Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Here's another Hardee's closed, this one on Dutch Fork Road. I'm starting to think there is something going on with the chain, as it seems quite a few have gone dark over the last year or two.

I see they just named a new CEO last week, but it's a press release, so there is no analysis there. (I will note that the corporate-speak is so thick there, that they think a paragraph like:

"We are excited to welcome Brandon to our talented Leadership Team. His entrepreneurial spirit, strong finance focus and results orientation will be perfect complements to our team," says Chief Executive Officer Ned Lyerly. "Brandon's proven track record in dynamic, multi-unit food service environments will be on display as we build on our momentum and create value for stakeholders in our business."

sounds reasonable..)

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

I'm guessing at the closing date here, but given that commenter Zach reported this in early January, I'm guessing that they probably closed out the year & month and then folded with the New Year. Since there was still a "hiring" sign in the window, I wasn't sure until I got out of the car and peeked in the (heavily tinted) windows that they were actually closed. While the furnishings were still inside, it looked pretty clear from the state of things that they were not set to re-open the doors.

I have seen this new-ish chain in a number of locations lately, including several spots on the coast, but I have never gotten around to eating in one.

(Hat tip to commenter Zach)

UPDATE 18 Janurary 2022: Commenter Beth reports that in fact they are still open, so I have revised the post title with "Open". Always good to be wrong about bad news!

Here is one where I just kept misplacing the pictures over and over. I observed back in 2013, when the first photos were taken, that this McDonald's on the Charleston Highway near the junctions with I-26 & I-77 still had the boxy kids' play area architecture. Since I like that look and knew that the chain was phasing it out, I took some pictures. And, indeed, at some point after that, they remodeled and dropped that look completely. The problem was I kept taking pictures of the new look and forgetting to do anything with them while they were still near the top of the stack. Finally when I did the Lazy Llama closing I took some more and remembered before I lost track again.

I have to admit I have not really eaten at a McDonald's in years, but they do now have a quite good cup of coffee.

This Hardees on US-1 in Batesburg-Leesville apparently closed sometime in 2017. I see some reports that it moved to a new location, but not where that actually is. As of three or four years later, there is still no new tenant. The glassed in dining area on the west side (right side in these pictures) is interesting as I don't recall that from Hardees. It looks like it could be very nice or way too bright depending on the time of day and season.

It seems to me that quite a few Hardee's have closed recently. This one was actually fairly new, part of the Killian's Crossing build-up. As far as I can determine from google reviews, it was open as recently as two weeks ago, so I am calling the closing at mid-June 2021.

From the way this place is being totally gutted, I would guess they already have the next tenant lined up.

(Hat tip to commenter Bethany)

I noticed the other day that this old McDonald's at the corner of Assembly & Rosewood across from the Fairgrounds is vacant. The last tenant was University Motor Company, which apparently moved in sometime around 2010, and in 2018 merged with Bluff Road Auto Sales with the combined operation at 1400 Bluff Road.

UPDATE 3 February 2023 -- Now Lyon's General Store:

Well, I had to go out to mail something the other day, and decided I might as well check out the Steak n' Shake in Blythewood.

There has already been some discussion of this in various comments, with commenter Sidney putting this down to the classic real-estate trifecta: Location, location, location!. I'm sure that has something to do with it, but I believe the chain is having trouble in general. In particular, I know they exited Myrtle Beach last year and were having lots of problems even before the current mess.

The linked article says they closed 107 restaurants that "could not deliver excellent customer service" in 2019, so something is going on. Wikipedia says they adopted a new franchaise model in 2018, so perhaps that is not working out for them. Apparently some restaurants will re-open as counter-service only operations -- I do not know if this one will be among that group.

I have never eaten at a Steak n' Shake -- Columbia's only other one closed years ago, and has been razed -- but it has always been on my list to try someday. Oh well.

(Hat tip to commenter Shut it Down)

Well, I am saddened by this one, but not surprised. I have been going to Fuddruckers for many years, and it has been obvious over the last several that there was minimal money for anything more than basic upkeep on the store. There was never a real update to the fixtures, and certain booths would break and never be fully repaired. Starting perhaps ten years ago, the hours dropped off a bit, one side of the burger condiment bar was retired, and the patio was basically abandoned.

Still I stopped in every six weeks or so because I did enjoy the burgers (and the buns!). I noticed that over the years the same faces would be there month after month -- something that is pretty uncommon in the restaurant business these days. The story in Cola Daily makes the point that the manager had been there since the store opened.

As I said, I have gone many times over they years, but some people take it to another level. The Fuddruckers model is you place your order at the register, take your drink, sit down, and then come back to the counter when your name is called. Last year I heard: "Bob, your 25th anniversary dinner is ready!"

This was Columbia's only Fuddruckers. There are at least two on the coast, and apparently several in the upstate.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

UPDATE 13 February 2020 -- Here are some post-closing pictures:

UPDATE 17 June 2020 -- This place has now been sold, and construction is starting. Commenter
Mike Dodds says a church as bought the property:

It seems to me I have blogged an unusual number of Hardee's closings recently. I'm not sure if that says anything or if it's just coincidence or local conditions, but here's another.

This store is on Parklane, basically in a Columbia Mall outparcel, and not too far down from the local McDonald's. I'm not sure how long it was in this location, but it's been at least since the mid-90s. I do like this google review for the place:

Once got a burger that looked just as good in the ads.

That *shouldn't* be high praise, and yet..

Are there any Red Burrito locations of Hardee's left in Columbia?

(Hat tip to commenter Sidney)

UPDATE 19 June 2021: Adding tags.

To the best of my memory, I ate at this Rush's sometime shortly after it opened, which is the only time I have been in one of their stores. I'm not sure why that is, as it was fine, and I was impressed with the state-fair-like presentation of the fries in a paper cup.

I admit to being a bit surprised at this closing, as I figured with the county takeover of Decker Mall, they would have a steady lunch business of civil servants crossing the parking lot for a bite.

The State says however that it was a 40 year old building that had age and maintenance issues and:

“At some point you just have to let it go.”

The stonework facings are definitely of another era, though not quite as distinctive as the old Popeye's buildings.

This closing makes two vacant restaurant buildings on the Decker Mall property, which seems odd. As I said with the county office workers (and law enforcement) nearby, I don't see why the site couldn't support a new restaurant, though perhaps either building would have to be razed and rebuilt.

(Hat tip to commenter Tom)

UPDATE 18 December 2019: Added the first picture from 2 November 2019, the actual last day of operation.

UPDATE 4 February 2021 -- To be Cod Tail Seafood & Chicken, a Charleston outfit. I really do not like that name!

UPDATE 22 August 2022: Updating tags.