Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

Here's another longtime downtown spot I was unaware of. Apparently Hampton Place Cafe had been serving up sandwiches for 35 years, closing in late July.

You can read about it in The Post & Courier or The State.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Hat)

As mentioned in this WIS story the Harbison Jimmy John's was rammed by a care on 31 July, causing a good bit of damage. This WLTX story amplifies a bit, and implies a cause for the crash. When I drove by on Sunday 9 August, it appeared that the restaurant was back in operaiton with temporary plywood up to cover the damage.

This is the second Columbia Jimmy John's to be rammed in recent years, with the Garners Ferry location undergoing something similar in 2022.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

In general, I'm more a fan of Jimmy John than Subway, though I used to eat semi-regularly at the one on Garners Ferry back when I worked on Bluff Road. This one I never did eat at, and the Google reviews suggest that was good planning on my part. I had noticed some months ago that it was closed and took these pictures one evening later than I should have. I was planning to go back sometime and get some in actual daylight, but apparently that's not going to happen if it hasn't so far, so it is what it is.

I have noticed a number of Subway closings recently, for instance one longtime shop in Murrells Inlet is gone. They have apparently had some hard times in recent years and were sold in 2020, about the worst year to do anything involving restaurants. Ironically, given my comment above, the new(ish) owners actually own Jimmy Johns as well, though I stand by my preference.

This location, which I later learned was the final resting place of The Basil Pot, first featured here as Tio's, and then again when it was Which Wich? with that operation leaving in late 2023, and Sub Station II moving in shortly after that.

The State has a story which tells very little more than what is on the door sign. I find it somewhat interesting that at close to two months after the closing, the fixtures are still in place, so apparently the place has not been sold.

(Hat tip to commenter Guy)

Nick's followed Tony O's Pizza into this spot, after that establishment replaced Steak Out.

I know they were open into January of 2026 based on Google StreetView, but they have now been replaced by Deno's Subs & Seafood. I don't know if that has any relation to the Deno's which used to be in Seven Oaks Shopping Center.

This Kitty's Corner storefront was the second local location for Sully's Steamers, which was under the same ownership as the Devine location and converted to a Stacked at the same time.

I wasn't really sure what Sully's deal was, but apparently they are a sandwich chain that builds on top of bagels, and steams the result. Commenter Payle calls them "very tasty", and I probably would have liked one, looking at the site.

Both local locations converted to Stacked within the past month, which appears to be another bagel based concept. Perhaps I'll make it to that one sometime.

(Hat tip to commenter Payne)

The Sub Station II slot in the Columbiana food court has already been, well, not boarded-up, but the curtain based equivalent -- That's it behind the black backdrop left of Dragon's Breath.

I've never really warmed to Substation II -- I've tried the Cedar Terrace location several times, and have never been too impressed -- I would rather have Jimmy Johns or Subway amongst the sub shops.

According to The State, this location opened in 2024, so it did not have an especially long run here.

(Hat tip to commenter Dustin)

The Killian Road area I Heart Mac & Cheese closed in November 2023, and I had visited it a few times, and thought it was OK if pricey & slow. This location, at the corner of Platt Springs & Emanuel Church roads, I had not visited. However my sister & niece did go a few times and liked it pretty well.

Judging by Google reviews, and a report from my sister, the hours had become rather erratic recently, which is a subcase of Sign #1.

The State noted the closing here, and the opening here. WLTX also noted the opening.

The media and street address posit this spot as West Columlbia, but this far out, I would have thought Springdale, South Congaree or just Lexington County.

Il Bucato replaced Ed Robinson Laundry & Dry Cleaning in late 2020 after the worst of the pandemic, but when running a take-out restaurant still made sense. Looking at the Google reviews, it appears to have had a pretty good run up until the past few months, when a lot of reviews mentioned staffing issues. There was also one gentleman called out by name as exemplary, and then a few reviews later there is one (purportedly) from him, saying that he was moving on.

I can't find anything official online about the closing, but here is an article from ColaDaily about the opening.

(Hat tip to commenter Nobody)

UPDATE 23 February 2026 -- Now State Pizza: