Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Google Maps gives the name of this place as Pops Pops Pops, just as it is on the sign, but the Welcome To Pops sign inside suggests the official name is the more sedate (and simpler) one. It also appears they may have been a Pantry Express affiliate, though I did not see that branding displayed anywhere. At any rate, looking at Google Streetview, they have been closed since at least 2021. I find it a bit odd that the building has not been re-purposed by now, and that it is in such good shape.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

New location:

I never ate at this Subway though I'm sure it would have been fine, but I had noticed it over the years, using Bush River Road to cut-through between I-20 & Saint Andrews Road. This little plaza is a bit awkwardly located though, right as Bush River goes from four lanes to two, and people are suddenly having to cut over. It also has to be said that Subway was the upscale tenant here, and were probably glad enough to move a little up the road.

(Hat tip to commenter Andrew)

I noticed while I was driving Clemson Road to I-20 recently that the front building on this long-time auto lot appeared to be vacant. The back building, with the huge flag which has flown for many years is still there, and appears to be Jim Hudson Chevrolet.

As nearly as I can determine the vacant building was first Capitol Hyundai and then Stivers Hyundai. It appears that Capitol closed sometime before 2020 (though their Facebook is still up) and Stivers took over the franchaise after that. Apparently they recently built a site on Farrow Road and have moved out there.

The Circle K at Clemson Road & I-20 is apparently undergoing the same teardown/rebuild of the gas islands that a number of other local stores have been through recently. I haven't kept good track of the time these conversions take, but it should be back in a month or so.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Guy)

UPDATE 2 October 2023 -- Still under construction:

As with the Circle K on Garners Ferry, this one, on Bush River Road just north of I-20 is undergoing some kind of pump-plaze remodeling.

I have stopped at this location a number of times, and I recall thinking that in the beginning it was a bit upscale for the chain, but the rest of them have passed it now with the latest upsizing and updating. One novel feature it has or had was the the extra wide sliding glass doors.

There's been a lot of land cleared on the South side of the road between those two intersections.

I've never been to this Waffle House at I-20 & South Lake Drive, but I assume it was, you know, a Waffle House, reliable for what it does. It appears that this one is getting the same gut & refit treatment that the one by Texas Roadhouse on Two Notch is getting.

The brickyard which used to be Richtex Bricks, then Hanson Brick and possibly a few others in there somewhere has changed again, this time to Watsontown Brick.

It's a more volatile industry than I might have thought.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

This one surprises me.

Fuddruckers closed in February 2020, and and was quickly sold to Columbia World Outreach Church for $452,500.

They worked several months getting the place gutted and rebuilt. According to LoopNet

Upgrades include a new roof, all new interior finishes, restrooms, sanctuary to accommodate 192 chairs, classrooms, children's nursery and a large outdoor area.

Unfortunately they did not have long to enjoy it, and the property went back on the market in mid-December 2020.

UPDATE 20 October 2021 -- As mentioned in the comments, this is to become The Gala Event Center:

UPDATE 15 December 2021 -- Looks like The Gala Event Center is up and running, and they have leveraged the very neglected patio area of Fuddruckers with new construction:

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