Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

I've never been to a Del Taco, and had it in my mind that I would try this one someday. In the event, as happens all too often, I did not get around to it before it closed. The place has already been completely gutted, and is in the process of setting up to be a Taco Bell (which I will almost certainly not be visiting). The building was actually fairly new, with Del Taco being a completely new build after the Clear View Car Wash building was razed in 2014.

I see from Wikipedia, that Jack In The Box bought Del Taco, finalizing in March of this year. My guess is that closing this location probably has something to do with JITB's strategy for the chain.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

UPDATE 26 January 2023 -- Taco Bell is now open in this spot:

Sumter based Willie Sue's was the follow-on in this building to breastaurant The Tilted Kilt, which was the follow-on to Huller's Black Forest, which was the follow-on to Sticky Fingers, which was, I believe, the first tenant.

These pictures were taken on the closing day, 18 September 2022, and I have to say they went out with a bang, as the parking lot was quite active.

Their Facebook announcement simply cites "circumstances beyond our control", and the story at The State doesn't really give any more information.

(Hat tip to commenter Ellen)

This little building on the stub end of Senate Street has been many things over the years, including The Cock Lounge, Ribby's, Gilligan's, Your Mom's House & Good Times.

Harambe's Ethiopian Restaurant was the most recent tenant, and judging by this owner's response to a google review:

Harambe Ethiopian Resturant had flood a week a go everything is gone the Resturant is closed for good

shut down sometime in June or July.

After walking that boardwalk to the front door, I think the first thing the next owner will have to do is tear it up or fix it -- I felt like it could give way at any step.

(Hat tip to commenter Deanna)

UPDATE 9 March 2023 -- Apparently to become The Village:

UPDATE 30 October 2023 -- The Village is now open, but I am unable to find a menu or any info online yet:

Zoe's Kitchen (more properly spelled with double dots over the 'e') was the follow-on in this creekside lot to Frans in 2008.

Being that it was creekside, they took a big hit in the Great Flood of 2015 and were closed for a while regrouping after that. In fact, I thought they were never quite as good after the flood as before, and whereas I had eaten on the patio fairly often in good weather previously, I more or less gave that up.

Recently the entire chain was bought out by Cava which appears to have the exact same concept as Kairos, and this location is currently closed for the conversion.

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)

Vampire Penguin on Percival by Panera is gone. My niece went there several times and liked it. I never went by myself, thinking it was just shaved ice, which I am not that keen on, but judging by the pictures on their Facebook, I may have missed out on some other frozen goodies.

This site still commemorates the opening of this store, while this Free Times article explains the closing. In short, it appears that the area was not what the owners had hoped and the sketchiness kept family business down. I have never had any actual trouble in the area, but have been panhandled several times at that Panera and have kind of stopped gong there myself.

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)

Irmo Lunch spot Fire and Spice on Woodrow Street has closed. They were the follow-on operation in this storefront to China Pearl and, looking at their Facebook, it seems they will be succeeded by Roy's Grille, which is moving here from Lexington.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

2011:

August 2022:

To the best of my memory, I've never been in a Wild Wing, even to get a burger, largely because I don't like the smell of chicken.

I did enjoy their radio campaign which leveraged The Troggs "Wild Thing!". The first set of pictures above is from 2011, with night shots presumably taken while I was on the way home from the movie theater. The next set are from this month, and post-closing.

The State has the story, but I'll fancy my pictures have a more complete one.

(Hat tip to commenter Sidney)

UPDATE 9 May 2024 -- Now KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot:

In yet another sign of the oddness of our times, Rush's on Sunset Boulevard has closed temporarily due to staffing issues.

We have seen these drag on and become permanent at other places such as Lizard's Thicket on Beltline. Hopefully in this case they will be able to come back.

UPDATE 16 May 2024: Well, as mentioned in the comments, this closing is now permanent, with the chain issuing this message:

“After serving the East Lexington community for 12 years, we are sad to close our doors at this location but know that this decision ultimately allows us to better support the high level of service we strive to provide,” said Don Alcorn, Rush’s President.

I used to go to O'Charley's in Augusta every now and then when I worked over there, and it was fine, although the only item I can recall in particular was a signature fresh made salsa with chips which they eventually took off the menu. When I came back to Columbia, I went to the location on Two Notch a few times, but never got in the habit of going there. That's probably because I usually got a burger when I went, and there are lots of burger places.

This one on Sunset, to which I have never been, is currently undergoing major repairs and/or renovations. Hopefully they will be back soon.

(Hat tip to commenter Beth)

UPDATE 4 October 2023 -- As mentioned in the comments, even though they made a start of repairs here, it never went anywhere, and the place is now permanently closed:

I have also taken the "Temporary" notation out of the post title.

This open-air hotdog & hamburger stand was formerly Charlie's Barber Shop and then Pelican's Snoballs (which moved up the street).

They have another location, which is still open at 655 Saint Andrews Road in the former Tripps Fine Cleaners storefront.

(Hat tip to commenter Matt)