Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

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:

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)

Looking at the Google Streetview, this place was open at least through January of this year, which is kind of surprising considering there is a big U-Haul operation in the old Dick Smith Ford location, and another in the old Dentsville Kmart location, both of which are not far from here. I see that as well as renting trucks, trailers & moving supplies, this location was also a propane re-filling site.

One thing I did not realize when it was in operation, and the lot mostly filled with rolling stock is that the lot seems to have been cut out of a hill and leveled -- the property on the other side of back fence is a good bit higher, and the brickwork has somewhat unusual buttressing to deal with the stress.

As mentioned by commenter Thomas, this family owned builder on Two Notch by the Citgo station is closing as the owners retire. A good part of the lot is utiitarian buildings, so we'll have to see if somebody moves in, or if it gets rebuilt first.

(Hat tip to commenter Thomas)

This spot at the corner of Two Notch & Beltline was previously the home of Hursey's Trading Post & Advance On Checks with Auto Money going in sometime between 2014 and 2016. Google streetview shows it here as late as September 2022.

I'm thinking there may have briefly been another operation after this, as the current color scheme of the building is a red & black one, completely different from the green & yellow theme of Auto Money.

I should probably also mention that at least through 2011, the side of the building closest to Burger King was a separate suite housing My'Kuls Exclusive Gift Shop.

This was the follow-on operation in this building to SCU State Credit Union, and was here about two years, I think.

I believe their door sign says they have moved, but I was not able to get out to take a look at it as another car unexpectedly came around the building going the wrong direction, and I had to move out of the way.

I admit to being a bit disenchanted with Buffalo Wild Wings. I never went to this location, but I used to go the the Devine Street store some because it was open late nights. I had one ongoing issue in that they would frequently be out of unsweet ice-tea. I know it's mainly a beer place, but my theory is that if you are out of something easy to make, and it's two hours before closing: make more. The other insight I had came when I ordered the hot pretzels one night, and decided I would rather have butter than cheese sauce or mustard. There was none. I'm sorry, but if you don't have butter in the kitchen, you're not a real restaurant. (Doesn't have to be in a individual packet, just put some in dressing cup and it will be fine..). Anyway, that's just one man's opinion.

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I sometimes go the the neighboring Applebee's, and from what I could see across the way, Buffalo Wild Wings seemed to be doing a pretty good business. Coupled with the recent closings of the nearby Wild Wing at Sandhill and the Vista Wild Wing, it makes me wonder if the wings & beer restaurant is in decline.

Here is The State on the closing.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Hat)

I did a closing recently for American Car Center, and it seems that another subprime used car dealer down the street closed not too long after they did. WLTX has the story about the Columbia location closing here, and about the chain as a whole here.

The closing was supposed to be temporary, but we are closing in on a month of downtime now when what was promised was two days, so who knows the current state of things? There billboard, which is still active, certainly puts on a show of normal activity, but their website https://www.usautosales.info/about-us now redirects to a site which is strictly about loan payments.

I'm trying to bring to mind what this building was before. It looks like it has always been a dealership, but I'm drawing a blank on the history. Nice color scheme though.