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Archive for the ‘beer’ tag

River Rat Brewery, 1231 Shop Road: 30 December 2023   no comments

Posted at 11:02 pm in closing

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I believe that of the local brewpubs, I've only hit Hunter Gatherer and the Old Mill in Lexington (if you don't count Aiken as local), but I would notice the River Rat from time to time driving by and think it might be somewhere to go on a nice evening. As usual, I waited too long.

It appears that market saturation & changes in local laws hastened the closure. As the owner told The Free Times:

You'd think that would've equated to more business at places like River Rat and, in some ways, it did. What started as a production brewery became a brewpub, offering things like trivia and Sunday brunch. But it meant that businesses like Tourville's and ones like Swamp Cabbage, which had built their facilities in less-busy areas were fighting an uphill battle to get customers to their side of town. The idea had been that they'd focus more on production and distribution and less on outfitted taprooms and food offerings.

"The Stone Bill changed everything because it just meant everyone wanted to get into the business, everyone wanted to open up a brewery. Everybody saw it as a cash cow," Tourville said. "You just don't have that revenue stream without being a restaurant and getting people in your door... it's just not a sustainable business plan to be a production brewery and a brewpub."

There have been a lot of changes on Shop Road lately -- we'll have to see what happens to this location next.

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)

Written by ted on December 22nd, 2023

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Swamp Cabbage Brewery, 921 Brookwood Drive: 18 December 2022   9 comments

Posted at 10:19 pm in closing

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I never made it to Swamp Cabbage Brewery while it was open. I like a beer every now and again, but generally as dessert for a sit-down meal, so I usually stick to brewpubs. In point of fact it was actually hard to to locate this place, and I had to make two trips. It turns out that street numbers on Brookwood Drive are really odd, but after going home and consulting google maps, I finally got there, and found the setup still pretty much intact.

The Free Times had two stories about the closing, here and here.

(Hat tip to commenter MB)

Written by ted on February 6th, 2023

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Rick's Bait And Tackle Party Shop, 3050 Bluff Road: 2020   no comments

Posted at 10:44 pm in closing

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Rick's was a fishing and ABC store right across Bluff Road from the Columbia Industrial Park. I never went in, but I would see it often driving to and from work a few years ago. This is right next door to the old Cricket Club/Diamonds and the old Grasshopper Club/Vet's Hall. I'm not sure when they closed, but it's been long enough to board the place up and take down the road sign, so I'm going to guess 2020.

Written by ted on March 16th, 2022

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Cottontown Brew Lab, 1223 Franklin Street: April 2021   2 comments

Posted at 11:41 pm in closing

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I was unfamiliar with this micro-brewery off of North Main until commenter Alan noted its (apparent) passing.

According to The State:

The owner of Cottontown Brew Lab announced in April on Facebook that the neighborhood microbrewery would be closing temporarily for renovations.

In his post, owner Zack Jones said, “the operational costs of trying to build a regionally distributed brewery without the financial support of a proper tap room have meant that we rarely met operating costs.”

I'm not entirely sure of the context there but I think it means that their indoor operation was closed during the pandemic. The same article mentions that they hope to re-open as "a higher quality, indoor dining experience", but I did not notice any signs of construction as I drove past.

(Hat tip to commenter Alan)

Written by ted on August 9th, 2021

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The Casual Pint, 217 Saluda Springs Road: May 2021   4 comments

Posted at 11:15 pm in closing

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I was not really aware of The Casual Pint, off of 378 in Lexington, behind The Mellow Mushroom, but commenter Andy reports it was a "fun spot", with "excellent beer selection".

They made it through the pandemic, but as far as I can tell from the google reviews, closed in early May of 2021.

(Hat tip to commenter Andy)

Written by ted on May 25th, 2021

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World Of Beer, 902 Gervais Street Suite F: 16 November 2020   9 comments

Posted at 9:59 pm in closing

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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

Written by ted on December 7th, 2020

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Jet Fuel, 614 Barr Road: Early 2020   2 comments

Posted at 11:46 pm in closing

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I can honestly say I had never been on Barr Road before in my life -- this site has certainly taken me places. Commenter Andy mentions that this Jet Fuel convenience store in Lexington has recently closed and cites a protracted local battle over the place due to its plans to sell alcohol. Well, driving up from US-1, I can certainly say this is a well-churched area, so I guess that's not too surprising.

The place finally did open, obviously, but commenter Andy says it had gone downhill lately.

The State had a story on the controversy back in 2015

(Hat tip to commenter Andy)

Written by ted on February 4th, 2020

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Flying Saucer, 931 Senate Street: 10 December 2019   1 comment

Posted at 11:31 pm in closing

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Commenter Lone Wolf called this back in August:

Might want to keep and eye on Flying Saucer. They've just implemented some "changes", allegedly at the mandate of the Home Office in TX. From the "Signs Your Favorite Restaurant is About to Close", one will note several bad signs.

Saucer just hacked their menu from 1 page (front and back) to five items. Monday thru Thursday, they're no longer open for lunch. If you sit on the deck, all food and beverage orders must be placed inside, at the bar. As no one will be waiting on you on the deck, waitstaff has been reduced, or quit because their hours were cut.

I *do* hope they can right their ship. But, I don't agree with these changes.

Unfortunately, even with that warning, I didn't manage to get pictures before the closing, a combination of being both busy and absent minded. I finally did get by the other day, but the signage is already down and the place is listed for rent. The building seems to be thriving otherwise, so I expect something will move in before too long.

The State has the story here.

(Hat tip to commenter Lone Wolf)

Written by ted on December 16th, 2019

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The Casual Pint, 807 Gervais Street: 2 November 2019   2 comments

Posted at 11:49 pm in closing

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The WordPress blog editor has a button called "Save Draft", which is, I suppose, appropriate to this post, as The Casual Pint is no more.

The Free Times noted the opening on 22 July 20 2016 of

the fastest growing franchise in the craft beer industry

and also noted the closing on 2 November 2019.

The only remaining SC location for the chain is 217 Saluda Springs Road in Lexington, which looks to be on the block behind the Mellow Mushroom.

Here is a State story on the Dupree Building of which The Casual Pint was a tenant. It's a nice looking place. I should have checked the entrance to see what's upstairs.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

Written by ted on November 12th, 2019

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Conquest Brewing Company, 947 South Stadium Road: 31 August 2019   4 comments

Posted at 12:41 am in closing

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I was not really aware of Conquest Brewing until commenter Jimmy Freeman linked their Facebook farewell in Have Your Say.

The Free Times has a bit more information such as that the place was "Columbia’s first post-production brewery since prohibition" and that Saturday was their final day.

(Hat tip to commenter Jimmy Freeman)

Written by ted on September 1st, 2019

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