Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

This was apparently also known as Best Western Plus Columbia Northeast and the rather generic Columbia Northeast Hotel, so perhaps it lost the Best Western branding in the last months of its life. Google streetview shows the place looking open, and with Best Western signage into May of 2024, but as of the end of June, when these pictures were taken, the place was closed with indications of some sort of work going on. (The Google reviews suggest it really needed some.)

I have not driven past since then, so perhaps it is open again or at least has some indication as to what is to come now -- I will have to check it out again soon.

As predicted by commenter Mall Guy, this Hooters is gone.

I had been in a number of times over the years. They were open later than many other places, the food was competent, and, of course, the view was nice.

I did get the impression the last couple of times I was there that it was going downhill a bit, and the food was somewhat sub-par compared to times past. It's probably been at least two years since my last visit, so I can't say how it was at the end.

This building started out as a Hops brewpub, so we'll see where the chain of restaurant reincarnation takes it next. I would guess that there are competing Asian buffet places too close, so perhaps a Mexican venue as the nearest ones I can think of are on the small side.

(Hat tip to commenter Mall Guy)

I'm not sure what the issue was here, this location, at the corner of Two Notch & Alpine, seems like a reasonably good one for a gas station, and closing shop leaves all the traffic to the Pitt Stop on the opposite corner. The store does look like it is a little smaller than the current Circle K buildouts, so that could be an issue, or they just could have gotten a good offer for the property, I suppose. At any rate, this circle is squared.

(Hat tip to commenter Sidney)

UPDATE 18 March 2025 -- The place has been sold, though there is no indication yet what is coming:

This Pitt Stop was across from Lowes almost at the intersection of Two Notch with I-20 East. I have stopped there once or twice over the years, but not more often because it is a bit of a pain to get in and out of. The place is a bit interesting because the property has a former automatic carwash which was repurposed into a seperate car detailing business. It's not clear to me what will happen to that long-term, but for now, it looked like it were still open.

I'm not sure when the place closed (other than on or before 10 January), but it is recent enough that the sign is still lit with the final gas price, the banners are still up by the road, and the pumps are still in place.

(Hat tip to commenter AvidReader)

UPDATE 26 Jan 2024: Commenter Tom points out that this building was an Exxon before becoming a Pitt Stop / Sunoco, so I have added that to the post title.

UPDATE 24 June 2024 -- A bit of entrepreneurship going on in the old parking lot:

I'm not sure this property is technically part of Sparkleberry Square, but it's at least an outparcel, and closed in December. I never stopped here, although I noticed it was the cheapest gas in the area a few times recently, because it looked like it would be a pain to come out of and go west.

These pictures were taken Christmas Eve, and it already looked like the tanks were about to be taken up then -- I have not driven by since.

(Hat tip to commenter Rashaad)

It's possible they moved to another part of the store -- I was just running in and out, but it appeared to me last week that the Starbucks in the Sparkleberry Square Kroger was gone.

UPDATE 16 September 2024 -- Apparently they closed their existing kiosk to remodel and make a larger in-store space, whic is now open:

The only time I have eaten at a Dickey's was in Huntsville Alabama some years ago, and as I recall, it was fine. This location sounds to have been a bit different, and I have actually been to this place before to take pictures for a closing, only to find out that they were "just closed for some reason". Looking at the Google reviews, it appears that that was absolutely typical for this place, and they make interesting reading.

This time it appears they are definitely gone for good, but I don't expect the suite to stay vacant for long, as it is a street-visible storefront next to a busy Kroger.

(Hat tip to commenter Trevin)

UPDATE 16 September 2024 -- As reported in the comments, this is now setting up to be a Firehouse Subs:

UPDATE 6 October 2024: Took out the Starbucks picture which wasn't meant to be on this post.

Does anyone know what is going on here?

They have forced Two Notch down to one lane turning onto Fontaine and one lane for through traffic and have had barrels up for at least six months, but even though I drive by there quite often, and frequently during prime work hours, I have never actually seen any crews or construction going on -- It's like they just plugged up the road for fun. I know the folks at China Hut & Ace Glass must be pretty sick of it by now.

I was driving Taylor this evening, and noticed that there seemed to be less signage than usual on Deli Say No More catty-corner (more or less) from The Township. Looking inside confirmed the interior largely stripped.

I didn't actually know the name of this place until I started googling around, which reveals that they have apparently re-named and re-branded and moved to Two Notch near Fontaine. The web site and phone number remain the same.

I had noticed the new business in the old Video Magic & Mags / Nancy's Nook building, but hadn't made the connection.

UPDATE 14 May 2024 -- The Two Notch location:

UPDATE 17 June 2025 -- As mentioned in the comments, to be a San Jose, Jr.:

This is fairly near to me, but if you'd asked me where it was, I couldn't have told you. I guess I get tunnel-blindness when I'm not in the market for whatever I'm drving by.

Anyway, commenter Andrew reports the retirement sale and upcoming closing, so if you are in the market for some casual & patio type furniture, you should probably head on down there before too much longer.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)