Rush's, 2540 Decker Boulevard: 2 November 2019 19 comments
To the best of my memory, I ate at this Rush's sometime shortly after it opened, which is the only time I have been in one of their stores. I'm not sure why that is, as it was fine, and I was impressed with the state-fair-like presentation of the fries in a paper cup.
I admit to being a bit surprised at this closing, as I figured with the county takeover of Decker Mall, they would have a steady lunch business of civil servants crossing the parking lot for a bite.
The State says however that it was a 40 year old building that had age and maintenance issues and:
“At some point you just have to let it go.”
The stonework facings are definitely of another era, though not quite as distinctive as the old Popeye's buildings.
This closing makes two vacant restaurant buildings on the Decker Mall property, which seems odd. As I said with the county office workers (and law enforcement) nearby, I don't see why the site couldn't support a new restaurant, though perhaps either building would have to be razed and rebuilt.
(Hat tip to commenter Tom)
UPDATE 18 December 2019: Added the first picture from 2 November 2019, the actual last day of operation.
UPDATE 4 February 2021 -- To be Cod Tail Seafood & Chicken, a Charleston outfit. I really do not like that name!
UPDATE 22 August 2022: Updating tags.
19 Responses to 'Rush's, 2540 Decker Boulevard: 2 November 2019'
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PK
14 Nov 19 at 12:02 pm
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40 years?? I remember when this was the "new" style Rush's and the location on Broad River was the still old teal and orange style.
I am thinking this is the second location to open after the one of Broad River, can anyone confirm that?
ED
14 Nov 19 at 5:16 pm
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Can anyone tell me how far the St. Andrews Youth Center was located from the original Rush's?
Joe Shlabotnik
15 Nov 19 at 1:54 am
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Was the Youth Center near the building which housed the magistrate's office? If so, it was at the corner of Broad River and St. Andrews. We lived in Pine Valley at the time and voted there in the '76 election between Carter and Ford. That would make it about 2 blocks from the original Rush's to that location. I have been told that it was originally a Dairy Queen and the family had a dairy farm behind the location. Initially, they used it as a retail outlet for their dairy products.
thomas
15 Nov 19 at 8:50 am
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Story on St. Andrews Youth Programs.
thomas
15 Nov 19 at 8:56 am
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ED - I read where this was the second oldest Rush's location. So you are correct.
Sidney
15 Nov 19 at 11:23 am
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This whole area has been going downhill for years. Whatever demand exists for fast food is taken care of by the very popular Chick-Fil-A. Rush's has already purchased property on the fast growing Killian Road and should be building a new place there sometime.
Bobby
15 Nov 19 at 12:25 pm
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The article from Rush's 75th anniversary I happen to have handy reveals that the current Broad River Road location opened in 1967 while the Decker location followed in 1980. Then during the 80s was when the locations in West Columbia, Garners Ferry, Lexington & Harbision followed suit...
Andrew
16 Nov 19 at 6:14 pm
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What became Rush's on Broad River though was called something else in the earlier 60's..I think "Dairy Queen"? but not sure. It was a stand alone building where you could only order outside like the Rosewood Dairy Bar on Rosewood Dr. It wasnt until it became Rush's that they built around the old place where you could eat inside. Too bad they tore down the old one and didnt leave it and just expand it to the side like Zesto's did.
Del
17 Nov 19 at 12:52 am
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If Rush's radio commercial campaign from a few years ago is any indication, they're a very emotionally unhealthy company with low self-esteem and a lot of insecurity. Lack of effort toward caring for yourself and your property is also a common sign of this condition, so that's probably the real issue here, not the age of the building (many much older buildings are still in use).
Kenneth
19 Nov 19 at 5:32 pm
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@Kenneth
Bizarre
John
19 Nov 19 at 7:00 pm
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@Kenneth
Could you refresh out memory on that radio campaign? I don't recall anything like that.
Heath
19 Nov 19 at 10:18 pm
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Not sure what radio spots Kenneth is talking about but they had some of the best radio spots in the late 80's/early 90's. It dealt with the frustration of ordering at a national chain drive-thru and how Rush's is different. I still remember them 30 years later.
ED
21 Nov 19 at 8:23 am
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@Ed
Ha! I remember those too. Specifically that one of them came on the radio while my mom was driving me home from having all of my wisdom teeth pulled. My mouth was packed with gauze, and when the muffled distorted voice of the bad drive-through speaker came on I got all cracked up and said "that sounds like me!" The commercial worked though. My dinner after sleeping all afternoon was a cheeseburger basket.
Heath Roberts
21 Nov 19 at 11:01 am
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This Rush's....this Rush's. Along with Dino's and Taco Cid, this Rush's formed the trifecta of meeting places in high school before the weekend shenanigans began. Rush's in particular if we were heading to the Chances teen club in Decker Mall where the county offices are now outside of the old Kroger. Anyone remember Chances? I believe I have mentioned it on here before. Texas Light anyone?
Anyway, I moved to Atlanta in the early aughts, but made it a point to hit this Rush's up every time I came to Columbia every year. Jr. Burger, Fries, Sweet Tea (rivaled only by Bojangles in the fast food realm), and a freakin' chocolate shake.
R.I.P. Rush's Decker! Much obliged for providing me with 39yrs worth of happy....meals.palmettoconnection
24 Nov 19 at 5:48 am
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palmettoconnection Where and when did you come out of high school? I am Class of 89 Richland Northeast. Sounds like you were right around that same time period or just a few years before me.
Sidney
24 Nov 19 at 12:40 pm
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Ah Chances ....
Good times
John
24 Nov 19 at 8:11 pm
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Folks, in recent days I've stumbled upon indications that Cod Tail Seafood & Chicken has set up shop here...
Andrew
5 Jan 22 at 12:58 pm
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@Andrew.. they've been there for a good while now. I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard it's pretty good for what it is.
Gypsie
5 Jan 22 at 9:49 pm
This hurts my heart.
As a kid we ate at this Rush's very often. My sister took dance at Helen Tilton Kierny School of Dance and my dad was a manager at the Kroger Sav-On there in Decker Mall so we were in that area often. It wasn't uncommon for us to eat here after grocery shopping, dance classes etc...