Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Folks, with today's Forest Acres redevelopment announcement, I thought I would go ahead and throw up a Richland Mall post, even though I don't have anything prepared, so we can discuss it here rather than in Have Your Say.

So have at it!

(Hat tip to commenter John for the heads up).

UPDATE 10 November 2022 -- A question from commenter Russell below reminded me that there commenter Dennis worked of a map of the original open-air mall, and I got the tenant lists for 1926, 1975 & 1985 here. (Also changed to post title to add the word 'Redevelopment' at the end, added the street address and added the map icon.)

Also a note to folks popping in for the first time due to this post -- If you will go to Alphabetical Closings, you may find your favorite vanished spot in the site index.

Upstairs Audio had been in this location for as long as I can remember, and I just noticed the other day that it was gone.

I never actually went there, but for years, every time we would go to The Parthenon next door, we would end up parking in one of Upstairs Audio's very ominously marked "Upstairs Audio Only -- Towing Enforced!" spots. Of course it was after hours, so nothing ever actually happened, but it was always in the back of my mind that this could be the night some new guy on the tow service wanted to enforce the letter of the law.

Looking at their still extant web site, the final message is a, in retrospect, worrying one:

BIGGEST Sale Ever
We're changing thew way we do business.
(We are going to start selling by appointment only.)

Judging from the google reviews dated only as "A year ago", it appears that they closed shop sometime around mid 2021.

UPDATE 8 November 2022: Fixed grammar. Added a picture.

I believe that Swamp Fox Armory is basically in the same location at the old Wateree Arms though there is a slight address difference, and of course that building was torn down.

According to their Facebook, they have been "currently closed" since March of last year. As the signage has been taken down or reversed, I wouldn't expect them to re-open at this point.

(Hat tip to commenter badger)

Here's a closing I just happened to notice during a drive-by the other day, but which happened late last year.

Lexington Jewelers in downtown Lexington closed on Christmas Eve of 2021 due to the retirement of the owner, who had been running the place for almost 40 years. You can read about it in The State or The Post & Courier.

This building first featured here when it closed as a Pig in 2013. In late 2015 it re-opened as a KJ's IGA, lasting about seven years (which is longer than I had thought actually. WHere does the time go?).

I associate the IGA brand with smaller towns, but KJ's has brought several of them to the Columbia market, and as far as I know, the others are doing OK.

Now that two groceries have closed in this space, I would expect the next tenant to be something different.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath).

UPDATE 30 September 2022 -- Signage is down:

This Main Street convenience store was shut down recently by the Columbia Police Department as a public nuisance. According to ColaDaily:

CPD officers have responded to more than 200 calls for service at the location since January 2021. Documented criminal offenses at the store include drug possession and distribution, larceny, loitering, urinating and defecating in public, alcohol violations and litter/trash accumulation.

Commenter Robin also notes this WLTX story to the same effect.

(Hat tip to commenter Robin)

So, what's Kitty's Korner without Kitty's? It seems kind of counter-intuitive, but in fact this longtime Lexington Hallmark shop has now left its namesake location.

After the closing of a number of other locations, I believe the Seven Oaks store may be the last one left. Commenter Brian supplied the tip, and this link for the real-estate listing.

(Hat tip to commenter Brian)

Judging by their Facebook and web site, HandPicked,Inc. looks to be a fashion, jewelry and Gamecock & Tiger store. Their Harbison location was in the Publix & Target part of Columbiana Station by Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and has now closed, apparently with the hope of opening at another Harbison area location at some point in the future.

In the meantime, they maintain a store in Lexington, and an online presence.

(Hat tip to commenter Ellen)

This small furniture & decor store opened here in 2021, moving from Chapin to Meeting Street in West Columbia. Unfortunately with the challenging retail, supply chain and rising restock price environment, they will be closing sometime this summer. From their Facebook, it sounds as though it will not be too long from now though no date is given -- I am going to assume late this month for the post title.

The State has some more details.

(Hat tip to commenter Robin)

I wrote about a move for this place back in 2010, but now Bohemian Home on Devine Street is closing after nearly 50 years. WLTX has the story (with an interesting historical twist in the second paragraph), which is basically that with rising rents, current business conditions and the onslaught of big box stores, the owners decided keeping on was untenable.

The current plan is to shut down at the end of August, with an auction possible if there is still remaining inventory.

(Hat tip to commenter Deanna)