Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Discount Beer & Tobacco in the Luce strip mall on US-1 in Lexington is moving 1o 1600 West Main Street. This is several blocks East of the current location, and looks like it would be replacing perhaps Boost Mobile or Eagle Express at the corner of West Main (US-1) and Westside Drive.

I thought every now and then that I might stop in here, but I was never in the area at the right time, or at least when I hadn't already decided where to go.

The business has been up for sale for a while, and apparently they have not found a buyer, shutting down about 13 August, judging by comments on their Facebook and this State story.

(Hat tip to commenter JamesR)

Here's another place I wasn't really aware of. Judging from the name and the decor, they were going for a retro vibe, which can certainly work for a burger place. This storefront is in the Lexington Square enclave which is anchored by Lowes Food.

(Hat tip to commenter JamesR)

I came across these pictures recently, taken in 2018, and as best as I can figure, the store closed not too long after that.

Apparently Sears Hometown Store (sometimes also known as Sears Home Improvement perhaps) was somewhat separate from the failing general retail stores, focusing more on hardware & appliances. It was apparently also separate from Sears Appliance Repair, which still seems to be around.

Not straying too far from yesterday's post, I noticed that the West Main Lizard's Thicket in Lexington is under renovation, and closed for now. There did definitely appear to be work going on, so I think this one will legit be back, which is not always the case when a place closes to remodel.

I noticed this vacant Sonic last weekend in Lexington.

According to The State, it closed around the end of December 2022 in order for the chain to open a new store nearby at 461 Columbia Avenue, a somewhat larger piece of land.

As of yet, there is no new tenant here though it is listed (with a nice picture of the store in operation).

UPDATE 30 September 2025 -- Apparently the building has been sold, and some sort of upfit is in progress:

Also, here is the new Sonic location:

UPDATE 6 February 2026 -- To be an ice cream parlor apparently:

Hard Bean was the follow-up in this building to Maurice's Piggy Park which closed in November of 2023.

Hard Bean was here in the summer of 2024 until April of this year when they announced they were moving to Lexington. Apparently the new address will be 129 Cromer Road, which appears to be on the other side of Sunset from the Chick-Fil-A (though back a bit further).

I don't know the reasons for the move of course, but I've always thought this storefront and the next door one are hard to get in and out of, plus of course, there is a Dunkin with coffee right there as well.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

I didn't get out to take a closer look as it was raining pretty hard, but commenter JamesR says this little antique and rummage shop on US-1 has closed due to the owner's retirement.

(Hat tip to commenter JamesR)

As reported by commenter Gypsie, Brakes 4 Less has moved down (or up) the street to 603-B Columbia Avenue which was apparently a Precision Tune.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

Tee'd Up was the follow-on operation in this Lake Murray adjacent building to Shooey Malone's. Judging by the farewell note on the place's Facebook, the owner had another avenue open up, and a chance to sell the property as well.

Although the note is a bit vague, something else if obviously coming, and work has already started on the building for whatever it is.

(Hat tip to commenter JamesR)