Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Well, Victoria's Secret has sashayed out of Columbia Mall. Interestingly (or not) theirs is the second store-locator website I have visited lately that is very parsimonious about listing stores (though it is inspiring in other ways). At any rate, locally there are remaining stores at Sandhill and Columbiana.

I find the mall self-promotional poster interesting in that not only did they not take it down when Victoria's left, but in that it still touts Charlotte Russe, which has been gone for about a year now. I have not seen anything about the County plan for the property lately. It seems like whatever they are going to do, they should start it soon.

(Hat tip to commenter Rashaad Egister)

I don't know anything about The Roc other than that it is across from Columbia Mall, has not been open that I can remember, and hosted poetry open-mike nights in 2014.

Presumably there were reggae acts there, but if so, they don't seem to have left any google traces.

UPDATE 7 February 2020: Added Robbie's Pool Hall to the post title based on the comments.

UPDATE 17 September 2021 -- Here are some more pictures of the property:

I like Jimmy John's, and I go there every now and then for the JJBLT. I do wish they had nicer booths, and let you keep the bread core they trim when hollowing out the rolls, but it's a decent sandwich. I was recently in Pensylvania for work, and ate dinner at an Indian restaurant that was a former Jimmy John's and still had the whimsical (and mildy risque) plaques in the men's room -- wonder what the customers actually from India who might not have recognized the branding made of that..

This location replaced a Quiznos in 2013. I honestly thought it was more recently than that. I'm not sure exactly when it closed, but there are reviews from the last few weeks, so it was either last month or this. The place is currently being gutted, so perhaps something new is already on the way.

(Hat tip to commenter Matthew Benjmain)

UPDATE 28 September 2022: Updating tags.

I was actually in this Bojangles earlier this year when I had a hankering for a sausage biscuit, and I was perfectly happy with it. The restaurant is in a decent spot with plenty of drive-by traffic on Two Notch, so I'm not sure what the story here was.

At some point, I hope to get a shot of the whole building in brighter light, but for now this will have to do.

(Hat tip to commenter John)

UPDATE 7 February 2020 -- As mentioned in the comments, this building has been razed and will be rebuilt (still as a Bojangles):

UPDATE 14 May 2020 -- The new building is going up:

UPDATE 18 May 2002 -- Still coming along:

UPDATE 23 February 2024: Updating tags.

Lexington Dry Cleaning on Two Notch near Sesqui is moving, or consolidating, to Blythewood, leaving a vacancy in Sesqui Center. I find it interesting from their heads-up sign that they do a lot of their business by delivery now. I guess in the age of Amazon Prime, Grubhub and home grocery delivery that makes sense.

(Hat tip to commenter Thomas)

UPDATE 14 December 2021: Updating tags, closing date.

As I mentioned once, I have fond memories of quirky products from childhood visits to the old Pier 1 on Garners Ferry. In recent years, the place has rather fallen off of my radar screen to the extent that I didn't even know that they had had a store in the Sparkleberry area until commenter Andrew mentioned it in regards to the old Dentsville location. The State has a bit of information on the closing -- the main reason given is too many locations for the market.

As you can see from the picture, as of this writing, the storefront is yet another Halloween pop-up store.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

UPDATE 30 June 2020: Update post title ("Pier 1" ==> "Pier 1 Imports") and tags.

I've been vaguely aware of The Lite House for a long time. I think I even recall them advertising on WIS Radio many years ago. Somehow that never led me to visit either location even though I have needed a lamp shade or harp every now and then.

This site is a little hard to get to, at least during rush hour as it is a difficult left turn off of Two Notch (assuming you are travelling towards Sandhill). While it is further away from me, I like the situation of the Bush River Road location better.

As of now, the site is closed and for sale, but the stock has not been warehoused or transferred across town.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

I think somebody once commented on the site that this building was originally a Piggly Wiggly, but I can't find that comment right now. I don't remember that, and I don't really recall it being a Pier 1 either, though I think that may have been when I was living out of town.

At any rate, it has been furniture store Hines for a good few years now, and apparently would have continued so if the owners were willing to renew the lease.

That they were not implies they must have another tenant already in mind -- I don't think this is an area where you give up a sure thing on just the speculation that you can do better. I guess we'll see.

(Hat tip to commenter Sidney)

UPDATE 2 October 2019: Based on the comments, I have added Piggly Wiggly to the post title.

UPDATE 30 June 2020: Update tags.

UPDATE 12 August 2022 -- Commenter Jimmy Freeman sends this shot of the building as a Pig saying

This is Piggly Wiggly that later became Pier 1 Imports, the Pig moved next to Kmart then later back to this location when building was remodeled, years later went out of business and Pier 1 opening.

Piggly Wiggly first moved due to church stop letting customers park in their parking lot due to the Pig selling alcohol

(Also added a closing date to the post title, which I had forgotten to do).

UPDATE 13 August 2022 -- Here are two more pictures from commenter Jimmy Freeman. He says he expects some dispute but that it is the same store:

LoopNet says this building was built in 1969. It was clearly a dry cleaner in its first life, although I do not know which one. After that, I think it was several things, but most recently a beauty salon, which always had lots of nice plants inside whenever I would drive by.

This former Philips 66 has featured here before, when it was Buck Cooper Motors. Since then, Finish Line Auto Sales (at least) has moved in and out. Their sign says they have moved to 10609 Two Notch Road, which is just a bit beyond Pontiac House Of Pizza, though it seems to be officially an Elgin address.