Have Your Say Archive 1 January 2012 Through 31 December 2013 at Columbia Closings

Have Your Say Archive 1 January 2012 Through 31 December 2013 1,130 comments

Posted at 11:53 pm in

This page is where you can leave general comments about the site, mention closings that I have missed, ask questions and generally 'have your say'.

Simple HTML constructs should work if you want to leave a link. However, having more than one link will get your comment placed in the moderation queue (since comment spam often has many links).

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

Ted

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

Written by ted on January 3rd, 2012

1,130 Responses to 'Have Your Say Archive 1 January 2012 Through 31 December 2013'

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Disorderly Conduct, 617 Harden street has closed in 5 pts , there's a sign on the window. Also Fruiti-cup in 5pts also on harden a few doors down likely closing too as sign on door saying closed till Feb 15th, and that fact that their neighboring nail salon is already closed with all the stuff inside cleared out.

USC Nails opening took most of their biz. And theres' a new frozen yogurt store opening where game nation used to be behind the walgreens so I'm guessing Fruiti-cup saw writing on wall. While they were an early mover in the frozen yogurt explosion in Columbia they have less than half the flavors/yogurt dispensers as their newer rivals.

Mike D

2 Jan 12 at 9:41 am
@Del, the Hilltop closed right before Christmas in 2005. The equipment was auctioned off in early 2006 and the building has sat vacant ever since.

@Mike D what's interesting about Fruiti Cup is that they had a Sparkelbery Square location (former Ritz Camera) that closed recently and now this...

Andew

2 Jan 12 at 2:56 pm
Just noticed a For Lease sign in the window of the z pizza on Gervais Street. Not sure what that means, as the building has always had a For Lease sign on the 2d floor, but it may not bode well for them. I saw a post from early November about the Lexington store closing. I know they're a franchise operation, although I have no idea if they both have the same franchisee. For a smaller chain, I would think the territorial exclusivity would be bigger, but not sure if it would extend all the way to Lexington. All I know is that for many of these smaller chains, the franchise fees and supplier requirements can eat you alive.

Larry

3 Jan 12 at 10:30 am
@Larry, the Marketplace at Harden (1101 Harden Street) leases the upstairs of the building above the tenants in the area between Food Lion and Office Depot and the 'for lease' on the second floor of Zpizza on Gervais is liable to be something similar....

I recall reading that the zpizza owner was very upset about the new Mellow Mushroom in Lexington, yet they're across the street from the one in the vista and I'm much more inclined to go to Mellow Mushroom than Zpizza (but that's just me)

Andrew

3 Jan 12 at 5:46 pm
Folks,

As you will have noticed, I have rolled over "Have Your Say". Older comments are in one of the archive pages. Please don't add any new comments on the archives..

ted

4 Jan 12 at 12:14 am
Unfortunately, it looks like I was right about the z pizza on Gervais Street. They did not open yesterday, and there was a sign on the door. In a new twist however, the sign was from their neighbors saying that they will be missed.

larry

4 Jan 12 at 10:39 am
re: it looks like I was right about the z pizza on Gervais Street.

Ah man, I really liked that place. That sucks.

Mike D

4 Jan 12 at 12:39 pm
My husband mentioned to me that he thought he saw something about z pizza moving to the hardscrabble road area and being only take out/delivery? Does anyone else know anything about this? It was our favorite pizza by far and we are so upset about their closing!!

MB

4 Jan 12 at 3:01 pm
Little Pig's 2 on Broad River is closed. I think the previous tenant may already be here on another post.

Nobody

4 Jan 12 at 7:21 pm
Hope springs eternal:

Someone wants to build a "Sandhill With An Interstate" at I-77 & Killian..

ted

6 Jan 12 at 2:13 am
The entire back row of Harbison Court (from Hancock Fabrics own down to the right) on Harbison Blvd. appears to be going out of business. An email from one store owner indicates that their leasing agent told them someone else is moving into their space and to be out by the end of the month. Given that it has affected so many stores, I suspect a large retail store may be moving in.

On a related note (and I am in no way affiliated with the business - just a customer who hates to see them close), Toys and Games, Etc. is going out of business rather than relocating. Everything in the store is 30% or more off. If you like niche board games (Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, etc), Magic the Gathering, and the like, it is worth a look.

SJ

6 Jan 12 at 9:41 pm
@SJ, I got the email about Toys & Games, Etc. losing their lease and I am not very happy with DDR about it...

Looking at the current Site plan I wonder how far exactly you are talking about...

the former Rugged Wearhouse (originally Micheals) closed some time ago and I wonder if it stops there or goes further down.

Does this means that Once Upon a Child or Avenue will have to move as well? Will this go on to some of the other places that ultimately lead to where Anna's Linens opened up recently??

Andrew

6 Jan 12 at 10:53 pm
The White Mule on Main Street is closed.

Tom

8 Jan 12 at 1:34 pm
@Tom. I was afraid of that. I've been trying to get in touch with them after 5:00, when their voice mail says they are open. Carey Hudson is scheduled to play there Wednesday. I have been avoiding purchasing advance tickets. I am glad.

jonathan

9 Jan 12 at 10:37 am
I got a letter in the mail yesterday announcing the closing sale for Todd & Moore on O'Neil Ct. This closing will also affect the New Balance store that is within the building although it does have a separate entrance. I hope Academy Sports does tennis racket stringing because this was our go to place.

There was an article in the State on Saturday that confirmed that both White Mule and Hennessy's were closed.

http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/07/2104349/mast-heats-up-main-streets-fortunes.html#storylink=misearch

Matt

10 Jan 12 at 12:40 pm
Looks like Hardcore Tennis on Devine Street flamed out over the holidays. Sometimes I wish people would ask me whether or not Coumbia could support certain types of stores. I could save them lots of money, time and heartache.

south mauldin

10 Jan 12 at 5:30 pm
I believe the old Market Express station, not sure what it was recently, but I believe it changed to an Exxon(?) at the corner of Assembly and Elmwood has closed. I noticed this morning that the gas prices light was off, then noticed that the entire store was dark, followed by noticing there was a large blue bin by the gas pumps. I pulled in and got gas there many times, but tried not to go inside too much.

Jonathan

11 Jan 12 at 9:22 am
The Carolina Wings in West Columbia is now closed.

Jay

11 Jan 12 at 6:58 pm
Jonothan, that station was open this morning.

tonkatoy

12 Jan 12 at 7:34 am
Did some checking and it seems that the Sweet Tea Restaurant in Chapin, featured on an episode of Food Network's Restaurant Impossible, shut it doors in November.

Tom

12 Jan 12 at 10:53 am
tonkatoy, I don't know...rolled by there on the way back from lunch today and there are bags on the pumps. All the lights off. There are a couple of trucks there, but they are working on it. Maybe closed for remodeling? That place is slammed all the time. Don't think anyone has been shot there recently.

@ Tom. We are all excited to try that place after the show aired. The online reviews were horrible, so we decided to wait. Maybe it finally caught up with them.

jonathan

12 Jan 12 at 2:35 pm
I think the Carolina Wings in West Columbia is just closed temporarily while they change their business model as the result of their recent Chapter 11 filing. The one on Gervais in Columbia already has their new signage up: http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm119/badger60/?action=view&current=ribho.jpg

badger

12 Jan 12 at 8:52 pm
@south mauldin - My wife had a couple of bad experiences with Hardcore Tennis so this isn't surprising. She went in with a couple of questions about a new line of rackets but the employee in the store said that he didn't know anything about tennis and couldn't help. Another time she went in to have a racket restrung but they outsourced it to another tennis shop in town. This other shop is near our house and they did a horrible job and thus why we had gone to hardcore tennis in the first place. When confronted with this, the manager said "that guy never does a bad job". In addition to the poor management of this store, I suspect that the rent is high due to the food and wine store that didn't last long in the same building.

Matt

13 Jan 12 at 11:17 am
This link will show you how hard it is to run a profitable business

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_retailers_of_the_United_States

Terry

13 Jan 12 at 2:42 pm
Hmm.

A tour of Down Under Columbia on Thursday.

I won't be able to make it, but it sounds interesting.

ted

14 Jan 12 at 2:30 am
Don't know if you want to include this one. Gentleman's Barbershop at 441 Percival Rd (between Decker Blvd and Forest Dr.). It was in business for 8 years. The owner was evicted this past Tuesday for not paying the rent. It is rumored that the property was sold and will become a Liberty Tax Service.

Sidney

14 Jan 12 at 7:29 am
Does anyone else remember when "Dee's" Recaps sat on the corner of Garners Ferry and Ft. Jackson Blvd. in the early to maybe the late 80's before they tore it down and build Applebees there? Did the BP station that's there on the other side now always used to be there back then? or did something else sit in it's place?

Del

14 Jan 12 at 10:17 am
ok so I have come across this report indicating that Food Lion is planning to close in excess of 100 stores but I'm unsure if the 21 midlands locations will be affected at all or not...

Andrew

14 Jan 12 at 3:52 pm
Andrew,

looks like all Columbia stores safe. List here: http://d1pmybhtyfsbgv.cloudfront.net/Assets/Docs/corporate/Delhaize_America_Store_Closings.v-2-1-2948-0.pdf

Sorry no clicky, c&p.

Larry

16 Jan 12 at 11:11 am
Oh, site automatically makes link, cool.

Larry

16 Jan 12 at 11:12 am
Del, I remember D's recaps, but thought the store was where Bojangles is now. That BP wasn't there, but I don't remember what was. That stretch of road has changed so much since the early eighties that I have a hard time placing stuff any more.

tonkatoy

17 Jan 12 at 8:08 am
Where's Bojangles is now, used to be about where the big screen from the Drive-In sat pretty much. Dee's was across the street about the same place as Applebee's, but I dont remember what sat next to it if anything before the BP Station came along.

Del

17 Jan 12 at 9:24 am
You mean the convenience store beside the Applebee's? I know it started out as an Amoco, and I'm thinking it might have started about the same time as the Applebee's.

badger

17 Jan 12 at 10:02 am
Del, what was there before Bojangles? I'm thinking something kinda service sation-y, but like I said, memory is prtty hazy from Devine-->Wildcat.

Badger, that *sounds* right, but I can't recall what was there before that.

tonkatoy

17 Jan 12 at 10:57 am
There used to be til recent times a GoodYear service building that's still there, but that was to the side of the Drive-In. Where Bojangles is now, was all trees and the Drive In screen sat almost in the same place but to the left of the building. There was nothing else there til they cleared the land off and built the Family Mart back in 1981. There used to be an Exxon across the road where Pay Less Shoes/Churches Chick is now back in the 80's too.

Del

17 Jan 12 at 1:00 pm
The Z-Pizza location in Lexington by Walmart is Closed

earl

17 Jan 12 at 2:10 pm
Del, tonkatoy, badger -- where Applebee's and the BP (formerly Amoco) are now there used to be a big boring building that housed Central Advertising, a screen printing company that competed with Velvetex on SHop Road. There may have been some other businesses in that building also.

Dennis

17 Jan 12 at 3:42 pm
IF that building was there..where was Dee's? I though it sat in that same location?

Del

18 Jan 12 at 12:10 am
Del -- Dee's might have been there too. Right on the corner. It was painted orange, right? There was also a Dee's at the southwest corner of Taylor & Bull streets. It's now Enterprise rent-a-car.

Dennis

18 Jan 12 at 6:13 am
A little history of Dee's Recaps can be read here
http://geraldstires.net/our-story

The chain started in Charleston.

Dennis

18 Jan 12 at 6:16 am
Hi Dennis and thanks.. I thought it was there. I think it sat closest to the corner if I remember and now that I think about it, there was another building next to it of somekind, but back then, no one really paid attention to things since we didnt think anyone would tear these buildings down at that time.

Del

18 Jan 12 at 9:24 am
I realize that this is not really the place for this, but I just wanted to remind everyone to contact their Senators and Representative about SOPA/PIPA.

Larry

18 Jan 12 at 6:41 pm
jonothan, went by there yesterday afternoon and this morning and it looks like you were right about the ME at Assembly and Elmwood. It was lights out this morning.

tonkatoy

19 Jan 12 at 7:39 am
http://www.wistv.com/story/16558825/historic-hotspot-actually-underneath-main-street

You may be interested in this!

Alicia

19 Jan 12 at 9:15 pm
Big T's on Garner's Ferry suffered a fire yesterday...

Alicia

19 Jan 12 at 9:16 pm
Anyone remember Herbs Grill? Was at the corner of St Andrews and Broad River...Closed down sometime in the early 80's i do believe...

Arthur

19 Jan 12 at 9:47 pm
I noticed last night that Sew N Sew at 9557 Two Notch Rd (across from Sesqui park) is closed. They are just about completely cleaned out too. I took my sewing classes here about two years ago. The ladies here gave all kinds of sewing lessons.

Miz T

20 Jan 12 at 10:35 am
Have enjoyed reading these posts. One of the best restaurants not mentioned was La Petite Chateau on Devine St. in the late ’60s- and ’70s. Incredible food and great wine list! I actually worked at the Lion’s Head in 5 Five Points as a student and knew the folk’s that owned and worked at the “Chateau” as well as King Arthur’s and Griffs. Also, frequented the Opus, Opus II, and Don’s. Anyone remember the 1971 campus riots?

Dick

20 Jan 12 at 4:37 pm
@Dick -- You need to look here.

ted

20 Jan 12 at 6:15 pm
Does anyone recall the Laurel Hill Theatre Restaurant in Columbia? I have found a single sheet program flyer autographed to my father by David Rubinoff. The program front is a bio of Rubinoff, the back appears to be a brief luncheon menu. No address. I found this tucked away in one of my father's Rotary books. I've read that Rubinoff performed for civic organizations and schools during the 1960's and am guessing this dates back to around the early to mid '60s.

CBM

22 Jan 12 at 7:24 am
@CBM, I think that was attached to maotel that stood where the Strom Thurmond federal building on Assembly Street now stands, but I may be wrong.

Tom

22 Jan 12 at 10:23 am
Since you have closings for other areas than Columbia, I wanted to let you know about La Constena at 2470 Main St. in Elgin. They closed down a couple of months ago, which is quite sad. We frequented the place quite often and the workers knew my youngest daughter ever since she was a baby and called her by name. They had a mural of the history of Elgin painted on the side of the building. It is now a fruit and veggie stand.

Miz T

23 Jan 12 at 11:44 am
Anybody know what's going into roly poly sandwiches old location lot of interior construction going on in there

Mike D

23 Jan 12 at 6:15 pm
I recall Roly Poly Sandwiches having a spot at Harbison Center (275 Harbison Blvd.) but I am not sure where they were exactly or if anyone's there now...

Andrew

23 Jan 12 at 8:36 pm
The Palmetto Club is expanding into that building that Roly Poly was in.

David

23 Jan 12 at 9:20 pm
David, pardon my ignorance but I am not sure I can picture a Palmetto Club at 275 Harbison Blvd.* Supposedly they had a downtown location as well at one point but my memory is hazy as to the details

* my recollection is that they had a 275 Harbison Blvd. location and I fell out of the loop to the fact that it didn't exist anymore. I am not one to visit sandwich places very often

Andrew

23 Jan 12 at 9:36 pm
Andrew, I believe that Mike D was asking about Roly Poly's downtown location on the corner of Lady St. and Sumter.

David

24 Jan 12 at 8:50 am
Anybody got the scoop on what happened to the Ryan's in Cayce/West Columbia?

Mr. Bill

26 Jan 12 at 1:37 pm
Corporate downsizing as part of Chapter 11. The State had an item the other day, and some more information is here.

I'll do a closing on it eventually after I get out there and get some pix.

ted

26 Jan 12 at 1:54 pm
I hate vacant buildings that fall into disrepair as much as anyone else but I can't say I am surprised about Ryan's going the route of bankruptcy. It's been approximately 3 years since I last set foot in a Ryan's but the last few times I've been, ti seems like the food was ok and had no real taste to it. As has been noted on the site, Quincy's (and to a lesser extent Shoney's) aren't what they used to be and I have had a feeling for many months now that Ryan's, if they aren't careful, would fall into the same trap due what I mentioned earlier about the food quality there.

Andrew

26 Jan 12 at 3:22 pm
Dam Bar & Grill
1605 S Lake Dr
Lexington, SC
On the Lexington side of the Dam is closed.

O'Reilly

27 Jan 12 at 8:48 am
The Dam Bar & Grill near Lexington has posted a closed sign out front. I was suspicious because the last week or two the parking lot was rather empty. This place did a huge business especially on the weekend. I can only speculate as to the reason but it must have been something sudden.

John R

28 Jan 12 at 3:39 pm
There could be many reasons why a bar/restaurant may fail. Usually it's overhead. A place can be packed every night, but if the costing isn't right, they won't make it. Bars are usually a high volume, low profit industry. Busy does not always equate to success.
There are other reasons of course, like divorce, death, etc. My understanding is the man who developed that property also owned other property around there. I believe he may also own the gas station right next to it.

Jeff B.

29 Jan 12 at 12:53 pm
Hi-Lites in Parkland Plaza is closing.

tonkatoy

31 Jan 12 at 11:02 am
tonkatoy, you beat me to it! I was getting ready to mention it...I recall them having a location at Seven Oaks Shopping Center (6169 St. Andrews Road) back in the 90s...

Andrew

31 Jan 12 at 11:20 am
Anyone know about the Miller's Ltd at Cinnamon Hill closing? It looked like they said they were closing on their sign when I passed by there the other day.

MB

31 Jan 12 at 11:29 am
Not positive, but I ride by Cafe Millwood umpteen times a day and haven't seen them open in several+ days...

chiefa

31 Jan 12 at 2:29 pm
Yeah, they're gone. That will probably be tonight's post.

ted

31 Jan 12 at 2:38 pm
The Exxon station mentioned above on Garners Ferry where Payless and Church's are currently located was Frank Cone's Exxon. I know it was still operating in 1991. One of his eimployees was a smallish chap appropriately referred to as "Shorty." Have no idea what his real name was. Looked like a combination of Wishbone from "Rawhide" and Ernest T. Bass.

badger

31 Jan 12 at 3:24 pm
Wishbone AND Ernest T. Bass... Now THAT'S scary!! I have some cousins in Georgia that make these people look like city folks.. and THAT'S even scarier.. YIKES!

Del

31 Jan 12 at 10:19 pm
They had a military Dodge Power Wagon parked at that Exxon for a loooong time in the eighties.

tonkatoy

1 Feb 12 at 8:04 am
You might want to check oh Thai Lotus in Lexington, same shopping center as Publix on 378. I drove by there today and the windows and doors were covered in paper and there appeared to be a note on the door.

Elisabeth

5 Feb 12 at 8:09 pm
Anyone remember The Cayce Lunch? It was at the NW corner of State Street and Frink Street. Across Frink St. was a brick two-story building that had a recessed area with gas pumps under the corner. This was back when Cayce had it's own distinct downtown on State Street, and when Frink St. (aka, the "old Charleston Highway") was the main route to get from Columbia to Charleston.

I vaguely remember The Cayce Lunch, because my folks owned it in the mid-'50s. Despite the name, they were open for all three meals. I couldn't tell you the menu, but probably nothing fancy. It catered to a working-class clientele, including many who worked at the train switching and repair yards half a block away.

I remember running around the place as a small kid, bumming change to go in the jukebox (I had no idea what I was playing, but I loved punching the buttons and watching the lights and movement of records above me). Also loved the penny bubble gum machine.

My folks closed it after a few years -- perhaps around 1956-57 -- when they found the demands of running a three-meals-a-day restaurant too much to handle, given my father's full-time day job in Columbia and my mother's full-time day job having and raising kids. I was too young to remember the details, and my mama is too old and frail to remember much of anything.

After they closed it, some of the restaurant fixtures (and, to my delight, the bubble gum machine) found use in our tiny house in Broadacres; the rest gathered dust in an old barn on my grandma's farm near Swansea. Some other restaurants occupied that location after they closed the Cayce Lunch. Don't know what's there now.

Anyone remember the place in the mid-1950s?

Sid

6 Feb 12 at 9:48 am
Motes Store on Frink St. in Cayce during the 1950s and 60s?

As you went out Frink Street from State St, you passed the casket company on your right. Then there was a street that crossed the single railroad track to your right and connected to Holland Ave. Just across that street still on the right of Frink, there used to be an old store called Motes. I remember it as a small dingy white cement-block building sandwiched on a too-small lot between Frink St. and the railroad track. They had a sign on a pole out at the corner, that said "Motes" and advertised some brand of beer. Also had a pay phone booth (remember those?) in the small parking lot.

The main thing I remember about Motes was that they sold vacuum tubes for your TV or radio and had a tube tester in there. They also sold beer, bread, milk, eggs, the staples that you might want in the neighborhood, rather than driving all the way to the grocery store.

When our TV malfunctioned (which was often in those days of yore), the old man would remove the cover from the back (pretending he knew what he was doing), yank out all the tubes, and take them and some of us to Motes. He'd plug the tubes, one at a time, into the tube tester, which would tell him if any were bad. He'd buy a replacement (and often a 6-pack of Schlitz or Pabst) and go home to plug the tubes in so we could watch the grainy 1950s signal put out by the three local TV stations.

Anyone remember Motes store?

Sid

6 Feb 12 at 10:06 am
Sid, before my time, but Ted's covered the buildings, I believe.

Cayce Lunch: http://columbiaclosings.com/wordpress/?p=3793

Motes: http://columbiaclosings.com/wordpress/?p=3876#comments

You might be able to shed some light in some other buildings in the Cayce, Frink, Knox Abbott, State St sections.

tonkatoy

6 Feb 12 at 10:33 am
tonkatoy, your second link (Motes: http://columbiaclosings.com/wordpress/?p=3876#comments) is, indeed, the building that housed Motes. Thanks for finding the link.

I added some remembrances at the bottom.

I do remember a LOT about those parts of Cayce in those days; will try to add notes as I run across listings.

Sid

6 Feb 12 at 12:04 pm
Does anyone know or remember WHO Stanley The Clown was?? Someone years ago told me he was still living here in Columbia (The guy that WAS Stanley that is). I know Channel 25 had Abusie? Ya-Ya, and WIS had Jolly Jim and Mr. Knowzit and others, but dont remember much about "Stanley". Anyone know??

Del

6 Feb 12 at 12:09 pm
tonkatoy, your first link (Cayce Lunch: http://columbiaclosings.com/wordpress/?p=3793) was the Cayce Lunch. I added some misc stuff about it and the neighborhood on that page.

Sid

6 Feb 12 at 12:51 pm
Del, the main thing I remember about Stanley was his last name was "and The Stooges." (nyuk, nyuk)

Nevermind that I loved the Three Stooges; what All-American boy of that era didn't? Stanley was our refuge after Mr. Knowzit replaced The Cactus Quave show on WIS-TV.

While I don't know who played Stanley the clown, one year after the Cayce Christmas parade. We were in the parking of Parkland Shopping Center, outside the Colonial Store. Stanley got off his float and walked past. Since, next to Santa, Stanley was the biggest celebrity in the parade, I asked for the autograph. He signed "Stanley" on my Cub Scout neckerchief. And, hey, I got to talk to a real clown, a treat for a kid that age.

Sid

6 Feb 12 at 12:57 pm
How the heck did Harbison get the way it is? Why did they build just about everything on a single road? And WHY oh WHY do people stop in the middle of the intersections on Harbison when there are signs clearly posted that do not stop in intersection? Are Columbia drivers that stupid?

Dustin

6 Feb 12 at 11:47 pm
While I wasn't around yet, from what I've read, when Harbison was built, the idea was to create a variety of outlets along the lines of parks and other trails in addition to some commercial development...but then the developer went bankrupt and one by one, the shopping developments made Harbison what it is today...I don't doubt Bower Pkwy has, to some degree, alleviated some of the traffic concerns but my dad felt that Park Terrace Drive needed to have a bridged intersection and I have envisioned one for Harbison Blvd & Saturn Pkwy. believe it or not

Andrew

7 Feb 12 at 1:11 am
Andrew, you mentioned the trails...that entire area is actually pretty pedestrian friendly if you know where the underpasses are...I used to live in a Harbison neighborhood, on the OTHER side of Broad River Road (!) and could get to the Phar Mor shopping center using the trails/underpasses. You can still cross under Harbison via Lowes parking lot, by the Olive Garden, behind Total Wine. It is very elaborate. Easier to get around on foot rather than a vehicle. Dustin, it is not that drivers are that stupid, they just don't care. If it means blocking the intersection, at least the are stil not at the traffic light they were stopped at. I'd love to see ticketing. The Chick-Fil-A intersection is the worst, but at least they are not building new commercial property at that intersection. No, wait...

jonathan

7 Feb 12 at 11:39 am
Once I discovered the tunnels through Harbison, they became a lifesaver on good-weather days, and it sure beats the daylights out of dealing with the traffic. A few years back I had to take my car in for some fairly heavy scheduled service at Columbiana/Love/Whatever They're Calling It This Week Chevrolet over near Harbison, and once I hoofed it up to the Lowe's parking lot it was a simple matter to take the pedestrian paths and tunnels over to Columbiana Center. By lunchtime I'd made it over to Panera Bread; when I got the call on my cell phone that my car was ready to go, I hoofed it back. It was sporty walking back to the Olive Garden, but once at the tunnel there, it was a piece of cake.

Alaska Jill

7 Feb 12 at 3:16 pm
(Further to my last, the tunnels and paths don't extend all the way to Panera Bread. Let's just say a girl will do what she needs to do when she demands panini.)

Alaska Jill

7 Feb 12 at 3:18 pm
It took me a while to realize the tunnels were there but there have been several cases where they've been handy. Like My mom would go shopping in Harbison Court's Hancock Fabrics and I'd go walking to Rush's via those tunnels or even over to Fazoli's. I think they are of good use for Harbison and frankly, now that I think about it, I probably should use them more often when the weather is conducive so I can be out a little more.

As far as the intersections Jonanthan mentions, I do think having a right turn lane from Harbison Blvd. onto Park Terrace will help alleviate the traffic flow a little. I don't think it will solve the probelm completely but the big issue is that we have 2 intersections with a distance of approximately 375 feet between each other that are signalized, Harbison Handles app 37K VPD while Park Terrace and Columbiana Drive easily handle 5-10 VPD each on their own. Combine that with the fact that the signals aren't synchronized and there's a recipe for congestion that simply wasn't thought out. Harbison needs a right turn lane onto Columbiana Drive so it can alleviate some of the traffic flow turning left off Park Terrace Drive towards St. Andrews Rd.

I lack the psychic powers to know the best way to rework the traffic flow based on the space available but this is the best way I can think of.

Andrew

7 Feb 12 at 4:08 pm
The site of Columbiana Mall was orginally intended to be used for a school. The problem with Harbison is that the retail sector grew much bigger and faster than anyone expected it to.

Tom

7 Feb 12 at 4:30 pm
Some closings to list on their own thread:

Coronet Motel w/ Circus Room restaurant. Actually, that was out where US 601 intersects Sumter Hwy., but the restaurant was so good that folks used to drive from Columbia all the way out to Eastover to eat there. Bright Stevenson Jr owned it. His dad owned the Coronet Motel up out North Main St., going toward Blythewood.

Silver Lake - a popular swimming lake out near Dixiana, past the old sand pits , on the right on 176/21 just after it forks off from 321 south. It's mentioned briefly on the Sesqui thread.

The Drug Center - Vesta Paynter's independent/unaffiliated pharmacy on State Street in Cayce, between BC High School and Guignard Park. Mrs. Paynter's advice was good enough that several times, she saved me a trip to the doctor.

Brickel Hardware in Triangle City. Although it was in a small shopping center, it reminded you of an old-timey hardware store. They sold nails by the pound, firearms and ammo, fishing tackle, electrical and plumbing supplies, and most any tool or piece of hardware that was invented before 1960.

Jack Evan's Grocery - was on South Main Street back in the 1950s.

Vella's store - located on Knox Abbott Dr. in Cayce on the same corner that Vella's Deli was built.

Others here can probably add detail to these. I probably can, too.

Sid

7 Feb 12 at 5:22 pm
The Coronet/Circus Room has been talked about a little bit in the comments, but I've never done a full post on it.

There's a little (with a very bad picture) here and above.

Actually both Coronet Motels are still in business. The one on 601 now has another name (and no restaurant), but the one on North Main is still The Coronet (though it was rebuilt extensively some years ago after a fire).

ted

7 Feb 12 at 5:49 pm
Another area that's gone downhill is Bush River/Broad River Rd. and Dutch Square. Harbison will always be busy due to the highway and it's easy to get to. It's just a matter of time before Walmart on Bush River gets really bad with trouble makers..Harbison is startin' to attract that crowd too.

Del

7 Feb 12 at 10:44 pm
Walmart #4379 breathed new life into Bush River Road when it opened on May 9, 2007 at 1326 Bush River Road but the optimism that there was that it'd breathe new life into the remainder of Bush River Road hasn't panned out like people had hoped...case in point:

At least 12 stores* have left Dutch Square in the years that have elapsed. It occurred to me tonight that Dutch Square is lucky that JB White decided not to close their Dutch Square location when they opened at Columbiana Centre in 1996.

* based on a 2008 download of Dutch Square's site plan vs. what's there now, here is what Dutch Square has lost: Maxway, Dollar Tree, Charlie's, Burger Time, Piccadilly, A Slice of Itlay, D'Avinos, Gaby's Pizza, Chick-Fil-A, Kidz Fashion, Dress Barn, Natural Remedies, Radio Shack and GameStop. A+ Fashions has come into the mix in that time though. Stuft-Stuff (A Taste of Egypt) is due to move into the mall as well but I am not sure where that stands. On paper, it looks like there's still a fair amount of stores left but when you walk Dutch Square, you are one less than 50-75 people that are in the mall itself.

Closer to I-20, the former locations of Circuit City and Key West Grill remain vacant longer than I thought they would. Waffle House has closed on Bush River Road as well.

Remington College did take over the former OfficeMax but Kmart #3168 closed in Nov. 09 (I have visions of it being subdivided somehow).

Andrew

8 Feb 12 at 12:28 am
Dam Bar & Grill update: I did some local inquiries & rumor has it they fell behind on their property tax. Sure enough I found a listing in the Lex' Chronicle for a Judgement of Deficiency. The sale will be finalized on Mar. 8th. I still find it hard to believe that a venue with such a booming business couldn't pay it's taxes even though it was in 5 figures. Is this a sign of things to come?

John R

11 Feb 12 at 3:39 pm
My wife tells me that Pasta Fresca on Forest Drive (near intersection of Beltline and Forest) will be relocating but I am not sure where...anyone know anything about this? Great restaurant and may still be owned by a high school classmate of mine.

Chris

20 Feb 12 at 10:34 am
@chris -- See see this link to San Jose on Forest Drive.

ted

20 Feb 12 at 10:37 am
Dr. Books Five points Book Shop on Santee is closing - they will be dearly missed

rose

21 Feb 12 at 2:50 pm
@Ted - I mentioned this on the Steak & Ale article as well, but United Auto Sales has moved from their old location on Forest Drive. Their building have been torn down and new construction has started. I think this is the best bet as to the new location for Cookout. I thought they might build on the old Circle K across from 5 Guys but nothing is being done there.

Matt

22 Feb 12 at 10:30 am
Can you put a like button on this website please.

Javier

23 Feb 12 at 9:41 am
There is an article in today's State newspaper that a new restaurant is moving into the old S&S space at Richland mall. Hopefully it makes it.

http://www.thestate.com/2012/02/23/2164247/richland-mall-lands-new-cafeteria.html

Matt

23 Feb 12 at 10:15 am
Whatever moves in there..I just HOPE it isnt some "specialty" place that's either Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese or some other odd place. I hope it's something like Morrison's.

Del

23 Feb 12 at 10:31 am
It's going to ge a new American style caferteria run by the Tronco family and named after Sadie Tronco. It is expected to open in May. They are also rehiring a number of the old S&S employees.

Thoms

23 Feb 12 at 11:47 am
The Chick-fil-a downtown on Main street is closing. Well today is their last day.

Alkesh

24 Feb 12 at 11:34 am
http://searsmedia.com/tools/02232012_close.html

The Kmart on Fort Jackson Blvd is closing. I knew it.

Joe

24 Feb 12 at 3:36 pm
Rose, Re: 5 Points Book Shop

That is sad news. One of my favorite book stores in Columbia. I'm sorry to see them go.

BC

24 Feb 12 at 8:51 pm
Pardon me if this is a repost, but i noticed there is a "Menchie's" frozen yogurt that has a sign at 5580 Sunset Blvd. Suite B, in Lexington. This has previously been a Quiznos, and a Z's Pizza. We are saturated with frozen yogurt places here in 29072, so I imagine this will be short-lived.

Beth

26 Feb 12 at 9:42 am
Is the Exxon Market Express gas station on Assembly St closed? the GasBuddy Master Station list says this station may be closed, no prices are reported, and it no longer shows up on the Exxon locator.

Joey

26 Feb 12 at 1:36 pm
Does anyone remember Redd Garvin,s Gulf station at the corner of State Street and Knox Abbott Drive.

melton

26 Feb 12 at 1:39 pm
I remember a small Phillips 66 Gas Station on State Street back from the early to mid 60's or there of..but dont remember a Gulf Station.

Del

26 Feb 12 at 10:15 pm
What's interesting about the frozen yogurt place Beth mentioned is that there's a frozen yogurt place called Youghut slated to open up at Harbison Court in a former Quizno's that is progressing very slowly...and it's been mentioned elsewhere that Quizno's isn't in the greatest shape financially. There was a point that if you were to open up the site plans for both Harbison Court and Springdale Plaza in Camden that the Quizno's locations in both of those places would show up as 'dark'.

I am having trouble placing the Exxon Express station that Joey mentioned. I have traveled down Assembly street mentally and simply can't picture where it'd be.

Andrew

26 Feb 12 at 10:21 pm
Andrew, it is at the intersection of Assembly and Elmwood.

tonkatoy

27 Feb 12 at 7:34 am
Anyone know what's going on at the corner of Rosewood and Thornwell? (Across the side street from Hardee's.) SCE&G just bought it and three or so little houses or duplexes just got bulldozed and they are leveling the combined lots. Wonder what is about to be built there. Hope it's not just another eyesore sub-station.

Dennis

27 Feb 12 at 11:21 am
According to someone I work with whose husband works for SCE&G, that is exactly what it is going to be.

David

28 Feb 12 at 8:51 am
Some great old pics of Columbia here: http://library.sc.edu/digital/collections/hensel.html

tonkatoy

1 Mar 12 at 11:50 am
The Compuzone on Two Notch has closed and will be becoming a "Batteries Plus."

badger

1 Mar 12 at 3:56 pm
I was in the Sears at Columbia Mall a couple of weeks ago to look for a part for my refridgerator and noticed that they have severely reduced the size of the store. I'm not sure exactly what was moved, but I think the electronics and appliances have been moved. They are using partitions made out of fabric and pipe (reminds me of the state fair) and while they are about tall, I could see that the unlit space went way beyond it.

There are a lot of obvious places on the carpet and tile where displays used to be. Also, a lot of the appliances weren't on display, but were simply lined up along the wall.

Matt

2 Mar 12 at 4:32 pm
Badger, that is a shame about CompuZone. I had them build a couple of systems for me in the 90s. Such is the decline of the PC market.

Terry

2 Mar 12 at 4:43 pm
Ted, I noticed over the weekend that the buildings in the footprint of the new Whole Foods shopping center are in varying stages of demolition. The Kroger is missing about a third of the front of the building. The outbuilding that was closest to Walgreens is being torn down and the old Goodyear is gone.

Matt

5 Mar 12 at 8:18 am
@Matt, I got some pix of the Goodyear demo here, but not the others.

I'm a little surprised they're using the Kroger building at all. It's pretty old..

ted

5 Mar 12 at 12:32 pm
What happened to the Star Market at the trestle in Eau Claire?

Frank

5 Mar 12 at 4:51 pm
I rounded up some polaroids of The Zume Flume, which the sight creater was searching for photos of. e-mail me for further info.

Darrell Goforth

5 Mar 12 at 11:17 pm
Ted, I found this site this evening.

http://www.esri.com/landsat-imagery/viewer.html

It lets you see a comparison of Landsat satellite images from 1975, 1990, 2000, & 2005. You can query by address or zip.

It is a good way of seeing the build up of the harbison area.

Matt

6 Mar 12 at 12:01 am
Cool!

ted

6 Mar 12 at 12:15 am
I found this.
http://springvalley.patch.com/articles/1-dvds-at-blockbuster-closing-sale#c
Blockbuster on Clemson Rd in the Food Lion plaza, closing soon if it hasn't already.

Joey

6 Mar 12 at 3:22 pm
@Joey, check out my post on the The Crossings Food Lion page

I plan on sharing some pictures once it is officially closed.

Andrew

6 Mar 12 at 4:37 pm
The Lexington Dry Cloeaners on Broad River Road and Kinnerly, next to Food Lion, has closed.

Tom

8 Mar 12 at 5:02 pm
Peace Love & Rocky Roast Closing in the Vista but reopening in West Cola from their facebook page, re new location, Meeting Street at 9th in West Columbia.

They attributed shutting down their Gervais haunt due to sky high vista rents. The good news is they really did a lot of work on the bones of that structure so whoever steps in next in that location will have it a lot easier than they did setting up shop.

Dustin

10 Mar 12 at 8:23 pm
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but what about Shimmy's, a restaurant in downtown Columbia off of one of the side streets between Main and Assembly? My dad took us there often when I was very young. Don't remember much about it, but reading the other post brought it to mind.

Diane

10 Mar 12 at 11:16 pm
Does anyone remember the name of the Italian Restaurant on Bush River Rd that was across from Dutch Square? It was open in the late 70's. It was 2 stories and constructed of weathered wood. The building burned down in the early 80's and never re-opened. For the time, it was a nice place.

Becky

11 Mar 12 at 1:28 pm
"The Cape & Sword"?

ted

11 Mar 12 at 2:59 pm
I think the Italian Restaurant you asked about was called The Station. If memory serves, the interior had decorations that included wagon wheels. Back in the day a group of us would usually go there for lunch on Friday. I recall the lasagna was very good.

John R

12 Mar 12 at 8:19 am
Peace, Love and Rocky Roast on Gervais has closed.

Bud

12 Mar 12 at 2:19 pm
Right down from that Compuzone you posted the other day, at 10171 Two Notch Rd., Suite C, the Sub Station II is no longer in business. Even their phone has been disconnected.

Miz T

12 Mar 12 at 2:42 pm
Shame about Peace, Love, and Rocky Roast, but the Vista can be a hard place. Plus, despite having far superior coffee, it's hard to compete with the deep pockets and inexplicable cult following of Starbucks. I don't know if it is related, but there is a Mountain Mudd coffee kiosk being stored in the PLRR parking lot behind the shop under some tarps. Best wished to the owners and others there. Also, great gelato.

Larry

12 Mar 12 at 4:30 pm
Come back, Del!!!!

tonkatoy

13 Mar 12 at 11:05 am
I'm still here..just under a new name. And yes, I'm still in the 60's scene regardless. Thanks Tonkatoy..at least you and maybe a few others appreciate what I have to say.

Saturday's child

13 Mar 12 at 1:30 pm
Welcome back, Del.

Terry

13 Mar 12 at 3:28 pm
Donka Doo, Donka Shane, Donka Shine , Donkey Kong, Donkey Hodie. Or in our native tounge English..TANKS!

Saturday's child

13 Mar 12 at 3:56 pm
By the way.. do you know what you call cheeze that isnt yours?? NACHO CHEEZE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Saturday's child

13 Mar 12 at 3:58 pm
folks such as Del aka Saturday's Child, tonkatoy and a few others that are clearly older than me (23) have done a fair amount over the time that I've followed this blog have done a fair amount to open my eyes to places and things about Columbia that were before my time.

Andrew

13 Mar 12 at 11:44 pm
Hi Andrew..I'm 30 years older than you, but even at my age, there are some places and things I dont remember that well. I guess it's because no one thought of them being torn down at the time and I never paid that much attention to them. I seem to remember things better from the 60's than the 80's. I guess it's too much in the recent past as opposed to being 40 or more years ago. Does anyone else remember when "Dodds" was downtown on Assembly Street? just behind the Wade Hampton Hotel?

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 8:53 am
Has anyone heard what the fate of the old Ft. Jackson Kmart is going to be? I know it's closing in June, but havent heard of what's taking there place. Anyone?

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 9:05 am
Ooops. Meant to say "THEIR" place..not "THERE".

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 9:05 am
I heard Walmart was looking at it for a Smallmart like they want to put at the baseball stadium.

tonkatoy

14 Mar 12 at 9:51 am
The new Whole Foods-anchored Cross Hill Market could very well play a role but I don't want to be overly optimistic or anything along those lines (people tried to project that vibe when Walmart #4379 took over the former Bush River Mall site but it hasn't transpired the way people have thought it would.

Andrew

14 Mar 12 at 12:14 pm
You cant compare Bush River Rd with Garners Ferry.. BR Walmart and that entire area is a 70's thing..or even an early to mid 80's thing. It died down after the late 80's and trouble followed soon there after. Garners Ferry wasnt much in the 60's through the 80's or 90's even, but now it seems to be the area a lot of people are in now, and it's improved the area somewhat from what it used to be. I think the new Whole Foods will help for sure. Harbison will always be busy and since they're building that new strip Mall across the street from Columbiana, that's going to make it that much more of a pain in the rear to get in and out of.

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 12:23 pm
If you look at the entire Broad River/Bush River Rd area from the late 60's through the mid 80's, you had ALL those places to eat from Service Mds, Taco Cid, McDonalds, Burger King, Arby's and others. Then Dutch Square was a hot spot, you had A&P Grocery, DSM Theater, then there was Kmart and Bush River Mall, and Boardwalk Plaza, Western Sizzlin, Mr. Donut, Thrifty Mart originally that became Foodtown then Food Lion. Afer the late 80's though things changed and it all went downhill to what it is now. The Garners Ferry Rd area though you had the Drive-in, Kmart, McDonalds, A&W Rootbeer Drive-In, Hardees, and Carolina Skating Rink..and Putt Putt and Woodhill Mall.. so it's stayed about the same, but seems to have a renewed interest now.

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 12:31 pm
Oh yeah, on Bush River Rd. there was also the old Texaco Gas Station and the Scottish Inn Motel..there was also another Motel on the same side as Western Sizzlin', but I dont remember the name of it. You also had the "Duke and Dutchess" Restraunt too which was behind the old "E Z" convient store.. See how I show my age? COOL HUH??

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 12:41 pm
Yes, John R.!!! It was The Station. (Never heard of Cape and Sword, Ted) One of our favorite places back then though we were very poor and there wasn't all that much to choose from.... My husband and my first date was at Rigbys near Dutch Square and Service Merchandise. Anyone remember that place?

Becky

14 Mar 12 at 12:41 pm
Wasnt the "Cape and Sword" part of the old "Matador Inn"?

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 12:42 pm
I dont remember Rigys, but I DO remember "Sambo's" before they either changed the name or was bought out by Denny's.

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 12:44 pm
meant to say RIGBYS not RIGYS. OOPS!

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 12:44 pm
you'll have to forgive me for misspelling certain words.. I'm old and have too many "Brain Farts".

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 12:46 pm
I don't know anything about The Cape & Sword other than it was at 322 Bush River Road in 1976. With that name it certainly seems plausible that it was part of a Matador Inn..

ted

14 Mar 12 at 12:56 pm
I'm 99.9% sure it was The Matador's restraunt..just like The Flaming Pit was to Ramada Inn.

Saturday's child

14 Mar 12 at 1:21 pm
Just wanted to let you know guys know that Peace, Love and Rocky Roast only closed their Gervais St location. They're reopening up across the river on State St--the rent was too high.

Dustin

14 Mar 12 at 3:16 pm
After further thought, I seem to recall a time where what is now a Pitt Stop at Bush River & Morninghill (Shell branded gas) was a Texaco back in the 90s but my memory of the details are rather vague. Across the street from said station is now two wireless stores at what was for a long time an ABC Package store that also housed a check cashing operation.

Last November, I went in greater detail as to how Bush River Road's new life has yet to transpire in the nearly 5 years since Walmart #4379 opened the way people had hoped it would. Since I wrote that, Dressbarn has left Dutch Square Center.

I remember Service Merchandise but don't think it had a 'lunch counter' (as indicated earlier by Del aka Saturday's Child) the way Kmart #7616 in Lexington does unless it ceased to exist prior to the early-mid 90s.

Andrew

14 Mar 12 at 3:41 pm
To my memory, neither Sam Solomon nor Service Merchandise had a lunch counter.

ted

14 Mar 12 at 4:34 pm
Sam Solomon/Service Mdse. didnt have anything to do with food, I was just saying that within that area there were quite a few places to eat back then. I do remember Taco Cid, Sambo's, McDonalds, Burger King, some Chinese Restraunt ( I think), then you had Burger Chef in the parking lot of Boozer Shopping Center and Hardees near the car wash too. I'm sure there were other places, but I dont remember off hand.

Saturday's child

15 Mar 12 at 1:03 am
I worked at Service Mdse from 1982 through 1985. It was my first retail job. At the time, stores werent opened on Sundays still.. but that changed within about a year or so after I started there.

Saturday's child

15 Mar 12 at 1:05 am
This is the Chinese restaurant almost across from Sam Solomon/Service Merchandise in Intersection Center.

ted

15 Mar 12 at 1:46 am
Speaking of Boozer Shopping Center, anyone remember the old lunch counter at the back of St. Andrew's Pharmacy? It was a regular meeting place for a group of older gentlemen in the area. I used to get their grilled cheese sandwich with yellow mustard. Yum.

Becky

15 Mar 12 at 9:53 am
Does anyone know what Carolina Pottery on Augusta Road use to be? It looks like an old grocery store or an old K-Mart.

Dustin

15 Mar 12 at 12:44 pm
Dustin, I think was originally a Bruno's Fine Foods in the early 90's, and then a Harris Teeter a couple of years later until they closed down their Columbia stores in 2001.

Dave

15 Mar 12 at 1:49 pm
Dave, you're right it was once a Harris Teeter but I think that one closed in 1995 per some research I did some months ago. Quality Farm & Country took it over but then the whole chain liquidated as the judge in bankruptcy court ordered due to the fact it it was their 3rd attempt at reorganization*.

* the info on their liquidation stems from the fact that I had an aunt living in Kershaw County that worked at a different Quality Farm and Country next to Kmart #4873 in Camden that was also a former Harris Teeter (like the West Columbia Location) but the Camden location is now Big Lots #1874.

Quality Farm & Country's old space in West Columbia is now subdivided between Classic Furniture and Rec Factory Wearhouse.

The side of the West Columbia Building that is now Carolina Pottery was a Lowe's before they built their current West Columbia location across the street. My dad tells me that before Lowe's started out at US#1 and Wattling Road prior to that (following a stint as an antiques store, it's now a building center of some sort).

Andrew

15 Mar 12 at 2:21 pm
I heard that Lowes there in West Columbia outgrew the old place, and so they built the newer one and then moved up the road. I dont remember what was there after the fact though.

Saturday's child

15 Mar 12 at 4:12 pm
Del, if you're talking about the Lowe's that used to be on Wattling Road, all I know for sure is that it had an antiques shop I recall but my details of the shop are rather vague but it's now The Building Center

Andrew

15 Mar 12 at 5:30 pm
The antique shop was pretty cool. It was all consignment booths, a LOT of them. At one time, there were some classic cars for sale in the back warehouse, too. I remember a 70 Road Runner convertible and a yellow TVR 280i convertible.

tonkatoy

16 Mar 12 at 7:04 am
Ted

Antonina's Ristorante and NY Pizzeria 2361 Augusta Rd in Lexington has closed. I thought the pizza was very good

Gary Lemons

17 Mar 12 at 4:49 pm
I went once for my birthday in 2007 and liked it but never made it back b/c of the distance :(

Andrew

17 Mar 12 at 7:24 pm
Has anyone noticed that Rice Music House is closing?? I just saw the signs in the window today. I hope I'm wrong, but if it's true, please post a reply to this. I had my piano recitals there from 1969-1976. I guess the economy has something to do with them closing?

Saturday's child

19 Mar 12 at 7:39 pm
They aren't closing, but are downsizing and moving out to Sandhill. The State had the story a few days back.

I will do a post when they make the move..

ted

19 Mar 12 at 10:04 pm
I read that on WLTX's website just a while ago. I'm afraid though it's gonna kill them out there. Sandhills is a dead area and what's left is dying slowly anyhow. I dont think the rent would be too cheap either. It makes no sence why after 55 years they're moving anyhow. I hope the old building doesnt get torn down.

Saturday's child

19 Mar 12 at 11:19 pm
I wouldn't think folks in the tract housing wasteland of NE Columbia would be interested in pianos, either. that's kind of an old money thing nowadays. Bad move. IMO.

tonkatoy

20 Mar 12 at 6:36 am
I still say it's a big mistake and a Coffin "death nail" for Rice Music House. Like the saying goes: " If it aint broke, DONT FIX IT"... and I'm afraid this going to be the downfall of them. Maybe not, but no one out there in " I'm better than you are and more rich than you'll ever be" snotty attitude land, they wont do the business they think.

Saturday's child

20 Mar 12 at 7:59 am
Does anyone remember the name of the skate board park/area on Decker back in the 70's called? I cant remember it at all.. And where did it sit? Anyone?

Saturday's child

21 Mar 12 at 11:01 pm
The Cosmic Wave?

ted

21 Mar 12 at 11:16 pm
There was another one at hazelwood and Garner's Ferry Road back in the late seventies.

tonkatoy

22 Mar 12 at 6:33 am
I think Cosmic Wave was about where the Grease Monkey car place is..on St. Andrews Rd. But not sure about Decker. I know it was there in 1976-77, but not sure how long after that.

Saturday's child

22 Mar 12 at 8:31 am
How many Taco Cids were there in Columbia at one time? I only remember three, but some friends say there were more.

Tim

22 Mar 12 at 4:12 pm
The Feb 1985 phonebook lists 4:

1931 Broad River Road
1416 Charleston Highway
604 Columbia Avenue (Lexington)
1226 Main Street.

The first three are listed together so perhaps they were all one owner. The fourth (Main) is listed under its own head.

That does not include the one on Decker, which I guess had either already closed or had yet to open. Also, see the matchbook at the Decker link.

ted

22 Mar 12 at 5:09 pm
I know the Taco Cid on Broad River was there in 1971..or it may have been there in 1970 when Sam Solomon's and Dutch Square first opened too.

Saturday's child

22 Mar 12 at 5:59 pm
I sure don't remember one at 1226 Main and I was at the capital Newsstand practically every Friday night at that point of time.

tonkatoy

23 Mar 12 at 7:05 am
The Exxon across from Dreher closed yesterday.

Nobody

25 Mar 12 at 7:03 pm
Branham's Exxon? It appeared to be open as I drove by today..

ted

26 Mar 12 at 12:46 pm
The sign said after 35 years closing March 24th, I think.

Nobody

26 Mar 12 at 1:49 pm
I wonder why they closed? too high priced? I know it couldnt have been because of no traffic, but who knows.

Saturday's child

26 Mar 12 at 2:01 pm
They are not closed...I was by there today. They are closed on Sundays though.

MB

26 Mar 12 at 4:22 pm
I rode past Branham's Exxon today and their sign said "Gas Pumps Open." Maybe they are shutting down their repair shop?

Dennis

26 Mar 12 at 8:01 pm
or maybe they changed their minds. I cant see them closing though after being there for well over 30 somthin' years. It doesnt make sence. But the way things are now, you never know what's gonna close up next.

Saturday's child

26 Mar 12 at 9:03 pm
Re: Branhams. I think the issue is that the real money these days is made from the convenience store (or in their case the repairs). As I understand it, there is almost no profit in the gasoline. That piece of property may be too valuable to keep as a gas station.

Larry

28 Mar 12 at 4:49 pm
Yeah, there was a Taco Cid on Main Street. It was situated near or even adjoining the old Miracle Theater.

badger

29 Mar 12 at 12:25 pm
Actually it was in the Miracle Theater building--after the theater closed they set up shop in the lobby. I don't know what they did with the theater itself.

Mike

29 Mar 12 at 9:04 pm
Was there ever a TG&Y store here in Columbia? I know there was one in Winnsboro in the 70's, but never remember seeing one here in town. What became of Roses Dime Stores too?

Saturday's child

30 Mar 12 at 12:38 am
And you DO know what TG&Y stands for dont you? Toys, Girls and Yo-Yo's. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Saturday's child

30 Mar 12 at 12:38 am
The Vista Grill on the corner of Assembly and Lady has closed. This was a restaurant in the early '90s, I believe called Eddie's.

Midnight Rambler

30 Mar 12 at 6:46 am
Citi Trends at Edens Plaza, 4121 Beltline, and the two storefronts to the south of it, was a TG&Y.

We always said it stood for Turtles, Girdles & Yo Yos.

That bunch of stores was also a Woolco (I think), a W.T. Grants and and originally a bowling alley.

Dennis

30 Mar 12 at 8:10 am
An article in The State confirms that the Kroger on St Andrews is closing.

It also mentions a new development in the old tire store @ 1801 Gervais St that includes If It's Paper (tonkatoy has already mentioned this).
Smartphone Medic is currently based inside a bed store in 5 Pts, so nothing is actually closing there.

http://www.thestate.com/2012/03/30/2213401/retail-center-to-open-in-vista.html

Matt

30 Mar 12 at 9:20 am
Re: Kroger. Wow, I really thought that store was older than 1994. Admittedly, I did not go to that are much prior to 1993, but that store looked old in 1995 when I moved to that area. Seems like this place has been hanging in at a dying area for a long time though. It seems so weird to me that the St. Andrews exit and the Piney Grove exit are so poorly developed and run down.

Larry

30 Mar 12 at 10:16 am
Speaking of funny names, remember Dairy Queen's "Brazier" Burger?? There was I guy I used to know that didnt know how it was pronounced, so he went into one of the DQ's here in town and he ordered a "BRA-ZIRE" Burger! ISNT THAT FUNNY!!!

Saturday's child

30 Mar 12 at 11:29 am
http://www.afullcup.com/forums/kroger/598517-columbia-sc-kroger-closing.html

Kroger on St Andrews Rd closing April 27, 2012.

Joey

30 Mar 12 at 7:36 pm
Leapin lizards at 1555 Sunnyside Drive Columbia, SC 29204 and their website: http://www.leapinlizardsonline.com/ have closed down.

JohnBom

31 Mar 12 at 5:51 am
@JohnBom I noticed they had closed but was trying to remember their name...

Andrew

31 Mar 12 at 12:28 pm
Apparently Branham's didn't change their mind. The station is open for gas only and it's being run by the Exxon jobber Killian Oil Co. in Charlotte.

Mike

1 Apr 12 at 7:32 pm
Keep an eye on Wild Wings in Sandhills. First they got rid of the bands Wed-Sat. Now almost every time I go in there, they are out of this or that. Also, last night (Sunday April 1st) they were closing at 9:00pm. The crowd has dwindled down big time since I started going there back in 2008. I remember not being able to walk around the bar area at all. Now, on any night of the week, I can walk in and sit right down at the bar. This is just a hunch that I have about this place. There is no official or unofficial word about it closing in the future. It's just my observation. But don't be surprised if they close up before the end of this year. Rent in Sandhills is EXTREMELY high.

Sidney

2 Apr 12 at 2:01 pm
I saw the sign on Branham's today, but I thought it said Keenan's Oil Company. And I think Eddie's was next door to where the Vista Grill was, but both places I'd only been to once.

Nobody

2 Apr 12 at 3:28 pm
Speaking of high rent at Sandhills..I really think that Rice Music House is going to be one of those "used to be" stores in Columbia. The move is gonna kill them.. they must have a "death wish" to be doing so regardless of what their reason is. Plus the BIG SIGN outside says "CLOSING SALE"...not "WE'RE MOVING SALE"..So a lot of people are gonna think that this is it, and once it's gone, it's gone. There no indication of them moving on the sign from what I can tell..but it's hard to read it when you're driving by without running off the road or a head on collision.

Saturday's child

2 Apr 12 at 6:38 pm
@Nobody--You're right. Bad memory with "fill-in-the-blank":

_________ Oil Company.

Mike

2 Apr 12 at 8:34 pm
@SC, yeah it is odd. I got a huge semi-poster-sized sale announcement from them in the mail and it was all about closing, not moving. But that State article was definitely about a move..

ted

2 Apr 12 at 10:27 pm
I have limited knowledge when it comes to pianos but it makes no sense me why they have signage for a closing sale when they're actually moving. This is the exact opposite of the recently closed Blockbuster at The Crossings (2110 Clemson Road) when the signage was for a moving sale when the location is closing, meaning that Northeast Richland no longer has a Blockbuster retail location (they'd have to drive to Rosewood for that).

Andrew

2 Apr 12 at 10:55 pm
I still say that this "move" will be the end of and for Rice Music House. I had ALL my Piano recitals there in the upper room to the side from 1969 through 1976..CLASSICAL is what I used to play on those HUMONGUS Steinway concert Grands. I still type on the keyboard really hard too from all those years of pounding those piano keys for 9 years straight.

Saturday's child

2 Apr 12 at 11:07 pm
Re: Rice Music House... As long as they have been in business, I would guess they know what they are getting into if they move to Sand Hills. Yes the rents out there are crazy high (mainly because of high nets on top of the base rent), but I would think of Rice as a midsize anchor that would get better treatment than a lot of businesses. Rice could be seen as a traffic generator for the center and be getting a good deal. After all, Pianos are investments so people will seek out a good store, and then they may get good traffic from people taking lessons - bonus is Mom stays and shops while kids are at lesson.

Larry

3 Apr 12 at 10:57 am
Only time will tell...just have to wait and see.

Saturday's child

3 Apr 12 at 1:28 pm
725 Saluda Ave, Creative Kids Toy Shop in 5 pts had a a big closing sale sign yesterday. Could just have been a sales ploy though that block is becoming a haven for women's dress shops with Petal (a boutique from charlotte having just moved in too one of the largest spots on the block to add to the Dress Street cred). If it does close I can see another dress shop coming here in a heartbeat.

Mike D

4 Apr 12 at 6:01 am
Does anyone remember a pool hall/bar that was on the cornet of Broad River Rd. and St. Andrews Rd. I think the name of it was Herb's. I remember they had some of the best fried chicken and the coldest beer in town. If anyone has any remembrances or pictures of this place, I'd love for them to be shared on here.

Homer

6 Apr 12 at 9:59 pm
Herb's Grill is the place that was on the corner of Broad River Rd. & St. Andrews. It was famous for their chicken.

Shirley T

8 Apr 12 at 4:39 pm
Does anyone remember Tapp's murals with the Native Americans in them? I would love to have pictures of all the murals.

Shirley T

8 Apr 12 at 4:40 pm
I noticed that the barbecue place in the basement of 2910 Rosewood has shut down already, and there is a sign announcing what's coming next. This place had a pretty good run as the Cock n Bull, but since they left nothing can stay open down there more than a few months.

This building was about a month away from being condemned in 2006 and was auctioned off. I think it's a husband/wife team who own it and are involved in most of the businesses in it.

Anyone else remember in the 80s when it was Billy Chapman's guitar repair workshop?

Dennis

9 Apr 12 at 8:19 pm
Rease's.

That's the name of the bbq place I mentioned above.

Dennis

9 Apr 12 at 8:34 pm
@Shirley T from 8 Apr 12 at 4:39 pm
Thanks Shirley. I thought that was the name of the place!!

@Arthur from 19 Jan 12 at 9:47 pm
I was just thinking about Herb's the other night (after eating a good old Edna's hamburger). I would love to see a post on here is anyone has any information or pictures of the old place. We used to go by there every Monday night after bowling at the defunct Brunswick Lanes to chow down on the fried chicken and ice cold beer!! If I remember correctly they had some pretty dang good burgers too!

Homer

9 Apr 12 at 9:51 pm
I didn't catch the expected closing date, but Goodwood on Forest Drive is closing after 32 years.

badger

15 Apr 12 at 1:25 pm
What became of Billy Chapman anyhow? I havent seen him in years?

Saturday's child

15 Apr 12 at 4:39 pm
http://irmo.patch.com/articles/harbison-area-office-depot-to-close-in-june

Office Depot on 252 Harbison Blvd closing June 16

Joey

19 Apr 12 at 2:28 pm
Also, Creative Kids Toy Shop on Saluda Ave in the Five Points area closing at the end of this month.

Joey

19 Apr 12 at 2:34 pm
The BP station on Devine street across from Ruby Tuesday's and beside Applebee's appears to have closed.

badger

19 Apr 12 at 7:29 pm
The interesting thing about the Harbison Court Office Depot closing is that it was a former OfficeMax but became Office Depot in late 2006/early 2007. A part of me wouldn't mind seeing it become and OfficeMax again but the biggest thing is that DDR has another tall task to fill after landing Off Broadway Shoes in the former Rugged Wearhouse and Anna's Linens in the former LifeWay. Youghut is supposed to be opening up in the former Quizno's but that work seems to be progressing very slowly. They've also managed to get Chipolte in teh former Alltell building as well so I can only wonder who will wind up with the former Office Depot space.

Andrew

20 Apr 12 at 2:09 pm
I moved to Columbia in 1992 to go to USC. Anybody from that era remember Orlando's? It was in that odd little shopping area across from the Horseshoe, below a used record store. Great place but very small w/seating capacity of about 15. The best part was Mr. Orlando who I believe was Jamican and made awesome grinders!

Andy

20 Apr 12 at 8:28 pm
The State Newspaper is reporting that the Palmetto Candy store in the Vista has closed.

http://www.thestate.com/2012/04/21/2243521/palmetto-candy-a-vista-institution.html

It would be a real shame if this is permanent.

Larry

21 Apr 12 at 2:11 pm
@Larry - I saw that in the paper as well! Palmetto Candy and Tobacco has been an institution in Columbia for nearly 100 years. This is a Columbia icon that needs to be preserved! Lord knows, if I had a way to purchase it, I would! We are losing too many 'landmarks' in Columbia! I agree that it would be a shame if the closing were permanent, but I always get nervous when there is a sign that says 'Closed for renovation'. Seems like that usually marks the death of another business in Columbia.

Homer

22 Apr 12 at 2:26 am
La Bag Lady appears to be closed in Trenholm Plaza. Sold the Vera Bradley type of bags so popular today - they were there for many years. Sorry to see them leave as the window was always a burst of stunning color in the various Vera Bradley fabrics.

mamarose

23 Apr 12 at 9:07 am
Does anyone/any body know WHY the Bp Station on Garners Ferry across from Ruby Tuesday closed? They were there just last week when I got gas for my car, but when I rode by this past Saturday, they were gone..Even the gas pumps were gone, and now today, the gas tanks are being dug up. Anyone know what's up? or what's going there?

Saturday's child

23 Apr 12 at 2:12 pm
@ Andy, I remember Orlando's very well!! Killer grinders as mentioned, but the parking @ that store was horrible. I think Lizard Thicket (at the time) owned the lot to the left. I worked/was a student at USC, so we just walked everywhere. I remember his wife(?) was very ditzy, and would hardly ever the get the orders correct. I have heard rumors that the majority of the $ actually came through the back door. But those are just rumors. Great sandwiches. Was indeed downstairs from the albino that ran the record store, but he was also on Santee, where Get Your Gear On/G. Leon's was located. Interesting fellow...

Jonathan

23 Apr 12 at 2:22 pm
Does anyone know if Dunk is still in Columbia, still cutting hair?

He had a place, I'm pretty sure it was on Devine, but maybe Millwood or Blossom? It's been 20 years since I left ol' CAE, so cut me some memory slack. I lived in Lexington County, and all's I remember is when I'd leave the shop, there'd usually be a stop at Yesterdays or Goatfeathers before going home, so he was close to Five Points.

Had a sign out front what said "Dunk's." One of the worst things about leaving Columbia was losing the best barber I've ever had.

Richard

24 Apr 12 at 1:06 am
Richard, do you mean Tink? There was a Tink Mayfield (I think that was the name) a loooong time ago on Devine, up the street from 5 Points.

tonkatoy

24 Apr 12 at 6:29 am
@tonkatoy nope. Definitely "Dunk." It was how I was introduced, and I never probed, but as I've aged, I can only assume it was short for Duncan? I don't know. Or perhaps a reputation at a pool or pond... But it's 100% Dunk. Too many years, too many times in the chair to forget the name, and we had a mutual friend (sadly passed back in the 80's), so I got his name right, even if I'm not sure what street. I think I found the location on Google maps, but it looks to be new buildings. If he owned the land he was set to make a better than decent retirement bundle on that real estate.

Richard

24 Apr 12 at 6:47 am
The Mayfield's you're talkin' about on Devine..was that Mr. Mayfield's Men's Salon? If so, I remember it sort of..that would have been in '68 or 69. Some of the people workin' for him left, and opened Kings Row in 5 Points in the early 70's and they're still there. It still run by Ed Barnes and Carl or Karl, but dont remember his last name. Harvey Gauze left there and opend "Village Squire" in the Clusters of Whitehall, and then a guy named Ron that used to work at Kings Row eventually opened his own place called "Ron's" on Devine, then moved again to Millwood. That's if we're talkin' about the same thing...

Saturday's child

24 Apr 12 at 10:10 am
Probably. Seems like it was a corner slot. They had Oui magazine, which made quite an impression on a ten year old!

Didn't realize there was a Mayfield's/Kings Row connection. I think my dad used to get haircuts at Kings Row back in the day.

tonkatoy

24 Apr 12 at 11:46 am
I can't be the only one who remembers this.

In my too-young-to-drive years growing up in Forest Acres we covered a lot of territory on our bikes. In the mid 60s around 3700 Beverly Drive, on the south side of the street, there was an old beat up WWII airplane sitting in a vacant lot almost completely hidden by tall weeds. It was a Dauntless or Helldiver or something similar. You could climb up and sit in the cockpit. Why was it there and where did it go ??? Anyone?

Dennis

24 Apr 12 at 2:42 pm
I used to get my hair cut at Mayfields AND Kings Row before switching over to Village Squire.. My Dad used to get his hair cut and still does at Kings Row..since 1973. I remember seeing hairspray for men at Mayfields and Sebring Shampoo..so it must have been in '68 or early '69 before Jay Sebring and others were killed by the Manson Family.

Saturday's child

24 Apr 12 at 10:15 pm
Dennis, I find this very interesting, since I grew up at 3820 Beverly Drive and cannot recall hearing about this. I remember asking my father about the cement block entry way on the lot, and was told a subdivision was planned and never came to fruition. We ventured on the property once, but only as far as the cement gateway. This was before the first house was built, so it must have been before 1968/69.

CJBM

25 Apr 12 at 10:17 am
Question... The Bike shop that used to be on Beltline or Belt Line sort of on the corner of Garners Ferry and Belt Line from the 60's through the mid to late 80's.. was it a Schwinn dealership? and that's all they sold? or was it just a "regular" bike shop that also sold Schwinn's? I bought my Schwinn Sting Ray Apple Krate from there back in 1969, and know they had quite a few of the "Krate" bikes, but just wondering since it's been a long time. What year did it close also? Anyone ???

Saturday's child

25 Apr 12 at 4:33 pm
Saturday's Child, Beltline and Garners Ferry don't intersect. Garners Ferry is Devine Street by that point.

Andrew

25 Apr 12 at 6:28 pm
Saturday's Child -- I know they were open in 2001 because I bought something for my 3 year old. They were there a long time but I can't think of the name. Not strictly Schwinn.

Dennis

25 Apr 12 at 6:52 pm
Bob's Bicycle Shop was @ 510 Beltline. Was not exclusive Schwinn. Was owner's name Bob Hughes and later his son?

Frank

25 Apr 12 at 7:53 pm
510 Beltline Blvd. on Google Maps Streetview yields a building that is subdivided between a place called Acapulco and a Sammi's Deli.

Andrew

25 Apr 12 at 10:40 pm
Yep, It was Bob's. I bought my Giant Iguana mountain bike from them back in the summer of 1990, so by then they were selling a lot of Giants. I think they were somehow affiliated with Schwinn.

tonkatoy

26 Apr 12 at 6:34 am
They may have sold other brands of bikes, but I do remember them carrying Schwinn Bikes too..and had I think all the Sting-Ray Krates at that time..at least in 1969 they did. I think there was a Schwinn sign on the front too...but I'm not sure since it WAS 43 years ago.

Saturday's child

26 Apr 12 at 9:50 am
You get the Apple Krate?

tonkatoy

26 Apr 12 at 11:30 am
This one's for you, Sc!

http://www.kratesintheattic.com/index.html

tonkatoy

26 Apr 12 at 11:32 am
My Dad and Mom got me the Apple Krate with the shocks and it has the front disc/drum brake just like a motorcycle. I still have it..in very good condition and actually gettin' ready to sell it on Ebay. Everything is still original on the bike including the speedometer..The only thing I'm replacing is the "sissy" bar because it's bent a little..and I want to make it look as good as I can when I sell it. The Krate Bikes are very collectible now..

Saturday's child

26 Apr 12 at 11:34 am
Actually, if anyone thinks they or know of someone that might be interested in this Apple Krate bike of mine, just let me know.

Saturday's child

26 Apr 12 at 11:59 am
I also have Super 8mm home movies of me on the Apple Krate Christmas day of 1969..and a few weeks later. It shows just how it looked then..and looks about the same now.

Saturday's child

26 Apr 12 at 12:02 pm
Bet you don't, though!

;-)

tonkatoy

26 Apr 12 at 12:37 pm
Bet I do... :o)

Saturday's child

26 Apr 12 at 1:53 pm
Give me your email address and I'll send you the link. I'm gonna be using it for Ebay too when I put it on next week.

Saturday's child

26 Apr 12 at 1:55 pm
or yahoo.com?

Saturday's child

27 Apr 12 at 9:05 am
mine is dhbazemore@sc.rr.com
email me and I'll send the link your way.

Saturday's child

27 Apr 12 at 9:06 am
I screwed them both up. I sent an email to ted to delete all three postings.

Ted, please add the one Sc posted, too. Otherwise somebody will be getting unwanted email and have no idea why...

tonkatoy

27 Apr 12 at 9:21 am
Obviously...I'm having email issues...I don't use it much anymore....

tonkatoy

27 Apr 12 at 9:22 am
actully, here's the my website you can see the video/home movie of me and my "BRAND NEW" 1969 Apple Krate. The first one is me on Christmas Day '69 and just took it outside for the first time. The next you'll see is me and my cousins up at my Grandmothers house in Winnsboro in Jan./Feb of 1970.

Here's the link..just click on the video: http://www.twoguysandacamera.us

Saturday's child

27 Apr 12 at 9:55 am
For those of you that may know of someone that's interested in the bike or anyone that wants to buy it, let me know

Saturday's child

27 Apr 12 at 9:56 am
@TT -- done.

Ted

ted

27 Apr 12 at 12:04 pm
Thanks, ted!

And sorry!

Wish there was an edit/delete function...

tonkatoy

27 Apr 12 at 12:14 pm
Has anyone every done any research on Jack’s Diner in Chapin? My folks used to take me there religiously when I was growing up to partake of the fried baby catfish that they used to specialize in. I know that they closed last year and, supposedly, they gave the catfish recipe to Little Pigs when they were occupying this building. It was located at 209 Chapin Rd. (Hwy 76). I only have one image that I have pulled off of the net. Hopefully, here it is. I remember it being a sort of yucky sea foam green when I was younger but this is definitely the building.

Homer

27 Apr 12 at 8:52 pm
I never noticed Jack's Diner the times I made it to Chapin...

Be that as it may, just as the final curtain call has come on Kroger #409 (817 St. Andrews Road), KFC at US#1 across the flea market in Lexington located at 4439 Augusta Road has bit the dust as well. I can't be surprised because last time I dined there app. 2 years ago, it took a few minutes for someone to come to the register...

Andrew

27 Apr 12 at 10:11 pm
I know Jack's Diner was owned by the Dunns in the 1970's. Mrs. Dunn taught English Lit at AC Flora during that time and was one of my favorite teachers. I believe her husband was a minister. I recall her telling the class the importance of reading local authors, and encouraged us to read a newly published book, "Ruby Red" by USC grad and SC resident William Price Fox. The next day she encouraged us start reading another local author since she'd found the book was a bit out of line for 1974 high school lit.

CJBM

28 Apr 12 at 7:31 am
Whatever became of or happened to "Wings and Wheel's" that was located I think in Santee? Does anyone remember it? It had a replica of the "Best friend of Charleston" too.

Saturday's child

30 Apr 12 at 2:17 pm
@ Saturday- The place closed down decades ago. Either the owner died or retired, I forget which. The Best Friend replica is now on display at the State Museum in Columbia.

Tom

30 Apr 12 at 6:21 pm
Has anyone mentioned that Office Depot on Harbison is closing? I stopped by today and they had a big "Going out of Business" banner on the front, and signs inside saying that the store would close in June... maybe the 16th? This was an Office Max before they withdrew from the Columbia market in the mid to late 2000s.

Store# 2580
252 HARBISON BLVD
AT HARBISON CT.
COLUMBIA, SC 29212

Heath

30 Apr 12 at 9:27 pm
Sorry... just noticed some earlier posts on the Office Depot news. I wish there was a delete button!

Heath

30 Apr 12 at 9:30 pm
OK... here's an obscure one that I haven't seen mentioned. Apparently you must have the name "Tony" in the name somewhere to open a pizza place in Columbia. There was a place on Sunset Blvd. called Johnny's Tony's Pizza. Supposedly this was opened by the son of the Tony's Pizza family that used to own the Tony's Pizza on Knox Abbott (next to Doctor's Care, not the one in Parkland Plaza). The one that's now Tony's Pizzalicious

Anyhow, Johnny's Tony's closed somewhere around October 14. I know because I went there to use a Groupon, and the doors were covered in brown paper. When I got home, an email was waiting for me from Groupon offering me a refund - so apparently they found out about the same time I did.

It's funny... the road sign just said "Tony's Pizza" and the building sign had the name of the previous business - "Zia's Pizza" - so I'm guessing branding wasn't really Johnny's thing.

I have a couple of pictures here
https://picasaweb.google.com/PropertyPhotoTours/JohnnySTonys#

And a link to the Groupon. http://www.groupon.com/deals/johnnys-tonys

There was a write-up in The State about it that I read before buying the Groupon, but I can't seem to find it now.

1720 Sunset Blvd.
West Columbia, South Carolina 29169

Heath

30 Apr 12 at 9:54 pm
Tom..with Wings and Wheels, It must have been either in 1969 or 1970 when I was there..and I guess it never really did "take-off" NO pun intended, and as far as the train at the State Museum, I though it was the same one, but not sure. But now I know what happened to it.. Thanks.

Saturday's child

30 Apr 12 at 11:19 pm
I don't know where the train came from originally, but it was in a shed at Sesqui for several years before it was at the State Museum.

ted

30 Apr 12 at 11:33 pm
I was at Wings and Wheels with my kindergarten class back in late 71 or early 72, so it was open then.

tonkatoy

1 May 12 at 6:34 am
Here are a couple of links for Wings and Wheels. We visited there a long long time ago....The EAA newsletter is the most complete. You will have to scroll down about halfway to read it.

http://www.sandlapper.org/magazine/sandlapper_flashback/

http://www.eaa1114.org/newsletter/ap_mar_10.pdf

http://www.cardcow.com/125444/main-display-building-wings-wheels-santee-south-carolina/

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1821&dat=19730504&id=FEktAAAAIBAJ&sjid=op8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1569,724014

Mike K.

2 May 12 at 3:45 pm
Interesting!

Let me say too, that if you like this sort of thing, you absolutely must go to "Fantasy of Flight" in Polk City Florida. It's run by a genuine eccentric millionaire who insists that all the planes be ready to fly if he feels like taking one up, and it's a fantastic collection as seen in my shots from a few years ago:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

ted

2 May 12 at 3:59 pm
The interesting thing is, is on the picture of the Part 1 with the 4 prop plane..I remember when planes like this were common at the Columbia Airport in Cayce..in the early 60's before Jets became the latest fad.

Saturday's child

2 May 12 at 4:56 pm
Great pix Ted. Thanks for posting them.

Mike K.

3 May 12 at 2:51 pm
Thanks for the W&W links...bought back some memories.

tonkatoy

4 May 12 at 6:52 am
My folks used to take me to the Columbia Airport when I was little. Sunday afternoons, they would ask, "You want to go see the planes come in"? Sure as a kid you just say yes!! Had to be the 60's. I remember that you could get really close to the tarmac in those days. I think they even had viewing areas for people to watch the planes take off and land (Try doing that today). Not sure what planes I saw. I don't know if Columbia even had jet service at that time. Heck, they barely do now!!

Homer

6 May 12 at 2:22 am
Does anyone out there know anything about an Edna's #2 drive-in that was on Two Notch? I went to Edna's #1 on River Dr. several weeks ago and they had a sign on the window that was a memorial for Edna Schumpert (she died in '09). It had a picture of her working the window at River Dr. and a picture of her husband, Raymond, working at the Two Notch location. I was in such a hurry to get those wonderful burgers back home that I didn't ask any questions or even snap a shot of the poster. Still kicking my butt over that one!!

Homer

6 May 12 at 2:43 am
Edna's on Two Notch is now Anthony's:

here and here.

There was also, I believe, an Edna's just off of Forest Drive near Ed Robinson's (about where the CVS is now) that had inside seating and a really interesting collection of folk art that highlighted two interests you wouldn't think were compatible: Pretty girls in bikinis and religious imagery. I really planned to get some inside shots there back in the day, but you know how that goes.

ted

6 May 12 at 2:59 am
Regarding the Columbia Airport, look on YouTube for a film titled "When Air Travel was Fun (South Carolina, 1975)" and you'll see an 8mm film taken from the old observation area at CAE of an Eastern 727-25 loading its passengers and then taking off. The 727 in that film has a self-contained forward airstair, and I thought those were so cool when they folded up and stowed away beneath the P1 door.

I vaguely remember visiting CAE before it was remodeled; I would have been 6 or 7 at the time, so the memories are foggy. (I think we were coming home from visiting the late, lamented Florence Air and Missile Museum.) Most of my memories are of GSP and those awesome covered breezeways where you could stand and watch to your heart's content, close enough to feel the jet exhaust. When you're an airplane-obsessed kid as I was (and still am), it's pure catnip. :)

Alaska Jill

6 May 12 at 7:40 am
I'm the same way. As a kid, my Mom and/or Dad would take me to the old original building (before the new one was ever started or thought of) back in the early to mid 60's, and you could stand at the cyclone fence/gate or up on top of the observation deck and watch the 2 and 4 propeller engine planes land and almost come UP to the gate and could watch them take off. We lived just up the road from the airport, so I used to see them come across our back yard every 10 mins. or so.. It was really fun back then, and I was very easily entertained by them (still am actually). But when the "new" building was built, that's when things started to change. We went to the dedication of the new and modern airport I think in 1966..but at 8 years old almost, I really dont remember a lot about it.

Saturday's child

6 May 12 at 8:06 am
Speaking of "when travel was fun"... I think it was Delta or Eastern Airlines used to let the public walk on and into their planes when they were tryin' to show off the "new and modern" PROPELLER" Airplanes to try and get more people to fly on them I guess. Wanna take bets of THAT happenin' now?I remember too when Jet planes were taking over things, and Eastern had their "Whisper"Jet.. As a kid, it was LOUD like anything else, and couldnt understand why they called it a "Whisper" Jet.. It didnt sound like it was whispering to me.

Saturday's child

6 May 12 at 8:13 am
CAE's current terminal was built in 1965 I believe. It underwent a major renovation in 1997. Eastern Airlines shut down in 1991 (I have no memory of EA since I was 3 at the time)

Currently, here's CAE's air service levels:

8-10x to Atlanta on Delta/Delta Connection (Delta has serviced Columbia since August 8, 1934)
6-8x to Charlotte on US Airways Express (Piedmont, PSA, Air Wisconsin and Chautauqua)
3x to Reagan Washington National on US Airways Express (Chautauqua/Air Wisconsin)
3x to Philadelphia on US Airways Express (Air Wisconsin) *this one received upgrades during the masters *
4x to Washington Dulles on United Express (ExpressJet)
1x to Detroit on Delta Connection (Chautauqua)
1x to Houston/Bush Intercontinental on Unied Express (ExpressJet)
1x to NY LaGuardia on Delta Connection (Chautauqua) *will go up to 2x on July 11*
3x to Chicago O'Hare on United Express (ExpressJet)
3x to Dallas/Ft. Worth on American Eagle

CAE's terminal can be toured at http://youtu.be/Z0-AQKG67CI

I miss being able to walk back in the boarding area like you could before 9/11. That was the most devastating thing for me about 9/11 at the time.

We are fortunate at CAE to have a parallel parking cellphone lot that gives us a good view of planes coming and going. That is the main avenue that has allowed me to photograph 59 airlines coming and going. I enjoy seeing many 'out of the ordinary' visitors for things such as military charters (on civilian airlines), sports charters, casino charters and even a few other interesting visitors I am not sure of...

The video Alaska Jill spoke about can be seen at http://youtu.be/rKiet9P8Ff8

Andrew

6 May 12 at 4:32 pm
@Saturday's Child: The name "Whisperjet" is especially funny since nothing makes a distinctive shriek like the first-generation JT8D engines on those 727s and DC-9s. By 1965 standards they were "Whisperjets," but in the 1990s, even with hushkits, they were *loud.*

Alaska Jill

6 May 12 at 4:34 pm
I think it's funny and pretty sad at the same time that Columbia, being the capital, is considered a metropolitan airport while Greenville/Spartanburg, Charleston and even Myrtle Beach have the international designation. They have so many more flights to different destinations than CAE will ever have. It's also sad that you can drive to CLT to catch your connecting flights from and to CAE and usually save more than the cost of driving up there and back and storing your car there for a week!!

On the flip side, the best thing about flying out of CAE is that you can get there an hour before your flight leaves, check in, grab a magazine at the news stand, go through security and still have time to sit at the bar (if it is ever open) and have a beer before you board the plane....:^)

Homer

6 May 12 at 9:06 pm
The "New" Terminal building may have started in 1965, but I'm pretty sure it wasnt finished til '66 and the dedication was that spring or summer..but being 7 going on 8 in 1966, I dont remember a whole lot about it. It looks NOTHING like it used to..and the road is ALL screwed up now. It isnt a straight shot to it anymore.. As the saying goes "If It aint broke..dont fix it"..but Columbia has a way of really screwin' things up.

Saturday's child

6 May 12 at 10:02 pm
CAE's terminal loop road was reworked around the 2007/8 timeframe and I can recall a few episodes where I thought it was tricky to navigate.

The John Hardee Expressway is close to interstate standards and plans are in the works to expand it so that travelers have a straight shot from I-26 to CAE with the only traffic signal being at 302. Be that as it may, it's been in the works for at least 8-10 years now with no clue as to when construction will actually commence.

Dan Mann, CAE's Executive director has been working since he arrived at CAE app. 2 years ago to build the air service but getting new airline service takes months, if not years, of work. Mike Flack, his predecessor, worked to build a significant portion of the air service CAE currently has that I mentioned above.

CLT has a larger MSA, making it much more attractive to airlines. Their population is like 2M where CAE's is 375K, and even that's stretching it. Mike mentioned in his retirement interview with The State that a MSA under 1M makes for an uphill climb with any airline.

CLT is also US Airways' largest hub, with ≈630 flights to app. 130 destinations.

Airlines utilize complicated revenue management systems to try to determine airfares...Continental Airlines had an explanation on their site as to how they determined airfares and it went over my head.

Andrew

6 May 12 at 10:26 pm
I'll tell you a BIG Terminal and Airport is Atlanta.. You better know where your plane is, and be ready to run to it..and catch the "subway" trains to get there fast. It's TOO busy for me.. but Columbia is the complete opposite.. S L O W

Saturday's child

6 May 12 at 10:49 pm
The first time I went to the airport after they reworked the loop I felt like I was going to an airport that would be much larger than CAE. I agree with you, Andrew, that it is of interstate quality and would be perfect if they ever complete a 'straight shot' from the I-26 to the airport. One of the biggest drawbacks of getting to the airport is that stretch along 302. I remember seeing articles in the past where there were talks of upgrading the whole Airport Blvd./Charleston Hwy./Knox Abbott Dr. area to make it more appealing to people coming into Columbia from the airport who did not use the interstate.

BTW - what are the MSA's of Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg? Does this have a bearing on the number of flights and destinations from these airports? It's obivous that Myrtle Beach has many destinations just from a tourism perspective. Charleston is probably the same.

Homer

6 May 12 at 11:03 pm
ATL bites!!!! I've flown int CLT so many times I think I know it by heart!!

Homer

6 May 12 at 11:04 pm
Atlanta actually runs quite well given its size. Delta goes to app. 300 destinations on 1,000 daily departures. It has the T gates and concourses A-E with F opening May 16.

O'Hare's runway configuration, from the air, is very chaotic. look at it on Google Maps or bing! maps and you'll see what I'm taking about...

Andrew

6 May 12 at 11:05 pm
I've flown into O'Hare several times and it was nuts. Love the city though....

Homer

6 May 12 at 11:12 pm
Whisperjet referred to how quiet they were inside, not outside!

tonkatoy

7 May 12 at 6:45 am
Yes, "Whisperjet" (and "Whisperliner" on the L-1011") was a marketing name that promised welcome relief for passengers, and for their day the 727 and DC-9 were very quiet inside. But there was still quite the rumble in the cabin...oddly, that's part of why I miss the 727 (aside from it just being a great airplane), because the engine noise was still enough to mask somewhat the sniffles and coughs and crying babies in the cabin. Now it's so quiet aboard most modern airliners I now have to use a $300 set of Bose headphones to do what the 727 used to give me free. :)

Alaska Jill

7 May 12 at 7:53 am
I wonder if Bob Loft still shows up on the occasional L-1011.

tonkatoy

7 May 12 at 10:02 am
The modern Jets have gotten really small on the inside. It used to be where all the Jets like the 727's and 747's from the early 70's through whenever, were very spacious on the inside and you had room to move around. NOW it's like let's see how many people we can cram inside a small space. It's like a flyin' sardine can with wheels now.. No wonder I get air sick..cause you feel every little bump, thud and other things, and when the plane makes a turn..it turns almost sideways. It's VERY nausiating.

Saturday's child

7 May 12 at 11:00 am
I noticed today that the Burger King at the corner of Hwy 1 and Oak Dr. is closed for remodeling. I think this is a Bob Brandy on as it's attached to a gas station. I went through the drive through a couple of weeks a ago for a cup a coffee and they didn't have any made. And they were out of sugar packets. This was all at 7:30 in the morning.

Elisabeth A.

7 May 12 at 11:02 am
@tonkatoy: LOL! A friend of mine who was an Eastern training captain a long time ago used to tell stories of working with Bob Loft and Don Repo. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to get him to sit down for an oral history.

Regarding L-1011s, the airliners.net photo database has an interesting picture of a Delta TriStar at Columbia circa 1999, diverted due to bad weather at ATL. An unusual sight at an airport where, by that point, an MD-88 was typically the biggest passenger jet you'd see.

Alaska Jill

7 May 12 at 2:12 pm
I wonder whatever happened to N318EA. Might have to research that.

tonkatoy

7 May 12 at 2:24 pm
A restaurant????

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Lockheed-L-1011-385-...-TriStar/1464982/&sid=07354aaf3ecf015a959084435761bdf8

tonkatoy

7 May 12 at 2:27 pm
ATL diversions have made life interesting for me...July 4th weekend of 2008, AeroMexico diverted here twice during that weekend. Saturday I didn't get word of it in time from CAE's flightaware page, so it went on my prayer list that night and the next day, they diverted here again, this time I knew about it right after it got in so I got out there as soon as I could...to daye, I consider it one of my best CAE photo success stories

Andrew

7 May 12 at 4:39 pm
regarding what Elizabeth A said about the Brandi, Inc. in Lexington...I haven't been out that way myself but what it sounds like is that the Brandi, Inc. BK there is undergoing a remodel comparable to what the one at N Main & sunset Drive just got finished with about a month ago...but on the side of hte intersection it's at, it actually becomes St. David's Church Road (it's Oak Drive on the Flea Maket/Piggly Wiggly side). It's within walking distance of a KFC that just closed as well...

Andrew

9 May 12 at 6:35 pm
Has The Southern Skillet in West Columbia closed? If so, then Columbia needs to have a Biggest Loser challenge because I, as well as everyone that goes there, am about to lose 20 pounds.

south mauldin

13 May 12 at 12:31 pm
Apparently the New York Butcher Shoppe in Lake Carolina closed last month.

Jason

13 May 12 at 8:47 pm
Another closing to add in West Columbia...it looks like the Doza Rizen deli on 378 closed recently. The number is disconnected and there aren't any cars there...it looked like it did a great business so I am surprised. They had great food and we always used them to cater our office lunches. There is another location in Chapin that is still open.

MB

15 May 12 at 10:48 am
MB...re Doza Rizen, I think you are right, seems I saw a sign there in the last few weeks stating it was their final day.

Larry

15 May 12 at 12:26 pm
Dark Shadows, the new movie that is, generated numerous comments on another post. I gather that most of the comments were from people like me that love the original tv series. To those fellow fans; I give this warning. DON'T go to this movie.
I went there with an open mind & left with a stake through my heart.

John R

16 May 12 at 4:29 pm
That's funny! I'm an original Dark Shadows fan myself..I watched it from 1967-1971 and saw both movies here in Columbia. I still have an original LARGE one sheet Movie Poster of House Of Dark Shadows. On this "new" movie, Johnny Depp looks like a vampire clown with teeth. He needs to stick to the "Pirate" movies, and leave everything else ALONE. He also ruined "Willy Wonka"..

Saturday's child

16 May 12 at 6:21 pm
I have not seen Dark Shadows, but as for Willy Wanka, I would have to say that Johnny Depp's performance, though very different from Gene Wilder's was just as good. The characterization of Willy Wanka in the newer film is much different from the old. It's childlike recluse vs. misanthropic old man. My family loves both films, primarily because of those big differences in characterization.

Larry

17 May 12 at 11:15 am
Does anyone remember Rigby's that was across from Duth Square in the 70s?

Alicia

17 May 12 at 11:31 am
I noticed today that Uncle Louie's on Park St. in the Vista appeared clossed. Also I saw a story that Hammerick's has lost its lease at Outlet Point and is moving to the old Circuit City building on Bush River Rd.

Tom

18 May 12 at 1:02 pm
Here is the story in The State that confirms Tom's notion. Also note that it mentions the forthcoming closing of Office Depot at Harbison Court.

As I recall Circuit City relocated to Columbiana Station in 1999 and the place has sat vacant since. Their was a period where something called "Choice Apparel" was there but I couldn't figure out what the deal was. I have grown to dislike Hamrick's in recent years but I wonder how I'll feel about them moving into Circuit City's old spot. I guess that this can put to rest the rumors that Hamrick's was going to move into Irmo in the former Piggly Wiggly.

Andrew

18 May 12 at 1:12 pm
The old Hamericks will become part of the Dept of Revenue. I work for the DOR and we should be over there by October 2012.

Alicia

18 May 12 at 3:35 pm
Well, I don't know what kind of shape the Circuit City building is in, but on the face of it, it's a better location for Hamerick's than the current one. (There's no light, but I don't see that as a big issue).

ted

18 May 12 at 4:20 pm
Alicia's news of SCDOR expanding into the Hamrick's portion doesn't surprise me at all. I think there's another state agency with offices in a differnet portion of the same building so when I heard Hamrick's was moving, I figured it'd be some type of office suite the way the remainder of the building is.

Andrew

18 May 12 at 4:51 pm
Does anyone out there know why most of the Shoney's restaurants have left Columbia? According to their website the only two left in town are on Garners Ferry and the old Dutch Square location on Bush River Road. I've only been to the one on Bush River once since the Harbison location closed and the food was, let's say, not up to snuff. I'm just curious if anyone has any input.

Homer

20 May 12 at 2:23 am
Numbered Streets and Avenues in Quinine Hill? The 1940 Census map shows a 1st to 7th St and a 1st to 5th Ave laid out in a grid. This is in the area of Hanson and Dalloz. Does anyone have any information about this area?

Frank

20 May 12 at 6:30 am
@Homer- Shoney's has had some serious problems at the coporate level now for at least a decade, and those issues have been reflected in the quality of their food and service. The economic downturn hasn't helped either. Meanwhile Denny's has been taking an aggresiver approach in expansion and marketing and thaqt has certainly hurt Shoney's as well.

Tom

20 May 12 at 7:25 am
Homer, if you read Shoney's wiki page you'll note they went from 1,300 restaurants in 1998 down to 282 in 2007. They also had an episode with bankruptcy in 2000.

There are several former Shoney's restaurants mentioned on here that you can find using the Alphabetical closings tab at the top of the site. Also, you forgot to mention the Shoney's still standing on SC 302 in Cayce.

Andrew

20 May 12 at 12:54 pm
@Andrew, the rest of that building is also the SCDOR. They are moving departments over there slowly, but surely. I can't wait!

Alciai

21 May 12 at 11:44 am
does this mean that they are moving out of the SC State museum???

Andrew

21 May 12 at 1:39 pm
When you write a reply, when does it show up?

Regina W

22 May 12 at 1:09 pm
In general immediately unless it has multiple links, in which case iit will go into the moderation queue and I have to approve it.

ted

22 May 12 at 1:29 pm
Directly across Forest Drive from Zesto's/Morganelli's, there was a building with 2 businesses. I'm not sure of the names of the businesses that were here but I think one was a physical fitness type place and the other was a dog groomer. Both of these are gone and the building is being renovated for a single tenant with new drywall and no interior walls between spaces. I guess it is going to be some kind of showroom which is odd with Goodwood about to come up for sale.

Matt

24 May 12 at 9:53 am
Looks live Fever on Main St near Gervais has called it quits. No signs, but a call to their number results in a recording stating they are closed.

Payne

24 May 12 at 12:36 pm
Well I sure hope Fever is closed. After all the fuss she made over that poor guy trying to run a taco cart and she didnt even need him across the street to fail herself. What a Kunte.

Peter

24 May 12 at 1:51 pm
Agree, Peter. After her tactics with the taco truck, I think she alienated a lot of people. Not a good PR move at all to be a bad neighbor.

tonkatoy

24 May 12 at 2:21 pm
@Tom (a good ways up): Uncle Louie's is not closed.

ted

24 May 12 at 10:06 pm
I missed the whole Fever vs. the taco cart showdown. Fill me in...

Terry

25 May 12 at 5:29 am
Here you go Terry:

http://www.free-times.com/index.php?cat=1992912064227409&ShowArticle_ID=11010604112980585

If you want more, go to Free Time's website and search for "Fever."

tonkatoy

25 May 12 at 6:24 am
I never even knew that Fever opened. 400K to upfit a restaurant space (from the linked article) is insanity in my opinion, especially on Main Street, where most of your business would seem to be at lunch time.

Larry

25 May 12 at 9:49 am
400K for that small space? How?

badger

25 May 12 at 10:17 am
OK, I think that number might be along the same lines of walking two school five miles in the snow every day. A year earlier in "The State," she said she had invested 500K.

badger

25 May 12 at 10:20 am
I looked at Fever's website and they were only open for lunch 11-3. Did they have a 30 yr plan to recoup the 400K?

Matt

25 May 12 at 12:02 pm
@Andrew-The State Museum is taking over the SCDR space.

Tom

25 May 12 at 12:16 pm
Matt- that's a far cry from the 25-30 Full time jobs (plus part time jobs) that the City leadership were touting that Fever was bringing to Columbia (from free-times). The article FT did when it opened said 11am to 10pm although not set in stone. I called the number and the outgoing message said something like, "The restaurant is closed, do not leave a message." I hope they changed that after they closed for good, b/c that's not a way to attract customers if that's your standard closed for the night message.

Larry

25 May 12 at 1:34 pm
Impending Closing Alert - Fred's on 378 in West Columbia, has put out the Store Closing signs, so it looks like they may be gone soon. The signs are careful to note "This Store Only" when announcing the closing.

Larry

26 May 12 at 10:03 am
Kmart on Ft Jackson Blvd started hanging signs today saying they are in their final 8 days

Thomas

26 May 12 at 2:47 pm
Just drove by M Boutique on Devine St and appears closed. The "b ique" has been removed from the sign, so it just says "M out." Heh, pretty clever. Reminds me of Tony's on St. Andrews who rearranges "OPEN" to "NOPE" when he's closed.

Mary Douglass

27 May 12 at 11:10 am
The Fred's store at 2730 Decker Blvd is closing.
I was by there today and there are signs with "up to 30%" off.
Almost all prices are at the normal store closing start of 5% off.
Their air conditioner was not working so they were packed and the heat was terrible.

Ken Holler

27 May 12 at 4:28 pm
The Fred's in Aiken is also closing, but there it is a leasing issue. Since there is nothing about a large number of Freed's closing (the company is doing ok) I suspect the two Columbia closings may be lease related as well.

Tom

28 May 12 at 8:41 am
M Boutique has closed its Devine Street location and supposedly is going to re-open in October in the new Whole Foods shopping complex. Seems odd and not practical to close for 4 - 5 months, but that's the story on the owner's Facebook page.

Beth

28 May 12 at 2:46 pm
That's what the signs on the store say as well.

ted

28 May 12 at 4:48 pm
Anyone know the name of the italian restaurant on Barnwell St in the 90's?

Robert Sproul

30 May 12 at 8:20 pm
You might be referring to Cerino's, which I think was owned by Sam Ojalvo. There was also a Cafe Mozart somewhere in that area.

badger

31 May 12 at 8:13 am
Something is happening with the old Columbia Athletic Club/Golds Gym. Yesterday there were several trailer mounted air compressors in front of the building, all of the shrubbery had been ripped out and there looked to be marks spray painted on the outside of the building. I suspect that demo work is about to begin.

Matt

31 May 12 at 9:43 am
There was an report in the state a while back that a Trader Joe's might--might--be headed there. But it was pretty noncommittal.

badger

31 May 12 at 9:59 am
this could very well mean that Trader Joe's is a done deal. The Metro section of tomorrow's The State could very well lend itself to knowing further details

Andrew

31 May 12 at 11:41 am
Trader Joe's coming to Forest Acres
By Kristy Eppley Rupon - krupon@thestate.com
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Trader Joe’s will open in the former Columbia Athletic Club on Forest Drive by the year's end, The State has learned.

Construction is under way at the building to turn it into a one-story, 13,000-square-foot grocery store, according to Coley Brown, who said he sold the company the building a week ago.

The Monrovia, Calif.-based chain is a low-cost, hipster grocery store where clerks wear Hawaiin shirts and they sell products such as “Two-Buck Chuck” wine that costs $2.99.
Business of Life

Trader Joe's, like this one in Los Angeles, will open a location in Forest Acres by the end of the year. (AP Photos/Ric Francis, file)

- Ric Francis /ASSOCIATED PRESS

Video from around the world

Trader Joe’s has locations in Charleston and Greenville.

“I wanted to give Forest Acres something that they could hang their hat on and that they would be proud of,” said Brown, who was 13 when his dad opened Columbia Athletic Club in 1981. “I didn’t want to stick a doctor’s office in there. … I wanted something retail and exciting that the people of Forest Acres could rally behind as their own.”

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/06/01/2298378/trader-joes-coming-to-forest-acres.html#storylink=cpy

Regina

1 Jun 12 at 9:21 am
The old Eckerd/Wood Zone store has a new tenant. It's a place called The Karate Dojo, currently located on 12th Street in Triangle City

JB

2 Jun 12 at 7:44 am
Ted, you ever think of doing a closing on the old Blaney Drag Strip in Elgin? Garlits Drive and Ivo Circle are two streets commemorating prominent drag racers. Part of the old strip is still visible, and Garlits runs along part of the strip.

It looks like it is part of a trailer park now.

tonkatoy

4 Jun 12 at 7:16 am
Huh. I didn't know the Blaney Drag Strip was gone!

ted

4 Jun 12 at 10:36 am
You have a fantastic site here, and I've found many places I had forgotten about but there are two that are missing that I can think of at this time: Nightlights club (at the old Sheraton on Greystone and Stoneridge). There is also the old Zaires building (now home to City of Columbia Public Works), but that's really reaching back.

Miz T

4 Jun 12 at 11:13 am
Tonkatoy, I think Tall Pines subdivision is part of that old drag strip as well.

Miz T

4 Jun 12 at 11:14 am
Was looking for Blaney and found this site: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/50558754

The old What-a-burger building and the old Seaboard Diner are on there, too

tonkatoy

4 Jun 12 at 12:13 pm
Very nice photos TT everyone should take a look.

ted

4 Jun 12 at 12:22 pm
I just learned from that Google map that Hwy 1 is also the Jefferson Davis Highway. Cool.

Lots of good races were run on the Blaney strip.

Terry

4 Jun 12 at 2:30 pm
Just Dawgs closed about 2 weeks ago. They had the worst food I have ever tasted. Bought a hot dog a few months ago, ate 1 bite and tossed the rest in garbage. Just Dawgs was on the left heading in Gaston on hwy 321 next to the laundry

Jimmy

5 Jun 12 at 4:24 pm
OK, I went brain dead on a restaurant name. Cafe Mozart was a restaurant I went to on a trip to Washington DC. The name of the restaurant here was Amadeus--but you can see the source of the confusion.

badger

7 Jun 12 at 8:24 am
Not a business, but anyone have details about the Memorial Youth Center in Maxy Gregg Park? I used to go there as a kid to play pool. I know that Booby Lee Hunter trained there as part of hits parole agreement. The building's demise was very political. Just curious for more history and details.

Robert Sproul

8 Jun 12 at 10:59 am
anyone know where I can find some historic photos of the 900 block of Gervais Street - online if possible, though I figure a trip to the USC library may be in order.

Larry

8 Jun 12 at 11:59 am
Here's a great collection of old Columbia photos!

http://library.sc.edu/digital/collections/jwp/

here's another good collection of photos:

http://library.sc.edu/digital/collections/hensel.html

The first one is indexed by street, and then they are listed alphabetically, so it should be easy to find what you are looking for, Larrry.

tonkatoy

11 Jun 12 at 6:50 am
What about Columbia Lumber, Colwood,Kline Iron & Steel, City Garage? Just a few ones

Ricky

11 Jun 12 at 2:10 pm
tonktoy-- I appreciate the links. Looks like Mr. Winter took pics of just about every other building on Gervais street except the north side of the 900 block of Gervais. Thanks though, I will keep looking.

Larry

11 Jun 12 at 4:39 pm
Does anyone remember a BBQ place called the "Smoky Oak" in the mid 1980s? Someone told me about it back then, and I always wanted to try it out, but didn't. Back then, I inferred that it was probably somewhere on the Lexington side of the river, but that's about it.

badger

12 Jun 12 at 11:52 am
I've tried to left comments a couple of times..they never show up?
Am I doing it wrong?

Regina

12 Jun 12 at 6:22 pm
@Regina, I am not aware of any problem with leaving comments, and I see yours above and the one about AJs fine..

ted

13 Jun 12 at 12:28 am
Thanks, my browser was blocking!

Great site!!

Regina

13 Jun 12 at 7:40 am
In case you haven't heard, the Happy Frog has closed. They were in the Food Lion shopping center at Exit 97 of I-26.

They had the best gelato in town. :(

Eddie

13 Jun 12 at 6:10 pm
FYI - Hamricks last day is this Saturday. They ar emoving to the old Circuit City building on Bush River Road.

Alicia

14 Jun 12 at 8:04 am
Great Site!

Haven't seen this mentioned, Bel-Air Barber Shop at Boozer shopping center closed sometime in the last few months. Roger was there for 40 years and sold out to a new group but they apparently couldn't make a go of it.

ED

14 Jun 12 at 9:10 am
Eddie ... that is a shame. Never went in but heard good things. Seems like good gelato is a curse in columbia. First peace,love and rocky roast and now happy frog.

larry

14 Jun 12 at 10:14 am
I just found this site yesterday when I was wondering about Swain's restaurant. I couldn't remember which side of the river it was on. I've spend hours looking over things - love it. I thought of three restaurants that are gone. Cork 'n Cleaver on St. Andrews Rd. There have been a string of restaurants there over the years (including a John Paul's Steahhouse someone mentioned on the JP Armadillo thread), a 50's type diner, several Mexican, etc. Cork 'n Cleaver lasted the longest it seems and had really good crab legs - a delicacy in the 70's and 80's. What about The Creperie that was in Jefferson Square? It featured dished that were crepe based. Also, there was a high-end (for Columbia, lol) restaurant on Sunnyside Drive. It was across the street from Miyo's current location. Seems it was a man's name and was primarily Italian.

Sally

14 Jun 12 at 10:47 am
@Sally,

For some reason I didn't put Cork & Cleaver in the alphabetical list, but it is mentioned briefly here and that address also figures here, here, and .here

ted

14 Jun 12 at 11:01 am
Sorrento's was the restaurant on Sunnyside Drive.

Sally

15 Jun 12 at 8:54 pm
I think La Fogata has closed in Gaston on 321, have not seen a single car in front of this location in about 2 weeks. I will check out and try to confirm.

Jimmy

19 Jun 12 at 7:21 am
Anyone familiar with Joy's Discount Feed on Hazelwood, behind the Kangaroo (former Pantry)? It's been a while, but as I recall, the building had two main units--one a feed and farm supply store, and the other. . . I'm not sure. I seem to recall a lot of school-oriented supplies, but that's about it. Not sure exactly when it closed, but it's in my 2007 phone book.

badger

19 Jun 12 at 4:06 pm
Southeastern Film & School Supply, Inc.
(803) 695-0070
740 Hazelwood Road, Columbia, SC 29202

I do not know where they were before this. I am not sure if this was the one in Eau Claire near Stone Manufacturing.

Found this on Google

http://www.southcarolinacremation.com/obituaryDetail.cfm?idObituary=726&pageId=12

"Later she enjoyed working at Southeastern School Supply in Columbia and Lexington"

Frank

19 Jun 12 at 9:31 pm
Joys Discount Feed
8505 Garners Ferry Rd
Hopkins,SC 29061?

Frank

19 Jun 12 at 9:35 pm
If it's the same people, theyv genericized a lot. I was just at this location (8505 Garners Ferry) today, and the sign just said "Tack and Tackle." I just remember at the 740 Hazelwood location, one of two people would be working there typically, an old chap,probably in his 70s, and a younger woman, possibly mid to late 40s. I had always assumed that they were father and daughter, or had at least some sort of familial relation.

badger

19 Jun 12 at 9:54 pm
8505 used to be called the Tackle Box when it was first built back in the 80s, IIRC.

tonkatoy

20 Jun 12 at 6:39 am
Seems like that location was also where the Wateree Cafe might have been, which was a little diner type place on the left side.

badger

20 Jun 12 at 7:02 am
I saw the Thrift Store in Cedar Terrace Shopping Center has closed up. I don't shop there, but I do frequent the shopping center.

Sidney

23 Jun 12 at 11:13 pm
Also, JD Fashion in The Rice Creek Shopping Center on Hardscrabble closed up.

Sidney

23 Jun 12 at 11:14 pm
Millers Ltd. Gift / Collectible Store at 808 South Lake Drive in Lexington has closed. They use to be a little further up the street on the other side toward Red Bank, A few years ago they moved into the old Cinnamon Hill house. When they moved they also opened a small restaurant that served only lunch. Before Millers, there was a restaurant in that location called the Chef's Table and before that it was the Cinnamon Hill Restaurant. The house is over 100 years old and on the National Historic Registry, so whoever buys it will have to use it as is. Their website is still up but has not been updated: http://www.millersltd.com/.

ED

25 Jun 12 at 10:55 pm
The KFC on Hwy #1 in West Columbia (across from the Barnyard Fleamarket) has closed. The Book Dispensary states that Books Revisted on Two Notch has closed.

Brandi

28 Jun 12 at 9:12 pm
Murray Town Salon closing July 15th

4552 Augusta Hwy

Jimmy

3 Jul 12 at 8:11 pm
Houston's on Columbia's North Main Street has closed. Sign says not enough day-to-day business. #News19

Jimmy

6 Jul 12 at 2:03 pm
Another failure in the North Main Plaza? What a shocker.

tonkatoy

9 Jul 12 at 6:30 am
When WLTX ran the article saying it was going in, someone in one of the comments mentioned that the target customer base of Houston's wasn't going to make the way out to N. Main to eat there

Andrew

9 Jul 12 at 10:35 am
What kind of a business was Houston's?

Terry

9 Jul 12 at 10:45 am
Andrew, I'd say the commenters were proved correct.

WLTX was a riot before they went to FB. I miss inryji's LOLcow statements.

tonkatoy

9 Jul 12 at 11:50 am
tonkatoy, I agree with what you say about WLTX comments. I have always been a WIS fan (to the point that I have had the rule "thou shall not speak ill of a WIS personality") but I enjoyed WLTX comments before they switched to the Facebook plugin

Andrew

9 Jul 12 at 1:08 pm
@ Terry, Houston's Low Country Grill. Article can be found on WLTX http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=193152

Sidney

9 Jul 12 at 11:41 pm
This isn't a closing, but possibly a 'never opened.' A mile or so past the Wal-Mart on Garners Ferry, there's a Walgreens on the right. It looks as though the area behind it was planned for a bigger retail type area. The sign for the area says "Burnside Farm," and it has places for smaller signs (presumably) for other businesses in the area, but only the one for Walgreens is present. The road behind it has a roundabout, and various parking places marked off. I'll guess that if there were any further planned retail development that those plans fell thru when the economy tanked a few years ago.

badger

10 Jul 12 at 8:01 am
The way I understand it, Burnside was going to develop that land (bordered by 378, Pineview Road, the RR ttracks, and the remaining part of his farm) himself as residential, but never could get anything going, then the bottom fell out of the housing market.

Seems like Fish Wrap had a story about it five years or so ago.

tonkatoy

10 Jul 12 at 8:28 am
I do recall a story in The State that the Burnside family out there had some sort of plan to "Build a community" out there but don't remember the details but obviously the plans never got the needed traction to develop

Andrew

10 Jul 12 at 11:26 am
Chik-Fil-A on Decker is closed for remodeling. I have no idea when it started or how long it will last.

Matt

13 Jul 12 at 10:19 am
Chick-fil-A on Decker Blvd says they will be reopening the week of July 23rd

Joe

13 Jul 12 at 1:31 pm
Hong Kong near the intersection of Main and Taylor says it's closed for remodeling. That usually doesn't bode well and I hope this place reopens because it has awesome food.

Justin

15 Jul 12 at 6:46 pm
Justin, I've seen closings for remodeling go both ways. The best thing to do is keep an eye out for signs of activity in the weeks forthcoming.

Andrew

15 Jul 12 at 11:05 pm
The McDonalds at Assembly and Elmwood is closed for remodeling.

Mike

20 Jul 12 at 11:03 pm
@Mike, incidentally enough, in Friday's The State it was mentioned that McDonald's is planning to spend $1B to modernize several midlands locations as part of a plan to modernize most of their 14K locations across the country...

Andrew

20 Jul 12 at 11:30 pm
Ted .. where is the search feature on your blog ? ... Can we search comments, as well as content ... sure would be great ... And if anyone else is reading, and you know ... respond below ... Thanks,

Fish

PS: Ted, keep it 'betwixt' the lines !

Fish

23 Jul 12 at 11:03 am
To search (including comments), just go to google and type

site:columbiaclosings.com whatever you are looking for

into the search box.

ted

23 Jul 12 at 1:44 pm
Just a heads-up to let you know that Jim Hudson Cadillac will be closing their store @ Garners Ferry and 77 in October. They'll be moving to a new location @ 77 and Killian, next to their current Lexus dealership.

Mike R.

25 Jul 12 at 12:04 pm
The McDonald's at Elmwood and Assembly was torn down yesterday/.

tonkatoy

26 Jul 12 at 6:27 am
McDonald's is (in my experience) the most willing to tear down/rebuild a restaurant and that's what it sounds like is going on to me with the one tonkatoy mentioned.

back in fall 2008 the McDonald's in Lexington at 250 Columbia Avenue got fried real good in a storm and it was rebuilt because it turned out to be cheaper to rebuild than repair. One of my classmates, who was working at Wild Hare in Lexington at the time spoke with a couple of guys doing the work on the building said that there was a lot of rodents, etc. caught between the ceiling and roof (and that if you saw it, you'd be hesitant to eat there).

Andrew

26 Jul 12 at 12:10 pm
FYI - There is going to be a Japanese takeout place opening up in the old Time Warner Cable office that is on St. Andrews Road in the old Kroger shopping center. It will be next to Nail Secrets.

Alicia

27 Jul 12 at 9:14 am
The Japanese place Alicia is talking about is going to be called Ichiaro's

Andrew

28 Jul 12 at 2:31 pm
Ted - Have you ever noticed that old building on near the 2800 block of Main Street with "Wilson Upholstery" painted on it. I've always thought it was kind of a cool building and would make a good closings. Also, there is a large old brick building one block over with "M&G Antiques" painted on it. Both appear to have been closed for quite some time.

Justin

29 Jul 12 at 3:53 pm
Well Done! Great website for trips down memory lane. Other spots to consider: the original Dairy Bar (Main St, one block below the capital) - world's best (and first as I recall) pimento cheeseburgers; Rosewood Lounge - dive bar where bottles of PBR were 25 cents on Wed; Senate Plaza on Senate St - a dark lounge style bar on the first floor w great AC in the summer, Cola's first 'Pong' game here; Rice House chinese restaurant on Knox Abbott Dr - wonderful pressed duck; Stage Door on Harden St - Andie McDowell was a waitress late 70s; RJ Moore's Esso on Rosewood at Edisto or Saluda - great place to cash a check if you were a friend; the whole block on Main btw Devine and Greene where the law school is now - the Opus Bar owned by Al Moan where Roche, Owens, Riker were regs; Campus Corner Restaurant - the original meat tea and three spot (long before Lizard Thicket); and Jimmy Leventis' (Leigh's father and fine gentleman) Campus Deli; also Little Pigs BBQ in Rosewood Shopping Center; and Oak Grove BBQ off US 1 south open Fri Sat only; and last but not least, Cogburn's Grill at Sumter and Washington, 2 blocks north of the capital - 'Steak Sandwich' - 8 oz sirloin, salad, fries or baked, garlic bread, all for $1.49 in 1970 or so, later moved to West Cola on 378 where it disappeared.

Boomboom

4 Aug 12 at 11:43 am
Per my post above, the place at the corner of Devine and Main circa 1970 was the 'College Corner' not Campus Corner. Eminent domain for the law school demolished the entire block. First place I ever had chicken fried steak (called "country style steak" if memory serves), fried okra, fried yellow squash. My family had moved to Charleston after 15 years overseas so all that delicious fried stuff was new to me - absolutely loved it. Remember they had certain vegies (if that is what you can call deep-fried, breaded/battered vegetables) each day of the week. They also had some of the best corn muffins w little pats of butter between pieces of paper. An older gentleman and his wife ran the place. Jimmy Leventis opened the Winners' Circle around the corner after the Campus Deli closed. Al Moan reopened the Opus on Rosewood couple of blocks up from the Roost mid 70s, but it lasted only a couple of years.

Boomboom

4 Aug 12 at 2:57 pm
The Bojangles on Forest Drive by Providence Hospital closed in the last couple of weeks. I noticed it about a week ago. They took all the signage.

Matt

9 Aug 12 at 8:47 am
McDonalds at the corner of Wildcat and Garner's Ferry has been demolished but they are rebuilding a new one.

Qdoba's at Woodhill closed last week. Staff knew nothing about it until the management locked the door that night for the final time. Qdoba's in 5 Points owned by someone else and still going strong.

mamarose

9 Aug 12 at 9:53 am
The McDonald's mamarose mentioned was on my list of ones that need to be redone (prob. b/c I find most McDonald's have a self-serve beverage bar but that one doesn't).

I have a comparable feeling towards the following locations:

- 7041 Parklane Road
- 1303 Charleston Highway (Cayce)
- 7417 St. Andrews Road (Irmo)

McDonald's is working to remodel most of their ≈14,000 US locations over the next several years so I think it's only a matter of time before those get redone.

In addition, I would like to second what Matt said about Bojangle's at 2509 Forest Drive. I noticed that all the seats of the chairs at the tables had been stacked on the top of the tables in addition to the signage being removed.

Andrew

9 Aug 12 at 12:30 pm
Anyone have any info on why Master Clleaner's in 5Pts is closing?

Robert Sproul

11 Aug 12 at 9:08 am
It looks like Columbia Office Furniture on Gervais has closed. I hate to see it, they were a really good organization. I guess the big boxes got to them too.

Russ

13 Aug 12 at 9:42 am
Over ten years ago when Chubby 2X4 in 5 pts. was called Garretts. There was a restaurant (i think) next to it (on the opposite side of Natural vibrations). Does anyone remember the name of it?

michael

14 Aug 12 at 3:43 pm
I noticed yesterday that Yafood was closed and they had two old newspapers outside the door. I was shocked, but there is a sign in the window showing that they will be reopening soon as a steak hibachi. This business is at 10050 Two Notch right next to Sallys.

Miz T

17 Aug 12 at 2:44 pm
Really enjoyng the site. Bringing back lots of memories.

No tell me in ain't so, LeBrascas is closed. It was THE place to get pizza on that side of town. After Carolina basketball games we would head over there for Pizza.

Gary

17 Aug 12 at 8:16 pm
A real landmark closing that I recommend that you add is Booker T Washington High School.

Gary

17 Aug 12 at 8:46 pm
Gary, I hope this doesn't have something to do with Labrasca's being closed --

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9035137

MB

17 Aug 12 at 9:36 pm
Geez...Never mind...just realized that was from 2008, I googled to see if I could find anything and that came up, didn't check the dates...wish I could delete. Just ignore that one.

MB

17 Aug 12 at 9:39 pm
I picked up a pie tonight.....

Mike

17 Aug 12 at 9:56 pm
People keep telling me Labrasca's is closed, but it never is..

Booker T. Washington is here more or less..

ted

17 Aug 12 at 11:06 pm
Enjoying this website. Nice stroll down memory lane. Does anyone remember Spa Lady & Spa Fitness that used to be on Decker Blvd back in the '80s where the comedy club is now?

Melanie

18 Aug 12 at 2:08 pm
I once falsely thought LaBrasca's was closed, but went by this afternoon and they had signage indicating they were open for business.

Andrew

18 Aug 12 at 5:19 pm
They were closed for a couple of weeks a year or two ago. Don't know why, but they were.

badger

18 Aug 12 at 5:29 pm
That cafe/whatever it is across from BC HS is up for lease.

tonkatoy

20 Aug 12 at 6:47 am
@ Melanie...I remember Spa Lady on Decker! They had those old vibrating things with the belts you'd put around you (sheesh, I'm showing my age) and they had the first sun booths. We went in them as kids not knowing the risks.

Miz T

20 Aug 12 at 2:57 pm
The El Monterrey Mexican Restaurant on Broad River at I-20 is closed. A for lease sign is listed both on the building and in front of the property.

Thomas

21 Aug 12 at 5:56 am
Just to let everyone know, Bojangles on Forest Dr near Walmart has closed, just like the one near Providence Hospital.

pharman99

22 Aug 12 at 2:43 pm
Does anyone remember the name of the Middle Eastern restaurant where The Publick House is now? (It was at least in that same building.)

AJW (@a_j_w)

23 Aug 12 at 5:54 pm
Well, I wanted to get some pix of The Chesterfield Inn, but I couldn't make it work out at the 4th, and totally forgot the next time I was at the beach:

The State: Old Myrtle Beach inn torn down

The Sun News: demolition pictures

ted

24 Aug 12 at 2:25 am
Fish Wrap has stopped putting the TV Guide in the retail Sunday papers; only subscribers get it, and even they have to pay extra.

This is BS. The TV weekly is the only reason I ever bought their sorry excuse of a newspaper. No more.

They lost my subscription because the paper went downhill, now I'm nor even going to buy their Sunday paper. I hope their advertisers get wind of this. I hope Sunday sales plummet.

I hope this decision is reversed, but given the recent foolish decisions by Fish Wrap, I doubt it.

tonkatoy

27 Aug 12 at 8:23 am
The Middle Eastern place was "Tajie's." Tajie started out in the far corner of the Winn-Dixie shopping center on Decker, near Two Notch, then moved to Devine Street. Sadly, he was just a little ahead of his time. Columbia was just not ready for a Middle Eastern restaurant at that time, and closed. He later opened the Subway on South Assembly, and, so far as I know, still owns it. I think for a short time the Devine Street location might have been called "Old Jerusalem," too, but that I'm not so sure of.

badger

27 Aug 12 at 9:55 am
tonkatoy get over yourself. First your posting your crap on articles about people dying, now here?? You hope advertisers get wind of you not buying the sunday paper anymore? How important do you think you are? I'm sure they will call an emergency meeting and reformulate their business strategy once they know you are out as a customer. But lets face it you love it just to hate it. Why not just spend roughly the same money and just buy a tv guide magazine, or print something from your cable provider. Thats right if you not longer had the paper in your life you would no longer be able to feel uber cool about yourself calling it fishwrap every 5 minutes. wow what an original insult to a newspaper!!

Peter

28 Aug 12 at 9:15 am
Peter must work for Fish Wrap.

tonkatoy

28 Aug 12 at 9:28 am
So what's the true story on Labrasca's? Are they closed? Gonna close soon? Anybody know?

Dennis

29 Aug 12 at 10:17 am
LOL tonkatoy go figure someone like you would make such a presumptious statement. So sorry to burst your must bubble, no affiliation, none of my money comes from or goes to them. Just dont like idiots running around the interwebs.

Peter

29 Aug 12 at 12:18 pm
On behalf of idiots everywhere, I feel insulted being compared to tonkatoy!

badger

29 Aug 12 at 7:00 pm
How about newspaper closings? There have been quite a few of them over the past several years, esp. w/the internet , twitter and the like, providing news much more quickly, efficiently, and affordably than the hard copy .75 cent dailies. I know as I am a former newspaper reporter.

Tom Seay

30 Aug 12 at 7:48 am
I must be officially 'old' because I still enjoy walking out to the paper tube every morning and retrieving the paper and reading it on the back porch with a cup of coffee. I do find it sort of embarrasing that they print "South Carolina's Largest Newspaper" on the top of the front page when the Monday and Tuesday editions are normally only 24 pages.

Terry

30 Aug 12 at 8:20 am
From time to time I buy ad space in The Paper, and have noticed how over the course of the last year the size of the "same size" ad has shrunk. Not a whole lot but it has. FYI newspaper ads are sold by the column-inch so if the ad shrank that means the column shrank and that means the page shrank. It's the incredible shrinking newspaper - now in convenient pocket size!

Larry

30 Aug 12 at 8:28 am
I just want to make sure everyone knows that badger is a practicing homosapien who once matriculated in front of a bunch of teenage girls!

It is a shame what happened to The State. I honestly thought no one could do a worse job of it than Knight-Ridder did, but McClatchey has just ruined it. They should have just shuttered the doors when they canned Warthen and Arial.

A year or so ago, I found a Saturday edition of The State from 2005, and it was thicker, and had more info than today's Sunday paper.

tonkatoy

30 Aug 12 at 9:09 am
Does anyone remember a Mom and Pop Mexican restaurant
on Two Notch ( near the Ford dealership, Pulliam ?) and
Beltline Blvd called Menchachas or La Menchachas---really
good Mexican food--they wouldn't take checks or credit cards.
This would be in the early 80's.

Always crowded, I think it only opened for dinner, very no frills
joint, but super friendly, and cold Coronas!

Gina

30 Aug 12 at 11:40 am
Word on the street is that Carolina Wings in Irmo has shuttered.

jonathan

30 Aug 12 at 12:29 pm
@Gina--That would have been El Menchaca

Mike

30 Aug 12 at 10:00 pm
Remember the song Video Killed the Radio Star? Well, Internet Killed the Newspaper. It has nothing to do with who owns the newspaper company. Why pay for something when you can get it free on the Internet? Only the "officially 'old'" people and coupon clippers still buy the actual newspaper. I think if it wasn't for the coupons, there wouldn't be a Sunday paper at all. I know a lot of people who buy the Sunday paper ONLY for the coupons. They don't even read the paper at all.

Carolina Wings Irmo closed down huh? I am surprised that the one on Clemson Rd hasn't shut down. The bartenders suck so bad!!! They are slow and have no personality!! I know it will eventually shut down. One area just can't handle 3 wing joints, Carolina Wings, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wild Wing Cafe. I would not be surprised if Wild Wing Cafe in Sandhills shuts down soon too. They barley get business on the weekends now too. 3 years ago, that used to be the hot spot on Friday and Saturday nights.

Sidney

3 Sep 12 at 4:19 am
Odd thing about Wild Wing. Before they were all over the state, I went to the one in Hilton Head and it was awesome, but since the expansion, I just haven't enjoyed it all that much. The service always seems to be miss rather than hit and we always have some (admittedly small) glitch with the food which would be ok except for the cumulative effect.

Larry

4 Sep 12 at 2:30 pm
Yeah - Carolina Wings Irmo has closed. I was just by there today and noticed it on the sign out front thanking everyone for 16 years.

Homer

4 Sep 12 at 6:25 pm
Hey Ted,
How about looking into the closing of Robin's Men's Shop. This store was a great little place to buy professional wear and was used by my brothers for years (throughout the 70s and 80s as I recall). They were in Boozer Shopping Center.

Kevin

7 Sep 12 at 8:51 am
Hello,

This week I noticed that someone has torn down the old Mcdonalds and something new is being built. No signs were up. does anyone have any idea of what this new building is? Also work has started again on the new shopping center where a doctors office was. I contacted the developer and asked why they had stopped working on the site. He told me that they had to stop due to a dispute with a neighboring land owner work started again on Sept 5 and they expect the center to open next spring/summer. Can someone post a link to the City of Columbia's business licenses. I would like to see the list of approved ones.

Thanks!

William

8 Sep 12 at 8:12 am
@William, it sounds to me as if you are talking about the old McDonald's at Saturn Parkway & Harbison Boulevard. I have been wondering what will go in the old McDonald's at Harbison & Saturn Parkway...my guess would be some type of eating place, but I am not sure myself.

I was wondering why the Columbiana on Park work stopped...

Andrew

8 Sep 12 at 9:56 am
Does anyone remember this old food stand that used to be on the corner of Sumter and Blanding? It was on the same block as the main bus station there but was on the end closer to Tapps/USC. It was already closed by the time I first noticed it so never knew what it was.

Justin

8 Sep 12 at 5:02 pm
William,

Not sure where they list that stuff, but the thing is, the business license won't get approved until the building is finished and passes life-safety inspections. If there was no zoning variance needed, then likely there is no record yet of the zoning approval, especially with the City's new computerized system that they are still working the bugs out of. There may be a public record of the building permits, but again, I am not sure if they are computerized. A quick search leads me to believe that the City of Columbia does not have any of these records online.

Larry

8 Sep 12 at 5:15 pm
Thanks for all of your input. I did not say what area of town I was talking about in my original post. I am talking about the Harbison area. It looks. I checked the the city of Columbia's site and I cannot find anything about building permits. So I think Larry was right they do not have them online. I do not get The State paper I use to check that way.

William

8 Sep 12 at 11:21 pm
@ Justin-It was Eat N Run and was owned by Tapp's though for some reason they did not like to acknowledge their ownership of it.

Tom

10 Sep 12 at 5:15 pm
@ Tom - Thanks! I would have always wondered. Ted should do a closing on that one some day!

Justin

10 Sep 12 at 7:39 pm
@ Kevin. Did you mean "Ronnie's Men's Shop?" I know they were in Boozer in the 80's and that is too much of a coincidence if there was also a "Robin's."

jonathan

11 Sep 12 at 10:31 am
Ted - Do you know that place in Restaurant Row in MB called Cagney's? They are closing after 30+ years in October. It's a shame that all the old school restaurants can't afford to renew their leases. I met my wife there in high school so I'm sad to see it go. The owners are great people.

Justin

13 Sep 12 at 8:02 pm
@Justin -- I've never been there, but I know the place. I'll try to get some pictures next time I'm on the Strand.

I hate to say it, but I'm starting to think that if we're in recession here in Cola, MB is just about in a depression..

ted

13 Sep 12 at 11:29 pm
The Village Gourmet (in the plaza with The Melting Pot on Colonial Drive) is closed. Their website doesn't say why, but I didn't realize they had been there for 17 years.

Jason

14 Sep 12 at 6:59 am
@Ted - I think you're right about that, MB has been hit pretty hard.

@Jason - That sux about Village Gourmet! That's one of my favorable lunch places. We always order food from there when we have clients in the office. Boo...

Justin

14 Sep 12 at 7:26 am
Ritz Camera on Beltline, to the best of my knowledge, the last camera shop/photo place in town is going out of business.

Tom

15 Sep 12 at 6:56 am
So Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant on Taylor st between Main and Sumter did in fact never reopen from remodeling and is now another restaurant called Taylor St Cafe.

It's a shame because Hong Kong had great chinese food and was near my house.

Justin

15 Sep 12 at 8:07 am
Ritz camera's website says that they will open "under new management" in November. Wow! The the last one in Columbia.

badger

18 Sep 12 at 10:24 am
Does anyone remember Rigby's Restaurant and Saloon at 810 Dutch Square Boulevard? It was a fun place in the late '70s.

Terry

18 Sep 12 at 7:10 pm
Terry, that restuarant was before my time, but Google Maps reveals it's the site of an office building comprised of Right at Home, and the law offices of Pamela Simmons-Bealsey

Andrew

19 Sep 12 at 5:13 pm
We haven't heard from Del in a while.

Terry

21 Sep 12 at 3:50 am
@Terry -- Sounds like it could have been in the Plato's spot.

ted

21 Sep 12 at 12:12 pm
Looks like the 1441 Cafe in the ground floor of 1441 Main has called it quits.

Payne

21 Sep 12 at 3:37 pm
Terry, he changed his username...but I haven't seen that one in a while, either.

tonkatoy

24 Sep 12 at 6:42 am
My mom was telling me about a place that her mom and dad would take her and her brother and sister to in the 50's. She said the name was Doug Droome's Drive In. She said it was located on North Main and they had a glass inclosed box that DJ would sit in and play music. Does anyone have an information on this place or and pictures. Thanks! I love this site.

William

27 Sep 12 at 5:37 pm
William, I still haven't done a Doug Broome post as such for some reason, but have a look

here.

here.

here.

here.

and

here.

ted

27 Sep 12 at 5:52 pm
Update on the 1441 Main spot ... Drip Coffee in 5 Points has announced that they're opening a second location in this spot.

-Payne

Payne

28 Sep 12 at 10:12 am
The yellow building at Olympia @ Bluff @ Virginia was razed.

Frank

30 Sep 12 at 7:18 pm
Frank - are you talking about the old Olympia Grocery Store? I haven't been down there in a long time. Here is a pic I have (if it makes it)....

Homer

1 Oct 12 at 12:16 am
Frank - messed that link up. Let's see if this works...
Olympia Store

Homer

1 Oct 12 at 12:20 am
Or this one..

ted

1 Oct 12 at 12:37 am
No, he's talking about the store/laundramat that had the fire in the second floor apartment some while ago.

tonkatoy

1 Oct 12 at 6:45 am
The Enterprise Rent A Car at the corner of Bull & Taylor is gone. The signs were painted over sometime prior to last Saturday.

Matt

2 Oct 12 at 8:29 am
According to my sister-in-law, Yummilicious on Forest Dr is closed. There is a note on the door, but as is par for the course, she didn't think to go read the note.

Matt

3 Oct 12 at 6:37 pm
I noticed today that the restaurant Yafood on Two Notch Rd has its sign down. I was wondering if it has perhaps closed.

Dr. S

3 Oct 12 at 8:14 pm
@ Matt. The Yummilicious in Lexington has a note on their door too - announcing their "winter" hours.

Beth

3 Oct 12 at 8:45 pm
The Tap Room at 2910 Rosewood Drive has closed. Sign on door gives a phone number and invites a buyer.

Midnight Rambler

4 Oct 12 at 7:21 am
Marinoni's on St. Andrews Road may be closed. I have driven by around 9:00 a couple times and it is dark. Hours on website are until 10:00. I seem to recall this building mentioned on the site, but don't see it under Stinger's or 1-2-3, which was the first tenant. Can't remember what it was prior to Stinger's, which is probably what it is filed under. Is there a search feature on the site? I am probably missing it.

jonathan

4 Oct 12 at 10:34 am
@ jonathan

It wasnt 123, it was Al Amir. There was a little bit written here

http://columbiaclosings.com/wordpress/?p=3424

about it, but not alot of comments.

Also, Columbiana Buffet looked like it was closed today at right around noon time. The last couple of times we ate there the food was awful, so im not terribly surprised.

IrmoJeff

4 Oct 12 at 1:12 pm
Yeah, that was Al-Amir. Shows you how often I drive that stretch of St. Andrews. Not only did I not know Marinoni's was closed, I didn't know it was *open* -- I figured it was still Stinger's. Guess I need to do two closings now.

ted

4 Oct 12 at 1:59 pm
It was 1-2-3 from approx. 1990 - 2005, then it was Al-Amir.

Dave

4 Oct 12 at 2:59 pm
Yea, Al-Amir. That was the restaurant I was thinking of prior to Stinger's. Wow, January, 2012 is when they opened!! I've been meaning to go by there. This year has really flown by. Hopefully they are just cutting their hours. I only drive that stretch around 9:00pm. I agree w/ the "can't make up their mind" post. I remember Stinger's would have "kids eat free" matched up w/ BOGO margaritas or something like that on Tuesdays. I will have to get back over there. Hopefully they are still opened. If not, looking foward to the "Hat Tip!"

jonathan

4 Oct 12 at 4:24 pm
Speaking of Al Amir. There was that one location on Devine Street that seemed to do well, why did he have to be greedy and open up in St. Andrews, and wasnt there one up near Clemson Road somewhere?

Paul D

5 Oct 12 at 12:21 am
They have been somewhat peripatetic. You can look in the Alphabetical Closings page, but the Devine street location closed, cycled through several other middle eastern restaurants and then back to Al-Amir. The Sparkleberry and St. Andrews road locations closed. Currently I think they have Devine Street, Main Street (in University Corner, and Sandhill.

ted

5 Oct 12 at 12:50 am
The Devine St location. Has changed their name to "Arabesque Cafe" or something similar. Same owners, but I wonder if sme brothers had a falling out?

Dave

7 Oct 12 at 9:49 am
All of the Master Cleaner's around town have closed (I first noticed the one in 5 Points and on Millwood, but think there might be others). Rumor has it that it was something to do with taxes. Our friend went to drop off shirts and they were unloading everything they could out of the shop.

Mary Douglass

8 Oct 12 at 9:07 pm
Hey guys, has Yafood on Two Notch Road closed? I noticed that their sign was down and painted over the last time I went by there. It is (or was) in the shopping center in front of Wal-Mart that also has Jo Ann's Fabric and Office Depot.

Dr. S

10 Oct 12 at 4:57 pm
There seems to have been an ongoing changeover to some sort of habachi operation for a while. I was never sure enough that it was a completely new operation to do a post on it. Perhaps it's more clearcut now..

ted

11 Oct 12 at 1:27 am
Do any of you seasoned citizens recall the Smuggler's Inn on Beltline Boulevard? It was located in front of Richland Mall and had a pirate ship decor.

Terry

11 Oct 12 at 2:18 am
I remember the name, but not what it looked like.

According to the info under the Sir George's ad, it was at 2095 Beltline -- the current address of the Richland Mall Bank of America branch.

ted

11 Oct 12 at 2:54 am
NAPA on Hardscrabble has MOVED to 3270? Two Notch Rd. Windows are brown bagged up.

Sidney

14 Oct 12 at 12:41 pm
Really? NAPA just built that store three or four years ago. I drive by here every day but I hadn't noticed this.

Jason

14 Oct 12 at 6:21 pm
I just noticed it (NAPA) when I rode by today.

Sidney

14 Oct 12 at 7:12 pm
BK on 8501 Two Notch Road (the one close to Royal Z Lanes, Wingate, US Post Office) is closed for remodoling

Javier

18 Oct 12 at 7:31 pm
Wasn't there a Kenny Rogers Roasters out on Harbinson not
that long ago? Across from Olive Garden?

Regina

26 Oct 12 at 9:59 am
It was quite a while ago, I think. It was roughly where the Bojangle's is now.

badger

26 Oct 12 at 1:02 pm
Free Times published a list of businesses they miss as part of their 25th anniversary issue.

http://www.free-times.com/index.php?cat=1992912064227409&ShowArticle_ID=11012410122374747

tonkatoy

30 Oct 12 at 8:18 am
Ah, interesting! Some of those I've done, others I can't even remember..

ted

30 Oct 12 at 5:03 pm
Bojangles on Harbison actually was the old Kenny Rogers' Roasters.

Eddie

30 Oct 12 at 7:40 pm
The Maunz Electronics in West Columbia on Sunset Blvd. now displays *Closed* on its sign. They had been there as long as I can remember.

MB

1 Nov 12 at 8:53 pm
That is sad. They have done alot of work for me in the past years, stereo wise. What is very sad is that receivers, etc. are so cheap now, it is easier to throw them away and purchase new equipment. An Onkyo receiver I had that cost $300 new needed a $150 (part, not labor) circuit board. At least of all of that is being kept out of the landfills.

jonathan

2 Nov 12 at 8:22 am
Mariononi's (sp) on St. Andrews has to be closed. I went by there last night around 6:00 and there was no activity.

jonathan

2 Nov 12 at 8:23 am
Head's up, the Moe Levy clothing and ski store on the corner of Assembly and Lady downtown has put up closing signs.

Dustin

3 Nov 12 at 12:23 pm
Yafood was really bad I thought. I went there with a friend for lunch one time and after that I would never go back. There is a new buffet at I-20 and Two Notch that is really good. The best I have had. Try it out if your in the area. I live on the other side of town so I do not get to eat there very much.

Will

3 Nov 12 at 4:47 pm
That would be Jasmine, I think.

ted

3 Nov 12 at 6:11 pm
Jamestown Coffee on 378 in Lexington has closed. They seemed to do good business (and smartly appealed to church groups as a gathering place) but I had my doubts esp since they did not have a drive thru. The coffee was really good and they'd make it for you fresh. I prefer places like this with a local vibe over the big corporate coffee houses.

Andy

9 Nov 12 at 9:29 pm
There is an article in The State today that Jamestown Coffee has relocated to Cromer's on Huger.

Matt

9 Nov 12 at 10:42 pm
This is a short recap of
America Closings What's not in America Anymore

http://news.yahoo.com/hostess-join-10-beloved-brands-gone-forever-195303776.html

Terry

18 Nov 12 at 6:00 am
@Ted - The Taste of China Hut on the corner of Main and West Confederate is now closed. It had a temporary closing sign up for a few months and now the building is officially up for sale/lease.

Justin

19 Nov 12 at 2:17 pm
I wonder if that rickshaw is still out there.

jonathan

20 Nov 12 at 8:53 am
I don't think this is a closing, but. . . The remaining D's (Beltline) has some really unpredictable hours. It was open a few days ago. Tonight at 7:00 it was closed and dark. No other notice.

badger

29 Nov 12 at 8:24 pm
D's Wings? There's still a location in Parkland Plaza.

tonkatoy

30 Nov 12 at 7:22 am
That's "The Original D's." The other locations I'm pretty sure haven't been affiliated with the The Original D's for a long time.

badger

30 Nov 12 at 8:56 am
Doesn't look good. It was closed at 5:30 this evening (Saturday), and the phone number is out of service.

badger

1 Dec 12 at 6:46 pm
I called the number for the D's beltline location and the number says *temporarily disconnected.* We ate there a lot because there never was a wait, but there always seemed to a decent crowd. I figured with all the work involved getting back up and running after the fire would ensure business for a while....

MB

1 Dec 12 at 6:47 pm
Does anyone know why Hullers Black Forest Restaurant left Columbiana Drive to move to the old Lizards Thicket location on St Andrews Rd (between the Irmo Kroger and the Irmo Post Office)? Seems like the building on Columbiana can't keep a steady tenant.

Homer

3 Dec 12 at 2:50 am
The BK at Outlet Point is going to be closing down next week for two months for renovations.

Tom

3 Dec 12 at 5:26 am
@Homer, I am not sure why Huller's moved except that (perhaps) it's a location that is better suited for them. The building was a former Sticky Fingers then came Huller's. It seems like it would be a little challenging from a visibility standpoint...

@Tom I had a feeling that the Brandi, Inc. BK at 2216 Bush River Road would be remodeled before much longer. Both Two Notch Road BKs are being remodeled and locations at N. Main and River Drive as well as US#1 and St. David's Church Road in Lexington have already been remodeled and I guess most of the other locations will be remodeled in due time. This comes on the heels of a different premonition of mine coming to fruition (realignment of Atlas Road and Greenlawn Road in a manner similar to how I envisioned it)

Andrew

3 Dec 12 at 9:45 pm
@Andrew - you could say the same thing for the building in Shopper's Walk where Huller's moved to. I can't recall how many restaurants have tried to open there since Lizard's Thicket. Despite its size, the building is so nestled down with all the other buildings that, unless they have some serious advertising or signage, no one will know they are down there.

Homer

4 Dec 12 at 12:04 am
El-Toro Mexican Restaurant is closed on St. Andrews Rd. Closed a few days before Thanksgiving. Formerly: Fast Tracks, Baja, D's Wing's and BB's.

Dan

7 Dec 12 at 4:09 am
Dan confirms my suspicion that El Toro (806 St. Andrews Road) had folded up...I'm baffled by the fact that Fast Track was bought out of their lease when they had every intention of establishing themselves, offering a 'half off Friday' on B106.7 as well as having having pages on YouTube, Facebook and a website of their own. Never-mind the fact that the building has had 10-15 other restaurants come and go.

I think the best chance for success at 806 St. Andrews Road is to have something with name recognition open. I've had visions of it being reworked in favor of a Cookout or Chick-Fil-A (but very few of my visions of that nature actually surface). The closure of Kroger #409 (across the street at 817 St. Andrews Road) couldn't have helped, either.

I've heard that a large percentage of restaurants lass less than 2 years

Andrew

7 Dec 12 at 3:55 pm
Aamco on decker?

John

8 Dec 12 at 7:26 am
SAS (San Antonio Shoes) on Harbison (same strip mall as Books A Million) is closed.

Tom

9 Dec 12 at 6:49 am
I noticed you don't have Opening Break listed. They had a GREAT pool hall at 152 Assembly a while back. I used to love to go there. It's where the Gamecock Clothing is now. It was pricey, but well worth the trip back when the economy was good.

Miz T

10 Dec 12 at 3:54 pm
^And right next to Suds, where you could drink beer and do laundry!

tonkatoy

11 Dec 12 at 7:46 am
The Carolina Wings in the VIsta closed Sunday - it appears for good as a for sale sign is in front of it today.

Also - I'm not sure if this has been mentioned - but Dreams of Bombay closed in five points a few weeks ago.

MB

11 Dec 12 at 4:40 pm
@ MB. Not surprised to hear about Carolina Wings. That chain has taken a major nose dive. We ate at the Lexington establishment in November for a team function. Most people ate the buffet, which didn't even have chicken wings on it!!!! How is that possible?

I had the black/blue burger, which used to be fantastic, but it was incredibly bland.

jonathan

12 Dec 12 at 10:08 am
@John Their was a write up on here about Aamco. I remember seeing it a few months back. Funny thing, there is still a car inside one of the bays.

Sidney

12 Dec 12 at 3:45 pm
Ted - Lark on Holly just off of Devine Street is going out of business. Saw the signs yesterday while driving by.

Justin

16 Dec 12 at 10:36 am
The proposed Walmart at Capitol City Stadium is now officially dead as the Walmart panel has pulled the plug on that site. They are looking for other tenants and my wildest dream would be to see Harris Teeter there.

Andrew

16 Dec 12 at 2:06 pm
Good to hear, we didn't need a Walmart there anyways, Columbia area already has ten Walmart stores and eight of them are disgusting.

Cayce Reader

18 Dec 12 at 11:56 am
From the ads, it appears Jim Hudson Cadillac GMC in the old Burnside Chrysler Plymouth building will be closing up soon.

tonkatoy

19 Dec 12 at 7:51 am
And, according to Richland County tax records, the Jim Hudson building and property on Garners Ferry Road is still owned by Marion Burnside Jr.

Rick

19 Dec 12 at 9:13 am
Someone that is suppose to know, told me Marion Burnsides Father owned the Chrysler Plymouth Dodge and Desoto Dealership. When he closed, or got out of business, Marion took the Chrysler Plymouth portion and opened at 7201 Sumter Highway, as it was known, and sometimes still called. Marions brother Dick took the Dodge part and opened at the corner of Harden and Gervais Streets near Five points.
In 1965, Dick built the house I live in now. It was designed after the Seibels House located at 1601 Richland Street in Columbia. I spoke to Dick one time, he gave some interesting facts about the house and how it was built.

Rick

19 Dec 12 at 9:42 am
supposedly, where the Walgreens at 7801 Garners Ferry Road is, there's a plan for the Burnside family to build a community. There's a road with entrances prepared for businesses and The State had an article entitled "Building a Community" to speak to it as I recall but Walgreens is the only occupant

Andrew

19 Dec 12 at 12:43 pm
The way I understood it, Andrew, was that rather than sell to the developers, one of the Burnside's (can't remember which) elected to develop the land himself. That would have been a great plan, but the housing market collapsed soon there after.

I'm sure it just delays making money, but I really have a feeling it might be a while (I keep hearing 2023 tossed around) until the housing market recovers from the overbuilding.

tonkatoy

20 Dec 12 at 7:44 am
Well, the Walgreens won't be lonely much longer. Right beside it we're going to have what that intersection is sorely lacking. . . anther pharmacy chain! CVS!

badger

20 Dec 12 at 7:52 am
And the Rite Aid is one block away. Do we really need a pharmacy on every corner?

Rick

20 Dec 12 at 8:47 am
It seems to me as if CVS is moving out of East Pointe Plaza which I am not surprised about at all.

My Aunt Polly wonders if we have more drugstores than just about any city.

Andrew

20 Dec 12 at 12:34 pm
Drugstores are pretty much the general store of yesteryear.

tonkatoy

21 Dec 12 at 7:49 am
D's restaurant opened where the old 7 Grill used to be on Clemson Rd. I think D's Wings was there originally.

Sidney

28 Dec 12 at 1:09 pm
Brooks Shoes at Columbiana is going out of business. Also the AC Moore on Harbison has lost their lease and are marking everything down 40%

Tom

30 Dec 12 at 6:52 pm
It looks like the Burger King on 378 in West Columbia (the one at I-26) is closed...it says "closed" on their sign and their are papers posted in all doors and windows, but I didn't stop to see what they said.

And the larger "Urban Threads" in 5 point also closed . I never went there to see what they offered.

MB

1 Jan 13 at 12:59 pm
I noticed this week that the Pilates studio in Trenholm Plaza is gone. It was between 32 Degrees and the new shoe store. I'm not surprised as this is most likely a high rent location and no one was ever there, I wouldn't be surprised if they moved, but there isn't a note on the door.

Matt

4 Jan 13 at 10:43 am
Jim Hudson closed and moved to Killian Road overnight.

Frank

6 Jan 13 at 2:49 pm
I saw today that the Burger King on 378 at I-26 is closed. I know they have been doing a lot of remodeling of Burger Kings in the area. I think this one is done for good. On the sign it just says closed. The ones that are being remodeled say closed for remodel. There is a note on the door but I did not stop to take a look at it. I have never been a fan of Burger King so I would not really mind if they all closed. I will say that the stores that are being remodeled look pretty good.

William

6 Jan 13 at 7:24 pm
It looked like the grill was being removed from that BK on 378 on Thursday or Friday. There had been workers there all week long, so my guess is that it's being switched over to another brand.

Jason

6 Jan 13 at 7:33 pm
Ted - When you get a chance, check out Case Plants at 2720 Main Street. Been closed for a while but it's a pretty cool lot and I'm sure the property has been many other businesses over the years.

Justin

6 Jan 13 at 10:33 pm
RE: Case Plants - 2720 Main St
I'm 99% sure that Case Plants was at the old farmers market and moved to this location instead of going to the new farmers market in Cayce.

I think that they were just inside the gate on the right. They would have been the closest location on the property in relation to the Bojangles.

Coupled with the closure of Rebekah's Garden on Leesburg Rd, this makes a solid case for moving to somewhere that there are other similar businesses (even if it is in the middle of nowhere) vs going it alone in a busier part of town.

Matt

7 Jan 13 at 9:34 am
That's right, Matt. There was a Case Plants at the old Farmers Market. I assume it was the same operation that moved to Main street with the market relocated.

Justin

7 Jan 13 at 12:29 pm
It was the same Case Plants. We used to buy plants from them at the Farmer's Market location, and went to the Main St. place a few times after they moved. They told us about plans they had for renovating the lot, and seemed enthusiastic about the new location. Guess Matt is right, it's better to cluster near similar businesses.

Cary

7 Jan 13 at 2:19 pm
Anyone remember Sarullo's on King Street, in a building (house?) across from the Mediterranean Tea Room?

AW

7 Jan 13 at 10:38 pm
Jim Hudson has moved its Cadillac/GMC/Buick dealership from Garners Ferry Rd (at I-77) to their brand new Killian Road location (also at I-77). The old dealership is now empty.

Lee

8 Jan 13 at 11:33 am
TCBY on Lake Murray Blvd is no more. I'm surprised they held out as long as they did. Here's hoping the Groucho's over there hangs on.

Also, Taino's on Broad River Rd across from SLED has apparently shut down as well. In November, I think.

Soxinsc

9 Jan 13 at 11:10 pm
Ted,
One place that has always fascinated me is the State Park near Farrow road and Parklane. My father had an office here for a while when he worked for what was then the State Board of Health. I was through the area a short time ago and was surprised that so little of it is in use and that the hospital is completely unoccupied.

Randy Mitchell

12 Jan 13 at 11:12 am
Has anyone ever noticed that old house/bldg off the side of 126 where 26 intersects going toward downtown with a really old letter sign with "St. Andrews Kindergarten"? You've got to kind of look for it but its right in that area.

Also, drove by Chelsea's on the 1700 block of Main a few nights recently and it's been dark. Might have closed down...

Justin

13 Jan 13 at 8:51 am
I've noticed the St. Andrews Kindergarten Justin mentions and wonder how it manages to operate. My friend Sarah remarked to how sketch it looked.

Andrew

13 Jan 13 at 11:08 am
Andrew - I had assumed it was non-operational due to its condition, is it still in business?

Justin

13 Jan 13 at 8:05 pm
Ted - also wanted to mention, jogged by Mezza today in the Vista and it has a sign up saying it is permanently closed as of Dec 24.

Justin

13 Jan 13 at 8:08 pm
Mezza's website reflects the closure too. "Mezza Has Closed , and Sold its Location"

Shame always meant to get down to eat.

Thomas

13 Jan 13 at 10:40 pm
Has El Chico on Bush River Rd by Hamricks and Fuddruckers reopened yet? Last time I drove by it was closed due to a fire a few weeks ago and the neighboring building sign said "sorry el chico"

Cayce Reader

14 Jan 13 at 4:30 pm
I don't think so. At least they don't answer their phone..

ted

14 Jan 13 at 7:21 pm
Ipads? OK MP3s? Da nada. Black president? About time. Barefoot Harry wearing shoes? What is the world coming to?

Justin Parsons

15 Jan 13 at 7:19 am
There was a lovely little bar in 5 Points called JD Stickys. When it opened you were invited to consume Rolling Rock beer to receive a free T Shirt. Seemed fair enough, so I did, brought it back to England and still wear it from time to time when attending gigs and trying to look a bit rock and roll with my grubbiest Converse. What a tosser I am. Nice blokes who ran that bar though, and just inches away from a good browse and sift at Pappa Jazz.

Justin Parsons

15 Jan 13 at 7:19 am
Justin, great stories. You will be happy to know Papa is still in business and capitaling greatly on the resurgence of vinyl.

jonathan

15 Jan 13 at 9:13 am
I have a picture of a "The Bounty" good for one ride token. How can I pass it along so it can get posted?

Jiles Bishop

16 Jan 13 at 11:43 am
Any know what was the name of the restaurant on 378 where Nick's is now? Nick's is said to have been there since 1997. I can't recall what was there in the mid to late 70's.

Robert Sproul

16 Jan 13 at 7:56 pm
It was "The Market" in the late 1980s/early 1990s. I have no idea if they were a successor to the Market at the corner of Assembly and Gervais, or even affiliated with them. And for a brief while in between I think there was something in that location called "Ugli's". Or maybe that one was a spot or two over.

BTW, Mr. Sproul, I think you and I sat in the same German class around 1978.

badger

16 Jan 13 at 9:41 pm
The address of Nick's House of Pizza is 1082 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia. I've never been but it's on my list of places I'm eying...

Andrew

16 Jan 13 at 10:32 pm
German class in 1978!!! Truly a veritable torture chamber of horrors!!! And you have it very correctly stated as all I did was "sit" there and only learn enough to get by.

BTW, Nick's is a very good restaurant, IMO.

Saw a reference to the Hitching Post (currently Carolina Coliseum) in today's State paper on the sports page. The good old days.......

Robert Sproul

17 Jan 13 at 8:29 pm
What a nice surprise to see a post about Nick's House of Pizza! I frequent this site, and my husband Andrew is the owner of Nick's (I think that restaurant posts on Columbia Closings was initially what led me here). Nick's did start in 1997, however, there were a few restaurants there over the years. Before it was Nick's, it was called The Marketplace. The property was owned by the Loftis family for many years until my husband and his father purchased it several years ago. Thank you to those who said it is a good restaurant! And if you've been eyeing it...stop in sometime! :)

Cameron G.

19 Jan 13 at 5:36 pm
The Desserts & More in the Rice Creek Publix shopping center has up and closed this week. I could swear they were still open earlier last week when I went grocery shopping. Signage gone, fixtures moved out, and no signs (that I noticed) in the windows.

Jason

20 Jan 13 at 9:17 pm
I enjoy your blog. I wanted to let you know that the Schlotzsky's Deli on Sunset Blvd. is now closed. We tried to go there yesterday. On the way home, I also noticed that the Indian restaurant, Dreams of Bombay, on Harden St. is closed.

Susie

20 Jan 13 at 11:57 pm
I noticed the Mezza closing, too, and remembered reading this pretty rough review from The Hungry Lady: http://the-hungry-lady.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-mess-that-is-mezza.html in July.

Mary Douglass

22 Jan 13 at 4:55 pm
The Cotton Grill in Lexington's Old Mill (on US 1) has closed. Never went there but heard good things about it. The spot has been many things over the years, as recently as 2009 it was a CrabShack that was pretty good, but they always seemed to find an excuse not to accept your coupon.

From what I understand, Cotton Grill tried to be upscale. Given Lexington's demographics, that could be difficult. Of course Travinia's and Uno's seem to do pretty well, but I've always argued they are close enough to downtown Columbia to get some traffic from there.

Andy

23 Jan 13 at 9:04 pm
The Kmart on St. Andrews Road (Irmo) is closing.
The State paper had the story on Friday (Jan. 25).
Here is the link-
http://www.thestate.com/2013/01/25/2603797/trader-joes-to-open-soon-kmart.html

kholler

25 Jan 13 at 6:45 am
@Andy. This is what the website (cottongrill.com) says: Thank you to all our loyal customers for your support over the past 3 years. We have had to close our doors but are very excited about reopening under new ownership as the Old Mill Brew Pub. We have retained our chef and will have a wonderfully eclectic menu and onsite brewing with additional craft beers from around the region and beyond. We will be honoring Cotton Grill gift cards at the Brew Pub but if you feel that you would rather not use them, please email Laban at info@cottongrill.com and he can arrange a return of your money. Thank you again we look forward to seeing you at the Brew Pub

Beth

25 Jan 13 at 12:57 pm
I am disheartened to hear what kholler is reporting about the closing of Kmart #7410 at Seven Oaks Shopping center.

I have grown to suspect Kmart as a dying company and sadly this doesn't do anything to counter that belief.

I felt that Seven Oaks Shopping Center's Kmart was the best kept of the Kmart locations. The flooring of the other 3 gives off a 'dated' vibe as far as I'm concerned.

This will undoubtedly be a gargantuan blow to Seven Oaks Shopping Center but they went through it when a Food Lion left about 3 years ago. Shortly after Food Lion closed, Big Lots #5123 took over app. ⅔ of their old space. The other third remains vacant and there's a decent size vacancy between Big Lots and where Zorba's is as well.

Andrew

25 Jan 13 at 6:12 pm
Hi,
I just saw on thestate.com that the Kmart on St.Andrews Rd. will be closing April 30. I have a feeling that Kmart will be closing a lot more stores in the next few months/years. This company is on the downhill and it is just a matter of time before the whole chain goes under. Kmart stores are dirty and old and the prices are way to high.

William

26 Jan 13 at 9:14 am
Ted. what was the name of the short lived restaurant on Decker across from the old Red Lobster, that is now Chick Fil A.

Frances

26 Jan 13 at 9:22 am
I'm not Ted, but possibly you mean this one: http://columbiaclosings.com/wordpress/?p=21

badger

26 Jan 13 at 9:59 am
The Monterrey Mexican Restaurant at 5570 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington is closed. I guess it's San Jose or Moe's for me now. Grrrr!

Beth

26 Jan 13 at 1:51 pm
hmm..

ted

26 Jan 13 at 3:07 pm
While walking down Devine Street today, I saw that Round Robin closed. Says it is reopening with new owners as Devine Robin next weekend.

Mary Douglass

26 Jan 13 at 6:23 pm
The Raceway gas station at I-26 and Bush River is closed and for sale.

Tom

27 Jan 13 at 6:14 am
Barnes and Noble announced today that it will close about a third of its stores over the next decade. No specifics as to which store will be closed were given.

Tom

28 Jan 13 at 11:06 am
The Griffin Pools and Spas on Atlas Road might be closed. It has a "For Lease" sign out front. I know them only from their radio spots.

badger

28 Jan 13 at 12:01 pm
Barnes and Noble currently has two Columbia locations:

1) Harbison Court
2) Richland Mall

I've always liked Barnes & Noble but I am not one to shop for books very much as I am not a big reader. I remember the opening of the Richland Mall location.

DDR has been able to recruit vacancies to fill Harbison Court fairly well so I would think that if Harbison Court goes, then they'd be able to land something in fairly quick order.

If the Richland Mall location were to close, filling it would be a challenge, a lot of it dependent on what becomes of the revitalization plan that Century Capitol Group and Kahn Development have in mind.

Andrew

28 Jan 13 at 12:05 pm
Hi,

I am not sure if anyone has talked about this or not so forgive me if I am posting something that has already been talked about. I noticed that the Raceway gas station on Bush River at I-26 has closed. I have always thought that they needed to do a huge remodel on that station. I guess that is not going to happen now. The one across the street does not look much better either.

William

28 Jan 13 at 1:47 pm
Hmm. here'a an article on the B&N store closing plans. I hope I'm wrong, but I would not expect the Richland Mall store to survive many rounds. It's already got much shorter than typical operating hours and it's, well, in Richland Mall.

ted

28 Jan 13 at 6:33 pm
Beth -- thanks for the post about Cotton Grill. They appear to have a good plan, and the description sounds like a place that could succeed in Lexington. We need more bars/restaurants like that. And it's a nice touch they're going to honor the old giftcards.

Andy

28 Jan 13 at 10:12 pm
Does anyone remember the Town and Country Bar, Grill and Motel in West Columbia?

DBryant

29 Jan 13 at 4:56 am
Does anyone remember the Town and Country Bar, Grill and Motel in West Columbia?

DBryant

29 Jan 13 at 4:56 am
AC Moore on Harbison is leaving.

Matt

29 Jan 13 at 4:35 pm
Would you please consider installing this plugin

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/

this would let me see if anyone else comments on something I've commented on. I'll get an email when a new comment is added.

It's free, and quick and easy to install. I use this plugin on all my WordPress sites.

Thanks, and I appreciate your work on this site!

Mike

1 Feb 13 at 6:09 am
Just learned today the Kmart on St. Andrews in Irmo will close April 30th at the end of their lease.

James

3 Feb 13 at 9:20 pm
I saw today that the Blockbuster on Broad River Rd is closing. No idea of a time but they were having a going out of business sale. Don't know if the one on St.Andrews in Irmo is closing.

William

4 Feb 13 at 6:23 pm
I know Homer wouldn't be surprised of St. Andrews in Irmo closed and I'm starting to see it now that it's been spoken for in that manner...Frankly, I feel the same about Blockbuster's Lexington location

Andrew

4 Feb 13 at 6:30 pm
Signs announcing the store closing for Blockbuster at 378 and US 1 in Lexington went up yesterday.

James

4 Feb 13 at 9:14 pm
I can't say I'm surprised about James's reporting about the Blockbuster in Lexington closing:

This leaves us down to the following 3:

1) Rosewood at Gills Creek Parkway
2) St. Andrews Road & Fork Avenue in Irmo
3) US#1 at Dreher Street in West Columbia

If you look at the alphabetical closings list, it's not hard to figure out that we once had at least 3-4x that many locations around...

Andrew

4 Feb 13 at 10:35 pm
@Andrew - I noticed a clearance sale sign hanging in the window of the Irmo Blockbuster a couple of days ago. No going out of business sign yet, but I feel it's only a matter of time. Maybe it's getting close to the time to swoop in and scarf up some cheap flicks....

Homer

6 Feb 13 at 2:57 am
I suspect that every Blockbuster in the country will close soon enough. I can't foresee a need for the brick and mortar format in this type of media for much longer.

Justin

6 Feb 13 at 9:26 pm
No, those days are gone forever.

tonkatoy

7 Feb 13 at 7:36 am
Not sure if it has been mentioned but I heard Chick Fil A inside Columbia Place has been shuttered.

Trina

7 Feb 13 at 3:53 pm
That little hole-in-the-wall place across Taylor St. from Mast General, Meatball Express is closed. It's at 1124 Taylor.

Justin

9 Feb 13 at 1:10 pm
I went this afternoon and can second Trina's notion that Chick-Fil-A inside of Columbia Place mall has closed. Not only is it closed, there's black plastic the same consistency of a garbage bag covering up their old spot. In addition Schiano's (which I was hoping to try) has also left Columbia Place Mall's food court

Andrew

9 Feb 13 at 4:35 pm
Within the last day, I went by to confirm James's notion that Blockbuster's Lexington location is closing (in addition to Williams's on the Broad River location). Next door to the Lexington location is a former Taco Bell. There is now signage indicating that this particular Taco Bell property has sold.

Andrew

16 Feb 13 at 1:53 am
I'm still keeping an eye on the Blockbuster in Irmo. The clearance sale sign was out of the window earlier this week. Haven't been by there since then.

Also, it looks like the Burger King at I-20 & Bush River should be open soon. The exterior looks complete and they were working on the parking lot this morning.

Homer

16 Feb 13 at 2:26 am
I think Senor O'Malleys in five points has closed. I was by there today and it was cleaned out with bare windows.

MB

19 Feb 13 at 8:49 pm
Re: Senor O'Malleys - Groupon sent out an email today saying they were cancelling the Senor O'Malleys deal and offering refunds b/c they'd heard from customers who couldn't get in touch with the restaurant. The restaurant's phone number is disconnected too.

MisterF

20 Feb 13 at 5:20 pm
@ANYONE that may be able to comment.....

I am interested in finding out about the history of all of the old buildings that still exist in 5 Points, the Vista and along Main St. I have been toying with this since I met an older black gentleman outside of Kelly's Pub, on Washington St., during one of the old 3 Rivers Music Festivals. He grew up along what was then known as the black Main St. He told me about all of the buildings that used to exist in that area and said that Kelly's used to house a barber shop and an attorney's office. Then one evening I was at the Art Bar see a band and noticed what looked like the remnants of old sliding doors on the inside wall in the back of the bar. That really got me to thinking about what these buildings were originally used for.

I know that the history of most of the Vista buildings revolve around the railroad and manufacturing and I know some of the Main St. and 5 Points history from conversing with older people and by what I can find on the web (which isn't a lot except for some old pictures scattered here and there).

Does anyone know of a any resources, either online or in print, where I could gather some info? Maybe when I can retire, I'll go to the city archives or the library and write a book about this. Like that's going to happen any time soon...lol!!!

Thanks for any input ANYONE can provide!!!!

Homer

22 Feb 13 at 2:55 am
Does anyone know of or have heard of when Maurice's was downtown on Main back in the mid to late 50's? I know the one in Cayce opened up around 1956-57? but I had heard he had one on Main Street also. Anyone have any ideas as to where it was?

semiquaver2013

26 Feb 13 at 4:46 pm
Hey Homer, this won't help much but it will be pretty cool to see. In the plaza on the corner of Trenholm and Decker, where the Comedy House is located, there is a Burnette's Cleaners. In there, they have 2 panoramic pictures of 5 Points. One dated in the 30's and one dated in the 50's.

Sidney

27 Feb 13 at 6:20 am
Homer, wasn't "Black Main Street" Washingtom Street From Assembly to Huger?

tonkatoy

27 Feb 13 at 7:37 am
Semiquaver2013, I believe the first Piggy Park was in West Columbia at it's current location on Charleston Highway. I can't say there was ever one downtown.

http://www.piggiepark.com/about/

Mike L.

27 Feb 13 at 3:37 pm
A question of a future Columbia Closing... I see three build dates in on line researcg for Capitol City Stadium -- 1927, 1945 and 1991. My assumption was that the stadium there now (but not for long) was built in 1927. Am I wrong and there was a new stadium built to replace the older one at the same site in 1991?

Joe Hinson

28 Feb 13 at 10:53 am
1991 was when it was last renovated. They moved the concessions behind the seating and added more seating.

Mike

28 Feb 13 at 4:10 pm
Walmart has decided not to add one of their smaller 'neighborhood mart' type of stores on the site on Capitol City Stadium (just as well considering we currently have 10 Walmarts in the Columbia MSA) so the mystery remains: What will wind up there now??

Andrew

28 Feb 13 at 5:35 pm
Yep. Somehow when I heard Wal Mart had said no, I thought that might be the end of it. Silly me. Oddly, Mayor Benjamin wants to bring minor league baseball back to Columbia, but not at this location. Not sure why if that's the case, you can't just build a new park here.

Joe H.

1 Mar 13 at 3:16 am
I recall the last few years the Capitol City Bombers were here that they felt the need for a new stadium because of (among other issues) drainage. WIS even did a story discussing potential sites but it's been too long for me to remember the details.

At one point there was discussion about combining a stadium with South Carolina's NCAA baseball team but Mike McGee (SC's athletic director at the time) wanted the city to build it and have the University keep all the revenue.

I also recall Alan Kahn wanting to build a team here and build a stadium on the Village at Sandhill.

Andrew

1 Mar 13 at 1:37 pm
I think Hughes is pitching (HAHA) one for the Bull Street project.

tonkatoy

1 Mar 13 at 2:16 pm
Eat More Tees, 731 Elmwood Avenue
In The 40's 50's 60's This part of Town was sort of isolated. All changed when I-126 was opened. Elmwood Ave ended at Huger St. On the right corner stands Logan School. On this land was Columbia's First Fair Grounds/Horse race track.This old building was a corner Drug Store (Pharmacy) The Pharmacist & Family lived upstairs in a full apartment. Now this was a compounding pharmacy, most prescriptions were made onsite. There was a complete soda fountain. Notice how the left side looks sort of chopped off? Thats because "McGowen's" Grocery Store (Red&White type)shared the brick wall!Also "Johnie's Barber shop. Brick building all the way to "Captain Telegram's" at 719 Elmwood Ave Columbia, SC 29201.
Yes "Piggy Park" WAS on Main (aprox 1441) exactly across from "The Palmetto" movie theater. It was the 2nd of Maurice's BBQ. Not cooked there but brought in from his Charleston Hwy. store. Not sure of date, maybe 1959-60.
Also Duck-In Restaurant (now 1500 block) was in 1400 block, Also Stien's men store.

"Bo"

1 Mar 13 at 6:52 pm
@Sidney - thanks! Next time I get over on Decker I'll have to remember this. I'd love to find some reproductions for sale somewhere!!

Homer

2 Mar 13 at 12:11 am
@tonkatoy - according to what the older man told me, indeed, "Black Main Street" did stretch along Washington from Assembly to Huger. According to him the only buildings that he remembered that are still in the area are The Big Apple, the building that Kelly's is in, the building the Art Bar is in and Zion Baptist Church. He said that there was any kind of business along the stretch that you could think of. Grocery, clothing, hardware, etc. stores. Attorneys, barbers, doctors and other services. Anything that was over on the "white Main St." you could find on Washington.

Homer

2 Mar 13 at 12:41 am
I was wondering if any body knows anything about what is going in at the former Smokey Bones on Columbiana Drive. I saw the other day that someone was doing some major work on the building. No signs were up. Thanks!

William

2 Mar 13 at 2:41 pm
@William, according to comments on the Smokey Bones page it's to become a Brazilian restaurant...

Andrew

2 Mar 13 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for that information on the old Smokey Bones site. I just looked up rioz the new restaurant opening there. It looks pretty good but very pricey. It was 36.50 for the buffet. That better me some really good food for that price. I do not like buffets for the most part. Ryan's is like low grade dog food I think. Sorry Ryan's fans.

William

3 Mar 13 at 1:12 am
I worry that the high buffet prices will turn a lot of people off.

$36.50 for a buffet sounds like a bit much...

Ryan's to me is edible but they've been through bankruptcy and I'm like, "is it just me or does Ryan's taste insipid?"

Andrew

3 Mar 13 at 10:20 am
Ummm. Forgive me if I come across as trying to sound "Hi falutin", or if you already knew this. But are you all familiar with a Brazilian steakhouse? It's not a buffet like a Ryans at all. The salad bar would be the only place you walk through and shovel food onto your plate, but look at what they have on the bar besides "greens". Salmon, sushi, shrimp, prosciutto di parma, shitake mushrooms, etc. And look at all the different meats that are cut at your table, and it's unlimited servings (after 4PM). I would say $36.50 is about right. After all, the folks who think Ryans is the best thing going are not exactly the demographic Rioz is looking to get the bulk of their business from. (Once again, I'm not a snob. I myself eat at Ryans probably six to ten times a year, and would be very lucky to make it to a Brazilian steak house twice in a year, more like once!)

JBL

3 Mar 13 at 4:19 pm
I went to the Rioz in Myrtle Beach, and the salad bar was abou 20 bucks--but it was not a salad bar like you'd find at Ryan's or Golden Corral. Definitely a fair amount more hi falutin'. Unfortunately, I don't remember the details, but I'd do it agian.

badger

3 Mar 13 at 9:37 pm
is it like the Brazilian buffet downtown? Would it catch on in Harbison, I mean there are people with money, but who wants to spend over $30 on a buffet on a regular basis?
The food is great yeah, but for a special occasion not a weekly basis.
PS Ted this site is great!!

GeorgieLove

4 Mar 13 at 12:50 am
These are both Rodízio-style restaurants. The "buffet" is a salad bar and the side dishes for your entree which is various meats cut-to-order at your table from rotisserie spits. The "meat bearers" wear gaucho-looking outfits and it's "all you can eat".

Mike

4 Mar 13 at 2:41 pm
Closing but not closed yet...KMart in Seven Oaks on St. Andrews rd. Big Store Closing Banner is up and guys holding signs on the street. Looks like the closeout company has already taken over operation and will be selling it all off.
Sorry if someone has already mentioned this and I missed it.

Larry

4 Mar 13 at 5:01 pm
Mae's on Main St. in Lexington has a store closing sign up.

TahoeChic

5 Mar 13 at 4:05 pm
Hey, Big Thursday over on Sunset Blvd has a writ of ejectment on their windows. I have 4 pictures (one of the store front, one of the inside, and one of each of the two papers) The thing is I don't know how I could possibly get them to you.

ReneeLouvier

5 Mar 13 at 10:37 pm
closings at columbiaclosings dto com

ted

6 Mar 13 at 12:26 am
Lord, here come the hacks, littering the site with garbage!!!

Homer

6 Mar 13 at 2:52 am
Big Thursday's website is down. Anyone know if the whole company went out of business?

TahoeChic

6 Mar 13 at 9:26 am
Never mind. Just found their Facebook page and it says they went out of business on Feb 28.

TahoeChic

6 Mar 13 at 9:29 am
When did Steak & Shake close on Columbiana drive? We discovered S&S in Pineville eight or nine years ago and then when we moved, we hated to see that Columbia *had* an old Steak & Shake, but that it was shut down.

Joe H.

7 Mar 13 at 7:42 pm
I remember eating at a Steak & Shake in Chattanooga in September 1999. At that time I envisioned them being in Columbia and they finally came. They didn't last too long here. I don't know for sure, but I think it closed somewhere in the 2004-08 timeframe

Believe it or not, I've fantasized about a new Steak & Shake at Piney Grove Road and I-26. I wonder if it'd be feasible to have Steak & Shake back in Columbia...The Village at Sandhill and Dutch Square (down from Ruby Tuesday) strike me as potential options...

Andrew

7 Mar 13 at 11:34 pm
Joe H, the beginning of the end was when the city of Cola. shoestring annexed the area (the median of I-26 in some places), tore down the projects on Read St, Rosewood, etc. and moved the whole project's population via Section 8 to Harbison across the street from the Columbiana Dr S&S. Research what happened to Harbison West Elementary test scores and discipline problems before and after this took place. (Call me a racist if you will, but you can't argue with facts.)
Andrew, you are obviously a good fella, but you really get me tickled sometimes! You "fantasized about a new Steak & Shake" ??? I think maybe Ted should split his salary with you, you liven up the forum.

JBL

8 Mar 13 at 2:06 am
JBL, the same thing happened to ALL SCHOOLS in Richland School District 2.

Sidney

8 Mar 13 at 6:48 am
Columbia's policies of distributing section 8 throughout the burbs has pretty much ruined all of Columbia.

tonkatoy

8 Mar 13 at 7:39 am
I'm being lead to believe that apartments off of Fernadina Road (between St. Andrews Road and Evelyn Drive) becoming Section 8 hot spots was the downfall of Kroger #409 (817 St. Andrews Road) last year based on the commends on that page (which I've linked)

Andrew

8 Mar 13 at 3:41 pm
Baily's Pool by Columbiana Mall is closed. An employee told me last night that she worked her usul Sat. nite shift. Came to work Sun and there was a note on the door that the place was closed. Apparently no one knew this was happening, even the manager.

There is some work being done at the old Smokey Bones on Columbiana, butno sign as to what it is and the old Sun Com on Lake Murray Blvd is becoming a beauty school.

Tom

9 Mar 13 at 6:21 am
I had a former teacher who named his daughter Bailey after the Bailey's on Columbiana. I recall it being a playground-type of place back in the 90s when I was in Elementary school. I wonder if anyone remembers what it was known as.

Andrew

9 Mar 13 at 11:40 am
Anyone remember the name of the club behind the old Pizza Hut on Devine St. In the early 70's? It burned down about '74(?) -Near the current Staples? Was it New South Music Hall ?

Robert

9 Mar 13 at 7:59 pm
Robert, I believe the club was BrewMasters.

Terry

11 Mar 13 at 2:28 am
Judy's restaurant on Sunset Blvd has closed. It is in the same shopping center as Big Thursday's.

And the old Smokey Bones on Columbiana is being renovated and will reopen as a Brazillian Steak House as part of the T/Bonz chain.

Russ

12 Mar 13 at 7:31 am
Robert and Terry, wasn't there also one called The Big Apple? or something like that.

Rick

12 Mar 13 at 12:17 pm
I hear TGI Fridays at Richland Mall is closing at the end of this month. There was a comment corroborating this on a columbia city data forum so very likely true.

Mike

13 Mar 13 at 4:54 pm
My sister mentioned that to me a week or two ago. I didn't see anything posted on the door when I drove by, and haven't managed to stop for a burger yet.

If so, it's pretty huge.

ted

13 Mar 13 at 4:57 pm
If TGI Friday's does close, it's another big blow to the efforts of Century Capitol Group and Kahn Development to breathe new life into Richland Mall. TGI Friday's has been a longstay there, staying when so many others have left...

Someone mentioned several weeks ago that Barnes and Noble was going to close stores. I remember the one in Richland Mall opening somewhere around 1998ish and have had a soft spot for Barnes and Noble although I am not one to shop at bookstores often since I'm not a big book reader. B&N bought Borders after their bankruptcy and liquidation. Richland Mall is one of two B&N Columbia locations (I thought they were going to open at the Village at Sandhill but a B&N location at Village at Sandhill has yet to come to fruition). *** no word yet as to if Columbia's two locations will be affected or not ***

If the aforementioned two closings come to fruition, there's no doubt that it's two gargantuan blows to Richalnd Mall.

3 years have now elapsed since Century Capitol Group bought the mall and enlisted Kahn Development to bring new life into the mall. The first thing they did was change it from Midtown at Forest Acres back to Richland Mall. They've managed to lose S&S as well as Bath & Body Works but managed to find Sadie's and a waterproofing business that moved off of Main Street. I seem to think they need something along the lines of Macy's or Crate & Barrel to really have a chance at new life...

Andrew

13 Mar 13 at 10:56 pm
Of all of the 'casual dining' restaurants I always liked TGIF's and O'Charleys the best. The Appleby's, Ruby Tuesday's and such; I could take them or leave them. The only times I ate at TGIF were if I happened to be on that side of town but the food was always good. I still miss the O'Charleys that was on Harbison. It ticked me off to see it replaced with another wing joint. IMHO, wing joints in Columbia rank right up there with the number of Chinese and Mexican restaurants. What we need on the northwest side of town is a Red Lobster or a Harbor Inn. I wish Hudson's could find a place over here to reopen as well!!!!!

Homer

14 Mar 13 at 12:46 am
Robert -- New South Music Hall was in the building behind Pizza Hut at 7385 Garners Ferry Road. This was way back in the early 70s.

Dennis

14 Mar 13 at 5:07 am
Just noticed today that The Other Pancake House on Sunset Blvd in Lexington (Topspin Plaza) has finally gone out of business. The owners had been trying to sell the business for quite some time. It appears the new owners have changed the name to Compton's Kitchen and already have the sign up. I ate at the Other Pancake House once and it was the worst meal I have ever had dining out. My wife and I joked that the place was a candidate for Robert Irvin's Restaurant Impossible.

Also in the same plaza, the print shop seems to have closed. The sign on the plaza directory says "for rent" over the business' sign.

James

14 Mar 13 at 7:42 pm
I don't think you've covered it, but Marino's Bistro at 3313 Platt Springs Rd. is closed. My office was across the street from them and I would get to lunches from time to time. We moved to a new office so I don't know when it closed. Last time I ate there was early December. The website is gone and their facebook pages says nothing about closing. marinosbistro.com.

fourlizards

15 Mar 13 at 12:12 am
Driving by DeLucca's on Sunset Blvd. today and noticed the plaza sign said Greek restaurant coming soon. Not sure which of the three businesses in the plaza is closing - DeLucca's and Jersey Mike's appeared open, so possibly the Osaka Japanese Steak House. Anyone know for sure?

James

15 Mar 13 at 7:43 pm
You should do something about "Underground Columbia" at the Equitable Arcade on Main street. I was there several times in the 72-74 timeframe. Good idea, bad timing due to the flight of people and businesses from downtown to the 'burbs. With the revival in the Vista area I wonder if they could make a run of it today?

Randy Mitchell

16 Mar 13 at 10:43 am
The Other Pancake House has changed hands. The owner of Compton's Kitchen in West Columbia bought the business and has changed the name to Compton's. Look for the food to improve greatly. The old Compton's has a great breakfast and lunch for quite a reasonable price. The new one is using the same business model only they intend to stay open 7 days a week instead of 6 like the original.

Russ

16 Mar 13 at 12:16 pm
Anyone know what's being built next to the CVS on Knox Abbott/State?

tonkatoy

18 Mar 13 at 6:57 am
Kmart in harbison currently having closing sale. I was told west cola is next, slated for May with two notch by the end of the year. The Lexington store is the only profitable store in the Columbia market.

Jay

18 Mar 13 at 7:56 am
Lexington is the only Kmart with a diner...

I hate to see Kmart downsize like this. If the Charleston Highway store closes, I could see Enterprise Car sales moving to the current Kmart like what is going on with the former Steicers Lincoln Mercury since they operate in a small building in an outparcel on that property.

Two Notch seems dicier but last time I was in it, it seemed dated and perhaps that building needs to be torn down if Kmart closes...

I get the impression that Kmart is a dying company because I feel that they haven't opened a new store since like 1980 (if not before) and hasn't upgraded any since like 1995...

Andrew

18 Mar 13 at 8:22 am
Does anyone know the history behind that building next to Drake's Duck-In? I think the address would be 1542 Main St. The scar on the front of the building I think says "Sports Action", though it's nearly impossible to read, and the name in the tile floor near the entrance is "Butler Shoes". It would make a good closing as I don't think one's been done on that building before.

Justin

18 Mar 13 at 7:32 pm
Justin - Richland County tax map shows that the address is 1538 Main St. A few years ago it was Sports Action selling sneakers and some sports equipment. For a long time when I was young (40 years ago) it was indeed Butler's Shoes. But check this out -- 99 years ago it was a diner:
http://digital.tcl.sc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/sccitydirec/id/6082/show/5622/rec/7669

Dennis

18 Mar 13 at 8:06 pm
Awesome, thanks for the link and the history Dennis. I wouldn't have pictured it as a diner, guess it's probably been rehabed a few times since then.

Justin

18 Mar 13 at 8:31 pm
Dianne just announced via FB that Dianne's on Devine is closing.

AW

19 Mar 13 at 8:36 am
I just heard that about Dianne's too. Sad. It was/is a great place to eat.

Russ

19 Mar 13 at 8:44 am
DIanne's, so sad to hear. Formerly Griff's and the Peddler, back decades ago. I miss both restaurants

joe hartly

19 Mar 13 at 12:07 pm
DIanne's, so sad to hear. Formerly Griff's and the Peddler, back decades ago. I miss both restaurants

joe hartly

19 Mar 13 at 12:07 pm
There used to be a tapas restaurant next to Dianne's in the 90s. The Grazing Monkey? (Some verb + Monkey, I remember that much.) And then it was AG Floyd's sometime after.

AW

19 Mar 13 at 2:15 pm
WIS has run a story announcing the closure of Dianne's.

My parents went to a Rehearsal Dinner there back in 2005 and liked it and all but left me with the impression that it was on the high side....

Andrew

19 Mar 13 at 3:34 pm
The Hardee's on Forest Drive across from Wal-Mart closed earlier this week.

Mr.Hat

22 Mar 13 at 9:34 am
Mr. Hat-you beat me to the Hardees posting.
I just passed by there today and was surprised to see they were gone.
Not much of a goodbye sign on the door.
No mention of the nearby location on Parklane.
I checked Hardees website and this location is already delisted.

kholler

22 Mar 13 at 10:04 am
Went by the Irmo K-Mart over the weekend. Pretty crappy close-out if you ask me. I did pick up a few hand tools and workshop supplies that were 30% off, but most of the items (including groceries) were still sitting at 10% discounts. Most of the major electronics (that were left) were at 20% but I know I could find them cheaper still if I were to do my shopping. I think that the old 'mark up before you mark down' scheme is fully in play here. Not only in the electronics department, but several other areas where the 'close-out' prices seemed to be higher than I knew I would pay elsewhere.

BTW - a friend of mine from Lexington heard that that store is also on a short list!!!! Keep an eye out.

Homer

26 Mar 13 at 1:58 am
Hey Ted, here's a heads up. The Doctor's Care on Hardscrabble Rd, a block from Clemson Rd will be closing soon and will move into their new building on Hardscrabble in front of Publix.

Sidney

26 Mar 13 at 5:31 am
The McDonald's on Charleston HWY is about the get the teardown/makeover treatment that all Mickey D's seem destined for.

tonkatoy

26 Mar 13 at 6:38 am
I'm hoping tonkatoy is referencing the 1303 Charleston Highway location...it would mean that of the 4 I envision being redone the most , it's now the second one to actually undergo it...

Andrew

26 Mar 13 at 1:02 pm
Homer, someone mentioned here that the Lexington Kmart is the only one in the market with plans to continue operating into the future long-term...it's also the only one with a diner...but then again, I'm suspecting that Kmart is a dying company due to a feeling I have that they haven't opened any new stores since like 1980 and haven't upgraded most of them since like 1995...

Andrew

26 Mar 13 at 4:30 pm
I heard this from a buddy of mine that works in Lexington and he said that the buzz over there is that they will be the last one in town but that they are eventually going to get the axe. Maybe when their lease runs out.

Homer

27 Mar 13 at 12:22 am
Homer- Judging by the signs at the Kmart, I would say that KMart has already sold all of the contents of the store to a Closeout Company. That is why the store closing signs always look the same, no matter what the chain is. The closeout companies are experts at analyzing the stock and wringing every last cent out of their purchase.

Larry

27 Mar 13 at 9:33 am
I was driving back to work from lunch today and noticed that the large church property at 721 Arrowwood is up for sale. The church looks derelict and their website looks to not have been updated since the summer. I think it's closed.

Justin

27 Mar 13 at 8:33 pm
Dang it - my browser crashed when I hit submit. Let's see if I remember what I typed....

@Larry - one thing I did notice when I was in K-Mart the last week was that there wasn't a single piece of music or video in the store. I figure that either K-Mart shipped them to another store or the clearance company found some place to send them to sell at retail price. What with all the BS that spews from the MPAA and RAIA they probably aren't allowed to sell CD's or videos as clearance items.

Homer

28 Mar 13 at 12:20 am
Homer's hypothesis about movies and CDs has me wondering how Blockbuster Video liquidated if that is the case...

Andrew

28 Mar 13 at 1:11 am
@Andrew - good question. Maybe rental shops have an agreement with the associations. After all the rental fees have more than recouped the price of the video and I'm sure the MPAA gets a cut every time the movie is rented and once again when it is sold as a used product.

Homer

28 Mar 13 at 1:35 am
Was there a Pizza Hut on Main Street between the State House and Blossom Street? I swear I remember coming down and staying with a few friends on campus in 1991 or so for a Sting concert (XConcrete Blonde opened) and eating there that weekend.

And thanks for the replies on Steak & Shake from further up the page. I am still hoping they come back to the area.

Joe Hinson

28 Mar 13 at 12:34 pm
Was there a Pizza Hut on Main Street between the State House and Blossom Street? I swear I remember coming down and staying with a few friends on campus in 1991 or so for a Sting concert (XConcrete Blonde opened) and eating there that weekend.

And thanks for the replies on Steak & Shake from further up the page. I am still hoping they come back to the area.

Joe Hinson

28 Mar 13 at 12:34 pm
I am sorry if this has been mentioned, but Columbia has a third Cook Out now. It kinda sprang up on my family since we try to stay away from that part of Two Notch. It's in the old Burger King near the Two Notch Wal Mart. The kids are big Cook Out fans, so we went in and like it better than the other two Columbia locations. It's a little bigger and all around more comfortable. Now we are playing the guessing game on where a fourth CO may be located. My kids think Harbison.

Joe Hinson

28 Mar 13 at 12:38 pm
@Joe Hinson--
Yes there was a Pizza Hut in the 600 block of Main Street. Google says it was at 617. It would have been south of the current Moe's location.

Mike

28 Mar 13 at 3:20 pm
@Justin-What was the name of the church you are talking about? Any pictures?

Thanks!

William

28 Mar 13 at 3:50 pm
This was the coldest Pizza Hut in existence. My dorm roomate and I had the theory they were running some kind of hypothermia experiment for the Biology Dept.

That, or they just didn't want the college kids to hang around for hours..

ted

28 Mar 13 at 7:24 pm
The Pizza Hut building was originally an Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips. It then became a Long John Silver's before it was Pizza Hut.

Mike

29 Mar 13 at 6:24 am
Hey Ted, I just had an idea that I think could be fun. Let's have a contest here where people list the ten former Columbia businesses they miss the most. It would be interesting to see what the overall top 10 would be.

Tom

29 Mar 13 at 11:21 am
Apparently the Quiznos at 10008A Two Notch Rd, Columbia
has closed. Drove by there today and there were signs posted on the doors. The parking lot was empty and the store has been removed from the website.

kholler

1 Apr 13 at 8:06 pm
I saw a sign today that the store next to the old Staples near Harbison was closing. I there was a sign next to the road for a developer. I looked it up at home and found that the 2 buildings will be turned into Academy Sports and 2 other smaller retailers that were not named on the site.

http://www.atlanticretail.com/images/content/Columbia%20SC%20-%20FLYER%20-%20281%20Park%20Terrace%20Dr.pdf

William

2 Apr 13 at 5:36 pm
William, this is interesting news...I had read that when Staples was moving into the Columbiana on Park complex that the site of 281 Park Terrace Drive would, over the course of the long term, be redeveloped. I had wondered what would become of Consignment First...I had thought about them moving to Harbison Court in the former Office Depot/OfficeMax but GolfSmith is taking over that space.

I had envisioned Academy Sports & Outdoors at the top of my list of possibilities for the soon-to-be former Kmart at Seven Oaks Shopping Center so I guess that one is now ruled out. I've contemplated a Super Bi-Lo or even a Harris Teeter (though it seems too big for those)...

It appears they are going to keep the restaurant intact. In this case, it's a former Hudson's Smokehouse (and was a Lullabelle's* as well as a Roadhouse grill prior to that). Hudson's never reopened after a fire about 2 years ago now...so either that building either will need to undergo significant repair or be knocked down and rebuilt altogether.

* Lullabelle's was an attempt by Lexington County elected officals Beth & John Carrigg to have a steak & seafood restaurant with beach house decor that didn't work out

Judging from the siteplan William linked, it does look the site will be better utilized than has been.

I hope World Market takes on one of the 'junior anchor' spots...

Andrew

2 Apr 13 at 11:26 pm
Andrew,
I was kind of hoping they would do something with that old restaurant. It is in such disrepair and is an eye sore. Maybe now that the Academy is coming someone will want to move in to that space. World Market would be a good fit for the junior anchor spaces. I did not think of that. Any other ideas for the jr's? Sitting here I really cannot think of anything off the top of my head.

William

3 Apr 13 at 1:14 pm
Five Below* strikes me as a possibility...the other thing is that Harbison Court's Pier One is older than the other two we have and perhaps they'll seize this opportunity to upgrade their current store and build a better one there...

* there's one in Glen Allen, VA (near family I have there) that I've ridden by a few times but have never actually set foot in.

I'm beginning to believe that it'd be best to knock down and rebuild that restaurant...perhaps into a Red Lobster or Arizona Steakhouse...

Andrew

3 Apr 13 at 10:03 pm
Ted - I noticed while in the airport a few weeks ago that the Groucho's located there was gone, replaced with some other grill operation. I'm not sure how you'd get pictures of it since it was on the other side of security but I can try to snap a few when I fly out of there again.

Justin

6 Apr 13 at 7:48 am
Cookout has applied for a permit to open a new location on the site of the old Taco Bell on Main Street in Lexington.

Russ

10 Apr 13 at 7:41 am
Closing soon....K Mart on St. Andrews rd

mike

10 Apr 13 at 5:54 pm
Salon M in Lexington used to have a location at 117 Park Road next to John's Artistic Iron Works that is now closed. The have another location on Old Cherokee, so I don't know if they moved or had two locations and closed one. I noticed the sign had been removed from the plaza marque a few weeks ago. Not exactly sure when they closed (or moved). Google maps showed both locations having the same phone number, so possibly a move.

James

10 Apr 13 at 11:19 pm
Does anyone know what is/was the old brick building almost on the corner of Bull and Taylor St? It sits next to what used to be I think a gas station at one time across the street from the original location of Hawthorn Pharmacy. I've pass the old building a lot of times, but have no clue as to what it was. Any info would be nice. Thanks.

semiquaver2013

14 Apr 13 at 1:18 am
If no one has mentioned it yet, I heard on the radio on Friday that Jewelry Warehouse on Platt Springs Road was closing (moving) VERY soon. Also, the Jewelry Warehouse on Sunset in Lexington (across from Target) will be moving soon to the new building right next door to its current location.

James

14 Apr 13 at 11:33 pm
I saw a TV commercial the other day saying the same thing that James heard on the radio. I thought how sad as it stated that the Platt Springs Road location was their first location and it would close but to visit them at their Sunset Location in Lexington.

Mrs. SK

15 Apr 13 at 8:00 am
I swear K mart on St. Andrews has been closing for months if not hyears. At least that was the comment I made to my wife when we passed it last week and saw the man outside holding the sign. It feels like the longest store closing ever.

Joe Hinson

17 Apr 13 at 7:52 am
I noticed on Sunday that the Burger King at Decker & N Trenholm is closed for remodeling.

Matt

17 Apr 13 at 10:04 am
I remember when the BK at Decker & Trenholm reopened as Brandi, inc. reopened most of the BK locations, there were Arcadia Lakes residents upset about the height and brightness of the sign.

Andrew

17 Apr 13 at 11:23 am
The Scholtzki's Deli/Cinnabon operation on Sunset Boulevard has closed and vacated the premises.

RM

17 Apr 13 at 12:17 pm
@ Joe, the biggest store closing of all time is Chapin furniture. They have had their minions holding store closing signs for the past three years, and they are not closing as far as I know. At least unti lthe next new "closing" sale.

Like the new Honda commercials that are advertising the biggest spring sale they've ever had, until they have their summer sale, which will be the biggest summer sale they've ever had.

jonathan

17 Apr 13 at 12:24 pm
Chapin Furniture is still advertising on the radio.

Mike

17 Apr 13 at 4:05 pm
Chapin Furniture's owners are in their early 70s which makes me wonder how much longer it will be before they retire

Andrew

17 Apr 13 at 5:30 pm
April 30th is supposed to be the closing day for the St. Andrew's K-Mart

Homer

17 Apr 13 at 6:50 pm
Homer, I've heard both April 30 and May 19...

either way, I will miss Kmart #7410 at Seven Oaks Shopping Center (6169 St. Andrews Road) as I felt it was the best kept up of the locations around..

Andrew

17 Apr 13 at 7:24 pm
Better get some pictures of the IHOP across from the capital very soon. The old building will be raised very soon to make way for a new larger IHOP on the same property.

Jay

17 Apr 13 at 10:02 pm
@Mike, that was sorta the point of my post. They'll have these guys with those bright yellow signs annoucing their closing sale, when they never really close. I've seen them at intersections. Maybe not for the past three years, but every once and awhile.

jonathan

18 Apr 13 at 9:35 am
Thai Lotus on St. Andrews is closed.

Nobody

18 Apr 13 at 10:40 am
I've heard that there were cases where folks in NYC would host going out of business sales on a regular basis.

Andrew

18 Apr 13 at 11:57 am
Jewely stores are forever doing it here, Andrew. Furniture stores are (in)famous for doing it, too.

Not coincidentally, both have HUUUUUUUGE profit margins.

tonkatoy

19 Apr 13 at 6:55 am
Re: Closing Sales. Columbia actually has made it a crime to advertise "Going out of Business" if you are not actually going to close. I think sometimes people plan to call it quits but the closing sale generates enough cash to get past the crisis and so they stick it out until trouble comes again and then they do it again. Of course i believe most just use it as a marketing ploy.

Larry

22 Apr 13 at 8:33 am
I got something on my facebook feed saying that "Rust" had closed. Can anyone verify?

badger

23 Apr 13 at 2:16 pm
Rust closed some months ago and reopened as Social. Same basic layout, but they seem to be trying for a more South Beach, Miami vibe. Not bad, but not great either.

59 Ford Wheelman

23 Apr 13 at 3:20 pm
Books a Million on Harbison is apparently closed for some sort of remodel. The only sign they have up says something like a "new experience coming in June", and there is paper over the windows but nothing saying specifically that they are closed. Saw quite a few other perplexed people try to go in while I was there.

TahoeChic

23 Apr 13 at 3:34 pm
According to the helpful lady that answered the phone, Books a Million in Harbison is being converted into a Used Book Store which will be called 2nd and Charles. It looks like they are national but only have a handful of locations. Not sure if they are affiliated with BAM or not.

Larry

24 Apr 13 at 1:04 pm
That's interesting...thanks for the info Larry!

TahoeChic

24 Apr 13 at 3:12 pm
@Larry, I believe they are, or the other one. There is one in Augusta!! Cool store!! Very excited about that coming to Irmo!

jonathan

24 Apr 13 at 4:27 pm
Two Lexington Closings:

The Giving Tree Thrift Store at 208 West Main Street. Website says last day was Saturday, February 2, 2013.

Corley Lock & Security at 142 Ellis Avenue. The door says Medeco, but a google search of Medeco in Lexington indicates Medeco may be a brand name that Corley Lock & Security sold. Not sure when it closed, but I think it has been recent.

James

25 Apr 13 at 5:11 pm
Another Lexington Closing:

Dr. Fred Vallejo Chiropractor at 221 Columbia Avenue (next to Lexington Life Magazine and Bugman Pest Control). If I saw it correctly, the door to the office actually says 122, but the plaza marque (for Lexington Life and Bugman) says 225 Columbia Avenue, indicating the Dr.'s office was probably 221 as listed in the online directory of Lexington chiropractors.

James

26 Apr 13 at 12:44 pm
FWIW, Fred's on St. Andrews has a big yellow CLOSING sign out front. It was next door to a women's fitness center that also closed about a year ago. Perhaps they saw a fair amount of usiness from that location.

The Fred's is right off I-26 going toward Irmo behind one of the hundreds of Waffle Houses in the area.

Joe H.

28 Apr 13 at 11:45 am
When Ladies' Choice Fitness closed next door at 736 St. Andrews Road last summer, they cited that they "were a victim of the economy."

Fred's opened on leap day 2008 and as I noted on the Kroger page, I saw the signage on the one year anniversary of Kroger #409's (817 St. Andrews Road) closing.

I can easily see Ted getting pics of both of them and doing postings around the same time. I remember a restaurant being there prior to that and someone told me it was once Old Country Buffet which I have since found out via GSN ads is owned by the same parent company as Ryan's.

Ladies' Choice also had a Landmark Square location that has since closed as well (not 100% sure when).

Andrew

28 Apr 13 at 3:23 pm
This appeared a few days ago, but the developers and owners of Village at Sandhill filed for bankruptcy:

http://www.thestate.com/2013/04/23/2738417/apnewsbreak-developer-kahn-files.html

VAS never lived up to its full potential.

Surprised about Fred's closing I think they do better in the small towns than the metro areas.

Dustin

29 Apr 13 at 11:24 pm
One more thing, PacSun at Columbiana is closing in December at the end of the year. The whole chain is in trouble and nationally is closing hundreds of stores as their rents end.

Dustin

29 Apr 13 at 11:29 pm
I found out last week that 7-11 is coming back to the Columbia area. I am not sure when they left but it was a long time ago. I think before my time. They have bought a chain called Hickory Point based in Greenville. They have a couple of stores down here. One of the stores is located on Bush River at I-26. I saw a sign on a propane exchange display that had the 7-11 logo on it. My roommate when in the store to ask about some it and the guy told him that they had already switched over to 7-11 but the signs and food would not be switched out for several months.

William

30 Apr 13 at 2:31 pm
Here is another Hickory Point.

ted

30 Apr 13 at 11:07 pm
I'm not excited about seeing Hickory Point go but wondered if 7-11 would find their way back into Columbia...another retailer I've envisioned a return to Columbia that is coming to fruition.

Previous ones I've had this feeling about:

Little Caesars
Walgreens
Rite Aid
Macy's

I would like to see the followng:
OfficeMax (a lot of this depends on how the OfficeMax/Office Depot merger works out)
Harris Teeter
Crate & Barrel
Nordstrom
Ikea

Perhaps Bi-Lo rebranding as Winn Dixie due to a merger between the two...

Andrew

1 May 13 at 12:46 am
Fairfield Tractor on S Assembly looks like it may be closed...

tonkatoy

1 May 13 at 11:10 am
We got gas at the Hickory Point a few weeks ago and the receipt from the pump came out as 7-11. Now I know why thanks to this web site. I have no idea why, but 7-11 brings back some odd kind of bnostalgia for me because we used to have one in Lancaster when I was growing up. Even a few years ago when I'd be in Virginia, I'd want to stop in one and maybe even take a photo of it. Now I guess I won't have to.

Joe Hinson

1 May 13 at 1:57 pm
7-11? In South Carolina? Bless my lucky stars, that is (oddly) one of the things I've missed the most since moving here.

Jason

1 May 13 at 5:43 pm
Here's a little commentary about Main Street, for what it's worth.

My Dad passed away last Thursday and while transferring accounts, deeds, etc. I found myself downtown.

I decided to drop by Drake's Duck-In to pick up a couple of their huge chicken sandwich baskets as dinner for me and my Mom. I had not been on Main St. in Lord knows how long and I will have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it looks.

The landscaping and street scaping look great. I noticed that the Cowboy Brazilian steakhouse has used the old Kress light fixtures that I remember as a child. It's also pretty cool that they left the old signage on the building.

Boyd Plaza at the art museum looked totally different (for the better) than the last time I was down there. I only covered about a two block area but seeing some of the old storefronts brought back a lot of memories.

It's a shame that the revitalization of Main St. can't seem to 'catch on'. There is a lot of potential there, if someone could just find a way to make it all work.

I am going to find the time to walk the length of Main and take in all of the changes (if I can find enough quarters to keep a parking meter fed)....haha!!

Well, that's my commentary. What's yours?

Homer

2 May 13 at 2:55 am
Condolences, Homer.

Main looks decent, but they've done several things to really fix it.

1) It needs to be returned to four lanes to the State House
2) They need to bring back the big blue signs that hung down and identified the cross streets. The current ones are obscured by trees
3) They need a lot more retail. Of course with the rates they are charging, that'll be a hard sell.
4) They need to get rid of the vagrants.
5) Main was a retail destination, it isn't a 'Hey let's go to Main!' destination and really won't be until they bring more retail. marketting it as 'a place to be' will work maybe once, but not much more.

tonkatoy

2 May 13 at 6:46 am
In the 1960's there was a 7-11 on Leesburg Road just around the corner from the house I grew up in. We spent a lot of time in and around that 7-11. For years afterward we always referred to a covienience store as a 7-11. I like to call them Zippy Marts now.

Rick

2 May 13 at 1:51 pm
Despite my tendency to call things by their official name, I don't keep up with the names of many of the convenience stores.

Andrew

2 May 13 at 4:46 pm
@Andrew-

I agree with your list of retailers that you would like to see come back or start up in Columbia. I have to admit I really do not care that much about the office stores. I am happy with Staples for when I need something. As for the others you talked about Harris Teeter, I worked at Harris Teeter when I was in HS. It was a good job and was very clean I would love to see them come back. They most likely will not. They really do not like to go where Publix already is. That is why you will see a lot of them up on the boarder with NC and not any in the Charlotte area. There as has been talk for years from people in Charlotte wanting Publix but it has yet to happen as far as I know. as for Crate & Barrel- That may become a possibility sometime in the next few years. Nordstrom I would say there is little to no chance of getting them. They are very high end and only go where there is lots of money. That is why the opened in Charlotte. We just do not have the income to support a store like that. I would love to see them come as well but you better just keep driving to South Park if you want to shop there. Ikea- I would love to have this store in Columbia. Again if you look at Ikea they only open a few stores a year and only in fast growing areas. Again low income and lots of government jobs hurt us again. Ikea is more of a regional retailer. They put up a store and expect people from along ways away to come and shop there. I have been in retail in one form or another for along time and like it or not this is how retail works. I think the fact that we got Trader Joes and Whole Foods does help to lure higher end retailers to this area. I think we will see a Costco before we see any of the retailers on your list. I really hope I am wrong about what I am saying and the ones you want do pop up, but I would not be holding my breath if I was you.

Ikea

William

2 May 13 at 6:17 pm
Harris Teeter is headquartered in Matthews, NC which is a part of Charlotte's MSA...there are no Publix locations anywhere in the entire state of North Carolina.

My late grandmother, after Publix's Rosewood Center location opened in 2002, found herself comparing Publix to Harris Teeter.

Andrew

2 May 13 at 11:07 pm
@tonkatoy - thanks..

1. I don't ever see Main St. going back to four lanes. One of the big selling points for the 'revitalization' of Main St. was making it more pedestrian friendly. But, there needs to be a reason to bring more pedestrians there after 5:00pm.

2. I didn't really pay much attention to the signs. Can't really comment on that one.

3. Definitely, they need a greater retail presence. I don't know much about the going rate for space but when you have companies the size of SCANA jumping ship to move across the river, that should be a good sign. The Vista and 5 Points have a great mix of entertainment, dining and retail and they are already entrenched in people's minds as the 'places to go' so I don't know if Main has a snowball's chance to get a piece of the action.

4. Ahh, the vagrants. My timing was perfect. There were none on the streets when I was down there because they were all waiting in front of the Oliver Gospel Mission waiting for them to open to serve dinner and try to find a bed for the night. I have no clue what the solution will be for this problem. I would not think of going to Finley or Riverfront Park at night unless there was a public event going on.

5. I agree that until Main can find a balance of business, retail, dining and entertainment. It will remain a virtual ghost town after 5:00pm. Arts events and the occasional street party won't cut it. It would be cool if they could re-open Downunder Columbia but it would be a logistical nightmare. I doubt that that space would even be able to meet all of the codes that are in place today.

Homer

3 May 13 at 12:24 am
It seems to me that Assembly Street is kind of an arbitrary cut-off for "The Vista". Really Main Street should be part of The Vista and trying to consider it separately is probably not the way to go.

ted

3 May 13 at 12:39 am
@ted - I agree with you. But I don't see the city ever pursuing that route. For some reason they are bound an determined to try to make Main St. a separate entity from the Vista. Don't ask me why, but that just seems to me to be their mindset.

Homer

3 May 13 at 1:06 am
There are two Publix locations in the Rock Hill area.
Indian Land and Fort Mill. I realize they are in South Carolina.
However the first store in North Carolina will be in located in Ballantyne on Providence Road West. It is expected to be open in 2014. Another location is planned for South Boulevard and Iverson Way (opening unknown).
Publix plans an entire Charlotte division for the near future.
There is even talk of a warehouse being built in Charlotte.
Disclaimer- I work for them here in Columbia.

kholler

3 May 13 at 4:38 am
If Columbia had ben smart, they'd have marketed Main Street as the business side and Vista as the entertainment side of the same district. Before Main Street crashed and burned in the late seventies, it was almost all retail with a few entertainment venues, just enough really, to feed and entertain the shoppers. Columbia approached Main back-assward and tried to make it a destination. It isn't.

I'm still surprised Mast is there. I figured they'd be gone in a year, two max.

tonkatoy

3 May 13 at 6:43 am
@tonkatoy - I agree that its odd that Mast located itself on Main rather than somewhere in the Vista or Five Points. That said, it seems rather busy every time I go in there.

Main Street has a long way to go but it is starting to pick up. The addition of Mast and Cowboy bring a lot of foot traffic on weekends, a lot when compared to the zero foot traffic five years ago. The area just has to get to a critical mass of stores that people want to go and residential nearby.

Justin

3 May 13 at 10:35 am
Not a closing, not yet, but the St. Andrews Food Lion has new hours starting yesterday, apparently, 8 am to 6 pm. Signs on the door and everything. When I came home from work yesterday around 9:30, they appeared closed. So when I needed something before work today at 7:30, I went by and they were not open yet. I thought they may get some traffic from the nearby Krogers that closed last year, but apparently not.

Joe H.

3 May 13 at 7:29 pm
It's not only the Kroger that closed this time last year, but the fact that the other St. Andrews Food Lion at Seven Oaks Shopping Center closed in early 2010...clearly something is going on.

Andrew

3 May 13 at 10:54 pm
I went to the Food Lion on St. Andrews Rd. Yesterday and there new hours are from 8am-6pm. The managet told me that they WILL BE CLOSING on May 22 for good due to building issues. This makes me sad.

Nick L

4 May 13 at 8:43 am
Phillips Edison owned Richardson Plaza (the shopping center comprised of Food Lion at 543 St. Andrews Road) but recently divested themselves of the property and this makes me wonder where the building is headed.

Andrew

4 May 13 at 3:48 pm
That sucks for the people that live along that stretch of St. Andrews Rd. They either have to go to the Bi-Lo at Widewater or the one at Piney Grove and St. Andrews or the Aldi. Other than that they will have to trek over to Harbison to go to Publix or Walmart or the Walmart on Bush River. Could it be, once again, that the glut of the accursed Walmarts are exacting their assault??

Homer

7 May 13 at 1:47 am
I went to the Food Lion on St.Andrews yesterday. I spoke with the store manager. He told me that they were having problems with the landlord and that Food Lion tired everything to get him to fix the problems that they were having. According to the manager they stopped getting trucks last Thursday. I noticed already that a lot of the chip and drink companies have stopped delivering as a lot of the drinks and chips were getting low on stock. They still have a good amount of meat but they did not have what I was looking for. The manager told me they would have a going out of business sale starting on Thursday of this week. I do not know any of the details on the sale. I really feel like another grocery store chain will see the need on St. Andrews and build a store.

William

7 May 13 at 8:21 am
Re: Main St. Mast is usually very busy and is full of young families, seniors, students, professionals, as well as those who live and work in the area. It is a big draw for visitors to Columbia. With the planned U.S.C. dormitories opening on Main st, and the state headquarters of Ameris Bank moving there, as well as the administrative offices of Agape moving in soon, Main St. is well on the way to complete revitalization. Mast General Store is not going away.

Becky

7 May 13 at 8:52 am
Homer, based on what others have said, I don't think it's the assault of Walmart the way you think it is...rather it's issues with the building itself...plus it lasted nearly 6 years after Walmart #4379 opened at 1326 Bush River Road.

I have no doubt that many Landmark Apartment residents will miss having that Food Lion nearby.

I think that the new CHEF'STORE opening up at 655 St. Andrews Road will fill some of the grocery need, but at the same time, their target demographic appears to be caterers as well as restauranteurs.

Plus Fred's at St. Andrews Shopping Center (736 St. Andrews Road) is in the process of a liquidation. Next door to Fred's is a former Ladie's Choice Fitness Center that closed last summer. There is a possibility that those two could combine to be a grocery operation of some sort (though at ≈30,000 square feet it'd be smaller than a typical Bi-Lo, Kroger or Publix). Bi-Lo and Publix stores are approximately 45,000 square feet while Kroger easily gets into the 50-70K range.

Andrew

7 May 13 at 1:57 pm
Aside from the Fred's and Ladie's Choice being so small, there's no good way to get multiple trucks in the back to the dock for a 'real" grocery store, as opposed to Fred's. I've worked at several grocery stores in the past and it's not atypical to get multiple trucks at one time and to also leave an empty trailer for cardboard, stacks of pallets, banana boxes and milk crates.

I hate that the Food Lion is closing because it's so convenient and cheaper than Bi-Lo. When they closed the other FL down at K-Mart, I said to my wife that they were closing the wrong Food Lion though. Looks like maybe I was right.

Joe Hinson

7 May 13 at 2:53 pm
Joe-

I thought that as well when they closed the Food Lion at Seven Oaks. I had always thought the one that is closing now was much less busy and was dirty. Now that FL did an up-fit to the store it looks much better and is cleaner. I use to call on both of the FL stores when I was a rep for RJ Reynolds Tobacco. I can tell you that both were struggling to get customers. I still think the one that is closing now is the much slower of the 2. I am really not sure that Publix would move to any location on St.Andrews unless it was nearer to Irmo. There just is not as much money available at the St.Andrews I-26 area. So a Winn-Dixie or Bi-Lo would do fine in that area.

William

7 May 13 at 3:18 pm
Winn Dixie and Bi-Lo have merged and I have a fantasy of Bi-Lo rebranding as Winn-Dixie (because Winn-Dixie just has a better ring to it IMO). Be that as it may, Considering Bi-Lo already has two locations on St. Andrews (6021 St. Andrews Road and Widewater Square) I don't see Bi-Lo opening a third.

It's too small to become a Kroger. I'd welcome Harris Teeter but feel it's too small for that as well.

William's notion that the demographics aren't the type Publix seeks means that The Fresh Market, Whole Foods or Trader Joe's seem unlikely though those don't require the space that Publix, Bi-Lo or Kroger would.

When Kroger #409 (817 St. Andrews Road at St. Andrews Crossing) closed last year, chris noted on that page grocery stores tend to want to be near residential neighborhoods as opposed to apartment complexes. This is because neighborhood shoppers tend to be higher yielding than residential shoppers. Food Lion at Richardson Plaza (543 St. Andrews Road) has Landmark Apartments nearby. Granted, the Gardendale neighborhood is across the street but it makes me wonder of the low-yielding apartment shoppers were giving it business, just not enough to keep it going and if that played in the decision to close rather than overhaul the building issues that are doing it in. Even in the best of times, grocery store profit margins are as little as 1-2% (though Whole Foods strives for 3%).

Andrew

7 May 13 at 4:31 pm
I'd love to see a Winn Dixie rebrand as well. Not sure it will happen, but maybe they would rebrand the Bi-Lo in Cayce (Parkland Plaza) back to a Winn Dixie. I worked at the Winn Dixie in Lancaster for years and loved it. Worked at a Bi-Lo in Lancaster for six months before I had had enough. At least in the early 90s, Winn Dixie was much better managed.

Joe Hinson

8 May 13 at 8:49 am
It seems like they are merging some things from Winn-Dixie to Bi-lo. I used to buy Quist (the Bi-lo brand Sprite) for my kids, especially when they went on sell for .79 cents for a 2 liter. But they have replaced all Bi-lo brand sodas with Check sodas. My kids hate the taste. BTW, I love Bi-lo. Love the fuel perks. As a matter of fact, if you look on fuelperksDOTcom tomorrow, you will see my name Sidney W. Columbia, SC on the leader board. Paid .38 cents for all 20 gallons of gas again! Love it.

Sidney

8 May 13 at 1:40 pm
I find Bi-Lo to be kinda expensive on most things and I hate the cards every chain (except Wal Mart, the only good thing about that place) has. MVP card, bonus cards, they all suck.

Joe Hinson

9 May 13 at 9:32 am
Regarding Food Lion on St. Andrews, if the sole reason for closing is issues with the landlrd, why not just move up the road to the old Kroger? It's probably a better building and maybe even location. (Which doesn't explain why Kroger closed it down.)

Joe Hinson

9 May 13 at 9:44 am
My understanding is that Kroger at 817 St. Andrews Road had been unprofitable for quite some time. Supposedly the apartments behind it were section 8 hotspots and that was a drain on their profit margin. If you read through he comments on the Kroger 409 page you can understand further.

Andrew

9 May 13 at 10:30 am
The P&G Hibachi Grill on Garners Ferry (former Fire Mountain/Ryans) is 'closed for remodeling.' There is some work going on, but no news on a reopening.

badger

10 May 13 at 8:15 pm
Beys in 5 PTs is for rent, ever since the bar next door currently Th Bird Dog ( formerly failed irish/mexican experiment señor mcnallys no doubt influenced by taco sushi) renovated it's diveyness has become more pronounced and didn't stand a chance.

Mike D

11 May 13 at 6:14 am
Cactus Inn near KFC and Pizza Hut has become a title loan.

Frank

12 May 13 at 5:06 am
Frank, despite the fact that KFC and Pizza Hut are sister Yum! brands I can't place where you are talking about...I know they have a combined KFC/Pizza Hut both Blythewood as well as Camden but don't picture it being that far out (I could be wrong). My gut wants to think Broad River near I-20 though...

Andrew

12 May 13 at 10:51 am
@Andrew--Garners Ferry across from Greenlawn cemetery.

Mike

12 May 13 at 11:50 am
I can't say right now, but there is something that is relocating into the Bey's spot in 5 Points. It should be open around August. I know this because I might be one of the investors.

Sidney

13 May 13 at 8:32 am
I went to the Food Lion on St. Andrews this afternoon just to check it out and it was a madhouse!! Everything in the store is 50% off (that's how to clear out a store)!! Needless to say there was no fresh meat and no produce (except for things like mangoes, papayas and such). There were NO available shopping carts or baskets. There were people in the parking lot waiting for other people to unload their groceries just so they could take their cart! Every register was open and customers were lined up about 10 deep at each one. I saw several people that had a literal mountain of groceries piled in their carts. It was insane!!!

They do still have a pretty good selection of packaged and canned goods, pet food and some frozen foods. Like I said, no fresh meat or produce and very little dairy.

I may go back tomorrow with a cache of grocery bags, to tote things in ,to see if I can pick up a few things.

Homer

14 May 13 at 1:23 am
@Sidney ReI can't say right now, but there is something that is relocating into the Bey's spot in 5 Points. It should be open around August. I know this because I might be one of the investors.

Is it just another bar though?

Mike d

14 May 13 at 6:28 am
@Sidney ReI can't say right now, but there is something that is relocating into the Bey's spot in 5 Points. It should be open around August. I know this because I might be one of the investors.

Is it just another bar though?

Mike d

14 May 13 at 6:28 am
@Mike d

Restaurant / Bar - Will serve lunch, dinner and late night crowd.

Sidney

14 May 13 at 10:31 am
I can't figure out where Bey's was (it's not listed in the Alphabetical Closngs list, either)

Andrew

14 May 13 at 10:52 am
Next door to Señor O'Malleys.

Mike

14 May 13 at 3:22 pm
@Sydney

Oh cool, that sounds better re:
Restaurant / Bar - Will serve lunch, dinner and late night crowd.

Are you guys gonna do an renovation work to make the facade/space look more attractive?

Mike

14 May 13 at 7:37 pm
@Andrew, the KFC and Pizza Hut are seperate buildings on GF, just basically right next to one another.

Joe H.

15 May 13 at 6:21 am
I went to the Food Lion on St. Andrews today. Don't waste your time going there. There was hardly anything left. Some ice cream a little bit of pet food and plenty of cigarettes. A majority of the store was empty except for the end caps at the front.

William

15 May 13 at 7:37 pm
I went on Tuesday and was startled at how little there was remaining.

There are undoubtedly many long faces in Landmark Apartments about this one.

Andrew

16 May 13 at 1:07 am
If it ws like the Food Lion closing on Airport BLVD, there should be some killer deals on candy bars. Seems like they were $0.20-0.25 apeice and we bought a couple hundred dollars worth.

tonkatoy

16 May 13 at 6:21 am
Has anyone heard of seen anything about the old Steak and Shake near Harbison. I know that several people talked about seeing a dumpster placed there. I have not seen any updates on here about it.
Thanks!

William

16 May 13 at 9:02 am
Hong Kong restaurant at 1211 Taylor St near the intersection of Main is closed again, this time for good it seems, as the place is for lease. Too bad, really liked the food there.

Justin

16 May 13 at 1:06 pm
Went to Kmart tonight on St.Andrews. Not much is left. Most things are 60% off. The last day is Sunday for this store. I remember when I was about 12 or so they expanded this store and it was such a huge deal. Now Kmart stores are just plain dumps. I took a bunch of pictures but I am not sure how to upload them. If anyone knows please tell me. Thanks!

William

16 May 13 at 8:06 pm
Well, I'm the only one who can upload files to the site, so you can either email me some: closings at columbiaclosings dot cmo or you could upload them to a public photo site and post links in a comment..

ted

16 May 13 at 10:36 pm
@William - I'm going to make one more visit to the store today. I can imagine that the only merchandise left is what no one wants. But I may luck up on something. I just posted that I'm going to do the same for Food Lion and Fred's as well.

The thing that I remember most about the Kmart's of yore were the diners (or grilles). When I worked at the Arrowwood store back in the mid-70's I (and most of the employees) ate there all the time. The food was ok and dirt cheap but since they weren't paying us crap to start with it was a great way to fill up the belly (plus we got an employee discount if I remember correctly).

Homer

18 May 13 at 3:33 am
Fred's clearance sale is worse that Kmart's. I'm sure it's being handled by a liquidation company as well. A lot of the items in the store are only 5% off. WOW!! Let me beat down the doors!!!!! And I won't get into the blatantly stupid people I saw while waiting in the checkout line!!!!!!! Just because someone had left something on a shelf that was marked 50% off doesn't mean that item is automatically 50% off. DUH!!!! I finally put down the items I had picked up and walked out the door. I felt sorry for the employees having to deal with that!!!!

Homer

19 May 13 at 1:46 am
Hi,

I went buy the old Books-A-Million on Harbison. The side door was open so I looked in. They have completely gutted the inside. They had a couple of tractors inside running around inside. I was thinking they would do a minor up fit but it looks a lot more advanced than that.

William

20 May 13 at 12:56 pm
I haven't seen it mentioned here, but the Monterrey Mexican Restaurant in the Harbison Area has closed. I think it's address is 114 Afton Court. I went there to get take-out tonight, and oddly enough, ran into the (former) manager outside. I think he was there checking the alarm... He said something about the bank and the rent, so I assume the building is in foreclosure. This one is particularly sad for me, because I was once a 2-3 times per week regular at the Broad River location, and then this one. In recent years we'd cut back to once a week or so... and then it was just me going for takeout from time to time after an insect issue scared my wife away. However, the management had changed in recent months and the place seemed to be recovering. I guess the turnaround was too little too late. I will try to go back and take pictures in the next day or two. I'm pretty sure this leaves the Vista location on Senate St. as the sole survivor of this Monterrey's group.

Heath

20 May 13 at 8:14 pm
The SC Book Festival which was held this past weekend is in trouble. Attendance was down as so too was the number of vendors. There was a lot of complaining that the event charged too much for space, had a lousy date (it competed with Ft. Jackson's Armed Forces Day) and aside from Pat Conroy, who was there in 2012, no "big name" writers." They claim that it will be held in 2014, but with its director stepping down, many there Sunday are afraid it may be the last one.

Tom

21 May 13 at 8:24 am
Any word on whether El Chico's on Bush River Rd ever re-opened after their fire?

Becky

21 May 13 at 10:11 am
@Becky,

There's an El Chico page here, but aside from seeing a dumpster out back one day, I have seen no activity there, though the sign message seems like they are at least keeping the place in mind.

ted

21 May 13 at 6:29 pm
How about a Burnlounge posting?

Alan

21 May 13 at 6:40 pm
Hmm.

I don't recall ever hearing of that. Maybe i can look it up.

ted

22 May 13 at 12:20 am
In reference to Monterrey's closing I can say only ask one question. Is it me or is there already a glut of Mexican and Chinese restaurants in the Columbia area already? We need some more ethnically diverse restaurants in Columbia. More German, Moroccan, South American, Caribbean, etc. Any of these would be welcome, IMHO as always!!

Homer

22 May 13 at 3:00 am
I think it's zoning. A strip mall/shopping center has to have at least one nails salon, and either a Mexican or Chnese restaurant.

badger

22 May 13 at 5:54 am
Homer, you will get one of those choices in the coming months. HINT: (previous post about a spot taking over Bey's in 5 Points and another opening in Harbison).

Sidney

22 May 13 at 7:56 am
I recall my late grandmother thinking that the Rosewood area had too many Chinese restraunts and there wanting more like the Ruby Tuessay/Applebee's that are along Devine Street...I have a great aunt that is a surviving sister of hers that feels we have more banks and drugstores than any other city.

Andrew

22 May 13 at 10:58 am
Didn't know if anyone had seen this about the Hooters on Two Notch. Insert your own joke here about it =)

http://www.wltx.com/news/article/238259/1/Fire-at-the-Hooters-Restaurant-on-Two-Notch-

Glad everyone is okay! My own apartment complex burnt down back in March(Stoneridge fire) thanks to a couple of USC frat kids.

Dustin

30 May 13 at 10:21 pm
IHOP on Assembly is only days away from closing. I have mentioned this a couple of times in the past few months. Better get on back and say your last good byes before the building is leveled.

Jay

3 Jun 13 at 8:19 pm
Hey Jay any reason why their closing? Late night crowd too much ruckus? Bad business?

Dustin

3 Jun 13 at 9:15 pm
Dustin, I recall it being mentioned that it was to rebuild a new one on site...just like McDonald's has done with several locations in recent years...

A friend of mine who has connections to the insider operations of IHOP says that the Two Notch Road location does a better business than Assembly (which surprised me because it appears somewhat hidden from the road)..the St. Andrews does less than either one...but still does ok...

Andrew

3 Jun 13 at 9:31 pm
Thanks haha I have too many late night memories at that particular IHOP location. Haven't ever ate at either the St. Andrew's or Two Notch locations, but I have at the one in Lexington and liked it.

Dustin

3 Jun 13 at 9:34 pm
I've eaten there recently. I like the pancakes, but the place feels very cramped. I know the restroom can't be ADA approved. Of course the lot won't get any bigger no matter how they rebuild..

As for Two Notch -- honestly, what is the purpose of an IHOP that closes at 10pm?

ted

4 Jun 13 at 12:16 am
An IHOP on Two Notch that closes before 10PM is an IHOP that doesn't get in the news for shoot outs in the parking lot, like some other late night establishments on Two Notch we all know.

tonkatoy

4 Jun 13 at 6:41 am
The old Antonina's restaurant in Lexington - address was 2361 Augusta Rd according to Yelp - now has a sign up saying it is going to be a new restaurant called Crescent Moon. I believe there either was or was going to be another restaurant there a while back, but if there was it didn't last long.

TahoeChic

4 Jun 13 at 4:49 pm
I just learned the old Red & White grocery on the Isle of Palms has been demolished. It was part of my summer for many many years. I will miss it even more than the one that was at Pawley's Island.

Dennis

5 Jun 13 at 1:05 pm
I'm not nostalgic for the Pawleys Island Red & White, I'm nostalgic for the store *it* replaced: Lachicotte's Clover Farm. Now *there* was an old school general store and a wonder world for kids with its "little bit of everything in every nook and cranny" approach to stocking. It was a real shame when that burned down.

ted

6 Jun 13 at 11:00 pm
Dustin

They will be raising the old A frame IHOP, building a new larger one. I know someone who has worked there for over 30 years. They keep delaying the closing date buts its soon.

Jay

7 Jun 13 at 5:40 pm
Noticed a "For Rent" sign cover the Bath America sign in the 1800 block of Sunset Blvd last week. Google maps shows them actually being across the street, so maybe they just moved.

James

9 Jun 13 at 8:31 pm
Didn't see either of these in the Alphabetical Listing:

Thai Wasabi in Publix Plaza on 378 in Lexington. Is now Saigon Moon, but the Thai Wasabi sign is still up on the Plaza marquee.

Bike to Nature (Moved). Now at 5175 Sunset Blvd in Lexington in plaza with McCallister's Deli. Had been across the street. Just moved a few months ago.

James

11 Jun 13 at 10:40 pm
Oasis Tanning Salon 280 west third street, Swansea

Closing , everything for sale In store

Jay

12 Jun 13 at 5:37 pm
Mudbones in the Friargate Shopping Center is closed, but possibly reopening....

from their Facebook (March 7)

"Sad to say, Mudbones is CLOSED. I cannot afford to reopen on my own and my partner wants to bail. I have enjoyed serving you and sharing with you our family comfort foods. We, the KREWE, will truly miss so many of your smiling faces. Thanks you for all the love and support you have shown to us at Mudbones. (its okay to like this post, we will see it as a "pass it on" message)"

Also from their Facebook (April 2)

"WE ARE ON OUR WAY BACK! An amazing group of people have recently entered my life to help me straighten out the hot mess I call Mudbone's. With a little help from our "friends", I should hopefully reopen better & stronger (possibly bigger) than before! I am so grateful for their efforts and your continued support. Hang in there..."

I wonder if they are going to be on that Gordon Ramsey show??? I ate their once, and i dont remember the food being anything special, but then Cajun food isnt really my passion.

IrmoJeff

13 Jun 13 at 4:47 pm
Did anyone see the artical that Costco is going to build a store off of Piney Grove Road? Any thought? I think it is great news.

William K

13 Jun 13 at 6:23 pm
William, I read it as if it's not yet official...don't get me wrong I'd welcome Costco but I'm not getting too excited until it is announced as official...

I currently am looking forward to the CHEF'STORE opening on June 20z...

Andrew

13 Jun 13 at 10:32 pm
Going up right next to Green's, I could get all my shopping done in one trip.

Jason

14 Jun 13 at 1:29 pm
Coldwell Banker United Realtors on Sunset in Lexington has a banner over their sign saying they are moving in October. The building probably won't stay vacant for long. Nice building in a high traffic area. Sits in between Holiday Inn Express and Starbuck's.

James

16 Jun 13 at 7:04 pm
I took my Mom out for a drive this afternoon and drove through Boozer Shopping Center. I was in shock at just how many storefronts were empty!! I've seen the postings on here but it doesn't really hit home until you actually see it for yourself. Swung through Dutch Square and the parking lot was practically empty except for everyone seeing 'Man Of Steel'. My Mom couldn't believe how things had changed since the old days.

Homer

16 Jun 13 at 11:41 pm
Is there enough room next to Green's to put a Costco? What will they do; tear down all of the other shops in the strip and build a new store?

Homer

16 Jun 13 at 11:44 pm
Homer, I read the article as if it's going to be behind Green's Beverage Warehouse which tells me that Piney Grove Shopping center itself is safe...but it had me wondering about the following:

- Corner Pocket...frankly I don't understand what type of place they are
- Quality Inn...this is one hotel I can't recommend to folks because there's a room here that burned in early-mid 2004 that remains boarded up and still uneepaired
- Hickory point...they undoubtedly serve truckers well off of I-26 but will their space be needed as well?
- Waffle House...though I could see them building one nearby should their current site be needed

The other less disruptive idea is that they build on the other side of Fernadina next to Northern Tools. That property is for sale but I think the site is only 4 acres (not 100% sure)

This is not yet official so we shall see how it all works out...

Andrew

17 Jun 13 at 12:18 am
Hey Andrew - here's my two cents.

Corner Pocket - nothing but an old fashioned bar and pool hall. Not sure how much business they have. If they were offered enough money I think they would leave in a heartbeat.

Quality Inn - I rate this hotel to any of the other low budget hotels that are all over town. I made a policy years ago to not stay at a hotel where the doors open to the outside. They offer too many possibilities for questionable activities going on (yes, you can read that as drug deals and hookers). There are to many nicer hotels close by for this one to stay in operation. I never see more that a few cars there when I pass by.

Hickory Point - I have no clue how their business is. Like you say, I'm sure a lot of truckers stop by for fill-ups but it is, by no means, a truck stop like the one that used to be across the street.

Waffle House - they could move in a heartbeat. All they need is a "2x4" lot to put up one of their cookie-cutter buildings.

What would keep them from refurbishing an existing building such as the old Food Lion or even Kmart? Are they too antiquated? What is the square footage requirement for Costco compared to the size of the aforementioned stores?

Homer

17 Jun 13 at 12:48 am
In my opinion, I doubt Costco is going to go into anything that has already been developed. The cost to buy out businesses, demo the existing structures and do any environmental cleanup is a lot more expensive than clearing trees/dirt.

I also don't think they rehab existing structures because they have set bldg plans that are easier to just build from scratch.

Looking at the satellite image of this part of Piney Grove/Fernandina Rd, there is an empty parcel of land to the east of Northern Tools. The land is bordered by Fernandina, Piney Grove, Piney Woods and a power substation. The land appears to be bigger than the size of the lot that the Harbison Sam's Club is on.

Matt

17 Jun 13 at 7:59 am
In response to Homer:

A typical Food Lion is app. 35K square feet

A typical Kmart is 85-90K square feet. In fact, in a previous article in The State about Costco's exploration of prospective sites in Columbia, the site of the former Kmart at 4400 Ft. Jackson was mentioned but that site is only 10 acres which means it's too small (they require at least 16 acres)

The area encompassing Waffle House, Quality Inn, Hickory Point and Corner Pocket is app. 7 acres. Throwing the Green's Beverage Warehouse-anchored Piney Grove Shopping Center renders it to be app. 12.5 acres.

There are two signs for sale on the acreage next to Northern Tool. One offers 4.39 acres (immediately adjacent to Northern Tool) and another offers 16.5 acres (at the Piney Grove/Fernadina intersection). That acreage combination would satisfy Costco's requirements form an acreage standpoint so it is the most logical location without disrupting existing businesses (though it would mean one less wooded area around).

The Augusta Costco location looks to sit on app. 15-17 acres (not counting the green space that surrounds it). The building is somewhere in the 125-150K square foot range (meaning that a former Kmart and former Food Lion are both way too small. Plus they don't have the acreage requirement of Costco).

btw, Matt, the Sam's Club at 350 Harbison Blvd. sits on app. 12-13 acres of land. The building itself (home of merchandise constantly being rearranged) is just shy of 3 of those acres.

Andrew

17 Jun 13 at 5:24 pm
Is Lynlee Hall off of Bush River still open?

Alicia

17 Jun 13 at 11:16 pm
The Waffle House on Broad River Road, very close to SLED, has closed.

Jonathan

19 Jun 13 at 11:53 am
Lexington Landscape Supply at 3808 Sunset Blvd (Leaphart Road and Sunset near I-20) seems to have packed up overnight and cleared out.

James

29 Jun 13 at 11:49 am
2nd & Charles in the old Books-a-Million on Harbison has opened. I went by there earlier today and it's a really cool place. Came across a hardcover book that I had been looking for forever and got it for six bucks. Can't wait to go back.

Zach

29 Jun 13 at 4:29 pm
Heard that the Piggly Wiggly on Garners Ferry Rd was closing and that their pharmacy had closed as of this Saturday. Wonder if it's leasing issues; they've had the same problems in the Pee Dee area.

Marlene

30 Jun 13 at 7:24 am
I went to 2nd & Charles as well. I really liked it also. Very nice and open. I did think the way the books are organized is a little hard to understand. I am sure the more I go the easier it will be. I was surprised at the amount of other things they had besides books.

William

1 Jul 13 at 4:48 pm
To add to what Andrew said about Costco. I have found that that that land has been sold to a retailer. I have not found out what retailer but I am guessing it is Costco.

William

1 Jul 13 at 4:50 pm
Hmmm.

Rick

1 Jul 13 at 6:14 pm
3749 Sunset Blvd in Lexington. I think it used to be a cell phone repair company. There used to be a moveable (temporary) sign out front everyday, but I haven't seen it for some time now. Google Map streetview shows the place used to be PhoneProPlus. Google maps image is from 2011.

James

2 Jul 13 at 8:42 am
Early Autism Project (moved) and Arci. Both used to be in the 3300 Sunset Blvd. Building with Healthsouth. McGuinn Homes has taken over one of the spaces, but the other is empty. Early Autism Project moved to a new building near 3100 Sunset Blvd and Burkett, Burkett, & Burkett.

James

2 Jul 13 at 8:52 am
Huei Salon that used to be in the shopping center located in the front of the parking lot of Target in Lexington has moved. Also, the former Judy's Deli space in that same shopping center says that Chicken Salad Chick is coming soon.

TahoeChic

3 Jul 13 at 5:21 pm
This is a weird one: Behind the Pitt Stop convenience store at 7911 Garners Ferry, there's an old trailer looking building that says, "New Life Fitness World" on it. It's pretty ragged looking, and I have a hard time believing it ever housed any gym equipment. I might ask around next time I'm in the store.

badger

3 Jul 13 at 7:51 pm
TED!!! - Time to clean out the spam!!!!!!!!!

Homer

5 Jul 13 at 9:16 pm
Wings & Ale on Ellis Ave (near the recently posted Corley Lock & Security) in Lexington appears to have closed.

James

6 Jul 13 at 12:40 pm
What about Danny's Gym?

Kent

6 Jul 13 at 1:54 pm
Huei Salon moved to Topspin Plaza near the new Compton's Cafe.

Also to add some information on my comment (2 July 2013) about 3300 Sunset Blvd. Handpicked (presumably offices) has moved in and the McGuinn Homes mentioned in that comment have vacated a building on Sunset Blvd in Lexington near the Waffle House and across the street from the Publix / Kohl's plaza.

James

7 Jul 13 at 11:07 pm
Here's a big one for you, ted: http://www.thestate.com/2013/07/08/2853375/intertape-polymer-moving-operations.html

tonkatoy

9 Jul 13 at 7:33 am
Saw today where Kroger and Harris-Teeter merged. Also saw that Bi-Lo is selling Chek soft drinks from the merger of them and Winn Dixie. I saw an article, as well, that stated that Walmart's top grocery competitor will now be Kroger. I wonder what the grocery industry around here will look like in a few years, especially now that I received a flyer from Target stating that they are going to start selling produce. Comments??

Homer

10 Jul 13 at 1:53 am
Piggly Wiggly on Garners Ferry (old Harris Teeter) has signs up saying they are closing

Jen

11 Jul 13 at 6:03 pm
Homer, I do think there's an overlap in terms of what stores sell.

My dearly departed grandmother told me of a time when grocery stores sold only groceries and health and beauty items had to be purchased at the drugstore. Now there are grocery products available at drugstores and health and beauty available at grocery stores. Walmart started selling groceries in addition to health and beauty, school supplies, clothes and sporting goods (among many other things). Now Target has started branching out to groceries in addition to the other stuff they are already established in.

Folks here have indicated that Piggly Wiggly (and to a lesser extent Food Lion) are dying grocery chains. If those two fold, then I could see it making room for Harris Teeter, Lowe's Foods, Ingles, Winn Dixie or perhaps another grocery brand that isn't known yet (though I admit much of this is wishful thinking on my part).

I fantasize about Bi-Lo re-branding as Winn Dixie as the name has greater sophistication to it I think...

Andrew

11 Jul 13 at 10:22 pm
Andrew, even I remember the days before the overlap and the 'one-stop' stores. It seems to me that almost every grocery store used to have a drug store right next door to them. The strip malls that they were located in were the 'one-stop' shopping areas.

When I grew up here, I remember the grocery chains being Winn-Dixie, A&P, Colonial and Piggly Wiggly.

I agree that the Pig and Food Lion are in a decline. They are too slow to adapt to the buying and marketing trends that exist today. Bi-Lo has done a pretty good job at keeping up but they are still no match to Kroger and Publix.

I don't think H-T will ever take a stab at Columbia again (especially after the merger) since Kroger already has a hold on the area. Also, I read that part of the agreement with the Bi-Lo/Winn-Dixie merger was that they would not compete in areas where one store already held dominance. Therefore Bi-Lo will stay here in SC and you won't see W-D's until you get down into GA and FL.

I'm going to digress a bit here and wander back to the days 35+ years ago when I worked at Winn-Dixie. Back to the days before automation and computerization. Every can, bag, box, etc. had to be priced by hand when it came off of the truck. Cashiers actually had to know how to make change. Baggers were given classes on how to bag groceries properly. Baggers ALWAYS took the groceries to the customers cars (and got some pretty good tips as well). Taking a total inventory meant closing the store for a day while every item was counted by hand. The kids working in the stores today wouldn't know what to think!!!!

Sure, things are better today (I think), but it's nice to reminisce about how it used to be. Seems like I'm doing more of that the older I get......hahaha!!

Homer

12 Jul 13 at 2:05 am
Want an article worth reading? Read this in the State about the closing of Piggly Wiggly on Garner's Ferry and the closings of Kroger and Food Lion on St. Andrews:

http://www.thestate.com/2013/07/13/2859923/columbia-grocery-store-closings.html

It's actually surprisingly well researched and written, and gives a lot more answers than one would usually find. The reasons why a store closes isn't always clear cut ie high rent, poor income area etc.

Dustin

14 Jul 13 at 6:50 pm
Bumble Boutique in Trenholm Plaza sent out an email this weekend that they were going out of business. When my wife went by this morning about 10:30 it was almost cleaned out. The store has 2 signs one is for the baby and kid clothes and stuff & the other is for their maternity wear.

Apparently, the store was a side project for a couple who both had full-time jobs elsewhere and it became too much to deal with.

Matt

15 Jul 13 at 1:31 pm
I cant belive another piggly wiggly closing but that just my point from foodlion closing another good example of a dying grocery chain

sean

15 Jul 13 at 10:36 pm
Local brands can and do survive. Although they are not grocery stores, Hawthorne's and Long's pharmacys show that non big box stores can thrive in Columbia. This is against the likes of CVS, Walgreens and even Walmart. After visiting both stores today, I went to the Pig next to Long's on Devine. It is a locally owned franchise and I was impressed with the variety and layout of the store. Shoppers are notoriously loyal to known brands. I feel that local stores can survive the onslaught of Walmart and other box stores if they offer the service and variety that shoppers demand.

joelc

16 Jul 13 at 2:46 am
Sumter still has at least two Pigs, one on lafayette, the other on Broad.

tonkatoy

16 Jul 13 at 6:39 am
Huller's Black Forest, 7713 St. Andrews Rd has announced they won't reopen. Such a shame. They were always busy when they were on Columbiana but things were never the same once they moved. From their own Facebook page:

To all our friends and customers,
Sometimes life throws challenges your way that make you stop and take inventory of what matters most. To us, as we are sure many of you, it is family. We have enjoyed our past 7 years here in Columbia, and have some great memories. The area was a great opportunity for us, and we appreciate it, however we will not be re-opening our St. Andrews Rd location.
We Thank everyone for their support, past and present, and wish everyone well.
Thank you,
The Huller Family

jason

16 Jul 13 at 1:39 pm
The building for "Midland Manufacturing" on Universal Drive has a "For Sale" sign in front. It appears that they are/were in the medical supply business. Universal is off Garners Ferry, and runs alongside the Lizard's Thicket in the 7900/8000 range.

badger

16 Jul 13 at 2:00 pm
The Atomic Owl in Triangle City looks to have closed a while back.

tonkatoy

17 Jul 13 at 6:52 am
Looks like the Monterrey's on Park Lane has closed down. I've been eating there since '97, sad to see it go :(

J.P.

17 Jul 13 at 3:04 pm
Huller's closing won't be any big loss. They were never any good, even when they were on Columbiana.

Captain Trips

17 Jul 13 at 3:52 pm
I figured Huller's wouldn't make it. Seems like nothing lasts in that building.

Homer

17 Jul 13 at 7:01 pm
That's sad about Monterrey's. Like you, J.P, I have eaten there for years!!!!!!

Homer

17 Jul 13 at 7:03 pm
I recall Homer thinking that the location was too hidden for folks to know it's there and can understand where it could be seen as a location downgrade. From what jason noted, it sounds like there are other issues (either with family or health) that are prompting this closing.

I've conclucded that the space would work best as something like a reception hall venue (a la Kendall's Catering*)

* I remember before Kendall's Catering set up shop in the building they're currently it, the building housed at least 2-3 restaurants turn over (in the 1998-04 timeframe) but don't remember any names...

Andrew

17 Jul 13 at 7:23 pm
Andrew - I know the building started out as a Lizard's Thicket and at one time it was a BBQ joint. Wasn't there a seafood place in there at one time, as well? I can't remember what else may have given this building a shot.

To tell the truth, I live right down the street and I have never even gone down in that little center.

Homer

17 Jul 13 at 10:46 pm
@ Homer. It was Gene's BBQ, at one time, but I think it was pretty much a catering operation rather than a sit-down place. Maybe some of both. @ Andrew. Kendall's was originally built as a bank. It was a Standard Federal in the 80's. Maybe something prior to that, but I used to go to the drive thru to write checks to "cash" before the ATMs! I am old.

jonathan

18 Jul 13 at 9:24 am
Saw this article today..seems they are building a brand new shopping center on Lake Murray Blvd in Irmo. Isn't this almost across the street from that shopping center where the Piggly Wiggly was that has sat empty for so long?

http://irmo.wistv.com/photo-gallery/business/70223-smashburger-dunkin-donuts-marcos-pizza-planning-lake-murray-blvd-opening

TahoeChic

18 Jul 13 at 7:06 pm
@TahoeChic, there's a vacant lot between AAA Car Center and the Stretch at 945 Lake Murray Blvd. (where Moe's is). This is caddy corner to High Pointe center, home to the vacant former Piggly Wiggly

Read through the comments on the Piggly Wiggly page I've linked above and you'll get some interesting food for thought as to why it closed...

Andrew

18 Jul 13 at 11:16 pm
As for Huller's closing, I never understood why they moved. I thought they did really good business on Columbiana. We ate there a number of times and really liked it.

I do think they offered too many Groupons and that might have been part of their downfall. It is understandable at the beginning to use services like Groupon or Living Social as you try to introduce people to your business, but when you offer 3 to 4 Groupons a year, you have to be losing money.

James

19 Jul 13 at 2:30 pm
A closure that I did not see in the alphabetical list and that has been closed for at least the two years that I have lived in the area is the Silver Fox Tennis Shop on Lake Murray near the school and across from Wendy's.

James

19 Jul 13 at 2:31 pm
@ Andrew - that is very interesting. I was a little surprised -although I shouldn't be - that they were building another shopping center when there is one sitting empty almost across the street!

TahoeChic

19 Jul 13 at 4:52 pm
Pasta Fresca was once in the Kendall's Catering building. And I feel like a Mexican restaurant was, too, at least for a little while.

Mary Douglass

19 Jul 13 at 10:33 pm
Does anyone know anything about the status of Tropical Grille near USC at the corner of Main and Blossom? They're locked up with some construction going on inside. No signage, and the phone is not being answered. Hopefully they're just doing some work and will reopen, as I was fond of them.

Payne

26 Jul 13 at 1:51 pm
If it's the place that used to be Baker Brothers, I thought I saw a sign that it was turning into a pizza place.

ted

27 Jul 13 at 12:07 am
It looks like the new mexican restaurant that opened in Murraywood center in the one,two, three, al-Amir, Marinoni's location has closed already! We ate there once and it was OK. they were only opened for several weeks, if that. Wonder what happened. Seems like a prime location.

Becky

27 Jul 13 at 9:48 am
It looks like the new mexican restaurant that opened in Murraywood center in the one,two, three, al-Amir, Marinoni's location has closed already! We ate there once and it was OK. they were only opened for several weeks, if that. Wonder what happened. Seems like a prime location. Chalapas was the name.

Becky

27 Jul 13 at 9:49 am
American Roadside Burgers by Whole Foods was not open on Wed., July 24. Any news?

Midnight Rambler

27 Jul 13 at 1:40 pm
On the way home this afternoon I noticed signage going up on one of the buildings across from Love Buick for Halloween Express. I hope they are just advertising where they will be located this year and not getting ready to stock up and open. After all, it's only August 1st, for heaven's sake. I guess the Christmas decorations will be out by Labor Day.

Homer

1 Aug 13 at 11:25 pm
Homer it has reached the point you describe. Several
department stories start with their Christmas decorations in September..my late grandmother once expressed concern for the tendency for Thanksgiving to get skipped over in the process. I've gathered that Filipinos take Christmas even more seriously than we do...we're talking shoulder-to-shoulder mall crowds as well as Christmas music playing at the start of the 'ber months.

Now Halloween stuff is starting in August/September...

I find their choice of location interesting...it gives them interstate visibility but is smaller than the former Gold's Gym location at Harbison Center that they've been using...maybe something is about to move into the old Gold's (but I am currently unaware of any plans)

Andrew

2 Aug 13 at 12:40 am
Noticed today that the Subway on the 700 block of Gervais was closed. I was at the back door, so I don't know if any explanation was offered at the front door.

Joe

2 Aug 13 at 12:34 pm
Andrew - last year I went to Kohl's not too long after Labor Day and they already had their decorations up. The salesperson told me that they had been cleaning and organizing the stuff since early August.

And as a side note about retail and holidays in general - I was in Lowe's a couple of weeks ago getting some paint and was taking to the clerk. He told me that there was talk of Lowe's not closing at all for Thanksgiving. I'm so glad that I worked in retail years ago before the almighty dollar took precedence over family, beliefs and allegiance.

Homer

3 Aug 13 at 7:10 am
My Aunt Jeannie despises the idea that these stores are open on Thanksgiving Day...

I don't go to department stores very much (in general) but have noticed most of them to start decorating for Christmas. Andy Rooney once said something to the effect of "I like all this Christmas stuff, it's just too soon"

Andrew

3 Aug 13 at 3:36 pm
BTW, whatever happened to Del. he seems to have dropped off the planet.

tonkatoy

6 Aug 13 at 11:32 am
Del's still around on facebook. Still complaining. Miss him, here, though. He had a lot of fun recollections.

badger

6 Aug 13 at 1:46 pm
I think Del changed his handle to Janis Ian or something and then vanished. Was it something I said?

Terry

6 Aug 13 at 9:54 pm
what fun would it be if I didn't complain? I think it's from working at the West Columbia Walmart for nearly 10 years before I left them back in 2009.

semiquaver2013

7 Aug 13 at 3:44 am
OH..but on a nice thing to actually say about Columbia AND USC, is restoring the old Whaley/Dunbar House on Gervais. It's one of the smartest things Columbia has done in many many years.
It really looks as good or better than when it was new.

semiquaver2013

7 Aug 13 at 3:48 am
I'm sure Del had some interesting experiences at the West Columbia Walmart...I've heard that the West Columbia Walmart has one of the highest theft rates of any Walmart in South Carolina...

Andrew

7 Aug 13 at 5:51 am
some of the people that would come in there, you couldn't tell what they were..I don't miss it at all. I haven't been in that store in 4 years now.

semiquaver2013

7 Aug 13 at 5:57 am
Has anyone heard about WIS TV moving to a new location or quite broadcasting or having to vacate the old building due to the lease was up and wasn't being renewed? I think I noticed the very top of the Tower missing that has the Christmas lights on it..but not sure. Anyone??

semiquaver2013

7 Aug 13 at 5:59 am
meant to say QUIT..not QUITE.

semiquaver2013

7 Aug 13 at 6:01 am
@Midnight Rambler, regarding American Roadside, I was at Whole Foods over the weekend and I peeked in. It was open for business but pretty empty.

Justin

7 Aug 13 at 9:29 am
Doubtful--they just renovated their newsroom and I'm pretty sure that they own the building.

Mike

7 Aug 13 at 10:17 am
semi, clientel at the store has picked up in quality since you left.

Ever unload your Scwinn?

tonkatoy

7 Aug 13 at 11:35 am
I sold my old Schwinn Apple Krate last summer for over 1200.00 It looked about as good as it did when it was new back in 1971. I wish I had another one to sell for that much now...

semiquaver2013

7 Aug 13 at 5:16 pm
Finally........ IHOP being tore down. I have been telling everyone since back in the spring this was coming.

http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=245244

Jay

7 Aug 13 at 7:06 pm
that old "eye sore" IHOP needed to be torn down..eventhough it was one of the first built along with the one on Garners Ferry/Divine in 1968. That's great the new one will be bigger and more updated, but still..it's not the best place to be at night time unless you want to make some new "friends". I hope it'll do well..but then again, time will tell.

semiquaver2013

7 Aug 13 at 8:35 pm
I just read on the State Newspaper website that Miyo's will be moving from Bower Parkway to Where Steak and Shake was on Columbiana Drive. I am guessing they will be tearing down the building. I guess they could renovate but that is not that big of a building. We will just have to wait and see. The new Restaurant will be called M Kitchen. I have included the link for you to read the story.

http://www.thestate.com/2013/08/07/2906586/organic-miyos-opens-in-vista.html

Have a good day!
William

William

8 Aug 13 at 10:37 pm
Huller's German Buffet had moved from Columbiana Boulevard to the former Lizard's Thicket location in Irmo. That location has since closed. I visited the first location with some friends about three years ago, and it wasn't anything to brag about. It would seem that Germans only eat meat, and they never put salt on anything. I almost never add salt to anything I eat, but I could have used a can of Morton's that night. Can't say as I'll miss the place.

Mike R.

9 Aug 13 at 1:08 am
The former Steak and Shake location on Columbiana has been bought by the owner of Miyabi. The new place will be some kind of "Miyabi Express". Whether that means drive-through sushi, I don't know.

Mike R.

9 Aug 13 at 1:11 am
Hi,

I am not sure where Mike R. Is getting his information but the story says nothing about Miyabi Express. I just reread it to be sure I had not missed something. That he may have caught. The story says it will be called M Kitchen.

William

William

9 Aug 13 at 2:48 am
If someone could get some pictures of the old Steak and Shake. I saw some activity up there the other day.

William

14 Aug 13 at 5:03 pm
Noticed the Goody 2 Shoes in Hope Ferry Center in Lexington put up some very brightly colored (fluorescent pink) store closing signs. Might want to get pictures while the colorful signs are up even if the posting waits a while.

James

15 Aug 13 at 6:12 pm
The Bojangles at 2737 Sunset Blvd is going to move soon. They are building a brand new Bojangles a couple doors down on the other side of the Atlanta Bread Company. May have something to do with the difficulty exiting the current location due to the light. Why they didn't put a side exit in so people could get to the light is beyond me.

James

8 Sep 13 at 8:30 pm
Noticed on the way home from campus today that Rags to Ritchies at 4878 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington has a For Sale sign out front. I think this place was a bar and sometimes referred to as Rudy's?

James

9 Sep 13 at 6:20 pm
Also noticed on the way home that Stuffed by Chef Eric at 5166-G Sunset Blvd has closed (moved?). There is a new sign on the door for a place called Applause. THe number for Stuffed is disconnected but the website http://www.stuffedbycheferic.com is still up. Also there was a recent write up in The State about Stuffed. The write up is located here - http://www.thestate.com/2012/08/22/2408463/whats-good-here-stuffed-by-chef.html

James

9 Sep 13 at 6:26 pm
Actually now that I pay closer attention, the write up on Stuffed is a year old, not a couple of weeks like I thought.

James

9 Sep 13 at 6:27 pm
Does anyone recall a head shop in Dutch Square called The Comstock Lode? This would have been the early '70s.

Terry

11 Sep 13 at 8:53 am
Terry, that was before my time, but I recommend you read through Dutch Square: Then and Then for a comprehensive listing of places that have come and go over the years at Dutch Square (including many that those of you that remember Dutch Square's pre-Columbiana days likely remember)

Andrew

11 Sep 13 at 1:12 pm
Alright I have the official list of Piggly Wiggly stores flipping to Bi-Lo within the next few months:

-- Railroad Avenue, Bamberg, S.C.
-- 50 Burnt Church Road, Bluffton, S.C.
-- 445 Meeting Street, Charleston, S.C.
-- 630 Skylark Drive, Charleston, S.C.
-- 136 South Main Street, Clover, S.C.
-- 4711-1 Forest Drive, Columbia, S.C.
-- 104 Jungle Road, Edisto Beach, S.C.
-- 3353 Highway 72/221 East, Greenwood, S.C.
-- 3575 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, S.C.
-- 9616 Highway 78, Ladson, S.C.
-- 760 Highway 378, Lexington, S.C.
-- 4360 Augusta Road, Lexington, S.C.
-- 208 East McIntyre Street, Mullins, S.C.
-- 115 Willbrook Boulevard, Pawleys Island, S.C

Another seven stores are being sold to Harris-Teeter. You can read more all about it here:

http://www.postandcourier.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20130912%2FPC05%2F130919767%2F1180%2Fpiggly-wiggly-to-sell-several-stores

Dustin

16 Sep 13 at 3:03 pm
Looks like there are more stores than in the above post.

You can find them all at the Pig's website.

http://www.thepig.net/StoreLocationMaps/storelocator.aspx

MrBO

17 Sep 13 at 4:33 pm
My favorite BBQ place is gone. Palmetto Pig in Ballentine. 1002 AJ Amick Road. From what I gather, they couldn't settle on a new lease deal.

Beth

19 Sep 13 at 8:03 am
Beth--if you really get a hankerin' for BBQ you can go to their location on Devine St. between Huger St. and Park St. in downtown Columbia.

Mike

19 Sep 13 at 9:27 pm
Didn't see this in the alphabetical listing. Cartridge World at 5343J Sunset Blvd in Lexington has closed. Sign on the door indicated they closed June 24, 2013.

James

21 Sep 13 at 6:18 pm
WG Wings at 736 St. Andrews Road is putting out an awful lot of Groupon offers. We ate there over a year ago and it wasn't very good. I wouldn't be surprised if they closed their doors soon. The location is also kind of hidden by landscape. The strip mall they are in extends beyond what was cleared for the lot originally making it difficult to see from the street. If you don't know it's already there, you probably wouldn't see it.

James

22 Sep 13 at 11:05 am
What St. Andrews Shopping Center (736 St. Andrews Road) needs IMO is something that will generate traffic. It has several lesser known tenants that are humming along (most likely because of the customer base they already have) but with Fred's closing htis past June and Ladie's Choice closing in June 2012, that space could combine to be something (though it'd be app. 30,000 square feet which is smaller than an average Bi-Lo, Publix or Kroger (or any other grocery chain you can think of) so I don't know what a good fit for that space would be (but I know it can't stay vacant forever)...

Andrew

22 Sep 13 at 5:01 pm
Once again "The Diner" is closed for renovations.

Mike

24 Sep 13 at 3:58 pm
Getting word that the Biscuit House in Lower Richland has closed.

Midnight Rambler

25 Sep 13 at 10:17 am
MR, I was kinda surprised it lasted as long as it did. It was on the wrong side of the road for most of the going into work in the morning crowd.

Still a shame.

tonkatoy

26 Sep 13 at 6:50 am
Why nothing on Catch-22 on Lake Murray Blvd. closing? It's now the Bistro, or some such. What's the scoop?

Becky

1 Oct 13 at 8:01 am
I didn't know anything about Catch 22 closing until I heard Barry Walker with Fatback & the Groove Band at the Okra Strut saying that they were playing at the Bistro Saturday night. I flipped through the Free Times and found the Bistro ad and sure enough, it was Catch 22.

Homer

3 Oct 13 at 1:00 am
Menu at the Bistro seems very similar to that of Catch 22. Maybe this is just a name change?

James

3 Oct 13 at 10:18 am
Heard a rumor that Hobby Lobby was closing all of its 540+ stores. The source was a Christian blog. The issue seems to be a conflict between the owners' Christian values and the new Affordable Care Act that mandates the company pay for insurance that in turn pays for abortion inducing drugs. Hobby Lobby has won a temporary injunction and said they are not planning to close any stores, but this might be something to keep an eye on. I know there are at least two Hobby Lobbys in the Columbia area.

James

3 Oct 13 at 10:22 am
Hobby Lobby currently has three Columbia locations:

1) 2305 Augusta Road (West Columbia) in West Side Plaza...this location is next to a Goody's that closed when the company liquidated in 2008/09 that could combine into something new if something happens to Hobby Lobby there (but what would be a good fit for West Columbia)

2) 5422 Forest Drive (East Forest Plaza)...My thinking is that it wouldn't take long to get something new there because of the strong residential base from Forest Acres that this location has to draw off of but only time will tell.

3) under construction in Northeast Richland...it is at Two Notch Road and Fore Avenue (across from the Two Notch Road entrance to the Village at Sandhill) and the way it's taking shape has me wondering if it's perhaps going to be too close to the road to make sense but I wonder...if Hobby Lobby was planning to close stores, would they go to the trouble of constructing a new one

Currently there are no plans to close any locations but I worry about the havoc the Affordable Care Act is wrecking though I've gathered that one of the issues just about any company you can think of has is their need to better take care of their fontline employees...

Andrew

3 Oct 13 at 1:47 pm
I can't remember, but can someone tell me WHAT was the name of the Kmart Grocery stores they had in the late 60's to the early 70's? I remember Red and White, A&P, Piggly Wiggly, Winn Dixie, Big Star, Colonial, but cant remember the ones Kmart had.

semiquaver2013

4 Oct 13 at 2:12 pm
In the Kmart Auto bays entry, ted said it was Big Star.

tonkatoy

4 Oct 13 at 2:19 pm
It was definitely Big Star, but I don't think it was connected with K-Mart other than being a tenant in their building. It was connected with Colonial. I remember after Colonial closed, we had to go to Big Star to get the Farm Charm cheese we liked.

ted

5 Oct 13 at 1:58 pm
The Kmart over in Cayce had a grocery section that was separate from the rest of the store back in the late 60's. Not sure whom it was connected with if any, but It may have been Big Star or something like that.

semiquaver2013

5 Oct 13 at 3:09 pm
Saw the San Jose (formerly Muchos Margaritas) cleaning out house today in five points. That didn't take long after the ownership changed. Never visited once it changed over - which was about a year ago or so - but I loved Muchos and was sad to see it change to San Jose. (We have enough of those) But now that's gone.

MB

6 Oct 13 at 10:18 pm
@semi, tonka & ted -I agree that it was Big Star and, yes, they were affiliated with Colonial (according to my Mom). I never went to the Cayce KMart but the Dutch Square had a separate grocery store as well, and I think the Dentsville store had one as well, although it was attached at the lower end of the store from Parklane.

Homer

8 Oct 13 at 11:41 pm
Looks like Le Peep at Sandhills is closed. Went by there for lunch today and it was locked up but still stocked. No sign on the door saying they're closed but it certainly seems that way.

JB

10 Oct 13 at 11:25 pm
Huh, that's funny -- the one on Gervais just opened!

ted

10 Oct 13 at 11:32 pm
The godawful giant lights on Main:

http://digital.tcl.sc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/rmaxey/id/878/rec/1040

http://digital.tcl.sc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/rmaxey/id/463/rec/1039

http://digital.tcl.sc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/rmaxey/id/1658/rec/1038

tonkatoy

11 Oct 13 at 9:01 am
The USO/Post office construction collapse:

http://digital.tcl.sc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/rmaxey/id/1596/rec/1329

tonkatoy

11 Oct 13 at 10:12 am
Thanks to tonkatoy for posting all those great picture links, and to Dennis for finding the site.

ted

11 Oct 13 at 11:23 pm
I second the thanks tonka, you've been busy today....:^)

Homer

12 Oct 13 at 12:08 am
@Ted - If I become to controversial, I have been known to do so, just let me know and I'll tone it down. I remember the grocery store next to K-mart at Jacson Blvd. There was an entrance from K-mart to the grocery store where one did not have to walk outside and then back in. Back in the 60's there was only one grocery store on our side of town. It was The Pig in Ceadar Terrace Shopping center across from the Veterans Hospital. Shortly after, a A&P opened on Garners Ferry Road at Greenlawn Drive in the shopping center behind where the Rushs fast food restaurnt is now. The A&P eventually closed and soon after, The Pig moved into that shopping center, then the Pig moved across the street to the old, was it a Kroger store, I can't remember. My Mom and Dad thought we were so lucky to have a store so close to home when A&P opened. We lived in the neighborhood next to Greenlawn Cemetery. When we first moved to this side of town in 1961 there was not even a stop light at the corner of Leesburg and Garners Ferry Road. There was a auto junk yard called "Trues Motor Mart" at the corner, if my memory is correct.

rick

12 Oct 13 at 11:35 am
Rick, you make me wonder if Landmark Square existed yet (next door to Cedar Terrace)...

The Leesburg Post Office is something else I wonder about its existence...it's in Garners Ferry Plaza (where Piggly Wiggly moved when they left Cedar Terrace)...

The aforementioned Piggly Wiggly at Garners Ferry Plaza (Garners Ferry & Greenlawn) moved across the street (7451 Garners Ferry Road) in July 2001 when Piggly Wiggly bought the 4 Harris Teeter locations that were in Columbia. Then the 7451 Garners Ferry Road Piggly Wiggly closed in July 2013.

At one point there were rumors that the Leesburg Post Office was to move into where Piggly Wiggly was but those rumors never panned out and Now Aaron's, Family Dollar and Medcare Urgent Care are operating where they once were.

Andrew

12 Oct 13 at 4:08 pm
@Andrew - My family moved into the neighborhood that is situated between Garners Ferry Plaza and Greenlawn Cemetery around 1961. We lived on Fairwood Drive until 1976. Fairwood runs parallel to Greenlawn Drive. Our house was the third house built on Fairwood and we were the second family to move onto Fairwood. The builder of the neighborhood, last name Foster, fell off the roof of one of the houses and died before all the homes were complete. I do not think a lot of people know this but the neighborhood is called Pinewood Park.

I saw Leesburg Plaza and Garners Ferry Plaza being built.
Garners Ferry Plaza was only about half the length it is now when it was built. It stopped just before where the post office is now. The post office and the rest of the plaza including the old Piggly Wiggly were built later, a date that I am unsure of.

The entire property that Landmark Square sits on was in fact, Trues Motor Mart. I started driving in 1972 and they were still there at that time. Around 1973 to 74 the shopping center was built. There was a gas station where the bank sits now called "Payless" I worked there for a time while in High School.

Ah yes, Harris Teeter. I could not remember the name.

One more thought. Piggly Wiggly was in two different buildings in Cedar Terrace. When we first moved to that side of town, The pig was in the building where Sub Station Two and the "wing place" are. They occupied the whole building. They then moved into the back of the shopping center to where, most recently, the FREDS store was.

rick

13 Oct 13 at 10:33 am
@Ted - Hibachi Tama

This was a restaurant on Decker Blvd that I frequented quite a bit when I worked at the Carolina Research park. Even after we were all riffed, we gathered here as former co-workers to catch up. Our latest gathering was at Little pigs where I was told that the Hibachi Tama next to the Food lion at 2318 Decker Blvd is no more. Their facebook page looks short lived and ended postings in 2010. https://www.facebook.com/HibachiTama/info

Looks like they are now the Korea Gardens;

http://www.koreagarden.us/

They had a good buffet but their steak & shrimp was great.

MrBO

13 Oct 13 at 8:57 pm
Rick, I don't remember the Pig being in the SSII building, but I do recall Pier 1 Imports was in there.

I think Pig moved to Garner's Ferry Plaza in late 84, early 85.

tonkatoy

14 Oct 13 at 6:42 am
Ted...I forgot to thank Dennis for finding that site (which has a lot of maybe future Columbia Closings).

Where's Dennis been lately?

tonkatoy

14 Oct 13 at 6:43 am
WOW! Good to see you on here, tonkatoy. This is a great little site with plenty of nostalgia and memories to go around for all.

Corruption In Columbia

14 Oct 13 at 8:57 am
Sup, CIC? Hated that Fish Wrap went to Facebook. Guess they joined all the other Columbia sites I don't comment on anymore.

Yeah, this is a pretty cool site Ted's got going.

tonkatoy

14 Oct 13 at 10:01 am
I feel that WLTX doesn't have quality of comments they used to when they went Facebook on their comments and now I think The State is headed in the same direction

WIS was a little tamer (pre-Facebook) but I think they have gone Facebook as well...I have always liked WIS to the point of having a "thou shall not speak ill of a WIS personality" in my mantra...

Andrew

14 Oct 13 at 12:44 pm
@tonkatoy - It was probably 1961 1962 when The Pig was in the SSII building. I remember the building being longer. The part that is no longer there was torn down for some reason or another. The part not there now was attached to the side of SSII and went almost all the way to the stores on the side of the lot where the pharmacy is, with just enough room for cars to pass to the rear of the shopping center. Keep in mind I was only about 5 or 6 years old but, there was something funny that happened when my folks were shopping there one afternoon that I remeber well, and I really do believe I am correct. Never know, could be wrong, long time ago.

rick

14 Oct 13 at 12:53 pm
Rick, you've had an interesting read about this Garners Ferry stuff and to think it all predated Woodhill Mall which came along in 1978...I had a grandmother that lived in the Rosewood area...I remember the redevelopment it underwent in 2004 and my grandmother made it just long enough to make it and how pleased she was with how the final product has turned out...now that she's passed on, I sense her presence and how pleased she was with the final product the times I make it in that Target...

Andrew

14 Oct 13 at 2:10 pm
Floor Boys in Lexington is moving. It appears they will vacate their current location at 4884-G (near the Good As New Consignment shop and Alibaba's Pipe Emporium) and move across and slightly down the street closer to Target in the OLD Midlands Auto Brokers building. The new address is approximately 4991 Sunset Blvd. according to Google Maps.

James

14 Oct 13 at 3:20 pm
@Andrew - The redevelopment of Woodhill Mall is quite a success story. I remember the old mall well, and it did a fair business when it was in it's prime. As "things" change, for lack of a better word, it was nice to see someone with vision take a chance to make the mall even better. It fits nicely with the Whole Foods store and other new stores that have come to that side of town recently, Smash Burger, Moe's, Trader Joes, etc. If I am able to articulate, It seems to me that, in my time, the Dutch Square/Irmo side of town grew first. Then the Two Notch/Spring Valley corridor. Even after that, the Lexington area grew rapidly. In my humble opinion, the east side of Columbia is the next area to expand. I wish I had bought property on Garners Ferry Road years ago, for close to nothing. But as the saying goes, Hindsight is.....

rick

14 Oct 13 at 3:39 pm
@Andrew - By the way, nice story about your Grandma.

rick

14 Oct 13 at 3:41 pm
@Andrew - Here is another thought for you. Do you remember a 3 par golf course called "Cedarwood Golf Club" where the new, or relatively new Wal-Mart Super Center is now?

rick

14 Oct 13 at 4:00 pm
@Rick - Cedarwood Golf club where the Super Wal-Mart on Garner's ferry stands? Very interesting from a forest standpoint. I remember the tract before they plowed down the trees (which thankfully they saved some of the larger specimens.) That was pretty dense back there. How long ago was the course present?

I ask because I lived on a 2 acre plot in Pittsburgh from 1959 to 1980. My folks lived there until 1985 when my father passed away. The back 3/4 acre was wooded, but we took care to keep the underbrush cleaned out leaving the trees and a nice large shady place to walk.

Around 1995 I was granted access to the old house (which had LOTS of additions) but the woods were neglected for 10 years and was impenetrable.

Just wondering how long it took the Wal-mart grounds to become what I remeber it to be before it was cleared.

MrBO

14 Oct 13 at 4:42 pm
@Andrew - Your post 10-14 @2:10p Thanks for the compliment.

rick

14 Oct 13 at 4:47 pm
@MrBo - Hard to date. The course was there after I started driving in 1972. The entrance to the course was between Aldis and the restaurant that was known as Fire Mountain then Ryans, I do not know the name of the restaurant there now. I think it is a Ibachi Grill or something. However, just as one pulled off Garners Ferry Road, on to the road between the store and restaurant, you would take a left less than 100 feet and that was the entrance to the course. When I was a teen we never played golf but, they had a driving range there. We had a lot of fun trying to hit the tractor that drove around picking up all the balls on the range. A few beers, a driver (golf club) and we could make a night of it. $1.00 for a bucket of balls. If you were to drive straight down the road, just as you turned off Garners Ferry, instead of turning left into the course, there were horse stables at the end of the road kind of behind Annie B Burnside School. The road and golf course parking lot were dirt, no pavement. I went to Burnside Elementary, Known as Annie B Burnside Elementary in the early days, from the 1st grade through the 7th grade. As we progressed in grades we became more courageous and ventured through the woods at "Recess" to collect, or steal as some have said, golf balls from the range. @caycekid - That place is also closed.

rick

14 Oct 13 at 5:21 pm
Here is more to reminisce about. Annie B Burnside School was named after the great Aunt of the person who built my house. The Burnsides owned a great deal of land on that side of town. Some may remember the Marion Burnside Chrysler Plymouth Dealership on Garners Ferry, also known as Sumter Highway, and the Burnside Dodge Dealership at the corner of Harden and Gervais Streets in Columbia. I believe they were brothers. Their Great Aunt was Annie Burnside, after the school. Dick Burnside, who I have talked to, and was the owner of Burnside Dodge, built the house I live in now in 1965. He told me a lot of things about the house, which I am grateful. The two brothers are still alive, and as far as I can tell made a nice living selling cars in the 1960's and early seventies when America and manufacturing was, "All about the car" It was for me anyway. GTO, Mustang, Camaro, Vette, Challenger, Roadrunner, Superbird, Daytona, Olds 442, Chevelle SS, Amc Javelin, Cuda, Charger, Firebird, The Judge, 428 Cobra Jet Torino, Buick GSX, Boss 351, 302. Damn I could go on if I think. I still love cars, and my son, 22 years old now, and I restored a 1967 Mustang 5 years ago. We still love driving it around on the weekends. I had three Mustangs during high school and we have two now, the '67 and a '98 Cobra. Love my cars that are not made anymore, and kckid, I guess we can consider that closed as well.

rick

14 Oct 13 at 6:24 pm
@rick - my cousin married into the Burnside family. Jack Burnside is the patriarch of the part of the family she married into. He and his late brother owned a bunch of farmland along Garners Ferry. I don't know how much they had or how much they have leased or sold but I know they made a pretty penny off of it!!!

Homer

14 Oct 13 at 9:52 pm
Rick your car writeup conjures up images of "Hey Little Cobra" which is one of many 60s/70s hits I enjoy listening to from growing up with Oldies 103 (which is now Magic 98.5)...I still know/listen to many 60s/70s despite the fact I wasn't around yet (but I'm a fan of much of B106.7's music as well).

There's another one called GTO that I thought of that I am not as familiar with.

My dad had a Chevy Bel-Air growing up he tells me...he drove a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle until mid-2009. My mom had a 1987 Chevy Celebrity Station Wagon that I remember from when I was in Elementary School (station wagon with a third-row seat facing the rear (I remember sitting in that seat with one of my best friends on my birthday one year))...I also remember $20 being enough to fill that vehicle up.

This discussion has also opened up my eyes into the Burnside...I knew of Annie Burnside Elementary School and learned about the Burnside history of the old Jim Hudson GMC/Buick dealership that accompanied the move off of Garners Ferry Road but didn't realize the two were connected. It's likely that the old dealership will need to be demolished and rebuilt (depends on what decides to move in)...I have to believe it can't stay vacant forever.

Andrew

14 Oct 13 at 11:20 pm
@rick & Andrew - I grew up on Mopars. My Dad did all of his business at Addy Dodge in Lexington. To this day, I still want to find a '56 Dodge Coronet 2dr like he had when I was small. He also had a '59 Studebaker pickup which would be really neat to own as well.

From there we had a '65 Coronet hardtop, a '69 Polara station wagon (it had a 440 in it and Dad complained about the mileage even though gas was only around 30 cents a gallon). Then he bought an old '62 Dart station wagon that he used to haul his tools in. Next came a '70 Dart Swinger which was the car I learned to drive in.

My first car was a '73 Dart Sport 340. I scrounged around through junk yards and catalogs looking for any high performance part I could find for that car. In the end, I had the one of the fastest cars at Irmo High. The only two cars I didn't have a chance against were a guy that had a '68 Hemi Charger and one that had a '69 Torino 428 CobraJet.

After Chrysler went to hell in the late '70s I switched over to GM. Bought my first z/28 in '79, another in '82 and again in '85. I had a financial crisis during the early '90s and ended up driving one of my Dad's spare vehicles until I got back on my feet. And after that, yes, I bought a '97 z/28. When a lady pulled out in front of me in '06 and totaled it, I did the midlife crisis thing and picked up an '01 Corvette. I'm still driving it but I'll be looking to upgrade to a C6 next year.

Homer

14 Oct 13 at 11:56 pm
@Ted - have you been over to the Spring Valley Commons since the fire Sunday night? I know Tripp's Cleaners was one of the businesses that burned, but I was wondering what others were effected......

Homer

15 Oct 13 at 12:42 am
@Homer -- no I haven't. I thought about trying to get over there Monday, but in the event did not make it. Maybe later this week.

ted

15 Oct 13 at 12:55 am
@ted - I drove by there at lunch hoping to get a couple of shots from my cell but there was still too much activity going on. You could still smell the smoke in the air from a good 1/4 mile away....

Homer

15 Oct 13 at 1:03 am
I stopped in the Bi-Lo at Spring Valley Commons last night and noticed the fire Homer spoke of and I sensed the smell of the charcoaled remains...

Andrew

15 Oct 13 at 1:52 am
The Par 3 golf course near Cedarwood wtill eisted as late as 1982, but I'm not sure it was open then. I like the 'ponderosa style' wood fence.

I did my old car thang in my twenties and early thirties. Had a 73 351CJ/Toploader Torino and a 69 Charger, 383/727. Honestly, most stuff available today would eat their lunches in the straights, and leave them in the weeds at the first turn. Plus, no one expects a something like a 2012 Impala to be fast (they are ridulously fast...they all have 306hp engines), so you don't need heat sheilds (if you catch my drift and I think you do) like you would for a 'vette.

Re Burnside: I think they were trying to develop that property at Pinewood and Garner's Ferry and got stuck out when the bottom fell out of the housing market. I don't think they were out anything, really, so I'm guessing they're just holding out til the market recovers (which may be a while despite the pollyanna pieces written in Fish Wrap by real estate folks).

tonkatoy

15 Oct 13 at 7:05 am
What's funny is the New Acura's. My Mom at her age has one from a few years back, and it has just under a 500HP engine in it. My Dad has a Mini Cooper S who's top speed is 165 on the speed-o-meter, and I think my Mom's car can flat out outrun the Mini on the straight roads..but the Mini can turn on a dime around corners. But as far as I would want..give me a Boss Hoss 302 Mustang from 1968 for speed, or the the 1971 Challenger. A 1970 Heavy Chevy would be nice too.

CayceKid

15 Oct 13 at 3:44 pm
About the only pre-1990 car that would interest me is a 1980s era Chevy Celebrity Station wagon (third row rear facing seats)...I grew up with one and remembered it fondly when I was in Elementary School and have occasionally wonder how it'd handle certain missions I go on nowadays. My dad had a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle until mid-2009.

I have an aunt that sees Acura as a glorified Honda as Acura is Honda's luxury brand (same thing with Lexus to Toyota and Infiniti to Nissan). Most of the luxury brands use an alphanumeric model system and I'd rather have an actual name (Rogue, Regal, Explorer, Impala, etc.) on my car's model)...I have to start thinking about what I want in a new car because my current car is likely to need replacement sometime in the next couple of years.

Andrew

15 Oct 13 at 5:07 pm
For Andrew:

From: http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2011/06/01/hmn_feature3.html

1984-'90 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport
Back in the day, these were really cool-looking wagons--and they still are today. Designed for the performance-minded enthusiasts, they really are fun to drive, thanks to the Handling and Appearance Package that outfitted them with heavy-duty F41 suspension and wider rallye wheels. Most had the 2.8-liter H.O. V-6 with its electronic fuel injection; there was even a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox available, which is the one you want. With seating for six, the optional rear-facing third seat provided room for eight, and the blacked-out trim and red highlights gave these wagons a very distinguished appearance.

tonkatoy

16 Oct 13 at 6:40 am
Looks like El Chico on Bush River Road is not going to reopen after its latest fire after all. Monday, October 14, 2013, I noticed a For Sale/For Lease sign on the property.

Ralph Hightower

16 Oct 13 at 7:11 am
Looks like El Chico on Bush River Road is not going to reopen after its latest fire after all. Monday, October 14, 2013, I noticed a For Sale/For Lease sign on the property.

Ralph Hightower

16 Oct 13 at 7:11 am
Ralph, you can say that again!

Eddie In Irmo

16 Oct 13 at 6:17 pm
Eddie In Irmo, That was funny. Im havin ta kill ya, you?

rick

16 Oct 13 at 6:28 pm
@tonkatoy - you ever thought of becoming a used car salesman...lol?? Either that or writing copy for theads....:^)

Homer

16 Oct 13 at 10:42 pm
How about the ads......:^). I've either got to get a new keyboard or new fingers, one of the two.....

Homer

16 Oct 13 at 10:43 pm
@tonkatoy - Your post about the Celebrity Wagon. I have never really thought much about owning a wagon, even though some have caught my attention. My 22 year old son has been into a number of wagons over the past 5 years and his interest has peaked mine. There are some cool ones out there.

rick

17 Oct 13 at 9:15 am
I grew up with a Celebrity wagon...the time to trade it in came in 1999 when I was 11 and it was a very emotional experience for me to see that car go...I've had occasional thoughts of wanting to drive one myself now just to see what it was like for my mom growing up when she had one...and yes it had rear facing seats...

Andrew

17 Oct 13 at 11:07 am
I expect the Bojangles on Sunset, across from Lexington Medical Center, is going to be closing soon. A new Bojangles is almost finished three buildings down, and much as I like their food, I can't imagine there being enough demand to support two restaurants within a couple hundred yards of one another.

Jason

17 Oct 13 at 7:47 pm
Jason I think the same thing...I'm not a big Bojangle's fan but I do think they are in the midst of a massive restraunt overhaul...

Andrew

17 Oct 13 at 9:25 pm
Also, Pet Basics in VaS closed, though I'm not sure when. I knew it was coming months ago when I went in there for some dog food and the shelves clearly weren't being restocked (including my dog food, which I was told they had lost their distributor for).

If memory serves, this location was managed by the folks who ran the Superpets on Decker.

Jason

19 Oct 13 at 8:35 pm
I'm wondering if the Bilo on Columbia Ave in Lexington is closing. I've been shopping there frequently for years now, and last week I noticed that a lot of the long-time employees were gone, the shelves weren't being restocked as quickly, and a lot of the sales items weren't marked, etc. That's very unusual for this store.

I know that Bilo or Harris Teeter will be taking over the Piggly Wigglys in the area, and I'm wondering if the Piggly Wiggly out 378 in Lexington may become a Bilo, so maybe they're closing the old one.

TahoeChic

20 Oct 13 at 10:51 am
After 9+ decades, Moe Levys is calling it quits.

http://www.thestate.com/2013/10/23/3054240/next-era-planned-foriconic-moe.html

Tom

23 Oct 13 at 5:22 am
In 1969 when I was just 12 years old, I wanted some "Bell Bottom Jeans" as we called them back then. Older kids had them and they looked so cool. I asked a couple of High School kids that lived near me, where they got theirs from and they told me "Moe Levys". I talked my Mom into taking me there and got my first pair of Bell Bottoms.

Later Low Riders became popular. I didn't like them, kept feeling like I needed to pull my pants up.

Rick

23 Oct 13 at 10:38 am
B106.7 used to have theme weekends and one of the ones they had was called 'bell bottom 70s' where they featured 70s hits...

"Low Riders" for me conjures up images of the War song called "Low Rider"

Andrew

23 Oct 13 at 9:16 pm
@ted - Ritter Furs at the corning of Bull and Gervais is closing after 75 years in business. I know this because I received a letter from them addressed to someone who must have owned my house previously.

Justin

24 Oct 13 at 11:14 am
The storefront always looked a little drab. They had a few mannequins with furs on them. They looked like they were from the '60s.

Mike

24 Oct 13 at 4:22 pm
Two moves previously mentioned here now appear to be complete. The Coldwell Banker United Realtors has completely vacated their building across from Publix in Lexington and moved into the old Jewelry Warehouse location near Target.

Floor Boys, which was mentioned more recently, appears to have opened in their new location on Sunset / 378. It is across the street and slightly down from their old location near Alibaba's Pipe Emporium

James

26 Oct 13 at 12:50 am
Judy's at The Market is not keeping with their posted hours. Their Facebook page says they are open from 8 AM to 8 PM on Friday and Saturday. Last night (Friday, October 25) when we stopped there for dinner at 5:20 PM, they were closed. I sent them a message through Facebook and they have yet to reply. There was also no answer when I tried calling the phone number. Perhaps they have already closed.

James

26 Oct 13 at 8:47 am
barnes and noble Harbison is closing.

wanda

26 Oct 13 at 9:49 am
Well, in response to my comment about Judy's at the Market, they have replied to my Facebook message with an apology. They switched to their fall hours this week and have not updated their Facebook page or website to reflect the new hours. They are still open from 8 AM to 3 PM, apparently 7 days a week.

James

27 Oct 13 at 11:10 pm
I always liked Barnes and Noble but I am not one to read books much (hated summer reading assignments)...but I sense a track record for DDR to land new Harbison Court tenants for vacancies fairly well.

Case in point:

- Ross in the former Phar-Mor
- Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse in the former Rugged Werarhouse (which originally housed Michael's and I remember it having a clock)
- Babies R Us in a former sporting goods store (don't remember what it was called)...I remember it having to be rebuilt for Babies R Us though
- Anna's Linens in the former LifeWay
- Dollar Tree moved into the former Shoe Carnival and Once Upon a Child moved into Dollar Tree's original spot
- OfficeMax became Office Depot and now it's a Golfsmith
- Yoghut in the former Quizno's

I've been impressed with DDR's ability to land new tenants for Harbison Court and I'm inclined to believe that they'll be able to utilize it to find something for the soon-to-be former Barnes & Noble but only time will tell how it all plays out...

Andrew

27 Oct 13 at 11:34 pm
I has always amazed me that they can keep the stores occupied in Harbison Court. During peak traffic times on Harbison Blvd. it is such a pain in the butt to get in and out of.

Not that I read books that much, but I would go in Barnes & Noble at times to pick up a magazine or to peruse their non-book related merchandise. I would also use them as a wi-fi hotspot if I had a large download to my cell. Grab a magazine and a cup of coffee and sit at a table while the phone updates itself. Yeah, I'm a moocher....

Homer

28 Oct 13 at 12:43 am
I just hate to see bookstores close (he said as he went to look at Amazon).

tonkatoy

28 Oct 13 at 7:03 am
Apart from reference books for work, I don't think I've bought a physical book in eight or nine years now. Sad to say, thanks to my Kindle, the whole concept of a brick and mortar bookstore is completely useless to me now. Looks like I'm not the only one.

Jason

28 Oct 13 at 2:37 pm
I used to go into that Barnes & Noble for magazines quite a bit, but I was tired of being bombarded with the upsell questions at the register. Do you want to sign up for a membership card? Do you want to buy chocolates? Do you want to buy a gift card? Then even when I was purchasing quite a few magazines, I had to ASK for a bag and they would give you an attitude about that. I decided it was easier and less annoying for me to get subscriptions to everything - even the ones I didn't normally read monthly.

TahoeChic

28 Oct 13 at 3:41 pm
@tonkatoy - Amen to that. I just finished a couple of buys on Amazon that I could have probably found locally, but it's just too easy!!!! I don't have to waste gas looking for this stuff and since I have an Amazon credit card everything I buy gets me credits for buying more stuff...hahaha!!

Homer

29 Oct 13 at 1:33 am
@TahoeChic - upsells get on my nerves everywhere.

If I want it, I will ask for it! It especially annoys me when I purchase electronics or any kind of power equipment. Most products these days (unless you really get a lemon) are designed to last past the manufacturers warranty.

By the time the warranty runs out, the protection for the item you are paying has cost more that replacing it due to depreciation or the original item is so outdated that you will have to buy a new one.

I don't fault the sales people by any means. They have to go through the 'script' with everyone. It all comes from the corporate 'powers above' that are all about grabbing a dollar any way possible.

Homer

29 Oct 13 at 1:57 am
Someone on an article comment board I was reading several years ago admitted that many of the cashiers hate these upsells and expressed a wish that the coporate folks pushing this stuff would try to stand at a register to deal with the looks they get
from people...

Andrew

29 Oct 13 at 8:16 am
"Baker's," the latest bar & grill on the Columbia Mall property near the Verizon store looks to be closed. It's been a number of things over the years: "Timmy G's," "The Loading Dock," "Icy's," and probably more that I'm not remembering.

badger

29 Oct 13 at 8:45 am
@ Homer - Agreed! I have been offered an extended warranty on several things I have purchased that actually cost more for the warranty than the item I'm buying!

TahoeChic

29 Oct 13 at 9:48 am
I don't know where Baker's would be though I've concluded that 11 years of it not officially being known as Columbia Mall is insufficient to convince folks that is to no longer be known as that...

Andrew

29 Oct 13 at 9:58 am
Andrew, that mall will always be Columbia Mall to me, just as there will always be Sidney Park, the AT&T building, and Clark's Hill Reservoir. I refuse to call stuff by stupid, rebranded names.

tonkatoy

29 Oct 13 at 10:23 am
@Tonkatoy-AMEN BROTHER!

Tom

29 Oct 13 at 3:15 pm
I have never known there to be Sidney Park...

Andrew

29 Oct 13 at 4:26 pm
Sidney Park at one time was called "Seaboard Park" because of all the trains and tracks and used to be there. It was originally a regular park, then a train depot park thingie, then renamed Sidney park, and NOW it's Findlay Park. Columbia cant make up its mind what to call things half the time.

CayceKid

29 Oct 13 at 6:59 pm
Findlay park I believe was done to honor a former member of the Columbia City Council, Kirkmam Finlay...

Sometimes it's because of changes of ownership based on people in different parts of the country.

As far as Columbia Place goes, Chattanooga-based CBL & Associates Proporties, Inc. gave that mall a makeover ca. 2002 and decided to rename it Columbia Place in the process...the thing of it is, there seem to be a lot of longtime Columbia residents that have missed the memo from CBL's Chattanooga corporate office saying that it is to be known as Columbia Place now...

I have a recollection that Midtown Management, LLC bought what is now Richland Mall. I think since that section of Columbia is known as Forest Acres that they wanted to call it Midtown at Forest Acres but several plans fell through and it finally went through foreclosure. Finally it got acquired by Century Capital group in 2010 and the first thing they did after tapping Kahn development was rename it Richland Mall and it's been back to being known as Richland Mall ever since...I would think that Forest Acres' strong residential base would be a huge plus for prospective retailers but only time will tell how it all works out...

Andrew

29 Oct 13 at 8:24 pm
Kirkman Finlay Jr. was mayor of Columbia from 1978 to 1986. During his tenure the city gained the Palmetto and Koger Centers, the State Museum opened, and the Congaree Vista was established.

Mike

29 Oct 13 at 8:32 pm
I didn't realize he was mayor...that makes more sense...but he had left office by the time I was born...

While the SC State museum is listed on his legacy I understand that said museum didn't open until 1988.

Andrew

29 Oct 13 at 10:53 pm
Andrew, we got the memo, we just balled it up, tossed in i file 13, and muttered phooey.

Maybe I should have dashed off a memo to CBL...

To: CBL

From: tonkatoy

Re: Columbia Mall

I have received your memo about the renaming of Columbia Mall, and have disregarded your missive as folly. When will you MBA 'brand managers' realize a name change doesn't instantly wipe clean all past associations with a location?

In case that is to verbose, I will rephrase, to wit:

You can stick a candle in a cow pie, but that don't make it a birthday cake.

tonkatoy

30 Oct 13 at 6:34 am
Andrew, I seriously suggest you pick up a copy of this book: http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Richland-County-Community-1740-1990/dp/0872498271/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383132981&sr=8-1&keywords=columbia+and+richland+county

It is a pretty good background history of the era. I've gone through my copy numerous times

Sidney park (and Hyatt Park, IIRC) had a zoo at one time.

tonkatoy

30 Oct 13 at 6:37 am
Anyone old enough on here to remember when the side of the hill at the "new" Post office collapsed while they were digging into the side where the old USO was? I saw all that right after it happened within just a few mins. after it happened.

CayceKid

30 Oct 13 at 3:28 pm
Re Sydney Park, from my book "Columbia's Civil War Landmarks"

In 1820, Abram Blanding started construction of the city’s first water plant. Two natural springs were tapped to feed the water lines. In 1826, at the cost of $75,000, almost all of it financed by Blanding, the plant was finished. Blanding had hoped to recoup his costs by selling the water to the public, but while the plant was hailed as a model of modern engineering, it was not profitable. In 1835, Blanding sold it to the city for $24,000. In 1855, the water plant was relocated to its present spot along the Columbia Canal.
Meanwhile, Algernon Sidney Johnston, a local newspaper editor, politician and the brother of future Confederate general Joseph Johnston, started promoting the idea of turning the site into a park. In 1850, the city appropriated funds for the park and incorporated several of Johnston’s ideas. A painting of the park made before the war shows several water fountains and many green areas. A year later, the park opened to the public and quickly became one of the most popular places in the city to hear concerts and political meetings.
Sadly, Johnston did not enjoy his vision very long. He died in 1852. A year later, the city voted to name the park after him though for some unknown reason decided to use his middle name rather than his surname. Adding to the confusion, sometimes the park name is spelled “Sydney,” though Johnston spelled his middle name with an “i” and not a “y.”
During the fire, frightened citizens fled to the park to escape the flames, thinking that the wide, six-block area would be safe. Many of them were destitute, having just seen their homes and most of their belongings go up in flames. Eyewitness accounts suggest a scene similar to modern refugee camps. After Sherman left, people grazed animals in the park until the practice was banned the following May.
The park remained in existence until 1899, when the Seaboard Air Line Railroad talked the city into selling them the property for a passenger station and freight depot that was relocated four years later. From then until the 1960s, the area was an industrial area, though talk occasionally surfaced about restoring the park. In 1960, the railroad gave the property back to the city to build a new post office on the Assembly Street side. This led to renewed interest in restoring the area to a park. Those plans came to fruition in 1990, when Sidney Park was rededicated. Later, it was renamed Finlay Park after the late Mayor Kirkman Finlay, who was instrumental in the return of the park.
Though the eighteen-acre park today bears little resemblance to its nineteenth-century predecessor, then as now, it is one of the most popular places in Columbia and is once again the scene of many a concert and public event.

Tom

30 Oct 13 at 3:41 pm
@CayceKid - I vaguely remember the event. Was kinda young at the time. I remember my folks talking about it and I do recall a part of the facade of the building on the corner with the doors open to nothing.....

Homer

30 Oct 13 at 8:26 pm
@ck -- actually tonkatoy dug up a picture of the collapse a few weeks ago here.

ted

31 Oct 13 at 12:00 am
My memory is that Yogi Bear was on Parklane.

What is I believe the last one in existence still operates in Hartsville today.

ted

31 Oct 13 at 12:02 am
The pic that tonkatoy posted is the only photo I remember from the event. I love the skyline in the background. The only two 'tall' buildings being the Barringer Building and the Palmetto Building, Columbia's first 'skyscrapers'....

Homer

31 Oct 13 at 1:19 am
@ted - you are right about Yogi Bear's. I was doing a search one night on old restaurant chains and found that the last one is, indeed, in Hartsville. If I recall correctly it is under private ownership and it is the only one left in existence.

Homer

31 Oct 13 at 1:42 am
I love how commenters use this website to reminisce about Columbia's past. As a non-SC native who transplanted here a couple of years ago, I enjoy learning about the local history.

For me, I use this website a bit differently. I have noticed that since I began following this blog, I am paying more attention to my surroundings and more attention to detail. Thanks Ted.

James

31 Oct 13 at 8:23 pm
Two older Lexington closing that I didn't see in the Alphabetical list:

BB&T at 850 South Lake Drive. A link to the property identifying the site as a former BB&T branch is here. Judging from the architecture of the building, it would seem like it closed quite some time ago. The link says the building was recently renovated, but I haven't seen a bank drive-thru like this in quite some time.

http://mylandco.com/index.php?pageid=99&listingid=274

The second one is Miller's LTD. Distinctive Gifts and Home Accents at 808 South Lake Drive. They apparently closed in January 2012 after 26 years in business according to this article in the Lexington County Chronicle. The closing appears to be a result of the economic downturn.

http://lexingtonchronicle.com/clients/lexingtonchronicle/01122012PageA2.pdf

James

31 Oct 13 at 8:59 pm
The Varsity will be torn down/demolished in 10 days according to WLTX's website. It's been vacant for over 10 years and falling apart. And so goes yet another building of Columbias' past history. Too bad, but the North Main area of town AINT what it used to be.

CayceKid

31 Oct 13 at 10:13 pm
Speaking of good books to look at to see old Columbia photo's of Russell Maxey, is the book he did back in the 80's? It has lots of pictures that most books don't have of how things were and are long gone now since the book was published. I think it's called "South Carolina's Historic Columbia, Yesterday and Today in Photographs. It has some great pictures of what was, and pics. a lot of people haven't seen. It's expensive, but worth it. Amazon is a good place to find it.

CayceKid

31 Oct 13 at 10:20 pm
@CayceKid - thanks for the tip. Went over to Amazon and found a used copy for $40.00. Used some of my reward points and got it for a song. You weren't lying about a new copy being expensive. It was over $300.00!!!!!!!

Homer

31 Oct 13 at 11:19 pm
I have a near new copy of the book I got off Amazon a couple years back for around 50.00...but have seen them go for BIG $$$$ and that's if you can find them. It's one of the best books around on Columbia. I also have a lot of old original Postcards from Columbia that are good to have of things that no longer exist.

CayceKid

1 Nov 13 at 1:09 am
@CayceKid - I should be getting my copy in about a week. I'll keep it next to a copy of a book I ran across years ago about the construction of Lake Murray. I don't even remember where I found that book!! I saw some other books on Amazon by Russell Maxey. I may have to check them out as well. Thanks again!!

Homer

1 Nov 13 at 2:17 am
Homer, your mentioning of Lake Murray reminded me of a book I picked up in the '90s called "SCANA's First 150 Years".

A random short paragraph about Lake Murray reads

"Nearly 5,000 people from three counties were moved to make room for the 50,000 acre lake with a shoreline of more than 500 miles. Also moved were three churches, six schools and 193 graveyards containing over 2,300 graves."

I always thought the title of the book was a misnomer because SCANA as a corporation was only formed a few years before the book was published.

Terry

1 Nov 13 at 3:24 am
S&S Art Supply on Main street is closing at year's end to due competition from big box stores.

Tom

1 Nov 13 at 2:56 pm
I travel Sunset Blvd daily and have noticed several empty buildings. I finally took the time to research some of them and they did not appear in your listing.

Absolute Title Loans. Approx. 1413 Sunset Blvd. Google Streetview from July / August 2011 shows the name still on the sign, but it is a different color. Seems like maybe something else moved in temporary and then moved out. For some reason I am thinking a psychic reader. That would explain the stars on the empty sign. There is a psychic reader a few doors further down, which could have moved into this spot and then moved out.

Precious Treasures Antique Thrift. 622 Sunset Blvd. This actually seems like a small auto junkyard now.

Midlands Family Dentistry. Approx. 2760 Sunset Blvd. When I first saw the sign between First Citizens and Wells Fargo, it had something covering it, so I couldn't tell what it said. Google's street view indicates it was Midlands Family Dentistry at one time. I believe the building is probably the one behind First Citizens. They may have moved because when you search Midlands Family Dentistry, the address comes up as 2844.

James

1 Nov 13 at 3:55 pm
@Terry & CayceKid - The book I have is called "South Carolina Electric & Gas Company 1846 - 1964. I covers the complete history of the company through those years. It has pictures of all of the SCE&G managed power plants in SC. It looks like it was an internal publication. I'm not sure where I found it, probably some yard sale or something like that.

Homer

3 Nov 13 at 1:34 am
Here are some additional Sunset Blvd. closings:

Belcher Staffing Services. 1316 Sunset Blvd. West Columbia. Website http://www.belcherstaffing.com returns a "Currently Unavailable" message.

O'Brien Restaurant Supply (Moved). Old location was 159 Sunset Blvd. West Columbia. The name is still painted on the side of the building. The company has moved to 624 Sunset Blvd., but I am not sure when. Again, Google's Streetview shows the building empty in July 2011, so they apparently moved before then.

Brady's Auto and Radiator Repair (Moved). Old location was approximately 801 Sunset Blvd. West Columbia (BBB listing Address). Manta listing shows they are at 114 Shady Lane in Cayce. Not sure when they moved, but they building seems old enough that I suspect it might have been before 2000. Brady's opened in 1972 and incorporated in 1990 according to the BBB.

James

4 Nov 13 at 4:14 pm
Actually the old address for O'Brien Restaurant Supply should be 136 Sunset Blvd., not 159. Sorry.

James

4 Nov 13 at 4:41 pm
@James -- I'll have to try and get over that way...

ted

5 Nov 13 at 12:03 am
Ted,

I am still researching a couple. I think Columbia Screen and Awning at 935 Sunset Blvd. has closed. An internet search shows the location has been known by several names including Awning Care LLC and Coastal Events by Coastal Tent and Awning.

There is also an out lot building at Capitol Square that I am trying to figure out what was there. Possibly a bank. The address is approx. 209 Sunset Blvd. according to Google, but Capitol Square has a 483 Sunset address if I am not mistaken.

Anyway, keep up the good work. As I stated in an earlier comment, your blog has me paying more attention to detail and to my surroundings.

James

James

5 Nov 13 at 12:37 pm
Lileks on old SC motels: http://lileks.com/motels/SC/1.html

tonkatoy

5 Nov 13 at 2:56 pm
I was around the old Staples near Harbsion today and saw they have started to tear down the building and also the old Hudson's BBQ is also just a pile of junk now. I am guessing we should see some construction on the redevelopment soon. To me this is a positive for this section of the area. That area was never a good design.

William

5 Nov 13 at 9:30 pm
Looks like the proposed Academy Sports + Outdoors for 281 Park Terrace Drive is moving forward...I believe we can expect it to be operational summer 2014...

Andrew

6 Nov 13 at 2:11 am
Keep the pic links coming tonkatoy - I'm bookmarking them all!!!

Homer

6 Nov 13 at 2:18 am
Ted,

Saw in the Free Times this morning that the Swimming Pool Q's are playing this weekend and they have reissued some of their records.

jonathan

6 Nov 13 at 11:20 am
If there are any remaining Blockbuster stores, they're most likely closing. Parent company DISH Network is all but killing the entire brand. Franchise-owned stores will remain open, though how anyone is managing to keep a franchised Blockbuster open in this day and age as anything but a money laundering front or tax writeoff is beyond me.

Jason

6 Nov 13 at 3:09 pm
DISH Network saved Blockbuster Video from going Chapter 7 when they bought the brand about 2 years ago...

Bi-Los used to have Blockbuster Video Express kiosks (and I think Rite Aid did as well as did Publix) but I think those are fading off in very short order as well...

I know Homer has suspected it was only a matter of time before the one at St. Andrews Road and Fork Avenue closed and I feel the same about tonkatoy with regard to the one at US 1 and Dreher Street in West Columbia. The only other remaining Blockbuster Video is at Rosewood Drive and Gills Creek Parkway. If you find Blockbuster's listings in the Alphabetical closings page, it isn't hard to see where we once had over a dozen Blockbuster locations, now we're going to be down to only 2...how the mighty have fallen...

Andrew

6 Nov 13 at 3:31 pm
Just read on The Post and Courier website that all Blockbuster stores and distribution centers will be closing. It says everything will close by the end of January. It also talks about the local stores that will close. Keep in mind that the stores they talk about are in Charleston.

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20131106/PC05/131109576/1177/blockbuster-comes-to-an-end-three-local-stores-to-close

William

6 Nov 13 at 5:17 pm
There's a curious sign on the Forest Drive Pig (soon to become Bi-Lo): They will start closing on the weekdays at 8:00 pm, and on Saturday at 3:00 pm. No indication on whether that was permanent or temporary.

badger

6 Nov 13 at 8:31 pm
@Jonathan, well hey!

That's good news. The two A&M albums have *never* been on CD and they are both classics. I know Jeff Caulder has been trying to get them re-issued for 20 years or so -- apparently the collapse and acquisition of A&M put the rights to everything in a real mess..

"Some New Highway", "Celestion", "Loredo Radio", "The Bells Ring" -- it's still hard to believe these weren't platinum sellers!

ted

7 Nov 13 at 1:15 am
The State's article announces that December 15 will be the last day for locations at 7249 St. Andrews Road (Irmo) and 2301 Augusta Road (West Columbia)...Homer has felt as if it was only a matter of time before the Irmo store closed and Tonkatoy has said the same thing about the West Columbia store and now they are closing on the same day...the location at 4400 Rosewood Drive (which I admittedly drove by this week and thought, "how long will this one plug along") is also slated for closure though no final date has been set. Blockbuster Video had 9,100 locations just as recent as a decade ago and as of early next year, it will be down to 50 #mightyhavefallen.

The Columbia area once had 12-14 Blockbusters and now there will be none to be had as of early 2014...

Andrew

7 Nov 13 at 1:22 am
Here's Bloomberg on the Blockbuster shuttering.

The Rosewood plaza made the mistake of leasing two spots to obsolete media formats..

ted

7 Nov 13 at 1:22 am
@badger,

I took it to be the hours during the clearance -- the place is already bare of produce.

The Saturday closing is not as in "every Saturday", but indicates that Saturday (9 Nov) is their final day.

ted

7 Nov 13 at 1:32 am
I knew it was only a matter of time for the Blockbuster in Irmo. Several weeks ago they held another sidewalk sale and there were hardly any cars in the parking lot. Guess it's time to do my Xmas shopping for people that don's care if the get a used movie or not. After all, it's the thought that counts, right??? :^)

Homer

7 Nov 13 at 1:53 am
The Piggly Wiggly on Hwy 378 in Lexington has their store closing sign up. It's my understanding that it is becoming a Bilo, but I'm still not sure if that means that the Bilo down on Columbia Ave in Lexington will be closing or moving.

TahoeChic

7 Nov 13 at 10:25 am
Some folks may find this site interesting: http://departmentstoremuseum.blogspot.com/

tonkatoy

7 Nov 13 at 12:25 pm
Does anyone know if roll call deli on main street is still open went buy and looked all shut down.

Michael

7 Nov 13 at 1:45 pm
tonkatoy, I really enjoyed that Dept. store link. I grew up in the St. Louis area in the 60s and two of the stores listed would always dress their windows with huge Christmas displays using trains and ani-motion mannequins (?). These stores took up an entire city block and it must have taken days for them to set up all the displays around the first floor windows. Truly an era gone by.

Terry

7 Nov 13 at 4:46 pm
@tonkatoy - that was a neat link. Somebody needs to get some SC entries on there....

Homer

8 Nov 13 at 12:44 am
Drove by the Irmo Blockbuster tonight. There were more cars in the parking lot that there have been for YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!

Homer

9 Nov 13 at 12:47 am
Rainbow Vacuum (you know, those $2,000 vacuum cleaners that are suppose to help your allergies by trapping the dirt in a water filled basin) Sales & Service located at 3936 Sunset Blvd. has closed. This is near Sunset and Leaphart. The actual office was in a house, but apparently it is zoned commercial from the commercial realty sign out front.

James

9 Nov 13 at 1:40 am
@James - my Mom and Dad got suckered in over 25 years ago by a Filter Queen vacuum salesman. It was supposed to be the most hypo-allergenic vacuum on the market. I think they payed around $800 way back then. It was the biggest piece of crap I had ever seen. Clunky canister that liked to turn over when pulling it across the floor. Awkward attachments, some of which I never knew what they were used for. Suction went to zero unless the filter was spotless. I inherited it when I was living in an apartment and I trashed it after a month. I feel the same way about the Dyson's and such. Give me a simple vacuum that does the job and I'm happy!

Homer

9 Nov 13 at 3:10 am
Homer - My mom had one of the Rainbow vacuums when we were growing up. I don't remember what she paid for it, probably about $650 - $800 in the 1970s. I remember it lasted forever. It seemed to work well for our allergies, but I always hated having to fill the water basin and empty it when we were done vacuuming. My sister-in-law became a Rainbow Sales Rep in the 1990s. They were selling for around $1,200 - $1,300 then. I also remember thinking during her sales demo (had to sit through it as a courtesy) that the quality of the vacuum had definitely gone downhill from the one my mother had. But I guess that's they way it is with everything.

James

10 Nov 13 at 12:29 am
I overheard the sales clerk / cashier at Jacob's Country Store telling a customer that they were closing / consolidating / moving. Jacobs Country Store is in the Corbett Building at the South Carolina Farmer's Market. Apparently the closure will occur at the "end of the season" whatever that may actually be. The owners have an outside stand in the Farmer's Shed, which receives much higher traffic. The female clerk cited this as the reason for closing the store inside the Corbett Building and consolidating / moving it to their outside stand.

James

10 Nov 13 at 12:35 am
The Forest Drive Pig will reopen as a BiLo next Friday. I was in there last week and they had already staged all of the new fixtures through out the store that would be installed. There were also a couple of man-lifts parked in front of the store on Friday when I went to RedBox.

The Dream Dinners franchise in the Pig is out of business. Maybe BiLo is going to use the space to install a pharmacy.

Also, Bungalow in 5 pts is closed. I think it is where the old toy store was. It was a combination gift, toy and kid's clothing store. It never really found it's niche.

Matt

11 Nov 13 at 1:33 am
Yeah, I'll probably do a Pig posting this week. They really didn't sell down to the bare walls -- looks like Bi Lo was going to keep the non-perishable inventory.

ted

11 Nov 13 at 1:41 am
@Ted - The only things that were on super mark down last week were the meats, produce, bakery and the private label merchandise.

The thing that I thought was interesting was that they had emptied out their storage for their bakery and labeled it all for sale. There were bags full of cake toppers and bulk sprinkles.

Matt

11 Nov 13 at 10:04 am
Summit Cycles in West Columbia has unfortunately closed.

jonathan

12 Nov 13 at 1:36 pm
Summit Cycles in West Columbia has unfortunately closed.

jonathan

12 Nov 13 at 1:37 pm
^Man, that's not good news. What happened? They seemed to be doing well there.

tonkatoy

13 Nov 13 at 7:54 am
I'm kinda surprised to look back and see no entry for Columbia east theaters or anything else in that plaza that was anchored by BiLo on Garner's Ferry.

tonkatoy

13 Nov 13 at 10:21 am
The State posted today the Miyo's on S. Main is closed. They closed last week due to a water leak (with mentioned lack of parking) and from what the article says it is permanent. I know the last time I was in there I was not impressed with the current decor and it was empty. And I used to love it and was an original patron.

MB

13 Nov 13 at 10:45 pm
The Parthenon Restaurant at 100 Old Cherokee Road in Lexington (Lexington Place Shopping Center just down from the Publix) has closed. We ate there a couple of times and the food was good. They served a mix of Mediterranean dishes. Mostly Greek and Pizza. Not sure when they closed, but there is already a sign up for the new restaurant taking its place - Belles House of Pizza. Belles' website ( http://www.belleshouseofpizza.com ) gives some information about the new restaurant and the craigslist ad for hiring workers is dated just three days ago.

James

16 Nov 13 at 6:03 pm
Ok. I think I got that wrong. The new restaurant appears to be Bellis House of Pizza and may not be related to the Belles House of Pizza (named after Bell is Mountain in Greece) in Orangeburg, SC. The phone number on the craigslist ad for Bellis is the same phone number for the now closed Parthenon, indicating it is probably the same owners and just a name change.

James

16 Nov 13 at 6:08 pm
One Blockbuster store that I don't see in the list is the Garners Ferry location, across from Wally World. It closed in 2010, and became a Verizon store.

badger

20 Nov 13 at 9:57 am
There is also a former Blockbuster I remember closing sometime in the late 90s at 817 St. Andrews Road not listed here that is now a Cyclegear...

You could almost do a Blockbuster week here once the last 3 finally close...

Andrew

20 Nov 13 at 12:22 pm
A-1 Auto Sales at 800 Sunset Blvd is closed. Judging from the Google Street view (shows address being between 869 and 899 Sunset), a business (not necessarily the car sales) was operating out of this building in July 2011. The BBB listing shows it opened in 2004.

James

20 Nov 13 at 9:46 pm
I went to Blockbuster at US1 and Dreher Road, and they had a surprising amount of movies left, but the prices weren't low enough to entice me.

tonkatoy

21 Nov 13 at 8:15 am
I wonder what happened to this sculpture. It was gone by 1984.

http://digital.tcl.sc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/rmaxey/id/726/rec/52

tonkatoy

22 Nov 13 at 11:05 am
Drove by the payless on devine street the other day, and noticed that they had closed down.

john

23 Nov 13 at 9:03 am
@tonkatoy - check my comment on the Irmo Blockbuster location under the Rosewood store post.

Homer

24 Nov 13 at 11:42 pm
Physical Rehab Group is closing two locations. The location at 1900 Blanding Street (2nd floor of Midlands Orthopeadic building) in Columbia will close December 31st. Staff is being relocated to the Clemson Road location. The location at 130 Centrum Drive in Irmo will remain open until the end of February.

James

25 Nov 13 at 9:00 am
Went by Richland Mall yesterday and Sadie's appears out of business again.

There were less than 10 cars in the parking lot at that end of the building at noon yesterday. Inside, there is a sticker on the window that the dishwashing equipment needs to be returned to the owner.

Also, the play area near the food court and the old Bath & Body Works is marked as "Out of Order". My wife took our daughter there about a week ago and it was open. There is nothing in it that is mechanical, so how is it broken? I figure that the mall is probably having it removed to keep from paying maintenance to the company that owns it.

Matt

25 Nov 13 at 12:10 pm
Centruy Capitol Group has had all types of issues...they've landed a few nontraditional tenants like a workout facility for the Richland County Sheriff's Department, a Main Street business in the old Bath & Body Works, I also heard they have a school in part of the old Parisian but limited headway towards bringing new life into this mall.

I almost feel like the only big success was to have the mall renamed as Richland Mall about 3½ years ago now...

Andrew

25 Nov 13 at 3:03 pm
Whatever business went into the Bath & Body Works doesn't appear to still be open. I might be mistaken, but the space appeared to be papered over.

Matt

25 Nov 13 at 9:20 pm
I'm surprised Richland Mall is still opened.. it never did that well from the get-go when it was rebuilt to a "Fashion" Mall. The old Mall should have been left alone and maybe updated some..but the mall that's there now, is a total flop. The parking garage is falling apart, half the lights don't work, a lot of the light bulbs on the inside of the mall on the second floor have been burned out for a while now, and no one seems to care. SO, I say just tear it all down and start all over again, but leave the old JB White's store.

Del B/CayceKid

25 Nov 13 at 10:32 pm
In fact, I don't know which Mall is the worst for being a DEAD MALL.... Columbia Mall, Richland Mall or Dutch Square. They're all like Ghost Towns now.. their "heyday" has gone with the wind. Dutch Square is geared all to the "Urban" crowd, and so is Dutch Square.

Del B/CayceKid

25 Nov 13 at 10:36 pm
meant to say.. COLUMBIA MALL AND DUTCH SQUARE MALL are both geared to the Urban crowds now. They really have fallen apart from what they used to be. Strip Malls seem to be the "new fad" once again.

Del B/CayceKid

25 Nov 13 at 10:38 pm
My thinking is that Richland Mall is the mall with the least amount of life in it...Dutch Square has a little more activity but to those that knew it in its pre-Columbiana days it feels like a dead zone. Columbia Place Mall seems to have some life left but it is geared toward a different demographic now (which was very obvious the last time I was in said mall just shy of 2 years ago)...

Andrew

26 Nov 13 at 12:35 am
One thing to remember about Dutch Square is that it can be doing OK (more or less) even if nobody goes inside due to direct parking lot access to Belks, Office Depot, Burlington, and the theater.

One thing to remember about Richland Mall is that probably that call center pays a lot of the bills even though you never see those folks in the mall.

Columbia Mall on the other hand, I can't see any hidden plus factor.

ted

26 Nov 13 at 1:12 am
Who occupies the call center at RM?

Terry

26 Nov 13 at 3:06 am
The call center space houses back office operations for Nelson Mullins law firm and PricewaterhouseCoopers. I believe the entire space is about 163,000 SF.

David

26 Nov 13 at 9:04 am
I didn't know this, but before WWII, there was a huge backlash against chain stores (A&P in particular) running mom and pop stores out of business (sounds like the current rants against Wally World, huh?).

So, during WWII, the government sued A&P for having profit margins that the government considered too low, and a violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust act.

Now, how long before such silliness is bought against Walmart?

Goes to show there is nothing new under the sun.

tonkatoy

26 Nov 13 at 9:54 am
Richland Mall has NEVER done well since it was rebuilt. The old Richland Mall should have been left alone. As for Dentsville and Columbia Mall..it started out more with a good mix of people, but as time has gone by, pretty much all upstairs is gone/dead, and downstairs AINT much better. It's geared to the Black clientele and younger teen-agers. Dutch Square died when Columbiana Mall opened, and it doesn't matter what they do to the old mall or that area, it will never be what it was. More than half the stores are gone, and there's nothing there other that Belks..and Burlington has changed and now geared to the urban clientele with some whites. Great that these new "PTL" Churches or whatever they're called is in the area, but still..NOT a good area anymore, especially towards the end of Broad River Rd at St. Andrews Rd. The next areas to fall to "Urban Fever" are the Vista and Five Points..which it's already happening. Malls are Dead, Am-was, Has-beens.. and the new thing once again are the Strip Malls and the newer buildings around Garners Ferry/Ft. Jackson Blvd. Columbia tries to be "hip" and "with it", but it's still Columbia.

DelB/Caycekid

27 Nov 13 at 1:25 am
Don't get me wrong about Columbia Mall and the Dentsville area, because from 1978 through the early 90's, it had some great stores up and downstairs and was crowded all the time. I worked there from 1985-1990, and it was an ok Mall to work at. There were some trouble makers, but not like now. But when Sandhills Village, Walmart, Target and all the other places up the road past Spring Valley came along, everyone moved out that way since it was probably closer for most in that area, and that's when Columbia Mall started the downhill spiral, and now you see what's left there now "store-wise" and "customer-wise". It's gotten much worse than what it was just 20 years ago. The same goes for Dutch Square. It was a super nice Mall to go to and had a lot of different high end stores to shop at..but then Columbiana Mall came along and killed that entire Mall, and now you see what it's become. So be that as it may, some may think Dutch Square Mall and that area is still good..but unless you grew up and lived out in that area of town in the late 60's to mid 80's and went there all the time, it was a much safer place to go to, and you didn't have to worry about it as much. But being 55 years old now, I have a different thinking about that old Mall.

DelB/Caycekid

27 Nov 13 at 1:45 am
@tonkatoy - I don't think we will ever see breakups of monopolies like Standard Oil breakup of 1911 and Ma Bell breakup of 1982 again. Now we have the oil companies merging, AT&T has eaten up a lot of the Baby Bells and airlines, banks, hospitals, computing firms, etc are merging or being bought out right an left. And nothing will be done about it because the mega-companies have such a foothold in Washington that Congress is afraid to confront them because big business has more power that the federal government. It is a sad state of affairs we live in now!!!!

Homer

27 Nov 13 at 2:26 am
@DelB/Caycekid

Remember when the kids would spend Friday and Saturday nights cruising Dutch Square, circling round and round? Or how about the crowds that would be packed in The Barrel of Fun arcade in the mall?

Or how about Bush River Mall, what with the arcade, theaters and Sounds Familiar (more great hang-outs).

And don't forget the old Putt-Putt at St. Andrews & Ashland. I would hang out in that arcade for hours and go across the street to the old Dairy Queen when it sat where Mickey D's is now.

Those were some good times!!!

Homer

27 Nov 13 at 2:35 am
Homer I agree with what you say about megacompanies having the stranglehold they do...it has me skeptical about my future at times...they can't be 'king of the hill' forever...but sooner or later, something will emerge that will take us in a new direction...

Andrew

27 Nov 13 at 2:57 am
Homer, I really have been shocked at the mega-mergers.

tonkatoy

27 Nov 13 at 8:13 am
This isn't a closing, but a strange change of hours: If I'm recalling correctly, Bluestein's Dry Goods has a note that says their new hours are something like 9-1 MWF, and 1-4, TTh. Aside from that, you don't hear people refer much to "dry goods" (clothing, fabric, and anything associated with them) anymore.

badger

2 Dec 13 at 11:49 am
Anyone know what is going up on the following three lots:
1) old Bojangles on Forest
2) woods next to gregg parkway (on Forest)
3) parking lot next to sakitumi on Gervais?

JohnBom

3 Dec 13 at 3:42 am
3) A hotel according to the people at Jason's Deli

ken holler

3 Dec 13 at 5:30 am
1) Someone here said it was to be a Panda Express.

Mike

3 Dec 13 at 6:11 am
folks, it appears to me that Wendy's at 804 Assembly Street has closed and the building is in the process of being demolished (not sure what for)

Andrew

3 Dec 13 at 4:16 pm
http://www.wistv.com/story/24124681/assembly-st-wendys-closing-for-10-weeks-for-facelift

Terry

3 Dec 13 at 8:57 pm
S&S Art Supply on Main is closing December 20.

http://www.free-times.com/arts/120413-main-street-art-supply-store-says-goodbye

tonkatoy

5 Dec 13 at 12:36 pm
I was in Tony's Party Shop (Seven Oaks Shopping Center) on Monday and noticed the shelves and floor were very bare. I asked the guy behind the counter if Tony was calling it quits. He said "No, they were just waiting on a truck." From the looks of it, it's going to take way more that one truck to restock the place - gonna keep an eye on this....

Homer

5 Dec 13 at 11:21 pm
What about Cracker Jacks on Longcreek Drive and Nightlights at the Embassy Suites on Greystone Blvd.

Tommy

7 Dec 13 at 3:41 pm
I never went to Nightlights, not my sort of club. I did go to Cracker Jacks sometimes if they had live music. I don't remember to much about it though.

Homer

7 Dec 13 at 6:43 pm
Didn't know if you had noticed yet or been out Harbison Blvd lately, but Edwin Watts golf shop at 189 Harbison Blvd
that is next to the Shoppes of Biltmore, is going out of business.

John Barrs

8 Dec 13 at 7:55 am
I know this is off topic, but I was wondering if anyone remembers a house that was decorated at Christmas that had a bunch of the wooden cartoon characters in the front yard? I think it was in the Springdale area off of Platt Springs Rd, would have been in the early 1980s. I was really young so I don't remember everything about it, but I do remember they had all of the Smurfs. Just lost my granddad a few months ago, and he used to take me there every Christmas, so I was wondering if anyone else remembers it?

TahoeChic

8 Dec 13 at 10:42 pm
TED - we need the spam police!!!!!!....:^)

Homer

8 Dec 13 at 11:24 pm
@Homer, don't I know it!

More and more seem to be finding a way around the spam filter.

ted

9 Dec 13 at 1:42 am
Wendy's Knox Abbott may be closed for a while.

http://www.wltx.com/news/article/257900/2/Cayce-Wendys-Temporarily-Closed-After-Early-Morning-Fire

tonkatoy

9 Dec 13 at 7:46 am
803 695 9977 -- The WLTX weather line phone number is disconnected.

John

9 Dec 13 at 12:29 pm
It appears that Costco's plans for Columbia have hit a roadblock because of issues with incentives Richland County was looking to offer them...

Andrew

11 Dec 13 at 12:29 am
Here's a good list of Columbia area groceries and their locations, 1930-1985:

http://www.groceteria.com/place/southeast/columbia/columbia-chain-grocery-locations-1930-1985/

tonkatoy

11 Dec 13 at 11:27 am
I had no idea there were two Piggly Wigglys downtown on Main Street.

Terry

11 Dec 13 at 12:57 pm
Harrell's/Bike to Nature in name only. Looks as though Bike Street USA has bought out Harrell's and Bike to Nature. I would like to personally thank both shops for their support of cycling in the Columbia area. Never thought that bicycle shops would become corporate, but nothing is safe. Hope Paul and Doug are still involved.

jonathan

11 Dec 13 at 1:14 pm
Ted - we are being attacked again!!!!!!!!!!! How the heck can you filter for Oriental characters????

Homer

17 Dec 13 at 1:32 am
@tonkatoy - cool link on the grocery stores. I was asking my Mom about the one that used to be on Assembly St. She thought that it was a Dixie Home/Winn-Dixie store but wasn't sure. I vaguely recall the store in the 60's. All I remember are the signs that were in the windows.

Homer

17 Dec 13 at 1:37 am
@Terry - Check out this picto see where one of the Piggly Wiggly's were on Main St.

Homer

17 Dec 13 at 1:57 am
And here is a pic of Edens grocery in 5Points down fromt he old theater.

Homer

17 Dec 13 at 2:01 am
Ted - can you remove the broken post I put up on Have Your Say at:

Homer
17 Dec 13 at 1:55 am

Homer

17 Dec 13 at 2:03 am
Just finished this history of A&P: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Struggle-Small-Business-America-ebook/dp/B004WJN7HI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387473529&sr=8-1&keywords=the+great+a+%26+p+and+the+struggle+for+small+business+in+america

VERY interesting book. Apparently, A&P was the Walmart of its day, and, like Walmart, faced claims that it was ruining local merchants, selling subpar goods with brand names, and was guilty of unfair business practices.

A&P was even sued by the government under the anti-trust act (despite owning only 10% of the market) because its profit margin was too low.

Meanwhile, because of A&P's efficient business practices, food prices came down, and nutrition went up.

tonkatoy

19 Dec 13 at 12:23 pm
I few weeks ago, I mentioned that Physical Rehab Group (PRG) would be closing their Blanding Street and Irmo locations soon. Yesterday, I found out a little bit more on why. Both of the locations are in buildings owned by Midlands Orthopedics. Midlands currently leases the space to PRG with the Blanding Street lease ending December 31, 2013 and the Irmo lease ending sometime in February or March. The leases are not being renewed because according to the Physical Therapist at the Irmo location, Midlands is becoming a part of another company and losing its right to determine who its tenants are. Here's the shocker - Midlands Orthopedics is apparently becoming a part of Blue Cross / Blue Shield! If you ask me, that's a conflict of interest and I am surprised the regulatory agencies are allowing it to happen. I have been a patient of Midlands since March and of PRG since July after my first knee replacement surgery. The therapist said that Blue Cross / Blue Shield will likely fill the spaces with another physical therapy provider, but it will be one of BC/BS's preferred providers. This too seems like a conflict of interest. I like BC/BS, but I do not like the idea of these insurance companies having this much control over servic providers. Luckily the lease at Irmo expires after the therapy for my other knee replacement is complete, so maybe I won't have to deal with it.

James

21 Dec 13 at 12:43 pm
I noticed today that the Al-Amir in the Village at Sandhill has closed.

Mr.Hat

21 Dec 13 at 11:22 pm
I do hate to hear that, but it's not entirely surprising. Every time I ate there, I was one of two or three customers in the whole place.

Jason

22 Dec 13 at 1:37 pm
Home Furniture at 1201 Lake Murray Blvd in Irmo seems to have gone out of business.

James

24 Dec 13 at 4:50 pm
Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Homer

25 Dec 13 at 12:55 am
Merry Christmas Homer, and all.

Rick

25 Dec 13 at 12:40 pm
Hey Ted:
Over on the Mission Statement, there's a mention of Yumilicious in Lexington closing. I'm not surprised. It's a fairly large retail space in an excellent location. Rent in that area is high (see Jamestown Coffee) and while they did Ok business, they lacked the one thing I will argue is essential for a business like that -- a drive thru. Thanks!

Andy

28 Dec 13 at 8:30 am
It's not a closing per se, but rather a renaming. I've seen some posts like that, so I am going to mention this one here. The Lunch Box in Jefferson Square (1800 block of Main Street) is changing its name to Palmetto Grille. Same owners according to the sign on the door. Not sure what that means as far as the food and atmosphere.

James

30 Dec 13 at 1:17 pm
@ Andy - regarding the Yumilicious in Lexington - I always thought that was an odd location for frozen yogurt. Not only did they lack a drive thru as you mention, but all of the other businesses in that retail center are upscale (probably because of the high rent) and exiting onto 378/Sunset Blvd is a real problem. I can't see a lot of people troubling themselves with that headache for what amounts to a 15 minute stop. An hour at La Travinia, sure, but 15 minutes at Yumilicious, doubtful.

James

30 Dec 13 at 1:25 pm
New Life Fitness is closing all four area locations this week as reported in the State newspaper.
Link as follows-
http://www.thestate.com/2013/12/31/3184303/new-life-fitness-gyms-closing.html

ken holler

31 Dec 13 at 4:44 pm

Columbia Closings What's not in Columbia anymore

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