Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

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Commenter Andrew point to this ColaDaily article about the closing of the Village Artists gallery in Sandhill.

Apparently the site had been open since 2009 and had the use of their space at no charge as long as no paying customer needed it (an instance where the general situation at Sandhill was actually a plus). In the event, somebody finally did want to rent the space for expansion, so the gallery had to close.

I had noticed the place a number of times over the years, generally when I was going to Atlanta Bread Company/Panera, but for one reason or another never actually went inside.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

I did not realize until I googled Portfolio that these pictures are of the back side of the gallery: 2007 Devine Street. I'll have to get some pictures of the main entrance next time I am in the area.

I am always nervous to go into commercial art galleries because I know that although I like art a good bit, there is approximately a zero percent chance that I will buy another painting I have no place to hang. I am particularly afraid of being the only potential customer in the store and having to dissapoint the owner. Of course there are a lot of topics like this that I'm neurotic about. So anyway, I never went into Portfolio but The State story on the closing makes it sound quite an interesting place which had been there since 1980. The owner is going on to a well deserved retirement.

(Hat tip to commenter Summer)

UPDATE 6 April 2020 -- Here's one more picture, from 1 February 2015:

According to The State and ColaDaily, this Shandon gallery started out in this nice little house as a fine tea emporium in 2000, gradually adding other, art and botique, items. I was still living in Aiken in 2000 otherwise I might have heard and stopped in as I certainly like my tea. In the event, I missed out, but 17 years is certainly a very good run.

(Hat tip to commenter Justin)

Artsy Fartsy art gallery and coffee bar was one of those places I never could figure out in that I never actually saw it open, but yet it never closed either (though it seems to have rebooted several times). I like coffee, so I was prepared to stop if I ever *did* see it open, but somehow that never happened.

It looks like the place will be rezoned for a thrift store.

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According to the still extant web site, Art Shack Gallery Cafe started out as a gallery-only in 2005 and added a cafe in 2007. I'm afraid I was pretty much completely unaware that it existed (until I went to take the second picture above in conjunction with the closing for The Daily Grind) and so never ate there.

According to commenter Mike D it was closed as of 19 October 2010, giving it a five year run. Not bad in today's restaurant climate.

(Hat tip to commenter Mike D)

UPDATE 29 Jan 2019: Added two more pictures, map link.

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Here's another nice, but empty, brick building in the Vista. Judging from the poster in the foyer, Charlton Hall moved in 2007 (when 24 March last fell on a Saturday), and is now at 7 Lexington Drive in West Columbia.

I'm not wild about the floors, but the interior brick walls are very nice. Hopefully something will go in here soon. Loopnet says the building will be divided into three spaces for retail or restaurants.

UPDATE 9 June 2012-- This space is still empty!

UPDATE 31 March 2014 -- This is now (and has been for a while) Urban Outfitters:

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