Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

I would have guess this Walgreens, next to Piggie Park, was in Cayce but Google claims it is in fact West Columbia. At any rate it looks to be a newer store, built as a Walgreens and not inherited from Eckerds or Rite Aid.

According to commenter Mr. Bill, this place closed on 17 March, and the sign was down and the place basically empty when I drove by on the night of 20 March. Commenter Lavender says the building is to be demolished, which may be the only way to get rid of a Red Box, which still seemed to be plugged in & running.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Bill)

This CVS was a fairly short & straight shot away from the one across the street from Parkland Plaza, which may have been a factor in the decision to shut it down. It also can't have helped that it is across the street from a new Wal-Mart Neighboorhod Market with a drive-through pharmacy.

(Hat tips to commenters Brandon Brown & Russ)

This Walgreen's was originally an Eckerd's and then a Rite Aid, as you can see from the design of the building. It sits on an oddly shapped lot at the intersection of North Main & Colonial, and was the only drug store in the general vicinity.

Here is a story from The State about the closing, and how the neighborhood was very unhappy about it. Here's more from WLTX

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

Here's another Long's Drugs, this one in Hopkins not far from Lower Richland High School.

The story is the same for all Long's locations: The chain decided to exit the retail pharmacy business.

I had not realized there was a branch of Richland Library in this strip. I believe it must be the smallest location in the county.

Long's Drugs folded their retail operation on 24 March 2020. In retrospect, it was probably good timing as their stores were not larg mini-department stores like Walgreens & CVS, and purely medical business has been hurt by the current crisis with many doctor's appointments being cancelled. The company itself remains in business, serving institutional clients. WLTX has the story here.

This particular location is at the corner of Kilbourne Road & Devine Street, adjacent to the Piggly Wiggly. It has good traffic light access, but is too small to become a convenience store, so I'm not sure what is next for the property. Looking inside, it appears that Long's has not completely finished vacating yet, and I didn't notice any real estate sign on the property.

I shoped at this store once, when I was living out of town and needed a prescription filled after visiting a local doc-in-a-box for something or other. I recall being struck by how odd it was to be in a drug store that was almost wholly dedicated to being a drug store. An era is passing.

(Hat tip to commenter Beth)

We'll stay with Decker Village for another closing. The store at the far right end of the plaza started as an Eckerd, transitioned into a Rite Aid and is now a Walgreen's.

This is the least Walgreen's looking Walgreen's in Columbia, and is the only one I can think of off the top of my head that is not a standalone building. To be fair, it wasn't a very Rite Aid looking Rite Aid either.

Another day, another Rite Aid. This one was on Longreen Parkway at Clemson Road. You can see it with all the branding in place at thie LoopNet listing.

I could be wrong, but at this point I believe the only Rite Aid still in operation as such is the Forest Acres one.

(Hat tip to commenter Bobby)

UPDATE 29 November 2021 -- As mentioned in the comments, now a Popshelf:

Also adding map icon.

Here's another Rite Aid this one where the River Roads come together at Boozer Shopping Center. I am having a little trouble thinking of a Walgreens within a mile of here, which is the usual closing criteria for this transition.

Apparently the LoopNet folks decided they already had a photo on file and didn't need another one -- that's certainly a blast from the past.

UPDATE 20 June 2021 -- As mentioned in the comments, this place has been razed:

Also adding a map icon.

UPDATE 24 June 2021 -- The canopy for the Murphy USA already going up:

UPDATE 11 August 2021 -- Construction continues:

UPDATE 27 September 2021 -- Getting there (picture from 18 September):

UPDATE 26 February 2022 -- It's open:

Not great pix, but here is another Rite Aid which has the misfortune to be directly across the street from a Walgreens (the one at 7412 Broad River Road). It's a decent location, perhaps CVS could move in. Their nearest store is at Saint Andrews Road, so that's really another market. Of course the Publix in the strip behind the store has a pharmacy as well, so there is still a bit of competition there.

The end here is slated for 18 June 2018.

I find it a little curious that the CVS in Broad River Centre near Greystone Boulevard has closed. The co-located Food Lion does a good business (and does not have a pharmacy). In addition, there is only one other drug store in the general area, and that's a Rite Aid, and a) It's not that close and b) Why send them customers? (The actual CVS location that prescriptions are being redirected to is way down at Saint Andrews Road, probably not a good alternative for folks in this area).

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

UPDATE 6 February 2019 -- Now Beauty World:

UPDATE 5 July 2022: Update tags.