Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Commenter Michael asks if the Roll Call Deli on Main across from the Capitol in the old Fever location is closed.

The answer seems to be "yes for now", or at least that was the case as of last weekend.

The sign did not photograph well, but says Closed for maintenance, so hopefully they will be back soon.

UPDATE 17 January 2014 -- As commenter Bob notes, it is now obvious that this is a permanent closing, and I have taken the "temporary tag off the post title:

UPDATE 31 March 2014 -- For sale:

(Hat tip to commenter Michael)

After eating at Moe's last week, I noticed that Universal Copies in the little bi-level University Corner strip-mall, is closed and papered up.

Then, when I went to make this post, I looked back on the University Corner post and realized that I had missed the closing of the place before Universal: Bits & Pizzas.

Interestingly, while I never really heard of Mac's On Main (I was vaguely aware it was there in the Walker building), the upcoming closing of the place was big enough news to make both The State and The Free Times, with The State story apparently one of their most popular for the last few days.

Clemson Road eatery CW's Grill will be opening their second location in the Mac's building while Mac's owner (whose name is "Barry", not "Mac") will be concentrating on his fruit cobbler and catering businesses.

I first was aware of this restaurant space in the Adesso condos at the corner of Main & Blossom Streets when it had just closed as Baker Brothers American Deli (although I got the space conflated with the Yoghut suite which is in the same building). After that, I kind of lost track of it.

To be specific, I had no idea there was ever an Italian operation called Brioso Fresh Pasta there. In my defense, as far as I can tell, it didn't last long: The Feb 2012 phonebook has the only listing. The reviews are extremely mixed.

After that, I was somewhat aware of Tropical Grill though I never considered stopping there. My impression was that it was an Asian buffet, but I'm not positive about that. At any rate, they only listed in this year's (Feb 2013) phonebook, and I started seeing construction for the new pizza operation Maddio's Pizza Joint some months ago (I have pictures somewhere, but can't lay my hands on them now and it would seem that they have now started operation.

(Hat tip to commenter Payne for reminding me about this).

UPDATE 10 March 2025: Fix odd formatting due to restoring from Google cache. Add map icon, update tags.

Here's another place with the old sign turned around in the sign-box to keep the weather out. It's not something I had ever noticed before starting this blog, but something I've seen many times since then.

I think I've used Hertz a few times at various airports around the country and they were fine (not that there's much to differentiate the big rental outfits). Personally, I hate driving a rental. I've got my car aged to perfection, and set up like I want it, and nothing else really fills the bill.

I'm guessing at a 2009 date here. Earlier phonebooks have them at 744 West Main, and later ones don't have them at all, but I happen to be missing the actual 2009 book.

I really like the "stained glass" on the side of the building.

Here's a little thrift shop in Lexington, not far from Lexington Arms and Mae's. Interestingly, their logo was not a tree. In fact, I'm not sure what that is.

(Hat tip to commenter James)

Although I didn't realize at the time I did that closing, apparently Mae's On Main in Lexington has moved to the Round Robin location on Devine Street. I'm not sure where Devine Robin fits in -- as of yet, the Round Robin marquee is still up.

The Lexington location has a classic "old retail" look. A lot of interior work is ongoing there, so hopefully something new will go in before too long. Or before the fat lady sings, anyway.

As mentioned in the comments on the Lexington Blockbuster this adjacent old-school Taco Bell moved to a new store a couple of years ago. Personally I like these Southwestern style locations more than the "modern" style they have adopted recently. Several in Columbia have been repurposed recently (though the one on Knox Abbott is still vacant), but this one looks as though it may be too far gone for that.

UPDATE -- Work is underway:

UPDATE 17 February 2014 -- Now a Cook Out:

Well, this has already been talked about enough that I'm not sure who the hat-tip goes to, but I finally got over to Lexington last weekend and got some shots of the Main Street Blockbuster closing down. It was already pretty near the end-days, and as I watched, I saw a guy walk out and hoick a set of display racks into his truck.

I was also in Aiken this week, and the Blockbuster there which closed about this time last year is still vacant despite being in a pretty good spot..

UPDATE -- the place is still vacant:

UPDATE 4 March 2014 -- This shot is through a windshield and from too far away, but you can see this building is now a Pet Supermarket:

UPDATE 5 October 2020: Changing name in post title from "Blockbuster" to "Blockbuster Video", updating tags, adding map icon.

I would have thought this store and its enclosing little plaza were on Elmwood which these suites face, but web search matches the visible 2101-D street number to Main.

Other than that, I was able to find out very little other than that it was a clothing store, which was already pretty much apparent from the name. In particular, they weren't listed in any of my old phonebooks, so the closing date is a complete guess.