Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

As I was driving down Decker the other day, I noticed that the little corner Mexican restaurant in Decker Plaza, Santa Fe Mexican Grill has rebranded as La Poblanita.

I was wondering if the name meant something like "little poblano pepper", and I guess the root is the same, but wordreference says:

In Mexico there is a state (and a city) called Puebla. The name given to people (or things) from that state is "poblano or poblana". La Poblanita is a diminutive of "poblana". So, La Poblanita is like saying the little woman (or girl) from Puebla. Cheers.

P.S. Be mindful that Puebla is a relatively common name, and there are many towns in the Spanish-speaking countries (I think mostly in Spain) with that name.

so I guess the winsome senorita in the restaurant logo is that eponymous lady.

This KFC was gone as early as the February 1997 phonebook, which is the earliest I have at home. As you can see from the ad in the 1976 phonebook, at one time this was store #7 for Kentucky Fried Chicken in Columbia, and at this remove, it's easy to forget that the picture in the ad was that of a living man who still toured the country promoting Kentucky Fried Chicken, despite being unhappy with what corporate had done with his gravy.

(Hat tips to commenters Andrew & Sidney)

I wondered at the time about Nick's opening in this old Taco Bell as it seemed quite close to their flagship location on Two Notch.

In the event, it appears the Decker location is now independant (though seemingly with a similar menu). Feel Goods is the new name.

UPDATE 16 April 2015: Added first two pictures of Nick's in operation.

I wondered at the time about Nick's opening in this old Taco Bell as it seemed quite close to their flagship location on Two Notch.

In the event, it appears the Decker location is now independant (though seemingly with a similar menu). Feel Goods is the new name.

UPDATE 16 April 2015: Added first two pictures of Nick's in operation.

Well, I find this closing a bit surprising, especially given that a lot of Richland County offices will be going into Decker Mall just across the street.

For some reason I've always associated Sonic with small towns and bygone days, probably since the first one I was aware of was in Hartsville sometime back in the 1970s, but nowdays they seem to be a chain on the move with national television campaigns (rather silly ones, I must say) and expansion into head-to-head competition with McDonalds and the rest of the "sit down" fast food chains. I don't think I've had the burgers, but I stop for a milkshake once or twice a year, and they're pretty good.

The closing signs here are a bit disingenuous, as in fact the Forest Drive location:

has been open for over a year in the old Hardee's location.

(Hat tip to my sister)

UPDATE -- To become a Tokyo Grill:

Also adding map icon.

UPDATE 16 June 2025: Updating tags.

What can I say?

The curse of 2630 Decker Boulevard continues.

UPDATE 4 December 2015 -- Now open as Bosheen Mediterranean Cuisine: