Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Well, it's back to Airport Tec Plaza for this closing.

Blimpie is not a chain I've ever tried, though I like subs. I think that's probably because a lot of its locations tend to be in gas-station/convenience stores, and that sort of devalues a brand for me. I do have to give them props for suggesting a non-submarine referent for their sandwiches however.

At any rate, this location anchored the east end of the same little strip mall where Marino's Bistro was

I rather like Schlotsky's and used to go to the Parklane location fairly often when I worked at home, and when it was still open. To my mind, the sourdough buns differentiate their sandwiches from all the sub places in a pleasing way, if that's what I'm in the mood for. And Cinnabon, of course, is pure sticky goodness, one of the few things I used to look forward to in going to airports.

I believe the closing of this store leaves the Dutch Square location on Bush River Road as the last one in the metro area, and I'm afraid it was looking a bit down-at-the-heels last time I dropped by.

(I note that the roadside marquee still lists Jamestown Coffee. And what's up with that balcony?).

(Hat tip to commenter Susie)

UPDATE 16 October 2013 -- This place is now well underway to becoming a Zoe's Kitchen:

Sammi's Deli still has a Broad River Road location in Irmo near the Publix plaza, but this one in front of the old Intersection Center has changed hands and will become a Nick's.

Nick's seems to be using the Lizard's Thicket "hermit crab" strategy of moving into buildings which were already set up as restaurants. This will be the third new location they have opened or will open over the past year. They have already opened in the old Taco Bell location on Decker and appear close to opening in the old Tony O's Pizza on Saint Andrews.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

UPDATE 17 September 2012 -- The comments have reminded me this used to be a Taco Cid so I have added that to the post title. I have also copied commenter Melanie's matchbook scans here:

UPDATE 30 August 2022: Updating tags and adding map icon.

This little sandwich & chicken restaurant was across the fence from Frank's, and shared the building where Mr. B's nightclub is located. This suite is also the former location of Rookie Billiards and Gardenia's restaurant.

I'm not exactly sure what "New York" means in a sub style (I hear "New Jersey" more often), but the reviews they got on Urban Spoon were positive.

UPDATE 30 October 2012: Commenter badger points out that this storefront was once a adult video store. Actually "Chasers Wholesale Video" is listed for this storefront (3122) while "Chasers' Mags-N-Mixers" is listed for the left end of the building (3128). I think the whole building (which has three storefronts now, had only one or two then).

When I did the closing for Rudy's Upper Deck, commenter Bobby P. wondered how much longer the adjacent Subway would be able to make it. Unfortunately, the answer turns out to be "not long". I don't go to Subway too often as the booths and atmosphere don't really suit me, but they do make a decent sandwich.

This makes it three vacant storefronts in a row (Subway, Rudy's and Fast Cash Advance) at The Shoppes At Meeting Place, and at least one more non-contiguous one.

(Hat tip to commenter Peter)

UPDATE 18 January 2012 -- Some sort of work is going on here:

UPDATE 5 April 2012 -- Open again, yet still closed the day I drove by:

UPDATE 17 June 2022 -- This place is closed again, this time apparently for good. Also updating tags and adding map icon.

I have to admit I had no idea that this little place existed, despite driving past there a number of times over the past few months, and I have to wonder if the location was a factor in the place closing. In theory, it is visible from Garners Ferry Road, but in practice, this strip sits behind Ruby Tuesday and is not very conspicuous. Even if you are taking Patterson Road to the Wal-Mart across the street, Ye Old Fashioned would be on the side of the strip away from Wal-Mart...

Judging from the still extant web-site, The Old Fashioned is a Charleston institution, with this location being their first venture out of the Low Country. I have to say that the menu looks pretty good, though I probably wouldn't have driven all the way over there for lunch.

(Hat tip to commenter ginagate)

UPDATE 18 December 2011 -- Now open as Anthony's Old Fashioned Burger & Fry Co.:

UPDATE 8 January 2020 -- Updating the post address to remove the 7490 Garners Ferry Road address. The 7457 Patterson Road address seems to be the official one, though I have seen both. Added map icon.

I normally wouldn't do two Garners Ferry posts in succession (unless I were out of pictures..), but commenter Terry mentioned this place just yesterday (after a spam comment brought it back to the top of the "recent comments" list) saying:

I visited Steve’s on Garners Ferry 3 or 4 times and they had really good sandwiches. Every time I was the only patron in the shop and a lunch crowd of one will not go very far. The parking lot in front of the store is usually packed so I do not know where all the shoppers were.

Well it appears that a lunch crowd of one has gone as far as it could, and the place is now closed. When I first posted about it (in the closing for Larry's) in February 2010, Steve's had taken over two old Larry's locations (that I knew of for sure). Now it appears that both of them have gone under.

More curiously, the sign in the window proclaims "Hibachi Grill Coming Soon" when Mushi Mushi hibachi just a few units down in the same strip closed in September 2010..

UPDATE 3 November 2011 -- Looks like Japan Grill is close to opening:

UPDATE 25 October 2018: Update title with suite info. Add map icon. Update tags.

Well, let's see if I can manage to do a closing on a place that actually is closed today!

Schlotzsky's Deli on the corner of Parklane Road and O'Neil Court has been an off and on stop of mine for the last year or so. I like their sourdough buns and its a nice sunlit location to watch the traffic pass.

Last time I was there, they said they would be moving soon though they weren't sure yet to where other than the Dentsville area. In the meantime, it appears this space will become Kaboto Express.

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Hmm, this is the reverse of the situation on the Grand Strand. There businesses close when school is in session, but this closing is because (I assume) school is out of session. At any rate, the Firehouse Subs in University Corner over the old Varsity Billiards and next to the old Stuffy's and Big Bird has closed its doors for "the summer" as of Friday.

UPDATE 6 July 2011: As commenter E points out I have completely misinterpreted the sign, which mearly states that during the summer they close at 9PM.
So, as Emily Litella would say: "Never Mind!"

UPDATE 30 September 2021: Add map icon, update tags.

Commenter Jonathan reported this closing, saying

Quizno’s on Sumter is now closed…The owner left a note on the door that he has closed immediately due to health concerns. He always had a smile on his face, and I wish him a speedy recovery.

Let me second those wishes!

This corner spot (on Sumter & Washington) is directly across from the old RCPL site, so I know I must have seen it many times over the years, and I know that it hasn't been Quiznos that long, but I'm drawing a total blank on what may have been here before, even to as basic a piece of information as whether it was a restaurant or not..