Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

This local soul food restaurant apparently opened in 2015 and was active at least to June 2017. This stretch of Percival is on my route between home and the new Panera on Forest Drive, and I started wondering about the lack of cars at the place recently. Taking a closer look reveals no closing signage, but there is definitely work going on inside. I don't know if this is in preparation for a new tenant, or is an upfit for this restaurant.

While I'm by no means a Bojangles regular, I do like a sausage biscuit every now and then, and they make a decent one.

Judging from this State story, I think the basic issue here was that while this location did a reasonable business, it was in an older building that the chain just did not want to fool with anymore. Although commenter James R noted the quick paint job, it does not appear that there is anything as yet slated to go in here as the real estate sign is still up some 3+ months later.

The LoopNet listing has a nice picture of the Bojangles still in operation.

(Hat tip to commenter ED)

UPDATE 11 March 2020 -- More than two years later, all the fixtures still inside:

Also adding map icon.

This little home-cooking restaurant had been on this corner since 1991. (Before that, the place was a sandwich shop, and before that, a pharmacy). According to this article in The State, the owner decided, with regret, that it was time to retire.

By the time I got around to taking these pictures, I was surprised to find the place setting up as a new restaurant, the Hampton Street Diner. In fact, I was surprised enough that when there were actually people inside, I could only think of a few words to introduce myself and ask a few inane questions about the opening date and format, not even getting a web site or menu. There's a reason I take pictures of empty buildings rather than talking to people..

Luckily, The Free Times has it covered here: The place is now open, has a '50s' theme, and is serving breakfast & lunch with local delivery available.

And, if you are ever get too comfortable with using google as a source, just google "nathan's hampton street":

Brooklyn-born fast-food chain offering signature hot dogs, fries, burgers & more.

To a first approximation, Pizza Man on Woodrow seemed like the kind of place I would like: Open late & serving pizza.

In the actual event, I only ended up going there once. The pizza was a style I didn't really care for, and was a bit overcooked, and the place was so dim that I could hardly see a page while I waited for my order. I probably should have given it another chance, but in the end never got around to it.

Here is a State story on the (then upcoming) closing, and here is a story on the final auction.

(Hat tip to commenter Justin & co)

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Well Barberitos at Saluda Pointe is definitely gone, and it looks like a complicated situation.

I actually ate at this location at least four or five times. I first encountered Barberitos in Fernandina Beach Florida and enjoyed it there. At the time I found it, I put it in the category hierarchy below Moe's but above Qdoba & Chipolte (I have yet to visit a Salsarita). The way Moe's has been imploding locally lately, I might have moved it to a regular lunch spot if it were in Forest Acres.

One thing I do find odd about the Columbia locations (here and in the Vista), is that while the Florida stores have the expected ground beef filling available, the Columbia stores have only ground turkey -- I was somewhat put off by that, and went with the veggie option. I don't know why that choice was made, or if it had an impact on sales here. The place was always pretty quiet when I would drop by, but I eat lunch so late that's not a good indicator.

(Hat tip to commenter Jason)

UPDATE 9 July 2018 -- This is to be a Willie Jewell's Old School Bar-B-Q:

Update 27 August 2018 -- Willie Jewell's is open:

I never managed to eat at this place, former location of Moe's Grapevine, although I tried once. As I recall, I stopped by one Friday evening about 9:50 and found the place in the process of closing. I was quite surprised that a "Pizza Pub" would close at 10PM on a Friday night. To be fair, they offered to make me a pizza anyway, but I really dislike being in a place that is actively trying to close, especially if I am the only customer, which I was, so I passed.

In retrospect, being empty on a Friday evening was not a good augury for the longevity of this place, and unfortunately that now seems true.

Here is The State story on the pre-opening of the place, and here is the Free Times story on the finalized "Detroit Pizza" theme.

And in the meantime, Well, well:

(Hat tip to commenter badger)

UPDATE 21 May 2018 -- Eric's San Jose is now open in this location:

M Grille at the corner of Lady & Pulaski Streets is closed. I was a bit confused at first as I had mistaken M Vista at 702 Lady for this place. They are still open:

Hat tip to commenter Justin)

UPDATE 15 March 2021 -- As noted in the comments, this place is open again. ColaDaily has the story. Also adding map icon.

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 noticed on my last trip to Columbiana to get a picture of the American Deli setup that across the food court, Nestle Toll House cafe was closed.

I don't think they are doing a revamp as the one at Sandhill did as they are no longer listed on the mall web site. It's been a while since I've stopped at at Toll House, but my experience has always been that the cookies are quite good.

Uncle Ned's soul food restaurant was the follow-up operation in this building to Dolo's and Varsity, D'Jasz &JS Renee. I'm not sure when it opened, but sometime after Mid-July 2016. My memory is that Varsity was there for many years, but since then, things have not stuck.

(Hat tip to commenter Toby)

UPDATE 12 March 2018 -- As mentioned by commenter Justin, this space is about to re-open as S & A Seafood Market & Restaurant: