Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

I came across these pictures recently, taken in 2018, and as best as I can figure, the store closed not too long after that.

Apparently Sears Hometown Store (sometimes also known as Sears Home Improvement perhaps) was somewhat separate from the failing general retail stores, focusing more on hardware & appliances. It was apparently also separate from Sears Appliance Repair, which still seems to be around.

Not straying too far from yesterday's post, I noticed that the West Main Lizard's Thicket in Lexington is under renovation, and closed for now. There did definitely appear to be work going on, so I think this one will legit be back, which is not always the case when a place closes to remodel.

I noticed this vacant Sonic last weekend in Lexington.

According to The State, it closed around the end of December 2022 in order for the chain to open a new store nearby at 461 Columbia Avenue, a somewhat larger piece of land.

As of yet, there is no new tenant here though it is listed (with a nice picture of the store in operation).

Hard Bean was the follow-up in this building to Maurice's Piggy Park which closed in November of 2023.

Hard Bean was here in the summer of 2024 until April of this year when they announced they were moving to Lexington. Apparently the new address will be 129 Cromer Road, which appears to be on the other side of Sunset from the Chick-Fil-A (though back a bit further).

I don't know the reasons for the move of course, but I've always thought this storefront and the next door one are hard to get in and out of, plus of course, there is a Dunkin with coffee right there as well.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

I didn't get out to take a closer look as it was raining pretty hard, but commenter JamesR says this little antique and rummage shop on US-1 has closed due to the owner's retirement.

(Hat tip to commenter JamesR)

As reported by commenter Gypsie, Brakes 4 Less has moved down (or up) the street to 603-B Columbia Avenue which was apparently a Precision Tune.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

Tee'd Up was the follow-on operation in this Lake Murray adjacent building to Shooey Malone's. Judging by the farewell note on the place's Facebook, the owner had another avenue open up, and a chance to sell the property as well.

Although the note is a bit vague, something else if obviously coming, and work has already started on the building for whatever it is.

(Hat tip to commenter JamesR)

I took these pictures in mid-May of 2024 and kept meaning to get back out to Red Bank to see that they had closed and what was there now, but in the event I go there so rarely I completely forgot about it. According to commenter Jimmy, they were scheduled to close in May (presumably at the end), and Google confirms that they are now gone.

(Hat tip to commenter Jimmy)

Tropical Grille followed Smashburger into this endcap when the burger chain closed here in 2019. I wasn't sure exactly what the theme of Tropical Grille was, but they characterize themselves with:

Savor the rich, authentic flavors of Cuban and Latin-inspired cuisine at Tropical Grille.

which sound pretty good (if a bit chicken-y for me).

Looking at their website, it's an upstate South Carolina chain with 9 other locations, this one having been the only one here in the Midlands after the Main Street location closed in 2012.
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I like the mascot!

(Hat tip to commenter Beth)

As I believe we have discussed, Big Lots went Chapter 11 back in October, and will be closing down the whole chain, something now in progress.

This building, which featured here previously as a Bi-Lo is the anchor for this little plaza, which also has another upcoming vacancy. It's unclear exactly when they will close, but at this point I suspect they will not last another month, as they are already down to 40% off.