Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

As you can see from the sign, this Church's Chicken at the foot of Gonzales Gardens and in the location of the old Drake's is now closed, or colsed, if you prefer.

I would guess this means a little more business for the KFC on the next block up, but *this* bird has flown the coop.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

UPDATE 19 December 2018 -- As mentioned in the comments, some sort of construction is going on here, though there is no signage indicating what might be coming next:

UPDATE 21 February 2021 -- As mentioned in the comments, to be an Asian Express:

I have to admit that I was not aware that The Wired Goat existed before it closed. There are some signs on Gervais Street, as you can see in several of the pictures, but the place was down an alley, and basically not visible at all from the main drag.

The Free Times says the owners are (or perhaps at this point were) considering reopening somewhere with more parking. At any rate, given that all the fixtures are still in place, it does not appear that the space is on the market yet.

(Hat tip to commenter Summer)

As commenter Andrew noted, another McDonald's is undergoing an upfit. This one, at the corner of Saint Andrews & Ashland Roads is apparently not going to be razed and completely rebuilt like the Forest Drive store.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

UPDATE 26 March 2018 -- Open again:

I had held off doing this closing as I never could tell for sure if the place was closed, or just not ever open when I would drive by. I think the real-estate sign in the last shot pretty much settles the question.

This sandwich shop was the follow-on operation to The Lost Cajun. I thought it was a bit unusual that it would reopen as a sandwich shop as the plaza already has a Roly Poly on the other side but I guess that one is more "wrap" oriented. As I intimated above, I never visited Palmetto Subs as it was never open when I was in the area, and I'll admit though I love sandwiches I also like padded booths and a little bit more substantial atmosphere. (As I've said before, I would love if somebody brought the "Dagwood's" concept from Surfside Beach to Columbia..)

Although I did not know it at the time Plametto Subs is a regional chain, and continues to have stores in Florence, Sumter & Darlington.

(Hat tips to commenter Brian and I believe a number of others)

UPDATE 19 February 2022 -- Now Konnichiwa:

Also adding map icon and updating tags.

According to the pictures from October 2016 above, One Taco Two Taco opened on 20 October 2016 in the former Buddy's Saucy Dogs location. From the notice posted on the door in the pictures below, it appears they lasted into November or December of 2017. I like tacos, but it's far enough away from me that I never go the chance to stop by.

(Hat tip to commenter ED)

Apparently a grease fire which got way out of hand.

UPDATE 17 February 2018 -- Apparently still in the process of getting the premits straight and getting to work:

I'm not sure what the issues were since they spent a good while remodeling this building after it was Sunset Grill & Pizza, and that was not so long ago, but at any rate, there does appear to be actual work going on here, so I expect it will not be long before this Chickadee's location is back.

(Hat tip to commenter gofinsc and others)

UPDATE 22 February 2019 -- They had re-opened after the Fall 2017 closing in the post title, but now closed again for good to become King's Pizza:

UPDATE 11 May 2019 -- A) King's Pizza is apparently no longer coming here and B) This site is going downhill fast:

UPDATE 21 September 2021 -- Now open as Tropical Smoothie Cafe:

Well, here's the latest McDonald's to undergo the chain's current style makeover. This one is at East Forest Plaza, the Wal-Mart anchored strip at the Forest Drive/I-77 interchange.

In general these upgrades have been going pretty quickly, so I don't expect them to be shut for long.

I do have to say that I have found this store to be hard to get in and out of from Forest Drive. I've gotten coffee there a few times, but have kind of crossed it off my list.

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I was unaware of this little country-cooking restaurant a bit behind the old Piggly-Wiggly on US-1. The street, Oak Drive, doesn't look like the kind of place that would have any businesses, but there it is.

The door sign cites tax issues and has a postscript suggesting the place will re-open.

(Hat tip to commenter Arthur)

Devine Foods was unfortunately a place I only got to once or twice. Spanakopita is my go-to Greek dish and as I recall, theirs was quite good. My problem was that they closed quite early both for lunch & dinner making it difficult to fit into my eccentric schedule.

Here is a story from The State on the closing, and an appreciation from The Free Times

UPDATE 8 May 2018 -- This place is being razed to the outer walls: