Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

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As commenter James noted, Corley Lock & Key in Lexington has dead-bolted from 142 Ellis Avenue to 114 Haygood Avenue "behind McDonald's".

(Hat tip to commenter James)

Here's another place with the old sign turned around in the sign-box to keep the weather out. It's not something I had ever noticed before starting this blog, but something I've seen many times since then.

I think I've used Hertz a few times at various airports around the country and they were fine (not that there's much to differentiate the big rental outfits). Personally, I hate driving a rental. I've got my car aged to perfection, and set up like I want it, and nothing else really fills the bill.

I'm guessing at a 2009 date here. Earlier phonebooks have them at 744 West Main, and later ones don't have them at all, but I happen to be missing the actual 2009 book.

I really like the "stained glass" on the side of the building.

Here's a little thrift shop in Lexington, not far from Lexington Arms and Mae's. Interestingly, their logo was not a tree. In fact, I'm not sure what that is.

(Hat tip to commenter James)

I had noticed Lexington Arms a few years ago when I did a closing on the Piggly Wiggly / Ace Hardware across the parking lot.

At the time, just from the rather 1970s look of the place, I figured it was a local hole-in-the-wall and didn't take the effort to find out anything about it. From my web searches today, I was apparently totally wrong, and this was a well regarded European restaurant serving authentic French and German food -- some of which you can apparently make them an offer on..

(Hat tip to commenter Kc)

UPDATE 8 August 2017 -- Well something is happening here. I assume the adjacent church is taking over and upfitting this wing of the plaza, but if not them, then someone is:

Judy's was the follow-on operation to Baker Brothers American Deli in this outparcel building at the Target shopping center in Lexington.

I hadn't really checked the building out since dong the Barker Brothers closing, so I wasn't sure when I took the daylight pictures here whether Judy's was coming in or going out -- there was certainly some sort of activity inside.

Commenter Russ later pointed out that it was in fact a closing, and the later nighttime pictures show the place with real-estate info in the windows.

(Hat tip to commenter Russ)

UPDATE 20 August 2013 -- Work on becoming Chicken Salad Chick has begun:

UPDATE 10 March 2014 -- Chicken Salad Chick is open:

Here's an interesting little restaurant building in Lexington. It was last a San Jose until that operation relocated to 115 North Point Drive, but the building obviously predates that. It has a familiar look, but I can't quite place it. I would say the front extension was not part of the original building.

The building looks a bit forlorn now, but the murals are a nice touch.

UPDATE 22 April 2013: Added Taco Cid to the post title based on the comments and the 1985 phonebook.

UPDATE 29 NOvember 2017 -- as mentioned elsewhere by commenter ED, this building has now been razed:

UPDATE 30 August 2022: Updating tags and adding map icon.

UPDATE 25 January 2023: Add tag.

Although I didn't realize at the time I did that closing, apparently Mae's On Main in Lexington has moved to the Round Robin location on Devine Street. I'm not sure where Devine Robin fits in -- as of yet, the Round Robin marquee is still up.

The Lexington location has a classic "old retail" look. A lot of interior work is ongoing there, so hopefully something new will go in before too long. Or before the fat lady sings, anyway.

As mentioned in the comments on the Lexington Blockbuster this adjacent old-school Taco Bell moved to a new store a couple of years ago. Personally I like these Southwestern style locations more than the "modern" style they have adopted recently. Several in Columbia have been repurposed recently (though the one on Knox Abbott is still vacant), but this one looks as though it may be too far gone for that.

UPDATE -- Work is underway:

UPDATE 17 February 2014 -- Now a Cook Out:

Well, this has already been talked about enough that I'm not sure who the hat-tip goes to, but I finally got over to Lexington last weekend and got some shots of the Main Street Blockbuster closing down. It was already pretty near the end-days, and as I watched, I saw a guy walk out and hoick a set of display racks into his truck.

I was also in Aiken this week, and the Blockbuster there which closed about this time last year is still vacant despite being in a pretty good spot..

UPDATE -- the place is still vacant:

UPDATE 4 March 2014 -- This shot is through a windshield and from too far away, but you can see this building is now a Pet Supermarket:

UPDATE 5 October 2020: Changing name in post title from "Blockbuster" to "Blockbuster Video", updating tags, adding map icon.