Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Looking at the WikiPedia page for Forever 21 is somewhat involved, but the upshot seems to be the old story of growing too fast and getting ahead of their skis, and then trying to retrench with it never quite working out. At any rate, there is a bankruptcy in there, a surprising tie-in with Shein, and a current drastic downsizing which is to see 215 locations close by April of 2025.

This Columbiana Centre storefront is one of them, and the closing sale is well underway.

The maill itself seemed pretty busy, and reminded me why I very seldom set foot in one these days.

(Hat tip to commenter Mall Guy)

Well, that was quick! We've had some general discussion about the chain shutting down and all stores closing, but I expected I would still see a final sale going on when I went out to Sandhill today. In the event, not only was the store already closed -- it is already up for lease. (Though I do note that the branding is still up).

I meant to check out the Grand Strand locations recently, but did not quite get around to it.

When I went to do a closing for Swiff, I noticed that it was in the old Strictly Running location, and I had never done one for that, so let me do that here as well.

Athletic gear retailer (and event sponsor) Strictly Running moved to 2515 Devine Street some time ago -- Google Reviews suggests around 2016.

Swiff started as a popup store various places around town such as Soda City Market and opened this storefront for locally designed fashion in February of 2022 as reported in The State. The Free Times reports a bit more about the motivation and background for the brand.

Although the store is closed, Swiff remains online.

(Hat tip to commenter Deanna)

I did a closing for the Two Notch Catherine's back in 2020, and thought I had done one for this one, but apparently had not. As far as I can determine, all Catherine's are now closed. Although the company was bought after it went bankrupt, the new owners have elected to keep the brand alive online, but not run any actual stores.

Recently the church owning Intersection Center announced the purchase of Dutch Square, and it's unclear to me what that will mean for the future of retail there. They may elect to use the vacant slots, like this, for church functions and keep the current retail renters on (in fact there is still some retail at Intersection Center), or perhaps the will use the whole mall as leases expire. We will have to see.

The Gap location in Columbiana Centre closed this week, leaving the brand with no locations in the Midlands.

Here is The State on the story, and The Post & Courier weighs in here. In particular, the P&C story mentions the mall shooting, about which I had already forgotten, which took place in the corridor outside the store -- I don't know if that were a factor in the closing as the chain has plenty of problems overall, but it can't have helped.

(Hat tip to commenter Lone Wolf)

Ivy & Leo in Trenholm Plaza is moving leftwards a few suites into the slot formerly occupied by Simply Mac. This lateral move will let Publix expand their store into the vacated adjacent space. This has long needed doing, as that Publix was crammed into a former A&P slot, and is much smaller than their typical store. I like Publix in general, but have always felt cramped when I shop this one.

The Post & Courier has the story here.

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)

Update 20 July 2023 -- This storefront is now gone:

While I was looking at the adjacent Subway, I noticed that formalwear outfitter Catz Formals had recently relocated from Beacon Hill Block to 1056 South Lake Drive in Lexington. There is at least one other vacancy in this plaza, which seems to be in a bit of a slump right now.

The main sign here somewhat confusingly calls out Everlasting Impressions, but this brideswear shop is As One Bridal, and they have moved to 4350 Saint Andrews Road.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

Judging by their Facebook and web site, HandPicked,Inc. looks to be a fashion, jewelry and Gamecock & Tiger store. Their Harbison location was in the Publix & Target part of Columbiana Station by Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and has now closed, apparently with the hope of opening at another Harbison area location at some point in the future.

In the meantime, they maintain a store in Lexington, and an online presence.

(Hat tip to commenter Ellen)

I've noticed this hot-pink lingerie shop in West Columbia many times over the years. I think I even got some pictures of it some time back, though, as usual, I can't find them now. At any rate, it appears they have closed sometime in the last few months.

There seems to be some confusion about the name. Online sources use Sugar 'n Spice Lingerie, but the sign actually says Sugar & Spice Lingerie & Gag Gifts.

It will be interesting to see what goes in here next -- I assume they will paint the building.