Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

When I went out to get pictures of the new PK BBQ location, and of the old Bi-Lo, I drove by Goodfellas on the way. I did not realize at the time that they had just recently moved to 630 Hwy 378 and had previously been in the current PK BBQ storefront. Judging by google reviews, the move took place some time around May of 2020 and when I went back to get these pictures, it appeared they are doing quite a good business in the new location.

(Hat tip to commenter Andy)

Ale House Lounge (or as some listings style it: The Original Ale House Lounge) sits in a little plaza off of Beltline which, like Lake Wobegon, the decades cannot improve -- or at least to me it seems unchanged from the first time I saw it.

I can't find any media stories online about the closing, but commenter Joelc chalks it up to limited bar hours, presumably due to COVID-19.

(Hat tip to commenter Joelc)

Here's another COVID-19 closing in the Vista.

I only went to the Carolina Ale House once, for a class reunion, and thought it was pretty good. It's certainly a nice building and a good location. Of course part of that is that it's quite large, so for someone else to move in is going to take a considerable investment.

The Post & Courier has the story.

(Hat tip to commenter Gary, etc)

I have probably been to this location more often as Swensen's than Hunter-Gatherer, but every time I did go there it was fine.

This space is yet another COVID-19 casualty, with the owners shutting down temporarily to focus on their Rosewood location (of which, frankly, I was unaware).

Here is the story from the Free Times.

(Hat tip to commenter JohnR)

Another casualty of Covid-19, World of Beer closed their Vista location on 16 November according to The Free Times. Hopefully there is some light on the horizon, as this can't go on much longer.

(Hat tip to commenter Lone Wolf & then commenter Dustin)

UPDATE 8 December 2020: Add missed hat tip to Lone Wolf

Sometimes I lose track of all the names a storefront in Five Points has had, and whether I have done a closing on it, but it appears I have never done one for any incarnation of 711 Harden Street.

Cover 3 was another one of the local bars caught up in the rule tightening last year, and decided to close when their permit ran out on 31 August rather than continue to contest the new restrictions. The Post & Courier has the story, along with a nice photo of Cover 3 in full operation. The State has basically the same story.

I note that the place has now been vacant for over a year, which to me argues that the city has allowed itself to be shot in the foot. Of course, once the pandemic hit, probably it was going to remain vacant for a while in any event.

I was unaware of Bricktown Bistro until commenter Sidney mentioned that it was closing, so I can't say a lot about it other than it is gone. (These pictures were from the final day of operation).

I do notice that the roadside marquee perpetuates the confusion between Hardscrabble & Hard Scrabble that came up here a week or so ago.

(Hat tip to commenter Sidney)

Commenter ED pointed out this COVID related closing saying:

it is doubtful it is a location you would stumble upon

and that is definitely true. This place is way past The Flight Deck on Old Chapin Road on a peninsula in Lake Murray on the way to what looks to be a private island. The area is rural and quite nice looking to me.

I really like the wood paneling in this building too.

(Hat tip to commenter Ed)

The Barn was the follow-on operation in this Harden Street storefront to Pop's NY Pizza.

The State notes this place's closing in an October 2019 story, and puts it down to the Harpootlian crusade. Ironically in the story they ran to note the opening in February 2017 the focus was on how The Barn would *not* be just another college-catering late night joint.

This LoopNet listing for the property has a picture of The Barn signage still in place.

Uncle Louie's in The Vista has closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. They have been closed on a temporary basis since 17 March, but today made it permanent. Commenter Lone Wolf provides the news, and this Coladaily link:

Representatives from Uncle Louie's, a popular bar in Columbia's Vista, announced Wednesday that the business will be closing permanently, effective immediately. The bar had already closed March 17, at the time as a temporary closure, due to COVID-19.

Management posted on the business Facebook page:

"We are sad to say that March 17th was our LAST last call. When we opened 20 yrs ago we never imagined the time we would have. Without a great staff and the best regulars in town it never would have been possible. Thanks for letting us serve you and for the friendships we made along the way. Please continue to eat and drink local, tip your bartenders, and be good to each other. Cheers!"

I took these pictures some years ago when I got an incorrect report that the place had closed at that time.

As a general note, I echo Lone Wolf's sentiments that something has got to give. Every death is tragic, but at some point the harm being done by destroying people's livelihoods just becomes too overwhelming for this to go on.

(Hat tip to commenter Lone Wolf)