Mission Statement 68 comments
Here’s the deal: This blog is (mostly) about businesses in Columbia, SC which have closed.
How often have you gone to a favorite store or restaurant and found the doors locked and all the tables and chairs stacked against the back wall? Did you wish there were a place to vent about it, say how you saw it coming, or give the inside scoop on what happened? I’d like this to be that place.
As I notice businesses that have closed, I’ll post entries on them. If I was a patron, I’ll post a few thoughts, if I wasn’t, I’ll just note the passing. I hope that you, should anyone actually find this blog, can fill in the details with your comments.
In general, this blog will deal, as the title suggests, with Columbia SC. However, I also spend a good deal of time on the Grand Strand, so I won’t hesitate to mention closings there, if it strikes my fancy. I also won’t hesitate to make “remember when?” posts about places that closed years ago.
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68 Responses to 'Mission Statement'
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gina
12 Feb 09 at 10:17 pm
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Yeah, I've got some pix I'll go with at some point, probably when the Rosewood store closes.
ted
12 Feb 09 at 11:28 pm
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I scanned an Applegate's Landing coupon circa 1980. May I email it to you?
Midnight Rambler
13 Feb 09 at 8:20 am
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Sure,
closings at columbiaclosings dot com
ted
13 Feb 09 at 9:43 am
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Hey, thanks for some great memories.
Eric
7 Mar 09 at 1:38 pm
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You're welcome!
ted
7 Mar 09 at 2:26 pm
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Hey can I mention good ole Jack Rabbit 1 Hour Photo (based in Mt. Pleasant, SC), various locals in Columbia. They had a couple of little drop off stations that I remember. The Pizza Hut across from the old Coca Cola Bottling on North Main Street near Earlewood Park. Red Ring Rollerway near St. Andrew and Broad River. An old drive-in movie near railroad track at N. main and Beltline and the adult drive-in right where River Drive become Broad River Road.
Thanks for the memories, just reminds me I've been in Cola-town a long time. Oh, and what was the name of the restaurant that was a ship on a little lake down Garners Ferry Road?Olando
11 Mar 09 at 9:22 pm
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I just mentioned the Trenholm Plaza Jack Rabbit in passing. I plan to do a post on it someday (though I thought they were based in Spartanburg..).
There is a post on the Saint Andrews / Broad River Road Redwing here.
The drive-in at N. Main & Beltline (Sunset actually) was discussed in the comments here
The ship restaurant was The Bounty.
ted
11 Mar 09 at 9:33 pm
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Hey Ted,
I'm a journalist in York, Nebraska, and happened upon your website in the course of some research. Enjoyed it! My husband and I have lived in many places around the country, and every trip back shows how rapidly things change. The old ways and places are falling like tenpins. I always kid my husband, "Just repeat the American mantra: All change is progress!" -
Thanks Kate!
*Some* change is progress :-)
ted
20 Jul 09 at 5:30 pm
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Love the website Ted. I've got a question for you, did Columbia have an Electric Avenue and More store? I'm pretty sure they did. I find it interesting that there is very little on the internet about this once train wreck of a store. I was in Anderson,SC four years ago and near the mall still stood an empty vacated Electric Ave & More store. I was surprised to see it.
Elad
2 Sep 09 at 3:04 pm
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Hmm. That's not ringing any bells with me..
Anyone else?
ted
2 Sep 09 at 3:26 pm
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I had never heard of the store. Here's an article mentioning them: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n20_v33/ai_15819161/
Basically, a Montgomery Ward offshoot.badger
2 Sep 09 at 4:01 pm
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Ted and Badger,
That's the store. The store never really took off real big but I do remember them having commercials on TV. I actually think John Madden might have been a spokesperson for them. I can't remember for sure though.
They were fairly big stores. If memory serves me right they got busted for selling stolen equipment or something of that nature.
Next time I'm in Anderson,SC if the store is still standing I will snap a picture of it.
Elad
2 Sep 09 at 6:47 pm
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There was an Electric Ave & More store in Florence,SC where I am from. It is where Target is now. It once was a Phar Mor and when they shut down Electric Ave & More occupied the building. That section of the strip mall was torn down in 2001-2002 somewhere in there and Target built the store that is there now.
Elad
2 Sep 09 at 6:50 pm
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I had somehow missed this, but the Bentley Boats place off I-26 appears to be closed. I'm guessing it's been this way for a while, but I just noticed it.
badger
2 Sep 09 at 10:48 pm
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Electric Avenune and More was an off-shoot of Montgomery Ward. There was also one at Myrtle Beach on the by-pass near Broadway at the Beach. When Montgomery Ward folded in the 90s so did Electric Avenue. And yes they used the 80s song "Electric Avenue" in their advertsing.
Tom
3 Sep 09 at 9:06 am
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Ted,
It would be nice if other bloggers trackeed what stores were closing in their cities too. My wife's blog actually had a post about a recent restaurant closing in our small town and we were wondering why it hadn't closed soon er - see here - http://www.confessionsofafoodie.com/uptown-cafe-restaurant-review-crestview-fl/2009/08/06/
On a business note, one of my clients - DIY Home Center - is interested in acquiring a left navigation hyperlink on columbiaclosings.com for the phrase "DIY Home Center" to their website. DIY Home Center prefers to pay a one time fee of $25 (for your time) by PayPal to be listed on your website permanently on the right navigation under a new section titled "Supporters", if this is an option, or one of your current categories.
Let me know if you are interested or if you have any other ideas. Thank you for your time & I look forward to hearing back from you.8 Sep 09 at 5:09 pm
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Thanks for the kind words David, and good luck to you and your wife with the blog!
I'm afraid I'm not taking sponsored links here right now, but thanks for asking!
ted
9 Sep 09 at 1:03 am
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The Fred's store in Cedar Terrace Shopping Center has signs up saying going out of business
gary
2 Oct 09 at 12:59 pm
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Fred's closing is a sad day for all of us! Where else will we be able to go to get some of the great things they have there! No more 3-piece-toilet-covers in dusty rose, singing bass trophies, wicker accent pieces & $30 curio cabinets to store our Precious Moments dolls! Not to mention the cheap groceries - where else can you buy imitation-cheese pizzas, Stale Valentine candy in the middle of September, dented cans of Veg-All and get bargain prices on cartons of Basic Menthol 100's! I'm definitely gonna miss the place. Sigh... Guess I'll have to go back to shopping at Big Lots.
Dave
4 Oct 09 at 7:07 pm
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i have a question i hope some columbia old-head out there can answer: what was the name of the car stereo store on broad river rd that had the tv commercials with the girl saying "sounds real good" with a horrible hick accent? that line got burned into my brain as a child and even know i say it to people instinctively. it's like my own private joke.
stacysaw
23 Nov 09 at 5:21 pm
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Here ya go, Stacy
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Anybody old enough to remember the old Edens Food Stores in Columbia and around S.C. They sold out to Winn-Dixie around 1955. I worked for them as did my father.
Several of the old buildings are still standing, among these are the ones on Rosewood Drive, North Main Street, Devine St, Harden St. and I am sure there are others. They were the place to shop for groceries in Columbia during their hey day,15 Oct 10 at 5:21 pm
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Before my time, but maybe I'll track them down sometime..
ted
16 Oct 10 at 12:30 am
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Ted,
I've found some youtube videos of bands playing at a club called Niki D's around 1993. Where was this located? Thanks.
Woody
23 Nov 10 at 8:08 pm
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ted
23 Nov 10 at 11:54 pm
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Ted, Do you have an email address. I'd like to shoot you a quick question...
Scott
23 Feb 11 at 2:26 pm
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Scott,
closings at columbiaclosings dto com
ted
23 Feb 11 at 2:46 pm
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Hi Ted- I read your blog post from 2008 about the Tri-Centennial album with interest. My father in law is a music teacher from that era and would love to hear your full songs that you ripped from vinyl. Is there any way you could repost or send me the links to the full mp3s? I searched for the website you mentioned someone was building and it is either non-existent or a work in progress... Thanks for everything!
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hey ted- i found the originals - they are still on the site just without the extra -clip part on the end. Thanks!
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I guess I didn't clean up the directory when I uploaded the clip versions -- I have now.
ted
4 Apr 11 at 11:38 am
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Hi Ted,
Can you please REMOVE my business from your list of closings in Columbia? Bubble Tea Cafe at 1260 Bower Parkway in Columbia is OPEN !! Thank you!
28 Jul 11 at 6:14 pm
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There was a great little jewerly store near the corner of Harden and Blossom that closed 2003-2004. It died along with a lot of other small businesses during the torturously slow road project that was done on Harden. I wish I remembered the name of the place. The gentlemen that ran it did great work.
Mandy Corbett
6 Nov 11 at 5:17 am
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I grew up here in Columbia, been here for 38 years. I know of a lot of these places that you post. It's just amazing to see some of the old pics and ads. I have spent literally HOURS on this website.
Keep it up!
Sidney
6 Dec 11 at 2:03 pm
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awwww my favorite memories in 1980 at Von Henmons! I was a groupie for the local punk band Xtones and married the lead guitarist, been married for 30 years now. Anyone remember the Xtones? They played there alot!
Jones
2 Jan 12 at 5:05 pm
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Hi Ted: I'm interested in Kester's Bamboo House in Five Points; Sox's Twin Drive-In Restaurant in Five Points and West Columbia; Bar-B-Q Inn in West Columbia; Davis Bike Shop & Grocery on Barnwell Street; Taylor Street Pharmacy (where breakfast was 9 cents in the late 50's); Dodd's Dime Store on Assembly Street; and the Amvets Club in North Columbia (can't remember the name of the area, but it was on a lake); and I guess that's all at the moment. Thanks a lot.
Shirley Williams
11 Apr 12 at 6:54 pm
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Shirley,
If you click the link on the top of the page that says "Alphabetical Closings", you will find some of those. In particular, Kester's and The Big T are there.
ted
11 Apr 12 at 7:05 pm
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I have a photograph of a token it too to ride the bounty mini boat. How do I submit for posting?
Jiles Bishop
14 Jan 13 at 1:59 pm
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You can send it to
closings at columbiaclosings dot cmm
ted
15 Jan 13 at 1:02 am
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Have you thought about creating a Facebook page?
Joy
6 May 13 at 9:14 am
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I've so far managed to completely avoid Facebook. I know Columbia Closings gets a lot of hits from within FB, and that's great, but I don't want to get involved in another time-sink.
ted
8 May 13 at 11:44 pm
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Hi Ted.
Yumilicious has closed. I thought I give u a heads up.
Lexington
5086 Sunset Blvd
Lexington, SC 29072
Across from Target on Hwy 378
803-359-0003
Click here for flavors and location details
mike
24 Dec 13 at 7:19 am
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The German Butcher on Two Notch next to Tiffany's Bakery is closing.
Amy
23 Mar 16 at 11:49 am
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Tony's Italian restaurant on Washington Street in downtown Columbia has posted a sign at the entrance that they have closed.
Julie
20 Apr 16 at 11:27 am
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Any info on the Union 76 Service station on 400 Beltline blvd. Columbia SC 29209. Right beside Midlands Technical College ...if anyone has pictures..please let me know
tonya
18 Apr 17 at 12:17 pm
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Union 76 on Beltline Blvd...anybody got pics?
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I need to know if we can have access to Tapp's photos and can use the cornbread sticks recipe in an article on Tapp's for Columbia Metropolitan magazine. Need to know ASAP as we are on deadline. It is 1/29/18. Thank you!
29 Jan 18 at 3:45 pm
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How do I create an account? I have been following this site for a long time. I thought I had created an account but none of my current emails are recognized. I would like to create an account if possible. Thank you for all you do Ted. This is a great site, that holds lots of memories for me. Can you help me with this?
Thank you
KarenKaren
25 Sep 18 at 11:33 pm
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@Karen -- there are no such things as "accounts" here. Just put whatever you want for email and site (if you have one) in the comment form, and it will go through (and if you have cookies enabled, will be there next time you comment).
ted
25 Sep 18 at 11:38 pm
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Ted,
I'm seeking permission to use one of your photos of Hennessey's Restaurant on my Columbia History Buff blog. I didn't find another way to contact you so I'm just doing it here.
Thanks.
- Paul3 Jan 19 at 12:09 pm
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@Paul,
Sure, just use a credit like "Courtesy of Columbiaclosings.com" .
ted
3 Jan 19 at 1:32 pm
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Will do. Thanks.
3 Jan 19 at 10:26 pm
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3 Jan 19 at 10:32 pm
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Paul, I really enjoyed your historical posts.
We're you on a high school golf team in the 60s?
Joe Shlabotnik
4 Jan 19 at 8:27 pm
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Something is up with the Alphabetical closings list as the list doesn't get through the As...
Andrew
15 Feb 19 at 8:29 pm
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D'oh!
Fixed.
ted
16 Feb 19 at 12:29 am
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How does one contact Ted privately to request photo permission for something I want to use it for? (2009 Brookgreen set).
Beejay Grob
26 Feb 19 at 3:08 pm
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closings at columbia closings dto com
ted
26 Feb 19 at 3:12 pm
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I am interested in using the pharmacy ad on the Cornell Arms page for a USC publication. Can you contact me or let me know the procedure to obtain that permission? Thank you.
Skot Garrick
21 Mar 19 at 11:31 am
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Interested in more photos from the State Farmers Market out on Bluff Road. Especially in 1960s and 70s.
Also, Shimmy’s Restaurant which closed around 1975.P. W. Jones
12 Sep 21 at 11:49 am
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Does anyone remember Video Concepts on the top level of Columbia Mall in the 1980’s where I think Victoria Secrets is now?
Chris
14 Apr 23 at 7:52 pm
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If anyone has pictures of Woodhill Plaza from when the mall was still there, I would like to see. I only have a couple of vague memories.
Robin
15 Apr 23 at 10:15 am
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I remember Video Concepts. Went window shopping there a lot. It was the very first place I ever noticed a compact disc, which I thought was a smaller version of the (video) Laser Disc (but obviously not).
badger
17 Apr 23 at 1:37 pm
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Badger, was this the place that had a lot of Magnavox products for sale? I seem to recall a Reggie Vision Video Disc player on display there.
Joe Shlabotnik
19 Apr 23 at 2:12 am
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I think I remember going into Video Concepts, with my mom, to catch Days of Our Lives, one day when we spent a day at the mall.
Mr Bill
19 Apr 23 at 2:10 pm
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Here are some Woodhill Mall pics
Mr Bill
19 Apr 23 at 2:12 pm
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I don't remember Magnavox specifically at VC, but I know it was on the top floor, on the left side if you were facing Sears, just past Center Court, I believe.
badger
21 Apr 23 at 9:54 am
Not sure if you're already aware of this, but the Sounds Familiar on Parklane road has closed. Inevitable, but no less sad.