Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

As I have mentioned before I have a number of problems with Which Wich, the biggest of wich is I can't frequent a place that doesn't have fresh brewed ice tea.

Regardless of my issues, it does seem that this shopping center has problems keeping restaurants.

(Hat tip to commenter Lone Wolf)

I've never been in this store, but from the outside, it appears to be *huge*, occupying several potential storefronts.

The store moved to here from its original location on Saint Andrews Road back in 2010, and has, according to its Facebook page, now started its closing sale. I'm not sure how long that will last (apparently through 30 June for sure), so I am listing the closing date as July 2018 for now.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath Roberts)

As mentioned several times in Have Your Say, the Chili's on Harbison has closed.

The story from Palmetto Weekend says they were unable to renew their lease, which argues that Harbison Court may already have something else planned.

I believe they were already winding down last week, as I went by at 10pm on Friday night, and they had already turned off the front facade lights by the time I drove around to that side of the building.

I used to go to Chili's fairly frequently, and still do like it, but my main reason was that it was a decent place that stayed open late every night. While they still do that in the Florida locations (or the ones I've visited), they no longer do that here, pretty much leaving that niche to Applebee's.

(Hat tip to commenter ED)

UPDATE 17 April 2019 -- You can see the signage for The Krab Hut now:

Firenza is an interesting name for a pizza place because it suggests both "fire" and Italy (Firenza is the native name for the city we call by the exonym "Florence").

Fast casual pizza is now officially a thing, and Firenza is one of the chains in that market. This particular store, in Columbiana Station has not been here long. Commenter Heath reported in November of last year that this slot opened as a Persona Pizza and was just converting to Firenza at that point. Actually, Persona is the only one of these chains I have been to, and I was happy with my meal at the Woodhill location, so I'm not averse to checking out Firenza, Blaze or 1000 Degrees. Interestingly, as you can see in the pictures, there is a Blaze just across the street from this location.

Exactly what is going on here is a bit cryptic, but apparently it is an upfit of some sort and Firenza promises to return.

(Hat tips to commenters Heath & James R)

UPDATE 23 March 2018 -- Hmm, commenter Heath notes that apparently the place never actually opened as Firenza after Persona shut down. Maybe they got distracted by the Lexington opportunity. Anyway, I'm changing the title line qualifier from "(temporary)" to "(coming?)".

UPDATE 7 June 2021 -- Now a Brothers & Beer Mexican Restaurant:

also adding map icon.

Nothing Held Back

Well, continuing the story from the Toys 'Я' Us post, this is the same thing but in a more advanced stage. The Babies "Я" Us closeout sale has been going since February and is now in the end stages, if this WLTX story is still current.

One thing I didn't mention in the Toys closing is that both business units share a common problem on top of everything else: The US, other Western nations and Japan are currently in a "baby bust" situation. That means even if they could regain their former appeal to the customer base, the customer base itself is shrinking, or as the Four Seasons once said Bye, Bye, Baby, Goodbye!

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew I think)

UPDATE 15 June 2023 -- Now Hobby Lobby:

Also adding map icon.

So fare there are no signs advertising big closings savings at the Toys 'R' US Columbiana Mall outparcel site in Harbison, but it's just a matter of time as the firm officially threw in the towel last week and says it will not emerge from bankruptcy.

I missed the golden age of Toys 'R' Us, and in fact don't think I've ever been into a store. For us, the big thing was the Sears Christmas Wishbook with wonders on every page, here's an appreciation from someone who was not too old for the golden age, along with some reminders that Toys 'R' Us has been in and out of trouble for a long time.

The funny thing is that while TRU doesn't sell as many toys as it used to, it still sells a *lot* of toys, and you have to wonder how bad the debts must be if you have bankruptcy protection and can't come up with a viable plan for the way forward while you are still selling lots of toys.

A few links:

According to CNN, the timing of closing sales and the final closing have yet to be determined.

A trademark collector may be bringing KB Toys back as popup stores due to the TRU bankruptcy.

Amazon may buy some of the stores though I wouldn't hold my breath for the Columbia area.

I have to say this store does not look appealing to me. It looks a bit run down, boxy and not 'fun'. I realize there are limits to what you can do with stodgy Columbia codes, but to me something like *this* says TOY STORE!

And finally, thanks, guys, for that whole backwards 'Я' thing. Not.

Here's another Wells Fargo branch "pruning", this one on Columbiana Drive at Afton Court. (And next to the former Monterrey Mexican).

You may also bank at any Wells Fargo location that is convenient for you.

Well, that's big of them.

(Hat tip to commenter Tom)

UPDATE 1 May 2019 -- Added map icon, updated tags.

UPDATE 19 September 2022 -- The building has been razed, and something else is going up there now:

UPDATE 10 May 2023 -- A Valvoline Instant Oil Change operation is now on this spot:

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.

Well, this has already been extensively ventilated in Have Your Say, but Shoe Carnival has moved down the hill from Columbiana Station by Old Navy to Harbison Court.

The new location, seen below, is the former home of Regency Beauty Institute (on which I never did a closing) and right next to the previous (and recently departed) shoe store in that complex, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse.

I believe I went into the Grand Strand location of Apocalypse Comics, which closed last year, a couple of times, but I never made it into this Harbison location. To be truthful, I get most of my comics nowdays from a subscription service which has pretty much curtailed my shop visits.

Here's a nice little write up about the shop in The Daily Gamecock.

(Hat tip to commenter Tom)