Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

As predicted by commenter Mall Guy, this Hooters is gone.

I had been in a number of times over the years. They were open later than many other places, the food was competent, and, of course, the view was nice.

I did get the impression the last couple of times I was there that it was going downhill a bit, and the food was somewhat sub-par compared to times past. It's probably been at least two years since my last visit, so I can't say how it was at the end.

This building started out as a Hops brewpub, so we'll see where the chain of restaurant reincarnation takes it next. I would guess that there are competing Asian buffet places too close, so perhaps a Mexican venue as the nearest ones I can think of are on the small side.

(Hat tip to commenter Mall Guy)

This is one of those places that I was never sure if it were still open or not. It certainly appeared not, but there are reviews up until a few months ago.

At any rate, it appears to be closed now, joining a long line of former restaurants in this building on the spur of Bush River Road sometimes known as Old Bush River Road.

This is quite a way from my usual rounds, so I was not really aware that Social Grill existed until commenter Robert mentioned that they were closing down for a QT to be built on the lot. 9 March was their last day, and looking at their Facebook, they have already had an auction for the restaurant equipment.

The owners plan to open a pizza restaurant called Cheesy Pint in the former B's in the Publix Plaza on North Lake Drive.

(Hat tip to commenter Robert)

B's was the follow-on in this location to Beef O'Brady's, and opened in late 2018.

According to their Facebook, 17 December 2023 was their last day, which is not a bad run given a pandemic in the midst of it.

Commenter Andrew reports the space is setting up to be Cheesy Pint Pizzeria.

UPDATE 5 June 2024 -- Cheesy Pint is open:

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew, I believe)

Granby Grill was the follow-on operation in this storefront to White Duck Taco Shop. It wasn't really on my radar because of the location, but judging by their Facebook, which took a very good-natured approach to their closing, as well as tweaking The State for only noticing them at that point, the owners seem to have a lively sense of humor. In fact, they namechecked me in their opening announcement on the White Duck closing post, and I certainly take no pleasure in closing that loop.

The Facebook entries go on past the closing date, and it appears they were working on other concepts for the place, first burgers and then perhaps biscuits. I'm not sure if either of those will happen, but the biscuit nameplate is up, and the door was unlocked and ajar when I dropped by to get these shots, so we will see what happens.

(Hat tip to commenter Logan)

Henry's (part of a local chain) sat at the corner of State & Frink streets in Cayce, in the building which hosted a number of former restaurants, including B & B Corner Bar & Grill and 2108 Bar & Grill.

According to stories in The State & Coladaily & on WLTX, the state's liquor liability insurance regulations were a big factor in the closure. However commenter Tom points to this WIS article which may point to specific reasons their insurance might be in question.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

Well, that was quick, dang it!

I had some inchoate plans to finally get to Rockaway either for supper last Friday, or lunch last Saturday, but in the event the news of the closing spread so quickly, and the crowds were so thick that the club ran out of supplies several days in advance of their announced 21 January closing date.

Rockaway Athletic Club was one of those places I would think about two or three times a year and decide: Oh yeah, I've finally got to try that place out, but in the event I managed to go decades without ever stopping by and having the famous Pimento Burger, and now it's too late.

The State has the story, as does The Free Times.

Sic transit gloria mundi.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

As mentioned in the closing for New Brookland Tavern, that operation will be moving to this famous storefront on Harden Street. What wasn't clear to me from the stories (The State & The Free Times) was exactly what was to happen to The Cotton Gin. When I went by Five Points a few weeks ago, it appeared to still be open, and there are recent Google reviews. I still have not seen anything in the media pinning things down, but judging from their Instagram feed, it appears that 25 November will be the last day for The Cotton Gin.

McCary's Bar & Grill (the sign suggests McCary's Sports Bar & Grille, but the Facebook page doesn't support that) shares a parking lot with the phone & loan building that featured here last week.

Judging from the Google reviews, this place probably closed around September of 2023, though given their last Facebook post was 22 June 2023, and there was a shooting there on 28 June 2023, it's possible they did not re-open after that.

I'm not sure how long ago this incarnation started, but the building has been a bar as long as I can recall. The reviews suggest there was not much Irish about it beyond the logo and name at this point, so possibly the ownership changed sometime in the past.

UPDATE 6 December 2023: Adding Kentucky Fried Chicken to the post title based on comments from KC & Brandon.

I just ran across these pictures of Tabu at 700 Gervais Street, and realized I hadn't seen that locomotive in a good while. I believe the spot is now occupied by Tsunami, though I could be behind on that as well.

There's not a lot of information online, but the place is referred to in the past tense in this 2016 State article, so it was definitely gone by then. This Free Times article suggests that the club shared ownership with the now demolished Pure Ultra Lounge on Berryhill and featured an Urban playlist.