Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

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.

The name Big Thursday refers back to an old Columbia tradition of hosting the Carolina/Clemson game at USC on a Fall Thursday. It was before my time, but apparently was quite the thing and schools would even get the day off. (We used to get a day off for the State Fair too -- go figure). I'm not sure if it dated back to my Grandfather's time, but Thursday or not I know he swore he would never give Clemson one red dime because they made him come to Columbia and sleep in a tent on game day when he was there. (Clemson was basically a military school at the time, I believe).

You have to wonder if naming a store after something that fewer and fewer people can actually remember is a good idea, and in the event, perhaps not as this USC and Clemson memorabilia chain closed shop at the end of last month.

(Hat tip to commenter TahoeChic)

I rather like Schlotsky's and used to go to the Parklane location fairly often when I worked at home, and when it was still open. To my mind, the sourdough buns differentiate their sandwiches from all the sub places in a pleasing way, if that's what I'm in the mood for. And Cinnabon, of course, is pure sticky goodness, one of the few things I used to look forward to in going to airports.

I believe the closing of this store leaves the Dutch Square location on Bush River Road as the last one in the metro area, and I'm afraid it was looking a bit down-at-the-heels last time I dropped by.

(I note that the roadside marquee still lists Jamestown Coffee. And what's up with that balcony?).

(Hat tip to commenter Susie)

UPDATE 16 October 2013 -- This place is now well underway to becoming a Zoe's Kitchen:

Well, sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't. It certainly appears to be the latter case here. This Monterrey is in the strip mall associated with the Sunset Boulevard Wal-Mart in Lexington, and, given the manger scene still not taken down, appears to have closed sometime around Christmas.

(Hat tip to commenter Beth)

Driving back from Moe's in Lexington recently, I noticed that Exotica International in the strip mall at the corner of Sunset & Mallard Lakes Drive, is having a retirement sale. Well, retiring someplace sunny sounds like a good plan this time of year. I'm not sure when the final closing will be, but I would expect them to plan for Black Friday and the shopping season, so am going to guess December though of course they may sell out earlier.

UPDATE 13 March 2013: Articles in The State mention that the owners, Governor Haley's parents, have retired. The store remains open presumably under new ownership.

UPDATE -- But they could be wrong:

I've driven by Jamestown Coffee Company a good many times on my way to Pizzeria Uno, but on my way there, it would be a bad time to stop because I was about to have a meal, and on my way back, it would be closed.

Now they have moved from their Lexington-ish location to downtown Columbia. As story in The State details, they have reopened inside Cromer's on Huger Street.

The story mentions losing their lease as the precipitate cause, but you have to wonder if the drive-through espresso kiosk across the street wasn't a factor as well.

(Hat tip to commenters Andy & Matt)

UPDATE 16 October 2013 -- The old location of Jamestown Coffee is now Tropical Smoothie Cafe: