Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Here's another vacant Cricket Wireless storefront, this one in Topspin Plaza in Lexington.

I noticed as I was getting the pictures that Topspin Plaza actually has two marquees and street addresses. I'm not sure if they are separate developments or not, but the other is at 5341 Sunset Boulevard:

(Hat tip to commenter James R)

Beads & Yarn was the follow-on operation in this Sunset Boulevard location to Firefly Toys & Games. They apparently had quite a selection of knitting and crocheting yarn, and jewelry beads. The owners retired and closed the store in February, but still have a web site here, and do business online at Amazon.

(Hat tip to commenter James R)

Yesternight Distilery moved into the old Abolute Discount Mattress space on 11 February 2017 according to commenter James R, having relocated from the The Old Mill after being gutted by the flood of 2015. It seems to me that over the last several years, I have seen a number of "Moonshine" stores open, something I had never seen before that. I don't know if there was some sort of law change that made it easier, or if it is just one of those retail trends. At any rate, Yesternight is now closed, though they apparently are still looking into reopening elsewhere.

I noticed something about this property when I looked for the address. It shares the street number "4884" with the small strip mall containing Lexington Pawn & Gun. I had always assumed they were separate properties, but apparently not.

(Hat tip to commener James R)

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)

This title loan operation was the follow-on to Bojangles at this address. Judging by the comments on that post, Carolina Title Loans opened here in January 2014, giving them a 3+ year run.

I don't have a phonebook with me to verify this, but I believe the Knox Abbott address tagged as the new location was in fact already a Carolina location, making this more a consolidation than a move.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

As reported by commenter James R, Mattress Man is no longer in this Sunset Boulevard strip mall. Prestige Appliance moved out of that suite in October of 2014, and it was empty for a while after that.

I just noticed, looking at the strip marquee, that the Mattress Man mascot is, in fact, a "Mattress Man", or as the late George Carlin might have said, He's a mattress, man..

(Hat tip to commenter James R)

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:

Commenter James R mentions that this former Golden Wireless location is vacant again after having been another cellphone operation in the interim. Judging from this this Carolina Panorama article, I think that operation must have been Phone Tech 4 Hire.

Looking at the article, they handled a wider range of electronics & electrics other than just phones. Intriguingly, barber shop clippers are mentioned. I never even considered that those might be fixed rather than replaced.

(Hat tip to commenter James R)

Queen's Quarters Giftshop on Sunset by JackSon's Southern Kitchen is closing as the owner is retiring. They were closed when I went by on Sunday, but the sale is ongoing, and at 50% off you might well want to check it out. Their Facebook is here.

(Hat tip to commenter James R)