Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Elite Pawn & Gun moved into this space after Ole Timey Meat Market. They last listed in the February 2017 phonebook, so I am going to mark the closing date as 2017.

The new tenant is SMP Phone Doctor, a cellphone sales and repair shop. I'm not sure what is going on with all the trucks.

UPDATE 11 July 2019 -- I'm updated the post title with "Moved", as I saw the new location for this place, which is in the old H. Rubin Vision Center closer to town:

I think my dermatologist would prefer I dig a tunnel to the mailbox and not come out into the sunlight at all, so I have never really understood the allure of tanning studios, but there are still a number of them around. This one is next to the former Springleaf Financial Serveices at Garners Ferry Crossing, and you can see it in operation in the first picture above. They listed in the Feb 2016 phonebook, but not more recently, so I'm guessing this storefront has now been vacant for at at least two years. (And the same plaza Hibachi Grill P&G Buffet has now been vacant over five years.)

Old time hardware stores are a vanishing breed. As a kid, I remember visits to the old Forest Lake Hardware at Forest Lake Shopping Center, the old Hiller downtown, and Hiller in Five Points, and various stores at the beach and in Fernandina. They were mysterious places with big revolving bins of loose nails and odd brackets, and men behind well worn wooden counters who knew how to do stuff.

After Thanksgiving, there will be one less in Columbia, as Cedar Terrace Hardware is packing it in. The State has the story, and it's a case of the owner's well deserved retirement with nobody else willing to take the store on.

To the best of my memory, I have never been to this store. It's quite tucked away in the back of the plaza, and a case of out-of-sight-out-of-mind, but there's always something I need from a hardware store so perhaps I'll take a look before it's too late.

(Hat tip to commenter Sidney)

This storefront in Garners Ferry Crossing was once Springleaf Financial Services, as you can see in the first picture (especially if you click through to the large version). At some point recently, Springleaf was acquired by One Main Financial, at which point it seems they consolidated offices leaving a vacancy here. (Actually there are two adjacent vacancies at this time; I'll do the other one at some point).

Here is another Mattress Firm location already cleared out and debranded (you can barely see the label scar).

In keeping with the general Mattress Firm situation, this one was just 0.8 miles (per Google Maps) from the store at 4732 Devine Street.

The company is still around on Huger Street, having moved there around 2011, but their old building on Garners Ferry Road has now been demolishe as these (rather dark) pictures show. I find it somewhat interesting that my February 1997 phonebook gives the address as 7230 Sumter Highway, while more recent ones use Garners Ferry Road. I guess it's a sign of the metro area moving eastward (and in fact, I remember when anything past this was the boonies).

(Hat tips to commenter Frank Mancuso for the heads up, and commenter Rick for clarifying the location).

This former church & retail building is on the south-west corner of Garners Ferry Road & Horrell Hill Road. Judging from the date Google attaches to the LoopNet listing it has been vacant for somewhat over a year. You can see it in operation as Jars Of Clay in Google Streetview. (The Church is currently meeting at the Hampton Inn at I-77.).

This property is across the street from the former Somewhere In Time / Perkin' Beans location.

UPDATE 4 October 2022 -- Something is going on at this site:

Also updating tags and adding map icon.

As predicted before, this Garners Ferry Rite Aid has closed due to its closeness to the Walgreens at 7801 Garners Ferry. For a big square building, I think it looks rather nice because of all the brick. There is growth in the area, but I'm not sure I can think of anything that might go into the building. Perhaps a medical office or Family Dollar type store as I have seen both in old pharmacy locations.

UPDATE 30 January 2019 -- As reported in the comments, this is now a Family Dollar:

As mentioned by commenter Andrew, this Landmark Square Wendy's is being remodeled into the style of the Assembly Street store (though not as tall).

Now, I have only eaten in this Wendy's once, when I was working out on Bluff Road and didn't have time to go all the way to Panera. My observation at the time was that they seemed pretty unclear on the concept of exchanging food for money, or at least on implementing that concept, which a new building won't help.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

UPDATE 21 February 2018 -- Open again:

I'm not sure when Atlantic Bedding & Furniture opened in Cedar Terrace, but it must have been after October 2009, as you can see its slot vacant in the closing for the Cedar Terrace Fred's.

It seems to be a well organized liquidation -- I even got a flyer in the mail.

With this closing, the big back building, which looks to be a former grocery to me, will be completely vacant, at least for the nonce.

UPDATE 16 August 2017 -- Actually though I list the closing date as February 2017 in the post title, this closing sale lasted quite a bit longer than I expected, and was well advertised all over town. It appears that the doors have now definitely closed:

UPDATE 27 September 2021: Updating tags and adding map icon.