Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

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.

After Steak & Ale closed, this building was split into two suites. The suite on the right side was Buster's Bistro and then I believe a health insurance brokerage while the suite on the left side was The Turning Pointe danceware. Now they have left for a new home at 1030 Harden Street, the old Cribb's Bakery location.

Cottle Strawberries maintains a produce stand on the lot during the Spring, but otherwise I believe the property is now untenanted though it does appear to have been sold so something new should be coming soon.

UPDATE 27 September 2022 -- This building is gone. The motel next door is also behind fencing, but has not yet met the excavator:

There isn't any sign on the door that I can see, but google agrees with commenter Justin that The Carousel A Chic Kid's Botique in Forest Village is closed. I believe this space would once have been part of The Happy Bookseller, so probably 2009 is the earliest they could have opened.

(Hat tip to commenter Justin)

Here's yet another store very much in my orbit into which I never went for one reason or another. I believe that the last time I bought clothes I thought about looking through the shirts in this Trenholm Plaza storefront, but in the event I ended up at Belk's & Amazon.

With this closing, there are now three empty spaces on this side of the plaza, to include the old Stein Mart (which was a Halloween store for a while) and Rosso.

On the other hand, there is now a Mac store in the old Michaels Jewelry, so they are still able to fill vacancies.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

This men's clothing store has moved up Two Notch several blocks East, from this strip across from Columbia Mall to a storefront next to Nick's. As far as I can tell, the move came around June of 2021.

UPDATE 13 March 2022 -- Here is the new location: