Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

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)

I've done two closings for Eric's San Jose, one at the infamous 2630 Decker building, and one in 2016 for the immediate predecessor to this location on the far side of Target from this building.

Aside from Eric's, this building has also housed, at least, Moe's Grapevine, and Rooftop Piza Pub.

I believe I have been to this operation twice, once in the old location, and once at this one. I thought it was fine, but no better than Casa Linda which is closer to me, and the menu seemed pretty small. I think I went there a third time when I expected it to be open and found it closed, and got it in my mind that the hours were a bit odd. I haven't seen any official reason for the closing, and I don't see a web site or facebook page, but I know the nearby Lizard's Thicket was having staffing issues, so it's possible that played a part here as well.

We'll have to see what is next for this building. Since it won't be a Lizard's, and it's already been a Mexican restaurant, perhaps an Asian buffett?

(Hat tip to commenter MB)

UPDATE 15 August 2024 -- Now Alley Street Eats:

Beltline Grill was the follow-on operation in this Bradley Plaza storefront to long-time stalwart and pandemic casualty Alehouse Lounge. They announced on their Facebook on 29 July that they were closing up shop. Looking at that page, I think I might have enjoyed lunch there, but for some reason it was never on my radar.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

While there are certainly still restaurants in this area of Decker, the relocation of this Chick-fil-A is yet another hit to this intersection.

In the past, we have seen the loss of Applegate's Landing, Zorba's, The Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Rush's, Little China, Sonic & Taco Cid.

This store has now moved to a new building at the former location of Atlantic Bedding & Furniture at 7515 Two Notch.

I believe commenter Haley was the first to report the actual closing, though it had been anticipated and discussed in the comments for a while.

(Hat tips to commenter Haley et al).

UPDATE 10 August 2022: Added a picture I missed before.

UPDATE 1 September 2022 -- Here is the new location in operation:

The Harbison Chick-Fil-A is getting the remodeling treatment that several locations in the area have gone through. In this case, that involves a complete razing of the existing building (already done) and rebuilding on the same lot. The State has the details:

In 2021, the Columbia Planning Commission approved the demolition and reconstruction of the Chick-fil-A at 294 Harbison. Documents filed with the Planning Commission indicated the original 3,844-square-foot restaurant building on the site would be demolished to make way for a 4,345-square-foot building. There also would be a new multi-lane drive-thru on the property, no doubt a key addition at a site where customer car lines can be long in the popular shopping district.

If all goes well, they plan to re-open this fall.

(Hat tip to commenter Sean)

I got a bit of a surprise today when I decided I wanted a JJ BLT for lunch.

It seems that yesterday, somebody drove a car into the front of the Woodhill Jimmy John's. I presume it was an accident, since you would not expect to find a lot of cash in a sandwich shop. According to the door sign, nobody was hurt, which is the important thing, and they expect to reopen as quickly as possible.

UPDATE 28 September 2022: This location is open again. Also updating tags.

Pita Pit on Main Street featured here two years ago, and I was unaware at the time that there was a Five Points location.

It appears that this one, just up the hill a bit from Papa Jazz may have closed previously and then come back under new ownership. It looks to have gotten good reviews, but to have closed sometime this Spring. (There is no date on the door sign).

(Hat tip to commenter Deanna)

I believe the last time I did a closing for this place was as Uncle Ozzy's, although I did not have any pictures of that actual incarnation. This old Popeye's location has been the site of many short-lived operations since the original tenant closed, and I know I have missed several of them.

Noisy Wings seems to have had several locations, and continues to run on Clemson Road. 3315 Grille is I think the most recent to close and I don't really know anything about it. I could have sworn there was a Chinese restaurant in the spot fairly recently, but I don't see anything online about that.

UPDATE 9 June 2022 -- Found a few more pictures: