Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Sylvan's has been in this spot on Main Street approximately forever, or accurately since 1905. I was today years old when I learned that the official name is no longer Sylvan Brothers, and that the Sylvan family has not been involved since 1985. Still, it remains a family store, now owned by the Schiffman family.

The Sylvan clock, along with the now vanished Standard Savings & Loan clock has always been a key part of my memories of the area, and I am happy to learn that it will remain where it has stood since 1906.

The store will be moving into the former Wet Willies building on Gervais Street sometime this fall. A non-specific October date is mentioned a few places, but I have not seen an exact one. Likewise, I believe I heard something about a moving sale, but have not seen anything in print about that.

In the meantime, you can read about the move here & here.

For such a small store, this place has been going of of business a surprising amount of time. I believe I noticed the first signs up back in December, and as of the start of June, they were still open. Low Country has been a stalwart in this this little lagoon-centered strip which underwent a major renovation/reconfiguration ten or so years ago. Some longtime shops like The Island Cafe & Deli, The Mole Hole & Spa Sera closed or moved, but Low Country stayed on.

I have gotten a number of new watch batteries installed there, but now I guess I will need to find another place in the area.

At one time, Moseley's had a very recognizable series of radio commercials which ended with a very upbeat exclamation of Moseley's Shines!. I haven't heard one lately, but then I don't listen to much radio anymore either. I'm guessing that the closing sale won't go on too long here as the merchandise is pretty portable, and there are two other stores, so I have just put February 2025.

I'm not sure how long this location has been open, but I'm pretty sure it has been decades back into the heyday of Dutch Square. Since then, the area has gone down some, and may not be the best venue for a diamond showcase anymore. The chain's Chapin & Lexington locations are to remain open.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

As reported by commenter Matt, Carolina Fine Jewelry has left Forest Acres for the old Dem's location on Lake Murray Boulevard.

As ColaDaily reports, the store has been open in one location or another since 1974. (I'm not sure when they moved into the Forest Drive location, but it's a fairly new building).

(Hat tip to commenter Matt)

UPDATE 15 November 2024 -- Here they are in their new location:

Dems on Lake Murray Boulevard is closing on the retirement of the owners.

According to ColaDaily, they have been in business for 54 years, and that's certainly a very good run. The owners also state they are open to the building continuing as a jewelers with another name and owners, but apparently there is nothing definite on tap.

I remember the place as Dems House Of Diamonds from radio ads growing up, and they were still operating under that name in their Boozer Shopping Center storefront. They moved from that location to the current one in 2004.

There is no definite closing date as it all depends on the inventory, but the ColaDaily piece suggests the closing sale could last into April.

(Hat tip to commenter JohnR)

UPDATE 15 November 2024 -- Now Carolina Fine Jewelry:

Here's a closing I just happened to notice during a drive-by the other day, but which happened late last year.

Lexington Jewelers in downtown Lexington closed on Christmas Eve of 2021 due to the retirement of the owner, who had been running the place for almost 40 years. You can read about it in The State or The Post & Courier.

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)

Well it's back out to Shops At Risdon for this closing. I don't know anything about Andrew's Jewelry, but it looks to be in the final stages of a going-out-of business sale. Actually as these were taken late last month, they be done by now.

I noticed a sign for a 50% off closing sale at this Trenholm Plaza jewelry store when I was coming up Trenholm from Decker the other day. I don't believe I have ever been in this store, but it has been there quite a while as a Columbia Star profile indicates this location opened sometime around 2004. I can't find anything online about the closing, but there was this story about a 2013 robbery that I can't ever recall hearing about before.

This closing will bring the count of vacant storefronts on this north wing of the plaza to four by my count.

UPDATE 15 February 2021 -- The closing signs are up:

This store closed at the same time as the Parkland Plaza store, but I kept forgetting to get pictures of it until it caught my eye the other night. As of now, six months later, the building is still to be re-purposed. WLTX has the story of the chain's foreclosure.

UPDATE 7 May 2025: Update tags.