Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

I guess this isn't too surprising given that the other Wild Wing Cafe locations in the area have already closed (one fairly recently), but combined with the recent Buffalo Wild Wings closing on Two Notch, it makes me wonder if this market segment as a whole is in trouble. I have heard that for restaurants to get wings nowdays it is almost a "market price" situation and a recent google review for this place does comment:

The wings here are TINY. Like half the size of a traditional wing. Maybe smaller honestly. It’s like they killed the chicken just after it hatched.

I can't comment personally about that as since I don't care for chicken I had never visited the place. Still it's always a shame to see a spot close and folks out of work.

Here's today's Facebook announcement, and here is the still extant web site

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)

Here is another downtown place I was unaware of. Their still somewhat working web site says the place opened in 1981, so that's a nice long run. I'm unsure exactly when they closed, but I can't find any review newer than about a year old, so I am guessing that they probably closed during the early stages of the 2020 COVID-19 infestation.

I think they also had a second location in Jefferson Square.

These pictures come from Alan LEBON, so big thanks to him for that, and for commenter Justin for the heads-up.

(Hat tips to Alan LEBON & commenter Justin)

Here's another COVID-19 closing in the Vista.

I only went to the Carolina Ale House once, for a class reunion, and thought it was pretty good. It's certainly a nice building and a good location. Of course part of that is that it's quite large, so for someone else to move in is going to take a considerable investment.

The Post & Courier has the story.

(Hat tip to commenter Gary, etc)

The Woody is legendary Columbia DJ Woody Windham's nightclub in The Vista. Although I was a WIS AM fan back in the day, I can't recall a time when Windham hasn't had something going on in the area.

The sign on the door confirms commenter Lone Wolf's note that this place is closing/moving, but I can't find out any further details. Curiously, the club doesn't seem to have a web site or an official Facebook page, and there don't seem to be any stories in the local media. Hopefully they will find another space somewhere.

(Hat tip to commenter Lone Wolf)

UPDATE 4 February 2021 -- Here is the new location of The Woody at 1649 Main Street, the former location of Hennessy's Restaurant & Lounge:

Also adding "Moved" to the post title.

UPDATE 18 April 2024 -- Sadly Woody Windham has passed away.

M Grille at the corner of Lady & Pulaski Streets is closed. I was a bit confused at first as I had mistaken M Vista at 702 Lady for this place. They are still open:

Hat tip to commenter Justin)

UPDATE 15 March 2021 -- As noted in the comments, this place is open again. ColaDaily has the story. Also adding map icon.

These pictures are from 30 November 2014, so the site has probably changed a good bit by now, but that was when I noticed these nice old brick buildings on Lady Street adjacent to Trustus were being gutted for renovation.

Here is what the City has to say about the project:

Here and here is a bit from the architect.

And here is a bit from the construction company.

Well, a Columbia tradition since 1920 is gone. In fact I can only remember going into Moe Levy's once or twice back in the 1970s on shopping trips with cousins. At the time, I liked shopping for clothes even less than I do now so the place was not a magnet for me, but I was always aware of it as we drove past. I also remember in my earlier days conflating the constant signage for Levi's jeans there with the store name itself and wondering if Moe Levy invented blue jeans.

As I recall, the store had a closing scare a few years ago at which point I took some of these pictures. I forget exactly what happened, but obviously they did not close then. As for now, The State reports that most of the block has been bought by local developer Ben Arnold who hopes to bring a national retailer or restaurant to the Moe Levy's location.

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Read the rest of this entry »

As reported by The State this venerable hotel at the corner of Main & Lady Streets will be converted into a upscale condo called The Palms with 54 "resort-style" units. They will also have a view of what is apparently the only pool on Main Street.

Given that the article talks about the developer struggling to find financing for the project for several years, and the fact that the Rodeway Inn is listed in the Feb 2011 phonebook, I can only guess that the developer owned the property and continued to run it as a hotel until things came together. I admit to being surprised how long it lasted as a mid-to-lower-mid market motel in an area that if it gets anyone (after all who in the general population wants to visit Columbia and stay on Main Street?) would get high-roller business and government connected types.

(Hat tip to commenter Tom)

UPDATE 26 May 2012: Here's a State article on the opening of The Palms.

UPDATE 9 October 2024: Add map icon, update tags.

The Blue Martini was tucked away down an alley off of Lady Street, and I was totally unaware that it existed. In fact, when I first saw the news from commenter Summer, I read it as The Blue Marlin, and maintained that mistaken impression through what was for me a confusing article in The State. I had never suspected The Blue Marlin was a jazz club! :-)

The space is not vacant though. Legendary Columbia DJ Woody Windham has opened a new club called, naturally enough I suppose, The Woody in the spot. It certainly is a more intimate venu than one of his other ventures..

(Hat tip to commenter Summer)