Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Francesca's has filed Chapter 11 and is closing all its stores and ceasing operation. You can read about it here. This particular location is in Columbiana Centre, not too far from Barnes & Noble, and has already started its closing sale. I don't know how long that will last, but they look to have some pretty steep discounts already.

This closing was reported by commenter Tom who mentions they also have a Sandhill location, but if they do, I have been unable to find anything about it and it does not appear to be on their site map. There was also a Trenholm Plaza location, but in the event it turns out that closed already several years ago, and I did not even notice.

(Hat tip to commenter Tom)

We're a women's resale store that buys gently used brand name clothing!

As commenter Andrew mentions, this Harbison Center resale store is in the process of closing. I don't know much else about it, except that I am very suspicious that its address is not really "Suite WXYZ", despite that information being given several different places online.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

Pink Sorbet, , a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store closed on 4 November, and you can read their farewell on Instagram or Facebook. I am not in the demographic, but the comments on Facebook show a well liked spot that will be missed.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

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.

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)

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:

I don't have anything more to say on this Stein Mart post than on the last one: They're bankrupt and going out of business.

This particular store is in the Books-A-Million/Food Lion plaza in Lexington and already had their closing signs up when I drove by a few weeks ago.

UPDATE 22 September 2021 -- Now a Spirit Halloween:

UPDATE 16 January 2024 -- To be a Big Air trampoline site:

UPDATE 26 January 2024 -- Big Air is open: