Palmetto Candy & Tobacco, 1225 Lincoln Street: March 2012 11 comments
Commenter Larry points out this State story on the closing of Palmetto Candy & Tobacco. This Columbia institution is on Lincoln Street across from the Seaboard station, and is someplace I have always meant to check out. In the event, as is often the case, I have apparently waited too long.
As the 21 April story (which places the closing time as "about a month ago") notes, there is a "remodeling" sign on the store door, but I find that more often than not in these cases, that is kind of a "the cat is on the roof and won't come down" way to break bad news. This is especially the case given the customer base was apparently largely "filling stations, corner markets, baseball leagues and swimming pools" -- the types of operations which will quickly change to new suppliers and then be reluctant to make yet another change if the place reopens.
(Hat tip to commener Larry)
UPDATE 19 March 2022 -- I just came across this 26 August 2008 shot of the place in operation:
Also updating tags and adding a map icon.
11 Responses to 'Palmetto Candy & Tobacco, 1225 Lincoln Street: March 2012'
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Dennis
23 Apr 12 at 6:14 am
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Ted, like you, I have been meaning to check this place out for years and I guess I have waited too long as well. A friend of mine at work used to go in there and buy all kinds of hard to find candy and resell to people at work. She said that it was like walking into the past. Old fixtures and cases filled with candy that has not been readily available for some time and humidors full of cigars. It would be a shame if it is permanently closed. It would be another historic loss for Columbia.
Homer
23 Apr 12 at 9:24 pm
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Wow. Not living in Columbia anymore, I'm almost surprised this place was still open, given the number of other establishments that have closed. That makes its closing even sadder.
I *did* enter the establishment, with my father (cigar smoker) when I was a child, old enough to walk, but not too much older. '69 or '70. I was very close to the wooden floor, and the counter was really high. I still remember the very strong odor of tobacco with the undertone of sugar, and the scent comes back to me everytime I hear or read the phrase "Candy & Tobacco."
Those stores at the railroad tracks were where men did business. I still feel like a wee child when I think about them. What is it, now, "The Vista"? Been there a couple times since the development, and it's so different. But the name painted on the side of the building (bottom pic) takes me straight back.
God Speed Palmetto Candy & Tobacco, you had a good run!
Richard
24 Apr 12 at 2:44 am
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@Richard - the aromas you described reminded me of my three favorite places that used to be in Dutch Square back in the day. Everytime I would go there I would visit Cromer's P-Nut's, Hickory Farms and Jerry Weber's tobacco shop. The aroma of the p-nuts and cotton candy from Cromer's, the smokehouse smell of Hickory Farms and all of the pipe tobaccos in Jerry Weber's. Man, it brings back memories!!!!
Homer
26 Apr 12 at 12:11 am
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It is amazing how good tobocco smells until you set it on fire!
I remember the tobocco drying barns on my aunt's farm and the incredible smell very vividly. I used to like walking by the Dutch Square pipe store too. Never really noticed the Cromer's smell, but I can recall the Mr. Poppers aroma at Richland Mall fondly..
ted
26 Apr 12 at 12:16 am
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@Ted - One of my old high school friends, his father smoked a pipe. He only smoked cherry or bourbon infused tobacco from Jerry Weber's. Even when it was burning the aroma was awesome!! There's something about pipe tobacco that beats any cigarette or cigar hands down.
Homer
26 Apr 12 at 12:31 am
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When I was a kid, you could see abandoned tobacco (I used to call it tabacto back then) barns all across the state. It was the early seventies and they looked decrepit even back then, so I'm guessing the tobacco industry in SC took a solid hit in the fifties sometime.
tonkatoy
26 Apr 12 at 6:37 am
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I helped paint one of those tobacco barns during the middle of the night on a trip to Myrtle Beach. Great fun.
Terry
26 Apr 12 at 9:32 pm
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This is my Dads. He worked there with his father as I did with mine. We as a family were in business for 100 years. That says a lot about the business but also says more about my family and the loyalty that they showed their customers. Many great memories there and I saw over my 60+ years many many transformations in the Vista as well as Columbia in general. Oh how I wish I could live those days again
Robert Bass
26 Jan 20 at 3:13 pm
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Thanks Robert
Fascinating story
John g
26 Jan 20 at 9:49 pm
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I’m so glad to see your message,Robbie. Was thinking that name was on the van I saw your dad driving home on Cumberland Dr. What a story behind that company- loved reading about it!!
Yes wouldn’t it be great if we could go back in time!!Cathy Donovan Ellison
22 Jul 21 at 12:24 pm
Ebb and flow -- I just noticed yesterday a new candy store has opened on Santee Ave., where Get Your Gear On used to be. The Tic Toc Candy Shop.