has closed. We were there this weekend and it had a For Lease sign out front. I ate here a couple of times when it first opened, this was probably 25 years ago. We had tried to go a few times over the last few years but we were never able to time it where there wasn’t a long wait.

    ED

    15 Apr 19 at 8:45 am

  127. Enlow’s Auto Supply on Augusta Hwy has closed. I tried to Google it on Google maps to get the exact address, but that just brought up the location on West Main Street, Lexington. The Augusta Hwy location was just east of the Barnyard Flea Market.

    JamesR

    18 Apr 19 at 9:05 am

  128. Rita’s Italian Custard at Village at Sandhills has closed. Note on door says agreement could not be reached with landlord.

    Melissa

    25 Apr 19 at 6:18 pm

  129. Village at Sandhills will be a ghost town in about 10 years.

    Sidney

    26 Apr 19 at 12:45 pm

  130. Bon Ton announced yesterday that it was going out of business and liquidating all of its stores. I don't know if there are any in SC.

    Tom

    27 Apr 19 at 6:26 am

  131. I found this article talking about the Bon Ton locations and the closest locations to us are in Kentucky & West Virginia...

    Andrew

    27 Apr 19 at 4:24 pm

  132. Didn't this all happen last year?

    ted

    27 Apr 19 at 5:06 pm

  133. @Ted, you're right. For some reason this story came in my news feed yesterday.

    Tom

    28 Apr 19 at 6:46 am

  134. There are a few reasons why so many restaurants close in Columbia, SC. If a chain restaurant closes in Columbia, it is usually because it is not a cheap hamburger joint. If there is any sign of a restaurant being too fancy, people will not go unless the food is terrific. Please note that in reality, the food will not be terrific, because Columbia doesn’t have any chefs. Columbia is full of cooks. Some are very talented, but they are lazy and high on drugs. The good ones go work for real chefs in towns other than Columbia. If there is a talented cook in Columbia, he either is too lazy to put in the hours, or he will get bored working for chains with all of their food coming from a freezer bag. So if it is a chain restaurant that closes, it is because they can’t compete with McDonalds.
    The mom and pops might have some wonderful ideas for their menu, but the sorry cooks of this town won’t be able to prepare the food efficient enough to warrant the money they require. If by miracle, you find a hard-working talented cook that will work for low wages, then you will need to train the public to eat something other than a hamburger, and change their habit of tipping a flat $3 no matter how much their meal cost. If you have a good idea for a restaurant and you aren’t planning on doing all of the cooking and cleaning yourself, your sales volume won’t support your establishment. I say do the work yourself because the workforce in Columbia’s restaurants is a culture of alcoholic drug users that are maybe good for 20 hours of work in which you pay them for an extra 30 hours to sit around or smoking cigarettes out back.
    To be successful as a mom and pop in Columbia, SC, you will need:
    1. to be able to sell an 18oz ribeye for $4 while calling it a sirloin on your menu.
    2. Hire servers that have teeth and will work for $3/table.
    3. Have a building that is rent free.
    4. Hire cooks that don’t have a green card, are not lazy, bath, don’t give plasma, don’t go to the meth clinic and are not high on drugs when they clock in.

    John Smith

    30 Apr 19 at 1:36 pm

  135. Word is, Garnet and Black Traditions/Jewelry Warehouse is shutting down their final 2 locations, Lexington and Cayce. This company has been struggling every since they moved some stores and did a complete renovation of the others. To make matters worse, the Big 3 sports at USC started going down soon after, less wins means less fans purchasing merchandise

    Jimmy

    1 May 19 at 7:24 am

  136. The Epicurean By Al Amir located at the corner of Main and Laurel Streets has closed.

    Mr_hat

    1 May 19 at 1:43 pm

  137. It's official … Garnet and Black Traditions/Jewelry Warehouse is closing its last remaining stores. Their website has already been closed down. Foreclosure signs posted on front of both stores, they are being forced out of business.

    Jimmy

    1 May 19 at 6:11 pm

  138. Nestle Toll House in Sandhills is closed.

    Sidney

    2 May 19 at 6:25 am

  139. Also closing is Shooey Malone's on N. Lake Dr

    Sidney

    2 May 19 at 10:00 am

  140. Alert..... There will not be a going out of business sale for Jewelry Warehouse last two remaining stores which was suppose to start today. The Dept of Revenue showed up this morning and seized everything! They told customers who were waiting in line, the stores are now permanently closed.

    Jimmy

    2 May 19 at 10:57 am

  141. @Jimmy -- wow!

    ted

    2 May 19 at 12:01 pm

  142. Regarding the Epicurean By Al Amir, they are actually moving to the old chinese restaurant location at the corner of North Main and Confederate (that building has been featured here). They've been uplifting the building for a few months now and look to be almost ready.

    Justin

    2 May 19 at 1:20 pm

  143. "John Smith", that's a lot of vitriol & hate, man. Wow. My restaurant experiences have been completely different than yours. There are a LOT of great culinary experiences to be had in Columbia.

    As for Columbia not having any real chefs, if you think folks like Wesley Fulmer, Mike Davis, Kristian Niemi, and Josh Rogerson aren't real chefs, maybe I need a better working definition of the word. And, none of them are lazy or high.

    Every city has its share of bad tippers. I've done several stints as a bouncer (who was paid a share of nightly tips) and I've got friends who are service industry lifers. If the tipping situation was as bad as described, none of us could pay our mortgages. Thankfully, that's not the case.

    Some folks want or expect Columbia to somehow be Atlanta, NYC or Miami. We're not. We never will be. And, we don't want to be.

    Lone Wolf

    2 May 19 at 3:29 pm

  144. Domino’s has closed at Polo Plaza on Two Notch and moved to where Blockbuster and A Goodnight Sleepstore used to be.

    LD

    3 May 19 at 12:13 pm

  145. Food Lion is set to take over the former BI-LO at Spring Valley Commons (it's one of 4 stores Food Lion purchased from BI-LO as part of issues parent company Southeastern Grocers is experiencing) and I wonder if the Polo Plaza Food Lion will be closing when the Spring Valley Commons one opens...

    Andrew

    3 May 19 at 2:07 pm

  146. While reality may not hit the absolutes that John Smith is describing. Columbia's restaurant scene should be much better than it is, and it is systemic. The pay front and back of house in this town is abysmal so most people don't look at it professionally because that would lead to poverty, and it isn't attractive to people who want to be professional. The majority of restaurants are looking at keeping the ship afloat not heading into new waters. And that's their choice, as it is who goes there. It can be scary to do new things and even harder to convince people, namely consumers, to join you.

    As for the chefs Lone Wolf listed, from my time working in kitchens I know 2 of them well enough to know they definitely didn't learn to cook in Columbia, and from Saluda's page neither did Rogerson. So there isn't a system to help people grow culinarily speaking in this town either. Though from conversations I've had I know some guys are at least trying to mitigate it, but it's a real uphill struggle starting at zero.

    I know it's cliche, but the best food here, as in I want to impress friends from out of town, has always been barbeque and I doubt that changes in my lifetime. As good as the Quack Madame with whatever entrees Mike has come up with at Terra backed by Andy's excellent cocktails, and they are all very good, it never wows people who aren't used to it, the way a trip to Little Pig's does.

    Nobody

    5 May 19 at 2:08 pm

  147. Heroes and Dragons is also closing and moving again. For the lone store, this has to be at least the fifth move. You should try to track down all the old locations.

    Nobody

    5 May 19 at 2:12 pm

  148. The Free Times is reporting that the Blue Cactus Cafe on Greene Street has closed and Cellar on Greene will close on May 25.

    https://www.free-times.com/restaurants/nibbles-and-sips/two-five-points-restaurants-call-it-quits/article_25a8556c-701a-11e9-889e-7f9805e67c46.html

    ED

    6 May 19 at 1:13 pm

  149. The Shooey Malone's that Sidney listed above was the location of Dam Bar and Grill and Bentley's Beach house that ted featured here a few years ago.

    I think it was Levi's before it was Shooey Malone's.

    Although a great location, this seems to be once of those cursed spots that no once can make work, similar to 806 St. Andrews Road that has been more places that any of us can probably name.

    ED

    7 May 19 at 3:56 pm

  150. So The State reports that the City wants to purchse the land the Columbia Main Post Office currently occupies for a Finlay Park expansion possibly

    Andrew

    9 May 19 at 10:10 pm

  151. @Andrew, yeah, I saw that story. Makes me glad I don't actually live in the city limits: Let's take a crumbling, crime infested eyesore and make it bigger and more expensive!

    Fix Finlay Park and then talk about it.

    ted

    9 May 19 at 11:17 pm

  152. When I came to Columbia in the late 60's, the main Post Office was in the building where the State Supreme Court is now located on Gervais Street. The USO building was located on the corner of Laurel and Assembly Street. If I remember correctly, the Post Office construction on Assembly Street undermined the USO building and it had to be demolished.

    thomas

    10 May 19 at 7:53 am

  153. I can't think of any "safe place" downtown Columbia, and most for sure Finlay Park. It's nothing but a place of crime and homeless people that cause more problems than it's worth. I've avoided that place in general like the plague. Fix it up, get rid of the homeless, then let's talk about what to do with the area below the Post Office. People talk about Columbia like it's the hottest most hip place there could ever be. Sorry, but Charleston has more class and more historical places left than Columbia has, plus a LOT more friendly people in general. Finlay Park will never be more than it was, is and ever be. I remember when it was called "Sea Board" Park I think, but that's been many many years ago.

    Del

    10 May 19 at 11:34 pm

  154. Finley Park was originally called Sidney Park. It was very nice in the early 90s, but went down hill fast.

    Heath

    12 May 19 at 1:32 pm

  155. Dress Barn is closing all 650 stores. Lexington Marketplace is one of them.

    Rashaad

    20 May 19 at 10:38 pm

  156. The only other Dress barn we have is at Village at Sandhill...I'm aware of 2 others we used to have that are no longer (Columbiana Station & Dutch Square)...

    Andrew

    21 May 19 at 10:42 pm

  157. Latest rundown of closings of retail chains

    https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/features-retail-apocalypse-bankruptcy-stores-closing

    Joe Shlabotnik

    22 May 19 at 4:17 am

  158. I was in Harbison earlier today and noticed the Keller Williams Real Estate Office at 132 Harbison Blvd. is no longer there. Not sure if they moved or closed.

    JamesR

    22 May 19 at 9:13 pm

  159. Dress Barn in Sandhill has been closed since 2018.

    Rashaad

    22 May 19 at 9:35 pm

  160. Domino's off of S. Main St. across from Carolina Coliseum moved to the old Sandy's building on S. Main St.

    Sidney

    23 May 19 at 3:31 pm

  161. It's Personal Monogramming & Gifts in Murraywood Shopping Center is about to close up shop as they are having a retirement sale...

    Andrew

    27 May 19 at 9:37 am

  162. Sedgewood golf course at 9560 Garners Ferry Road is closed and for sale by Colliers International.

    Midnight Rambler

    27 May 19 at 6:34 pm

  163. The Dollar General across from LR High School has closed.

    badger

    3 Jun 19 at 1:32 pm

  164. The Wristwatch Doc on Knox Abbott has closed. Their facebook page shows activity as of April, but I think they've been closed longer than that. I'm one of those luddites who still wears a battery-operated watch, and they were my go-to guys for replacements.

    badger

    11 Jun 19 at 10:33 am

  165. I was too and miss Jewelry Warehouse as well. I was smart enough not to bite on JW's offer to purchase watch batteries for life. Probably not worth a lot these days. Ronnie's Jewelers on 12th Street down from Zesto's is a good watch battery replacement location.

    thomas

    11 Jun 19 at 11:23 am

  166. Speaking of Battery Operated Wristwatches, I've heard that these younger people "Millennials" dont know how to, and can't tell time with these numeral watches. Only thing they know is there "smart phone" which I think is funny. They dont have a clue about a lot of things either. I personally have worn a watch of various kinds over the past 55 years. My first watch I got was an old Hopalong Cassidy at the old Garners Ferry/Ft. Jackson Kmart in 1964.

    Del

    11 Jun 19 at 2:18 pm

  167. Ellett Brothers (gun distributor) filed bankruptcy yesterday shutting down. Their distribution plant in Chapin closing by Aug 1st laying off 171 employees. At one time Ellett Brothers was the 5th largest SC held company in the state. They were purchased a few years years by a capital investment firm, saddle with debt, executives lined their pockets with cash and now closing it.

    Article in The State talks about the corruption and what led to bankruptcy https://www.thestate.com/news/business/article231381818.html?fbclid=IwAR1fHueSX8v13zHcb_AIYf9NS5OFXo3PQVc5v3UohytcbPidG9RXVlD2VpI

    Jimmy

    11 Jun 19 at 3:19 pm

  168. It appears that Citta del Cotone, a pizza place that was partially owned by the same man who owned the former Noah’s Antica Pizzeria in Irmo is closing. I tried Noah's once, thought it was delicious, but never made my way back. I think it was a bit pricy for my liking, but that happens more than I'd like to admit.

    https://www.coladaily.com/2019/06/12/pizzeria-in-cottontown-announces-closure-seven-months-after-opening/

    Heath

    12 Jun 19 at 10:39 pm

  169. @Heath -- The State says one of the owners made some bad social media posts and by the time he was eased out, it was too late.

    ted

    13 Jun 19 at 12:15 am

  170. The Famous Toastery on Sparkleberry has apparently closed.

    Bobby

    15 Jun 19 at 10:40 pm

  171. Your post on the Wristwatch Doc reminds me that gaming store Ready to Play recently moved from that same area, but basically just next door to where they were.

    Nobody

    15 Jun 19 at 11:24 pm

  172. What happened to the Vino Garage on Main St?

    Nobody

    16 Jun 19 at 10:43 pm

  173. @Bobby - I'm not surprised. Terrible location. Most likely the reason Carrabbas closed up next door.

    Location, location, location.

    Sidney

    17 Jun 19 at 8:41 am

  174. The Woody in the Vista will be relocating at the end of June. Their landlord decided not to renew their lease. Were I a betting man, I'd say the landlord will make some changes so more "vista rent" can be realized. If you're familiar with the Woody, they realistically outgrew their current location a while back. 8+ years is an excellent run for a local-owned establishment in the Vista. They are currently in the hunt for a new spot.

    Lone Wolf

    17 Jun 19 at 11:49 am

  175. @Nobody -- Just doing some googling, it appears they decided not to renew their lease before lining up a new larger space. Apparently the coffee bar located inside their store did continue on in a new location.

    ted

    18 Jun 19 at 12:20 am

  176. Circle K/BP at the corner of Old Cherokee and 378 in Lexington is permanently closed.

    Brad

    24 Jun 19 at 7:14 am

  177. Wild Birds Unlimited is moving again next door to J Peters Grill on Beltline. This will put them right around the corner from their first location on Forest Drive.

    Joe Shlabotnik

    29 Jun 19 at 7:29 pm

  178. Hobby Lobby on Forest Drive has closed.

    Rashaad

    29 Jun 19 at 8:31 pm

  179. Hey Ted, I’ve heard you and several others on here mention a band called the Swimming Pool Qs, and I just heard that they are still around, frequently playing around Atlanta. Wasn’t sure if this was common knowledge or not. I’ll have to check them out at some point. http://www.swimmingpoolqs.com/

    Cam

    29 Jun 19 at 9:49 pm

  180. @Cam -- It's a crying shame that their A&M albums weren't all over the radio. Great New Wave stuff and incredible vocals from Jeff Calder & Anne Richmond Boston.

    Here's some video I took a few years back, or check out some official stuff on youtube in pristine sound:

    Some New Highway

    Celestion

    ted

    29 Jun 19 at 11:06 pm

  181. Someone already mentioned Hobby Lobby, but here's a pic https://imgur.com/a/FxZmxNB

    Rudy4606

    30 Jun 19 at 9:16 am

  182. Ristorante Divino (on Gervais St) is closing for the month of July for renovations.

    Sidney

    30 Jun 19 at 9:40 am

  183. When did that Hobby Lobby close? just recent?

    Del

    30 Jun 19 at 1:04 pm

  184. That stinks

    I liked Hobby lobby

    Johnny

    30 Jun 19 at 6:38 pm

  185. The True Value hardware store on Two Notch Rd (across from Home Depot) is closing. They have signs up that the owner is retiring and the sale is currently at 20% off.

    Matt

    2 Jul 19 at 12:07 am

  186. True Value, my dad used to go there all the time. He passed back in 2017 but I have this one memory of him which was just about a year before he passed. I had to go there and ask about sharpening the blades on my reel lawn mower and my dad was there. Just such a coincidence that he would be there the one time I go there. Miss my dad. I think about him every time I pass that place or like now, think about that place.

    Sidney

    2 Jul 19 at 10:51 am

  187. Scott’s Furniture in Lexington is having a Retirement Sale. The signs do not specifically say they are going out of business, but they do say the entire stock is on sale.

    JamesR

    3 Jul 19 at 3:10 pm

  188. From their Facebook page, it doesn't look like Scott's Furniture is closing, instead the current owner is "handing the over the business to a third generation."

    ED

    5 Jul 19 at 8:37 am

  189. BI-LO has ended parternship with South Carolina Gameocks. The store on Devine Street will be reflagged BI-LO without the Gameock logo.

    Rashaad

    6 Jul 19 at 3:23 pm

  190. I wonder what's up with that Bi-Lo not being a Gamecock Bi-Lo? It's been one for over 20 years.. Inquiring minds wanna know.

    Del

    7 Jul 19 at 5:34 pm

  191. Bi-Lo's parent company (Southeastern Grocers) isn't in the greatest of shape and I have a feeling that some of this is having an impact on this stuff...

    Andrew

    7 Jul 19 at 7:56 pm

  192. There was a similar "Tiger" Bi-Lo in Clemson at 501 Old Greenville Highway. I googled to see if they are still flagged with Clemson colors but it looks like this location closed last year.

    ED

    8 Jul 19 at 8:55 am

  193. Didnt Bi-Lo buy out Winn-Dixie? Or did Winn-Dixie combine with Bi-Lo since they carry Winn-Dixie products? Or did Southeastern Groceries combine with Winn-Dixie? That's usually a sign of something closing eventually isnt it?

    Del

    8 Jul 19 at 6:54 pm

  194. I actually never noticed it was a "Gamecock" store. If I noticed anything at all, I probably just assumed the manager was a fan.

    ted

    8 Jul 19 at 8:44 pm

  195. The thing about the Bi-Lo at 4464 Devine Street in my experiences shopping there is that the store is mostly a typical Bi-Lo but has some Gamecock-themed decor throughout it.

    As for the Southeastern Grocers question Del was asking...I do know that Bi-Lo & Winn Dixie did merge together at one point after both went through bankruptcy but eventually in 2013 Southeastern Grocers was formed as the parent company of those two as well as Harvey's & Fresco y Más but as noted on their wiki page it's a company continuing to struggle...

    Andrew

    8 Jul 19 at 11:31 pm

  196. It appears to me as if Impress Fashion at 7380 Two Notch Road is going out of business...

    Andrew

    11 Jul 19 at 3:15 pm

  197. If anyone is interested, here is the "story" behind the Gamecock Bi-Lo.

    https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article232499912.html

    ED

    11 Jul 19 at 5:03 pm

  198. Some time ago Car Quest was purchased by Advance Auto. It appears that the warehouse on Farrow Road has closed. There is a location advertised as Car Quest next to Planet Fitness in the shopping center at the corner of Two Notch and Polo which includes the Firestone location.

    thomas

    11 Jul 19 at 7:31 pm

  199. Forgot to mention last year or maybe I did and it never got posted, Maddio's (pizza place on campus on S. Main St. in the same building as Yoghut) closed back in July of last year. Another place opened up there in August and now it is closed as well. I think it was called Humus.

    Sidney

    12 Jul 19 at 9:11 am

  200. Charming Charlie at Columbiana Mall (and all other stores) will close before end of August: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/07/11/charming-charlie-store-closures-chapter-11-bankruptcy/1702124001/

    JRB

    12 Jul 19 at 9:52 am

  201. I did a closing for Uncle Maddio's. Didn't know the next place was gone though..

    ted

    12 Jul 19 at 3:24 pm

  202. The State says Charming Charlie will

    be shuddered by the end of August

    ted

    13 Jul 19 at 12:36 am

  203. It is being reported that the West Columbia Chic-Fil-A will close after next week for remodeling.

    Tom

    13 Jul 19 at 6:41 am

  204. I thought I remembered seeing Maddio's on here. I was looking up Maddio's in the Alphabetic Listing. I forgot it was called "Uncle" Maddio's.

    Sidney

    13 Jul 19 at 7:34 am

  205. The Ruby Tuesday on Devine in front of the former Gamecock BiLo has been torn down.

    Matt

    15 Jul 19 at 8:33 am

  206. I'm not sure when it closed, but Rocket Fizz on Gervais in the Vista has closed. I ventured in back a bit before Christmas and found it to be a fun store - lots of unique sodas, candies, and little gifts. I was concerned about the sustainability of the model, though. The store had a LOT of inventory and was in a place that doesn't get a lot of foot traffic. It may could make it in a location like Greenville's Main Street.

    Payne

    20 Jul 19 at 9:42 pm

  207. Remember a few posts back I said the next business after Uncle Maddio's closed? The name of it was Hummus Mediterranean Bistro By Al Amir. Still has a few pictures on the windows if you want to get a picture of it.

    Sidney

    25 Jul 19 at 12:40 pm

  208. Conquest Brewing Co. 947 S Stadium Rd, announced today on facebook they are shutting down

    -----------------------

    Dear Friends,
    Conquest Brewing, as you might have guessed from the name, has always been about ambition. When this company was founded in 2012, as Columbia’s first production brewery since Prohibition, we set out to brew the best beer that we could, to help advance craft beer in our fair town as best we could, and to create an atmosphere at the brewery where all felt welcomed to share in good drink and good times.
    You know, we accomplished a lot of that. We did it without local precedent, with beginner’s verve, on a shoestring, and through a damn lot of work squeezing everything we could out of ourselves and our facility. We have never been big, but we think we’ve punched above our weight enough to take pride in what we have been able to do.
    We set goals and standards for ourselves, and we know that we have met some of those and not others. Sometimes it was a shifting target, too: we’ve watched the marketplace and the legal landscape evolve over the last few years—for the collective better, it should be said—and substantially so. Some really great developments were hard for us to capitalize on, given where we were in time and place. Others we jumped all over. In other cases, we could have done better.
    Errors are OK—they’re proof of humanity. We’re just people, folks, initially a couple of homebrewer friends and then a team that grew to include investors, brewery staff, and partners who have left an imprint on Conquest since the day they joined the party. Some of us have moved on, others are still here right now, and in every case life has done its thing with and around us. Those forces are as much at work today as they’ve ever been. The living experience changes—count on it.
    With all of this in mind, we announce that Conquest Brewing will soon wind down operations. It’s time to hang up our swords and mash paddles. We do not have a closing date to share right now, but we have beer on hand and new ones in tanks and we’d like to sell it and be wrapped up sometime around the beginning of fall.
    There’s no single reason for this. A combination of internal and external factors and odds and ends we won’t bore you with have us sitting where we do now. The decision to sunset this brewery at this time was not an easy one, but it is the one we have chosen to make. Our personnel will be moving on to and, as the case may be, refocusing on endeavors that are important and rewarding for them. To a large degree the timing of this decision has been selected with personnel factors in mind.
    We hope you’ll still come by and see us for a beer while the taproom remains open. Or look for us around town. The handful of new beers in the pipeline, we’re excited about them. There are some special events still to come. We’ll throw a going away party. Somebody’s gotta order that last pint of Sacred Heart.
    With deep sincerity, we thank you for every bit of support and laughter you’ve shared with us during our time together. Mostly, thank you for making this all possible. You don’t know how gratifying it is to see ambitions in a glass in the hands of happy people enjoying life for a moment.
    All our best,
    The Conquest Brewing Company Team

    Jimmy Freeman

    25 Jul 19 at 6:09 pm

  209. Just heard that Staples on Decker will be closing in September.

    Sidney

    26 Jul 19 at 10:58 am

  210. Leads on the Staples closure on Decker are suggesting that Ross Stores is the reason they're closing.

    Rashaad

    27 Jul 19 at 11:18 am

  211. I don't know if you already caught it, but Atlantic Bedding & Furniture on Garner's Ferry Road finally closed after having "Going Out of Business" signs up for about 2 years.

    Justin

    31 Jul 19 at 8:33 pm

  212. SC Bookstore on the corner of Main St and Greene St has moved and changed its name. I think it changed to Adams Gamecock Gear or something like that. There is a note on every window. I was going to take a picture but it was about to rain, I was walking and I was still about 4 blocks from my job.

    Sidney

    1 Aug 19 at 7:20 pm

  213. I was driving on Dreher Road today with a couple of family members. One of them commented on how the traffic isn't so bad right now, because of Chick-Fil-A being closed for remodeling. I heard that CFA was a major factor for deciding to build those new townhomes across the road (behind Hobby Lobby).

    Robin

    2 Aug 19 at 8:48 pm

  214. It sounds like that a QuickTrip Truck Stop will be built on SC-6 at the I-20 intersection. Reports are that it will be located in the vacate lot on the Lexington side of I-20 and will extend to Glassmaster Road. This will mean that the Shell station at the corner of SC-6 and Glassmaster will probably close and the old Hardees will finally be torn down.

    ED

    7 Aug 19 at 10:10 am

  215. Noticed the Hardees at 1413 Charleston Hwy, West Columbia, SC is now closed, not sure when it closed down.

    Jimmy Freeman

    7 Aug 19 at 10:13 pm

  216. @Jimmy Freeman -- that Hardee's is here. Seems to have been March 2019.

    ted

    8 Aug 19 at 12:03 am

  217. Several of the buildings on Taylor Street have Sold signs on them. This is the same block where Township is located.

    thomas

    11 Aug 19 at 8:44 am

  218. Not Columbia related, but Bubba Gump in Charleston's market area has closed suddenly after 19 years. I think the parent company chose not to renew the lease.

    Tom

    11 Aug 19 at 10:37 am

  219. This is a quote from the Free Times.

    "The Kraken Gastropub at 2910 Rosewood Dr. has officially shuttered its doors after a seven-year run in the space."

    This also.

    "Giving more advance notice, The Local Buzz coffee shop at 141 S. Shandon St. revealed via social media on Aug. 4 that it will soon close due to a variety of factors — some out of owners Stephie and Michael Bridgers’ control — including time, patience, money and a desire for better work/life balance. The shop’s last day is Sept. 22."

    Sidney

    11 Aug 19 at 1:29 pm

  220. Might want to keep and eye on Flying Saucer. They've just implemented some "changes", allegedly at the mandate of the Home Office in TX. From the "Signs Your Favorite Restaurant is About to Close", one will note several bad signs.

    Saucer just hacked their menu from 1 page (front and back) to five items. Monday thru Thursday, they're no longer open for lunch. If you sit on the deck, all food and beverage orders must be placed inside, at the bar. As no one will be waiting on you on the deck, waitstaff has been reduced, or quit because their hours were cut.

    I *do* hope they can right their ship. But, I don't agree with these changes.

    Lone Wolf

    13 Aug 19 at 10:00 am

  221. I was already meeting some people at the Flying Saucer yesterday afternoon, so after reading Lone Wolf’s comment I was interested to see how these changes were being handled. In some ways it was worse than described. It looks like they open at 4 but no wait staff comes on until 5:30 or 6. That meant you had to order from the bar, even if you were going to stay inside. Then when the wait staff starts their shift, everyone inside already has a tab at the bar, so the servers have wait until the current customers leave.

    ED

    14 Aug 19 at 8:39 am

  222. I was *really* disappointed to see what Saucer has become with the new changes. Some folks, myself included, have emailed Saucer Corporate to communicate unhappiness with how the Columbia location is now operating. No one has yet received any reply.

    Inasmuch as I hope they can turn things around, I will not be going back until they undo these changes. There are just too many other options.

    Lone Wolf

    14 Aug 19 at 10:04 am

  223. Wells Fargo across from Richland Mall has been torn down and saw heavy equipment at Bundrick's Millwood and Taylor.

    Frank Mancuso

    14 Aug 19 at 9:01 pm

  224. Coladaily reports that Young's True Value on Two Notch has closed. https://www.coladaily.com/2019/08/14/youngs-true-value-owner-retires-after-40-years-store-closes-its-doors/

    Heath

    15 Aug 19 at 11:28 am

  225. Two locations of The Cigar Box in Columbia (2764 Rosewood Dr. & 1639 Main St.) have closed and consolidated to a new location at 134 1/2 State Street in West Columbia. The move is due to a combination of new building ownership at the Main St. location, and more restrictive outdoor smoke regulations in the City of Columbia.

    https://www.postandcourier.com/business/developers-cite-low-cost-of-west-columbia-but-there-s/article_1c4e9432-b786-11e9-adab-ab9a01d3e3f9.html

    Heath

    15 Aug 19 at 11:37 am

  226. The Shell gas station at 911 S Lake Dr, Lexington, SC 29072 has closed. From what I understand, this will be part of the new QuickTrip truck stop that will be built near here.

    ED

    15 Aug 19 at 12:41 pm

  227. Does anyone know about what year the old Howard Johnson's Restaurant at Parkland Plaza in West Columbia? Was it sometime in the 80's or later?

    Del

    17 Aug 19 at 3:18 pm

  228. ooops..meant to say what year it closed...I dont remember now.

    Del

    17 Aug 19 at 3:19 pm

  229. Also, does anyone remember what the name of the old school was/is that sat right across the other side of the road from the old Midlands Shopping Center? and what year it closed? I saw it one time back 20 or so years ago, but cant seem to find it now.

    Del

    17 Aug 19 at 3:23 pm

  230. @Del. The Hojo restaurant closed sometime in the early to mid 1980s.

    Tom

    19 Aug 19 at 6:35 am

  231. thanks..I didnt remember the year. I didnt know it had been 35 years or so now..

    Del

    20 Aug 19 at 12:39 am

  232. The gas station at 4301 Sunset Blvd has closed, I believe it was an Exxon. This is near the I-20/378 intersection and is the same location that had a Hardee's close a little over a year ago. I have heard that it will be re-branded a 7-11 but don't know if that is true or not.

    ED

    26 Aug 19 at 4:25 pm

  233. Hi Ted -- I have an old photo of Captain's Kitchen you may want. Used to have your email but now I can't find it. Pls email me and I'll reply with the photo.

    Dennis

    27 Aug 19 at 8:16 am

  234. Hey everyone, I'm still lurking about!! Just saw an articles stating that the the Lexington and West Cola. K-marts are closing by the end of the year. Another in Greenville is closing as well and according to the K-mart website it looks like these are the last three in SC...... the end of an era!!!!

    Homer

    31 Aug 19 at 5:11 pm

  235. Dang. Time to turn off the blue light!

    ted

    1 Sep 19 at 12:43 am

  236. Should the Kmarts Homer mentioned close I'm going to miss them as I can think of a couple of things that Kmart has been by best bet for...I miss the one that used to be at Seven Oaks Shopping Center...sadly it wouldn't be surprising to see them go...

    Andrew

    1 Sep 19 at 2:35 pm

  237. Next round of K-mart closures:
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/08/31/kmart-sears-store-closings-more-locations-shutter-end-2019/2168435001/

    Homer

    1 Sep 19 at 3:26 pm

  238. Hines on Two Notch across from old Best Buy has Store Closing signs. Lease has not be renewed.

    Sidney

    2 Sep 19 at 2:03 pm

  239. I'm surprised that the West Columbia, or as I call it "Cayce Kmart" is still opened. I went in there a couple of years ago, and it is nothing like I remembered it at all from the year it opened until the early to mid 70's. What a stark difference. But like everything else, nothing stays the same.

    Del

    2 Sep 19 at 11:09 pm

  240. I'm pretty sure that the Hines on Two Notch Road Sidney refrenced is in a building that Pier 1 originally occupied until they moved into the Sparkleberry Square location (which closed about a year ago but hasn't featured here).

    City Mattress (4512 St. Andrews Road) is also liquidating...

    Andrew

    2 Sep 19 at 11:33 pm

  241. Andrew, you are correct abu Hines, same building as Pier 1.

    Sidney

    3 Sep 19 at 9:30 am

  242. *about

    Sidney

    3 Sep 19 at 9:30 am

  243. @Del. I'm with you. I went to the West Columbia K-Mart a few years ago myself and was shocked at how messy and dingy the place look not to mention that the shelves seemed to be only half-full with a lot of the merchandise looking "shopworn."

    Tom

    3 Sep 19 at 11:04 am

  244. Does anyone know or remember what the name of the Lumber yard was that originally sat over in Cayce/West Columbia area where Kmart sits now? and what year did Kmart Open? 1966 or 1967?

    Del

    6 Sep 19 at 10:34 pm

  245. I've heard commercials that The Lite House at 7201 Two Notch Road is in the process of closing inventory with everything consolidating to their other store at 3521 Bush River Road.

    I am not looking forward to the bluelight going dark...I frankly am going to miss Kmart even though I know it's a company that has been going down for quite some time so I sadly am not surprised...

    Also Hines Furniture is in a former Pier 1...what happened was Pier 1 was there originally but then moved out to Sparkleberry Square (that store closed during the summer of 2018 but hasn't featured here yet)...Hines moved into their former spot after Pier 1 moved out ca. 2002-04 but now that is closing as well...

    Andrew

    6 Sep 19 at 11:39 pm

  246. I stand corrected the correct Lite House address is actually 8401 Two Notch Road (that is closing and consolidating)...

    Andrew

    7 Sep 19 at 4:36 pm

  247. @Del/@Tom -- that was my last experience of the Dentsville K-Mart. They dropped the garden center and just stopped trying to keep the interior good looking, or well stocked.

    ted

    8 Sep 19 at 10:05 pm

  248. Ross Stores to officially replace Staples on Decker (Fashion Place) with their other format store “DDs Discounts”

    Metro by T-Mobile (Metro PCS) on Devine Street in Crossroads Commons closing next week.

    Cost Plus World Market in Village at Sandhill to close in January.

    Rashaad Egister

    24 Sep 19 at 9:32 am

  249. Ted- I have the original photo album from Z-96. They gave it to me when the calls changed to WYYS. If you want any pics I'd be happy to scan and send.

    Cassandra

    Cassandra Livingston

    28 Sep 19 at 10:51 pm

  250. @Cassandra,

    Sure! Just send to closings at columbiaclosings dto cmo and I'll try to get them up..

    ted

    29 Sep 19 at 1:38 am

  251. This will probably be a surprise to no one, but the K-marts in West Columbia and Lexington are shutting down.

    Tom

    29 Sep 19 at 9:15 am

  252. Read where the West Columbia and Lexington Kmarts will close in December. I think they were the last two left.

    Del

    30 Sep 19 at 9:46 pm

  253. ExperiMax/ExperiMac on Bower Parkway is closing its doors. Last day is said to be Oct 25. All inventory is being sold off, so I think the business is calling it quits. No specific reason for the closing was stated.

    Lone Wolf

    8 Oct 19 at 10:38 am

  254. Lexington Cleaners location on Two Notch just down from the old Maurice's is closing. They have already reduced their hours and are closed on Saturday. The last day is November 30. They recommend using two nearest locations, Blythewood and Devine near Dreher HS.

    Thomas

    11 Oct 19 at 9:00 am

  255. Any idea what happened to Copper Horse Distilling that used to be off of Huger?

    Daniel

    12 Oct 19 at 10:11 am

  256. Hall Marine next to Harley Haven in Irmo closed Sept. 30. It's by I-26 exit 101B for Broad River Rd east. The signage is still up but no boats.

    Mitch

    12 Oct 19 at 4:52 pm

  257. I don't know if it has mentioned before, but the old Best Western, that was recently a Super 8, off of I-26 by the Airport exit is apparently closed.

    Tom

    13 Oct 19 at 10:13 am

  258. It appears to me as if the Dollar General at Edens Plaza (4033 West Beltline Boulevard) is no longer...

    Andrew

    19 Oct 19 at 9:01 pm

  259. Sylvan and Dubose Jewelers on Harden Street in Five Points has a "Store Closing" Sign hanging in the front window. Not totally surprised - I went in there this summer to get my husband's wedding ring resized, and it smelled sort of mildewy in there.

    Beth

    22 Oct 19 at 3:16 pm

  260. Might want to check on Group Therapy in Five Points. I think they are closed ("cured") for some duration. Could be liquor license troubles.

    Midnight Rambler

    28 Oct 19 at 8:11 pm

  261. Group Therapy closed or will close because of the 50% food ordinance.

    Sidney

    29 Oct 19 at 11:28 am

  262. Just learned that the Rush's on Decker Blvd. is closing

    Tom

    29 Oct 19 at 7:22 pm

  263. Can anyone verify the closing of Group Therapy? This was a classic Columbia institution. In the day it was a place where everyone could go, and if you were a regular they knew your name.

    Anyway, since seeing the original comments, I looked and can't see where there is a liquor license active anymore and the phone has been "temporarily disconnected". On the other hand, there has been no mention on social or other media, and they just were a co-sponsor of the Chili Cookoff on the 26th. I would think that this would warrant at least a mention on local media if they really closed - after 40 years...

    Maybe its true that you can't go home again?

    Joe T

    30 Oct 19 at 2:22 pm

  264. The State has an obit today (10-31) for a certain Mr. LaCaruba whose local claim to fame was as the owner of the Sherlock Holmes Pub on Main St. I don't think Ted has ever done a post for Sherlock Holmes Pub but this might be a good time to tie the two together.

    JohnR

    31 Oct 19 at 3:34 pm

  265. I found the obituary that JohnR mentioned...

    Andrew

    31 Oct 19 at 8:12 pm

  266. The State Newspaper is reporting that the Casual Pint in the Vista is closing.

    Heath

    3 Nov 19 at 11:53 am

  267. It looks like Yogen Fruz and Rice Music has closed in Sandhills. Walked by them last night around 7:30. Rice Music has its inventory in there but there is a for lease sign on the door. Yogen Fruz, all lights out with a sign with one word on the door, CLOSED.

    Sidney

    3 Nov 19 at 1:41 pm

  268. Pecknel Music in 5 Points is closed and has been for some time. It is cleaned out and the sign is gone.
    I didn't notice until I parked in front of in on my coffee run.

    Matt

    4 Nov 19 at 1:58 pm

  269. Pecknel moved to Lexingon in august. They are at 930 N. Lake Drive, Lexington

    CArl

    4 Nov 19 at 6:28 pm

  270. Rush's owns property on Killian Road. I think the closing on Decker may be more of a move.

    Bobby

    5 Nov 19 at 8:41 pm

  271. There used to be a sign on Killian that said "Future Home of Rush's". But this was before anything was built, besides McDaniels Acura, across from Kroger. The sign came down and I want to say it was the lot across from Freddy's.

    Sidney

    6 Nov 19 at 11:59 am

  272. Per the Richland County GIS Rush's still has property on that stretch of Killian Road....

    Andrew

    8 Nov 19 at 10:56 pm

  273. Posh Pets on Sparkleberry Extension has closed.

    Sidney

    9 Nov 19 at 7:11 pm

  274. I was in Dutch Square last week for the first time in ages and saw that Burlington was closed.

    Mr.Hat

    12 Nov 19 at 9:58 am

  275. Burlington isn't closed at Dutch Square

    Rashaad

    13 Nov 19 at 9:29 pm

  276. It’s being reported that long time Vista establishment for desserts Nonnah’s is closing it’s doors:

    https://www.coladaily.com/business/nonnah-s-in-columbia-s-vista-closing-after-years/article_1f78d4b8-0a58-11ea-a689-63d4028e860c.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

    Dustin

    18 Nov 19 at 8:03 pm

  277. Nonnah's is closing

    Sidney

    19 Nov 19 at 10:53 am

  278. State is reporting that TakoSushi in the Vista has shut down - the owner is claiming the building is unsafe, but the landlord disputes that.

    Beth

    21 Nov 19 at 1:03 pm

  279. The Post & Courier has a story out on issues the Vista is facing at the moment, namely the rising rent:

    https://www.postandcourier.com/business/recent-vacancies-in-columbia-entertainment-district-dampen-new-development-announcements/article_4b5ad8ec-0d46-11ea-9359-2fa2920394df.html

    Dustin

    26 Nov 19 at 12:18 am

  280. I heard this morning that Caroili9na Café in West Columbia is closing to focus on downtown operations...

    Andrew

    3 Dec 19 at 9:40 am

  281. Looks like Lone Wolf was correct about the Flying Saucer, they posted on their Facebook page today that they will be closing on Dec 10.

    ED

    4 Dec 19 at 1:04 pm

  282. It is indeed a sad day. Hearing Flying Saucer is callin it quits is the end of an era. 16 years in business is certainly commendable. I had a lot of happy times there. I will miss it (and I shudder to think what will take its place)

    Lone Wolf

    4 Dec 19 at 2:03 pm

  283. Hallmark store in Sandhills, a couple stores down from Bi-Lo, closed up on September 21st according to the sign on the door.

    Sidney

    4 Dec 19 at 10:09 pm

  284. I'm seeing multiple reports on social media that the Fatz Cafe on Broad River in the Irmo area has closed. This place used to be pretty good, but our last few visits were trending downward, so I'm not at all surprised. I'll try to go by to see in the next couple of days.

    Heath

    5 Dec 19 at 9:06 pm

  285. I drove by the Fatz Cafe on Broad River yesterday. Noticed billboard sign on their front lawn advertising holiday meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas but it was noon and the parking lot was completely empty.

    JCB

    6 Dec 19 at 9:00 am

  286. Fatz website still lists the Irmo location.

    Tom

    6 Dec 19 at 9:15 am

  287. Bojangles at two notch and o'neil ct is closed.

    John

    6 Dec 19 at 12:06 pm

  288. I drove by Fatz on Broad River today around 2 pm. The place looked closed. there was an "available" sign and an "auction" sign on the goround near the building but I did not get a chance to read them.

    Tom

    6 Dec 19 at 5:29 pm

  289. K-Mart in Cayce says 'closing in four days'.

    Also, Ozzie's, some kind of bar/club/restaurant, near K-Mart has an 'available' sign on it. I think back in the late 1980s it might have been a place called 'Crocketts,' at least it was in that area.

    badger60

    11 Dec 19 at 1:53 pm

  290. Bojangles on Two Notch will reopen in Spring 2020

    Rashaad

    11 Dec 19 at 5:31 pm

  291. Free Times is reporting that all Sandy’s Hot Dogs will be closing by the end of the year.

    https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/food/long-standing-columbia-hot-dog-chain-sandy-s-to-cease/article_ba42f0bc-1dc9-11ea-b45b-af735903d85a.html

    ED

    13 Dec 19 at 12:11 pm

  292. Ed beat me to it by about 5 minutes! I stopped going to Sandy's when they stopped having coupons, but they make an awesome dog. It's sad that the owner wasn't able to sell the business to someone who could keep it going.

    Heath Roberts

    13 Dec 19 at 12:19 pm

  293. Who else is like me and (seems like) Heath? Trying to rush to be the first to report a closing. Lol. Its so funny, I have been coming to this site almost daily for probably more than 5 years now. It has me looking all around for closings. If I see a for sale, rent or lease sign, I'm like, "Wait hold up, what was there before? Does Ted know about this? Man, I have to hurry up and get home and report this."

    With that being said, Ted, I love this site! Keep it up!

    And to all visitors to this site, keep those closing sightings coming! But you better hurry, because I'm trying to be FIRST! LMAO! (Hat tip to Sidney)

    Sidney

    13 Dec 19 at 1:20 pm

  294. I admittedly didn't go very often but I hate to see it go...the article ED linked indicates that the 3 remaining locations are:

    - 1935 Broad River Road
    - 612 St. Andrews Road
    - 5175 Sunset Blvd. (Lexington)

    I also know they used to have locations on Knoxx Abbott Drive in Cayce as well as one on Main Street (both of which have already featured here).

    So I'm afraid that we're going to have to try to get our last fix of them in the coming weeks and prepare for them to feature here in due course...

    Like Sidney, I look at places that have closed with increased interest since I discovered this site in the midst of the 2009 liquidation of the Dutch Square Kmart. There have even been cases where someone has wondered what used to be where and someone can fill in the blanks (and I've been on both sides of the equation). There also have been cases where something new opens up in something that closed (and featured here) and the transformation gets chronicled here. I enjoy the variety that being a part of each side of these equations has offered me over the years...

    Andrew

    13 Dec 19 at 4:37 pm

  295. 10 year veteran here also. Sometimes when reading about a closing a fragrance or odor of a certain location will come to mind. Like the hot nut counter at Sears or the metallic smell of a radiator shop or tire store.

    Keep up the good work Ted.

    Joe Shlabotnik

    13 Dec 19 at 6:56 pm

  296. Lexington Pawn on Sunset Boulevard between I-20 and Lexington closed several months ago.

    Wayne Hall

    13 Dec 19 at 7:51 pm

  297. The original Sandy's was on Sumter Street, next to the Cornell Arms in an old duplex apartment building.

    Tom

    14 Dec 19 at 6:09 am

  298. @Tom-- yes, here.

    ted

    14 Dec 19 at 12:33 pm

  299. Frame of Mind on State St. in West Columbia is closing next month per the Free Times, eh, I mean the News & Courier.

    Tom

    17 Dec 19 at 1:43 pm

  300. Not a Columbia closing, but Kevin Berry's Irish Pub on River Street in Savannah is closing New Year's Eve. It has been an extremely popular place on St. Patrick's Day for years.

    Tom

    18 Dec 19 at 6:21 am

  301. Anyone know about the Shandon Alley Mall that existed in Columbia SC’s Five Points in the late 70’s to the late 80’s? I may have unearthed a gold mine.........

    Dustin

    21 Dec 19 at 10:15 pm

  302. The Free Times is reporting that the Carolina Strip Club steakhouse in the Vista has closed, and is considering reopening in West Columbia. This may be old news, but I don't remember seeing it before.

    Heath Roberts

    26 Dec 19 at 1:35 pm

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