Have Your Say 101 comments
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
Have Your Say Archive 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019
101 Responses to 'Have Your Say'
Subscribe to comments with RSS
-
Lavender
1 May 25 at 8:24 am
-
Ratio, a Peruvian Tapas themed restaurant in Northeast Cola located at 566 Spears Creek Rd has announced its closing. I’d always wanted to eat there and have heard great things about it, sounds like the owner/chef is looking to do something different. This takes the number of nice restaurants in NE Cola down to 0.
Larry
1 May 25 at 10:05 am
-
The Panera at Percival & Forest Dr has had the building signage removed and there was a dumpster and appeared to be remodeling ongoing.
Matt
1 May 25 at 10:00 pm
-
The Panera is being renovated into the Columbia areas first Metro Diner.
Larry
1 May 25 at 11:08 pm
-
A few Lexington closings
Lexington Paint and Flooring at 400 Columbia Avenue appears to have closed. A temporary banner sign says it will now be Kirkland's Cabinets. when you search for Lexington Paint and Flooring on Google Maps, it comes up Kirkland Flooring and says it is temporary closed.
Got a Lot Antiques at 1902 Augusta Hwy closed around March of 2024. The owners retired.
Brakes for Less at 1101 B West Main Street has moved to 603 B Columbia Avenue. 603 B is the former address of Precision Tune, which has apparently closed.
Taylor Motors at 1109 W. Main Street is now Stellar Motors.
Life Storage at 1120 Old Cherokee Road is now MyPlace Storage.
JamesR
1 May 25 at 11:52 pm
-
Also Woodley's Garden Center and the follow up B. B. Barns Nursery at 2840 Dreher Shoals Road Columbia (Irmo) is now South Ground Supply Company.
JamesR
2 May 25 at 12:01 am
-
Not sure if this has mentioned before, but Kyoto Japanese Steak House on Columbiana Dr. is apparently closed. there have been cones blocking the always empty parking lot for a couple of weeks now.
Tom
3 May 25 at 11:01 am
-
What restaurant in this area do you think is over-rated?
Lavender
4 May 25 at 10:27 am
-
My answer: Delucca's on Sunset Boulevard
Lavender
4 May 25 at 10:36 am
-
I have never cared for Miyo's...
Andrew
4 May 25 at 5:50 pm
-
I think California Dreaming is wildly overrated. Ruth Chris as well.
Does anyone know what is being built in the side lot of Columbiana Centre near the McAlister's?
Gypsie
4 May 25 at 11:15 pm
-
Limestone University is closing.
george011210
5 May 25 at 7:05 am
-
@Gypsie, that is a hotel being built near Dillards at Columbiana.
Larry
5 May 25 at 8:26 am
-
I've only been to California Dreaming once and did not understand the big deal about it.
Miyo's is one of those places that I only go when others want it (so, outvoted). After hearing/reading bad things about the owner, I don't choose to go.
Lavender
5 May 25 at 8:51 am
-
California Dreaming is OK, but the real point of the place is the building.
ted
5 May 25 at 11:28 pm
-
It is my understanding that California Dreaming used to be a train station (Columbia's Union Station and that is the big thing about it...I've been several times and I thought it was fine...There are people that would like to move Amtrak's current station (CLB) that is at 850 Pulaski Street back to this spot and I've even seen ideas to move it to Taylor/Blanding/Harden area (near where a concrete plant once was)...I just wish we had more than just the Floridian route that passes in the middle of the night...the one government agency I can get on board with growing is Amtrak...I just wish it would give people more options than having to drive long distances...
I have seen less than impressive ideas regarding the lady that owns Miyo's on this blog over the years and that does play a role in why I don't particulary care to eat there but I just wasn't impressed with the food there, either and like Lavender I only eat there when others I'm with want to.
Andrew
7 May 25 at 9:24 pm
-
@ Andrew-Here's the story on California Dreaming nee' Union Station:
Tom
8 May 25 at 7:09 am
-
Well this one heck of a way for a business to get closed. Lita’s Treats is indefinitely closed after a van plowed through it. The store was located in the shopping center on Lake Blvd with Stars and Strikes & Groucho’s in it right off 26:
Dennis
9 May 25 at 9:07 am
-
It appears the Tee'd Up, a virtual golf center, at 1605 North Lake Drive has closed. I noticed the sign was down and the parking lot empty the other day. This is the same location as the former Dam Bar & Grill. Numerous followups have tried to make it in this spot. It is always packed when in business. One has to wonder what the issue is for so many businesses not to succeed here.
JamesR
9 May 25 at 8:04 pm
-
The Verizon store located at 520 Bush River Rd. is gone. I noticed it seemed closed for good when I drove past the other day, and their Google listing confirms that May 1, 2025 was the last day for that location.
---
My issue with California Dreaming isn't that the food is horrible, it's that I don't think it warrants the prices they charge and it never has. I have a long family history of those who worked for the railroad so I can appreciate the nostalgia of it being in an old train station, but if I really want to pay homage to those loved ones and enjoy the history of trains, I head on over to the SC Railroad Museum in Winnsboro to enjoy the museum, the old cars, various themed rides throughout the year, and at least once a summer we do the BBQ trip. The prices are fair and the money goes to a good cause. Check it out if you've never been - it's nice. :)Gypsie
9 May 25 at 10:21 pm
-
@Dennis -- it happens more than you would think
ted
9 May 25 at 11:27 pm
-
@JamesR -- Interesting. I thought that one was doing pretty good when I would drive past it and see all the cars.
ted
9 May 25 at 11:29 pm
-
I've noticed hte Tee'd up closing that JamesR referenced lately as well but something is under construction next door (haven't been able to figure out any details) and maybe that plays a role in this situation...
Andrew
10 May 25 at 10:51 am
-
It was mentioned a while back that Steve's Classic Burgers was planning to close in April; they have done so, and they found a buyer, so stay tuned for their opening soon.
Payne
10 May 25 at 1:07 pm
-
The Lexington location of Brakes 4 Less has moved from 1101-B W. Main St. to 603-B Columbia Ave.
Gypsie
10 May 25 at 10:17 pm
-
TD Bank at 1501 Main St will be closing as part of a nationwide reduction in branches.
Larry
12 May 25 at 5:56 pm
-
This article has information on two high-rise buildings coming to downtown Columbia. https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/midlands/building-the-midlands/core-spaces-high-rise/101-1e52f4a6-1281-4614-9b96-0248aea205c2
Lavender
14 May 25 at 2:06 pm
-
I suspect there are big changes to higher-ed coming down the pike. We'll see if it was a good investment down the line...
ted
14 May 25 at 11:07 pm
-
Dollar Tree on Rosewood is closed for now. There was a fire there a few weeks ago.
Sidney
14 May 25 at 11:38 pm
-
Is there a Dollar Tree arsonist? First the Beltline location and now this one.
Larry
15 May 25 at 6:17 am
-
Long suspected relocation of Forest Drove Korger location to the new Richland Mall redevelopment confirmed by the city and developer. This article also confirms they are only tearing down a portion of the garage. Construction on apartments planned to begin late 2025/early 2026. First retail openings for the site expected in 2027.
Larry
15 May 25 at 6:53 am
-
Hard Bean Coffee at 662 St. Andrews Road, Columbia SC 29210 has closed and, per the sign, will be relocating to Lexington.
Gypsie
15 May 25 at 8:59 am
-
Isn't it funny how the shopping mall + apartments/condos idea was already started at Richland Mall in the past? It was ahead of its time. Now these "mixed use" developments are all over the place.
Lavender
15 May 25 at 10:32 am
-
I wonder if the apartments will be located at the “future development “ site?
John
15 May 25 at 2:29 pm
-
@John, that was what was originally planned. Phase one now and then a second set of apartments in around 5 years.
Larry
15 May 25 at 3:25 pm
-
Carolina Fire Safety was at 1908 Rosewood Drive (next to Pelicans). The place is now advertised as some kind of golfing store.
Matt
15 May 25 at 3:31 pm
-
Wouldn't you know it, the one time I didn't search for the company before I posted something. I found that Carolina Fire Safety has moved to 810 S Edisto. I'm guessing that the new site costs less than the old one and has a lot more parking.
Matt
15 May 25 at 3:37 pm
-
Probably a dumb question, but why will it take so long for everything to be done at the former Richland Mall? These "mixed use" places seem to be completed much faster at other locations.
Lavender
15 May 25 at 11:48 pm
-
@Lavender, have you been by the site? It’s taken a year and a half to demolish the massive concrete structure that already existed on the property (and they’re still working on the garage). The concrete from the old project is also being recycled on site so you have mounds of old concrete being ground up for reuse. There is also a creek running through the middle of it which opens up a whole nother can of worms when it comes to permitting.
From following Columbia development projects closely, it doesn’t seem to be any longer than most from announcement to their planned completion. Heck, about half the things that get announced around here never get started. I was pleased to see demolition of RM start so quickly after the property was sold.
Larry
16 May 25 at 7:10 am
-
I've driven past a few times in the past two years or so. I grew up in the area and I often went to the mall during the 90's and 2000's.
Thank you for your response. I hadn't really considered a couple of those factors.
Lavender
16 May 25 at 10:16 am
-
RM had to be strong enough for the parking deck that was on the roof. I hadn't really considered what this meant for the amount of concrete this would require until I watched them tear it down over the last year.
Matt
16 May 25 at 2:04 pm
-
"I'm going to start a unique new boutique" -
https://www.reddit.com/r/starterpacks/comments/bjc0w9/im_going_to_start_a_totally_unique_new_boutique/#lightboxLavender
23 May 25 at 4:47 am
-
Whatever business is in the gray building next to Golden Bay Seafood at 6164 St. Andrews Rd. is likely going to be closed for awhile because there is currently a car 3/4 of the way in the building. Emergency services are still on scene, but from what I saw there was a white car that had been parked at the restaurant and the driver must have hit the gas and gone into the building. Hopefully everyone is okay, but there were two ambulances, two fire trucks, a couple of cops, and a couple of other responders on scene.
Gypsie
27 May 25 at 11:50 am
-
Update on the above - Irmo Fire states that injuries to the driver and building occupants are minor, but the building sustained a good bit of damage. You can see pics on their FB page.
Gypsie
27 May 25 at 11:57 am
-
That's *twice* (this, plus Lita's Treats on Lake Murray Blvd) in recent memory that drivers have managed to hit immovable objects (buildings), and then claimed "well, I must have mistaken the accelerator for the brake".
*blink, blink* Is this something that regularly happens elsewhere and I've just been blissfully unaware? Or is this yet again proof positive of the abysmal driving acumen of far too many drivers in our fine state?
Lone Wolf
30 May 25 at 1:37 pm
-
Let's see if anyone remembers this one - on Burning Tree Road there was a large 'scuba' and 'dive' shop just off St Andrews Road. It was just down from Chuck E Cheese and that infamous Motel 6.
Anyone remember this? I had an apartment on Zimalcrest back then (mid-90's) and worked UPS graveyard shift 1 a.m. Fun times! My work buds and I used to hang out at Merlin's - a rowdy country bar on Dunbar Rd near UPS.
Could never get my girlfriend (at the time) to join us - she was always going to this shithole on Bush River Road called 'The Other Place' which is another bar that, when I ask folks about it, that look at me like I'm crazy!
Andy
30 May 25 at 7:58 pm
-
@andy I was certified through that dive shop in the '90s one winter. Usually, they did the final certification at Lake Murray during the warm months. However, my class went to Crystal River, Florida for the final as it was too cold for Lake Murray. Hell yeah!
palmettopanic
31 May 25 at 7:45 am
-
@Lone Wolf- The CVS On Lake Murray Blvd. has been hit by cars at least four times, including two times in the last two years.
Tom
31 May 25 at 8:31 am
-
@Andy - I used to live in an apt off Zimalcrest in the late 90s. I believe the dive shop was called Wateree Dive Shop. Nice folks, as I recall.
@Tom - that just proves my case that there are *entirely* too many wretched drivers on the roads. Seems everywhere I go, I hear somebody whinging about "bad drivers" and "insane insurance premiums". Why does no one *demand* that the legislature start putting the screws to sh*%%y drivers in our state? It's high time this problem got a solution
Lone Wolf
31 May 25 at 10:19 am
-
In addition to the 1008 Lake Murray Blvd. CVS situations Tom mentioned I also remember a recent story where the Zaxby's in Balletine Market (1325 Dutch Fork Road) was also impacted by a car vs. building collision in late March about a week before the one-year anniversary of its opening. One of the guys I work with had a wife who was going through the drive thru at the time in fact...
I think a large part of the probelm stems from the fact that so much of our transportation infrastructure requires everyone to have a car to get around...I wish we had a better variety of options (better trains, subways, etc.) than we currently do.
Andrew
31 May 25 at 1:35 pm
-
BTW concerning the Wateree Dive Shop Lone Wolf recalled...I'm not sure if it's the same one or not but I understand there to be a Wateree Dive that is located at Shoppes at St. Andrews (4350 St. Andrews Road)...I also seem to think they had a location on US 1 in Lexington near Burton Smith Road (in that part of US 1) at one point as well...
Andrew
31 May 25 at 1:50 pm
-
The Minnie's Auto Shop on St. Andrews (just a few doors down from the most recent incident) also had a car run into it a couple of years ago. It caused quite a bit of damage if I remember correctly.
I have a vague memory of someone having driven into the front of Irmo High School at one point, but I can't remember the details or when it happened.
I was once in a Waffle House when someone drove into it. That was a wild experience that I really hope to never repeat.
--------------
Wasn't the dive shop on Burning Tree the same building that became the stained glass place?
---------------
Did we all live off of Zimalcrest in the late '90s? *lol* I lived in Bent Tree Apartments then.
Gypsie
31 May 25 at 11:16 pm
-
@Andrew. I think a bigger reason why we are seeing more cars running into buildings is poor parking ot designs. It seems to me that more and more these days parking lots are treated as an after thought and/or are designed to squeeze as many cars as possible without regards to safety or practicality. I been in some parking lots where the spaces were so close together it would have been hard to open my car door if there was another car next to mine.
Tom
1 Jun 25 at 10:50 am
-
I won't argue that there are parking lots in this city that are fundamentally flawed. Publix on Gervais, I am looking at you.
However, if I knew I lived in a place that doesn't have a lot of transportation infrastructure, as @Andrew accurately points out, I would go above and beyond to insure I was doing everything in my power to be a good driver. If for no other reason than the mere fact that driving is a privilege that can be taken away...
When the local mugshots get published, I can always count on seeing a few "DUS/3rd or subsequent" in every single report. Now add that to the NASA whiz-kids who manage to hit *buildings*. Bear in mind, this argument completely leaves out all the speeding that the local police forces either don't see or choose to do nothing about.
And we wonder why our insurance rates are nuts...
Lone Wolf
2 Jun 25 at 12:50 pm
-
I think the Brueggers lot on Forest Drive is very constricted as is the Old Chicago lot on Gervais (it's a lot bigger, but still poorly designed).
On the "cars into things" thread, don't forget Tracks which replaced Zesto on Harden.
ted
2 Jun 25 at 11:36 pm
-
My theory is that Columbia wants to entice modern college students to live here after graduation - show that the "open-minded big city life" can be lived right here. This means small and/or aggravating parking lots, people walking between upscale-ish restaurants and shops/boutiques instead of needing to drive, expensive new apartment buildings, more retail-mixed-with-housing developments, a "unique" brewery or local coffee shop on every block, etc.
Don't get me wrong; I dislike a few things about stereotypical Southern redneck / "hick" culture. I don't think Columbia should be a bunch of saloons and greasy diners. But it seems like the wrong place to be the state's capital.
Lavender
4 Jun 25 at 8:19 am
-
The parking lot at Real Mexico (2421 Bush River Road) scares me to the point that I am hesitant to eat there despite the fact that I have friends I ate there with several time pre-COVID.
I also hesitate to go downtown because of certain driving anxieties I have around parking.
SCDMV is closing their Blythewood branch on July 3.
Andrew
4 Jun 25 at 9:41 pm
-
BTW I remember The Minnie's Car vs. building incident Gypsie mentioned...a guy I work with felt like it was driver under the influence that typically caused something like that (he used to work auto collisions in a previous job)...I remember thinking that a curve that is along that stretch of St. Andrews might have played a role in someone becoming disoriented.
Andrew
4 Jun 25 at 10:17 pm
-
Mountain Top Marine on 378 in Lexington has said they will close after 16 years in business. The owners claim the recent road construction project has damaged 90% of their boats. They have filed a damage claim with SCDOT, with denied the claim and sent the to the contractor / subcontractor. Story was reported on WIS TV’s Facebook page.
JamesR
5 Jun 25 at 1:24 am
-
Hooter announced that it was abruptly closing 30 stores nationwide. with Columbia SC on the list. I looked at their website and the location was already deleted.
Also Richland County Council has approved the purchase of Macy's at Columbia Mall.
Tom
5 Jun 25 at 5:40 am
-
I think the rework of I-26 is going to end up demolishing by the locations of that Hooters anyway. Maybe they just went ahead and put it down early.
I’m not surprised at Macys selling to Richland County, I’m just surprised they’ve kept the store open as long as it has. I wonder if its closing will lead to the remaining stores departing and the mall ceasing to exist as a retail center.
Larry
5 Jun 25 at 8:17 am
-
with sadness the Harbinson Hooters closed as part of the ongoing bankruptcy
MJ
5 Jun 25 at 3:51 pm
-
Macy's hasn't been in the greatest of shape and frankly department stores of their caliber have struggled between the fact that Belk & JC Penney both have had bankruptcies and JC Penney has had several rounds of closing handfuls of stores and so far none of our locations have been impacted (except Belk closing their Richland Mall store). Supposedly no lease payment because of how Macy's owns the property is a big reason why they've hung around as long as they have at Columbia Place Mall. I've envisioned the former hhgregg/Stein Mart space on Bower Parkway being a potential fit for them but idk if they'd want to take on the expenses involved due to their overall corporate health.
The community reputation of Columbia Place Mall isn't the greatest (and some of the latest headlines we've had haven't done that situation any favors). I consequently don't think it'll be a major shopping destination the way it was in the 80s/90s.
At the last Carolina Crossroads public input meeting I went to in January I was informed that the latest plans in the Carolina Crossroads project mean that the Harbison Blvd. & I-26 interchange won't be impacting the Applebee's the way it was as it was problematic for property issues in that area. Be that as it may, it's liable to change again before they get to that phase of it.
Hooters has filed for bankruptcy and which lead to abruptly closing locations and the Fernadina Road location was one of about 30 impacted.
Be that as it may, the second bridge at the Broad Rover Road & I-20 interchange is about to become fully operational and they've published a video at https://youtu.be/-4xvwj4BJVo as it prepares to become a fully functional offset DDI.
Andrew
5 Jun 25 at 9:58 pm
-
By the time the Carolina Crossroads project is finished we won't have any trees left. It is absolutely disgusting to me how much destruction this project has done in the name of "progress".
---
The Mountain Top Marine issue has sounded a little fishy to me since I first heard about it. I don't doubt that some of their inventory was damaged or that it happened at probably the least ideal time for boat sales, but it seems a bit of a far stretch that they would need to close up shop because of it.
---
I'm surprised in this day and age that any mall does well enough to stay in business, but Columbiana always looks packed when I drive past. I've never been a mall shopper though. A cruise around Dutch Square in the '80s gal, yes - a shopper, no. Ha. Ha.
Gypsie
5 Jun 25 at 10:40 pm
-
Sound and Images (Bluff Rd) has abruptly closed up. They did mostly corporate events. They did work for the State Legislature and events at Segra Park. They heavily advertised on The GAME.
Sidney
5 Jun 25 at 11:34 pm
-
Richland County seems to be on a path of financial recklessness, investing millions of dollars in government services that can easily be provided online and in consolidating existing spaces. A prime example of this wasteful spending is the county's recent acquisitions in the Columbia Place Mall.
To understand the situation, it's essential to know how malls were typically developed. Developers would invite department stores to anchor their malls by offering them free plots of land, provided they would operate and contribute to marketing efforts for a set number of years, often 20 or more.
Let's break down the history of Columbia Place Mall. When it was developed, the developer offered plots of land to four major department stores: Belk, JCPenney, Rich's, and Sears. Each store accepted the offer and built their respective stores.
Mall Guy
6 Jun 25 at 10:26 am
-
Belk's opened in 1977, and years later, in 1995, the free plot of land was sold to Dillard's for $5,000,000. Dillard's also renovated the space. However, when the store underperformed, Dillard's closed it and put it up for sale for $2,000,000. Richland County eventually purchased the former
Dillard's building for $2,000,000.
JCPenney opened in 1977 and remained at Columbia Place until 2006, when they moved to Village at Sandhill. The mall purchased the former JCPenney building and divided it into Burlington Coat Factory and Steve & Barry's. Later, the mall sold the building for less than $1 million. Richland County purchased the former JCPenney building (which housed Burlington) for $1.5 million.Rich's opened in 1978 on the third plot of land given by the developer and rebranded as Macy's in 2006. Macy's has operated in the mall without issues and has never paid for the plot of land they sit on.
Sears opened in 1977 on the fourth plot of land given by the developer. After Sears nationwide struggles, the mall didn't purchase the building, and it wasn't until Richland County decided to buy it that Sears received payment for their property. The county purchased the former Sears building for $2,000,000.
Mall Guy
6 Jun 25 at 10:27 am
-
In total, Richland County has spent $5.5 million purchasing the former Dillard's, Sears, and JCPenney buildings. Meanwhile, they're trying to relocate Macy's, which has been a stable tenant, from the building they've occupied for years without any issues. This raises questions about the county's priorities and spending habits.
Mall Guy
6 Jun 25 at 10:28 am
-
Does anyone know where the DZ (Discovery Zone) was that was located in Columbia? I can remember going as a kid in the early 90's but never remembered or knew where it was physically located. For those who do not know about DZ, it was basically an indoor fun park, with mats, slides, mazes, ballpits, and tunnels for kids to play. Basically like a todays trampoline parks but old school. Times got tough for DZ in the mid- late 90's and I believe they ended up selling out to Chuckie Cheese's if Im not mistaken.
Ncarolina
6 Jun 25 at 12:38 pm
-
@Ncarolina I believe it was on or near Harbison. Might even had been where the 2nd and Charles is now. That's what I can vaguely remember.
Ev3nflow
6 Jun 25 at 3:54 pm
-
Discovery Zone was behind Columbia Place in Capitol Centre.
Mall Guy
6 Jun 25 at 4:51 pm
-
I have a recollection of an indoor playground facility of some type being on Columbiana Drive in/around where Flaming Grill is now but can't remember the name of it...I asked about it several years ago and someone then mentioned Discovery Zone as a possibility but I'm not 100% sure...this was around the mid 90s (I was in Elementary school at the time and have recollections of setting foot there a time or 2 during that time)...The Capitol Centre location Ncarolina mentioned was also mentioned during that timeframe.
I also found some old Discovery Zone commercials on YouTube around that time.
Andrew
6 Jun 25 at 9:04 pm
-
Not to sound snobbish, but I think malls are sadly becoming "trashy" or "outdated". It's not what the so-called average person does now.
Sort of like people who still go inside the bank. Unless you want to open a new account (which can even be done online sometimes) or have a problem, you might rarely set foot in there. Also, bank employees used to have a certain amount of professionalism.
You might see a mall parking lot with a good amount of cars, but if you stop and go in, the atmosphere and clientele are different. It doesn't feel as fun and safe as it did before 2010 or so. I recently had that experience at Columbiana Mall.
Lavender
7 Jun 25 at 10:01 am
-
@Mall Guy raises some very interesting questions regarding Richland County and their acquisition of what's left of Columbia (Place) Mall. And I'll raise another....*how* exactly do the leading lights of Richland County plan to *pay* for this acquisition??
Seems like every other story I read (or hear on TV) involves Richland County *again* "crying poverty". They just raised parking fees and fines, because apparently they're broke. Every year, property taxes get raised, because they aren't getting enough revenue. Everything is more expensive in Richland County and they *still* can't seem to get/stay in the black. Where in the blue blazes is all the money *going*??? They damn sure ain't fixing roads with it.
@Lavender - Malls aren't necessarily becoming "trashy", but much of their clientele has. Sadly, the bar for what's acceptable is continually lowered to mollify people who don't measure up. And malls (looking at you, Columbiana) are less safe because criminals (being criminals) don't give a shit about "no concealed weapons" signs.
Lone Wolf
7 Jun 25 at 1:58 pm
-
@Lone Wolf - That is what I meant to say - it's the clientele - but I didn't word it well. I agree about the bar being lowered.
I wonder if the Revitalization of Finlay Park will be worth it.
Lavender
7 Jun 25 at 10:38 pm
-
I haven't set foot in Columbiana in a long time...guess I just haven't felt the need to. I used to walk a couple of laps through the mall but haven't in a long time (part of it was there was a time I could do so and see a friend and speak with them but that became less likely and I think that made me less inclined to do so).
What Lone Wolf spoke to about Richland County "crying poverty" is (IMO) part of an issue that I think is going on with elected officals (city, county, state & federal ( regardless of what side of the aisle they happen to be on )) where they aren't accountable to their constituents as far as where tax money is being spent and is it truly benefitting the public good.
Andrew
8 Jun 25 at 3:51 pm
-
@Gypsie -- re trees: the folks in the appartments on Berryhill have got a legitimate gripe for sure. All those units are completely exposed to the interstate now!
ted
10 Jun 25 at 12:39 am
-
Talking about discovery zone again , Mall guy, do you know what building or exact address of the the DZ so I can look it up? Been trying to find the location on google earth but cant find capitol centre.... I know it was over by the columbia mall. I know the other DZ was mentioned on here out in harbison, possibly where the 2nd and charles is now, but I never visited this location.
Ncarolina
10 Jun 25 at 9:14 am
-
The building that Discovery Zone was located in is behind Columbia Place Mall and is currently being used by Richland County Sherriff's Department for a gym.
Mall Guy
10 Jun 25 at 10:52 am
-
The P&C is reporting that Sylvan’s Jewelers will leave their home of 120 years at 1500 Main St and move into the former Wet Willie’s/Jillians building in the Vista.
Larry
11 Jun 25 at 7:22 am
-
Post & Courier has an interesting article detailing how the 4 condo buildings in Village at Sandhills need to be demolished. There are major issues with the buildings falling apart.
I think these are the 4 that were built first and have some of the businesses on the first floor.
The article states that no one is officially living in them (possibly squatters). The properties were sold by Kahn Development a few years ago to a Florida developer.
Matt
11 Jun 25 at 3:38 pm
-
FINALLY - Columbia is getting the beach and lagoon it needs!!!
Lavender
12 Jun 25 at 9:31 am
-
@Matt - It's sad to see what Village at Sandhills and the Harbison/Columbiana mall area have become. Those used to be the "better" shopping/dining places.
Lavender
12 Jun 25 at 9:44 am
-
I am absolutely baffled at the chosen location for the beach lagoon and 1,000+ homes that will be built with it. That isn't exactly a great part of town and that area has VERY little to offer (except crime - there's plenty of that). The closest grocery stores are a Food Lion and a Piggly Wiggly - both of which are pretty run down. The restaurant options are basically the truck stop Denny's and a Hardees. Unless someone is planning to build a bunch of new businesses people that live in those houses will have to go to Broad River or Two Notch to do pretty much anything.
I'd love to know the pitch the R&D team used on this location because it surely was a doozy.
Gypsie
12 Jun 25 at 8:29 pm
-
The State story on the lagoon says 1000 homes on six acres with part of that being the lagoon? How is that possible?
ted
12 Jun 25 at 11:42 pm
-
I believe this is the Sandhill story Matt mentions.
We had discussed the barriers around some of the buildings at other times, but I had no idea it was so bad. And having squatters just seems unreal. The place has security and I'm sure the Sherriff's department would like to keep things orderly as well.
ted
12 Jun 25 at 11:47 pm
-
@Gypsie GENTRIFICATION in the early stages.
Sidney
13 Jun 25 at 10:18 am
-
I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I can't help but to think that this idea for a lagoon, etc, will one day wind up on this website or one like it. Just look at the grandiose plans for the village and what has actually happened.
Tom
13 Jun 25 at 12:27 pm
-
@Matt - I remember when those condos went on sale, when Village at Sandhills was still new, shiny and full of hope. If memory serves, they were asking $186K to start.
Crystal Lagoon? In the Northeast?? Y'all want to make bets on how long before we get to hear one of the talking heads on WIS mispronounce a headline similar to:
"Shots rang out in the Crystal Lagoon neighborhood in the Northeast this afternoon. Sheriff Leon Lott said it was the result of a dispute between two groups. The suspects have 'ex-scaped' the scene."
I'm willing to go on record now as saying this is a bad idea. But, Columbia loves them some "needed growth", "development" and "progress".
Dammit.....pulled that eye rolling muscle again.
Lone Wolf
13 Jun 25 at 1:34 pm
-
The Dollar Tree must have sustained a lot more than smoke damage in the fire a few months ago. The building has been cleaned out and all signage is gone.
Matt
13 Jun 25 at 4:30 pm
-
Dollar Tree locations at Rosewood & West Beltline have suffered fires (and both have featured here) and I’m wondering which of those 2 Matt is referring to.
Some folks here have wanted to see the Village at Sandhill as a failure but I feel like it has too much going on for me to feel that way about it (though I tend not to aet food in it when I’m out that way) but I do think that it has taken a much different direction than Alan Kahn envisioned when he brought the 300 acre complex to life about 20 years ago now…
Also, to go with the recent car vs. Building collisions we had I remember seeing in the news that the Live Oak Post Office in Myrtle Beach was impacted by one in the fall of 2023.
Andrew
13 Jun 25 at 10:27 pm
-
I should say set foot in the Village at Sandhill (I haven’t done so in a few years now)…
Andrew
13 Jun 25 at 10:28 pm
-
@Andrew
I'm referring to the Dollar Tree on Rosewood near the Family Dollar & Pelicans. After it burned there were storage containers in the parking lot and it looked like they were trying to rehab the building. After a couple of weeks, the containers along with the signage disappeared.
Matt
15 Jun 25 at 10:05 pm
-
@Lone Wolf - I have lived in Columbia since 2000 and I have seen all the attempts at the "Live/Work housing" attempts in Columbia. The ones downtown seem to work a lot better when there are actual restaurants and other things to do.
I never could see what the point in living above a shoe store in a strip mall was. Especially with the traffic from downtown being a bit of a pain. You cannot have resort-style living when there isn't a pool or even grass to walk your dog.
Both Sandhills and Bull St have had issues getting their projects to a critical mass where the businesses don't fail because there isn't enough foot traffic.
Matt
15 Jun 25 at 10:17 pm
-
The TownPark at Bull Street almost looks ridiculous. Do many people want to live there badly enough to buy a town home for $600,000+?
Matt
16 Jun 25 at 9:57 am
-
Sorry, Matt - I meant to REPLY to you with my previous comment and I typed your name in the "Name" box. Not done with my first cup of coffee yet.
Lavender
16 Jun 25 at 9:58 am
-
I run through the Bullstreet area pretty regularly and have noticed that TownPark is almost fully occupied. But, I did notice on my last time through that there were several for sale signs. Perhaps the initial wave of buyers did not like living there and some are moving.
Justin
17 Jun 25 at 4:18 pm
-
@Justin, the development was built in phases. You’re probably seeing for sale signs for the final phase that is under construction. Considering the price of units has gone from around 500K to around 700K over the 5-6 years of development, I think there is solid demand for the units.
Larry
17 Jun 25 at 4:30 pm
-
If people are buying those units at TownPark and they are happy, good for them. To each their own.
Maybe if these communities fill up with non-college-student residents, city officials will understand that life in Columbia is not all about USC!
Lavender
18 Jun 25 at 8:39 am
-
I noticed today that the scratch and dent appliance store at Two Notch & Fontaine has moved or closed.
It has been replaced by Scout Motors Sales. It has the Scout logo on the doors. It seems like an odd place since it is just down 2 Notch from all the old car dealerships that moved out to Killian. But maybe it is more of an office than a car dealership.
Matt
20 Jun 25 at 10:42 am
-
KJ's (grocery store) in West Columbia is closing. Augusta Road.
Lavender
22 Jun 25 at 12:07 pm
Two new apartment buildings being planned for downtown Columbia. Of course one will be student housing.
https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/midlands/building-the-midlands/developers-propose-new-high-rise-buildings-downtown-columbia/101-0106f782-1cde-4a2b-8a24-c57efdfc9599