Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Greedy Rascals hot-dogs was the follow-on operation in this spot to Tripp's Fine Cleaners. There was also a location on Rosewood which closed before this one did. I'm not sure about the exact closing date, but the google reviews suggest it was around March of 2024.

I'm also not sure of the exact status of the chain. This Facebook page suggests they are opening a location on Airport Boulevard, but I can't quite make out the details from the information there.

UPDATE 12 August 2024: Changed the closing date from "Spring 2024" to "Early 2024" based on commenter Gypsie's input.

During my most recent trip to Fernandina, I noticed that this eclectic antique, book & decor shop on 8th Street had closed.

Over the past seveal years, I got a number of Christmas and other gifts there, in particular some interesting cookbooks, neat umbrellas and blown glass decorations. It was a fascinating place to walk through, though it was a bit out of the way in relation to the main shopping areas of the town. That may have had something to do with the closing, as I never found that many people inside while I made my visits. That's just speculation, the closing could be a retirement or any other reason, I can't seem to find anything about it in the local media. The google reviews point to a closing date sometime around early June.

In the meantime, the shop's Instagram remains up, with some nice pictures, and this is their archived web page from February 2023.

I always thought Badcock had a Smucker's kind of thing going on: With a name like that, it had to be good.

I first became aware of the chain in Fernandina growing up, but I never got around to going into the store on my trips up and down Centre Street. Likewise, I don't believe I ever stepped into one anywhere else either.

Commenter Andrew sends this article which says that the chain was purchased seven months ago by Conn's Home Plus which promptly went bankrupt taking Badcock with it. Seems like some poor decision-making on both sides of that sale!

This store is in Fashion Place on Decker, a venue which has seen its share of closings over they years to the point that I would say Badcock was the last anchor type store in the place. We will have to see what follows.

I have to embed the video in an odd way because if I put it on youtube, I get copyright strikes because of the DJ music! Anyway, lots of focus issues, but it is what it is...

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Read the rest of this entry »

I'm not sure why I never got around to this location of the bankrupt chain, but I believe the Harbison store (in Columbiana Station, the Target plaza) closed in June of 2023, and is still vacant.

Somehow.

As predicted by commenter Mall Guy, this Hooters is gone.

I had been in a number of times over the years. They were open later than many other places, the food was competent, and, of course, the view was nice.

I did get the impression the last couple of times I was there that it was going downhill a bit, and the food was somewhat sub-par compared to times past. It's probably been at least two years since my last visit, so I can't say how it was at the end.

This building started out as a Hops brewpub, so we'll see where the chain of restaurant reincarnation takes it next. I would guess that there are competing Asian buffet places too close, so perhaps a Mexican venue as the nearest ones I can think of are on the small side.

(Hat tip to commenter Mall Guy)

Carolina Barber Shop in Five Points is moving after being in this spot since 1937, making it about 87 years by my math, which is pretty extraordinary.

The Post & Courier reports that the property was sold in 2021, and now the owners want to make space for a restaurant. I don't see a definite date for the closing, and there is still nothing on the shop's Facebook or web site, but apparently they must be gone by sometime in July (depending on when the 90 day notice the story mentions started).

The owners want to move, but I have seen no information on a new location yet.

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)