Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

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)

I wasn't aware of this location of The Little Gym though my nieces have been happy to attend the one that is now on Rosewood over the years.

The papered over streetside sign makes it look as if Kristin's Cafe is in the spot now, but looking at the storefront itself, that does not seem to be the case.

I would say if you are going to try to get your Yeti engraved, you probably *should* have your guns & knives ready as well.

(Hat tip to commenter James R)

It looks like the last tenant in this Sunset Boulevard suite in Lexington was Gateway Supply, a "plumbing and HVAC supply wholesaler". According to this story from August 2016, they have moved to a newly built location at Whiteford Way and North Lake Drive with this building being purchased by Cason Development Group for redevelopment -- the signs of which you can see in these pictures.

Some googling suggessts that before Gateway, the building was divided into two suites with Southern Living Rooms & More being in Suite A, and audiologists Hearing Associates of SC in Suite B.

As reported by commener MB, Sunset Tax Services in West Columbia has closed. They were the follow-on operation in this building to My Best Cleaners. According to commenter James, Sunset opened here in late 2013.

(Hat tip to commenter MB)

The impending closing of this Lexington Publix plaza wing stop was noted a while ago by commenter Ed, and commenter Brian confirmed the actual closing a bit later. The first shot shows the place still in operation and the later shots are from afterwards.

Curiously, Hot 4 Wings was just a few suites down from Wing Nuts, which shuttered in March 2014.

(Hat tip to commenters ED & Brian)