Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

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).

This is the second Sonic in Columbia that I am aware of closing. The Decker location closed in 2015. I like the idea of drive-ins with carhops, but in the event I never seem to end up wanting to eat in my car. I do get a milkshake every few years.

(Hat tip to commenter Toby)

UPDATE 16 June 2025: Updating tags and adding map icon.

Well, I find this closing a bit surprising, especially given that a lot of Richland County offices will be going into Decker Mall just across the street.

For some reason I've always associated Sonic with small towns and bygone days, probably since the first one I was aware of was in Hartsville sometime back in the 1970s, but nowdays they seem to be a chain on the move with national television campaigns (rather silly ones, I must say) and expansion into head-to-head competition with McDonalds and the rest of the "sit down" fast food chains. I don't think I've had the burgers, but I stop for a milkshake once or twice a year, and they're pretty good.

The closing signs here are a bit disingenuous, as in fact the Forest Drive location:

has been open for over a year in the old Hardee's location.

(Hat tip to my sister)

UPDATE -- To become a Tokyo Grill:

Also adding map icon.

UPDATE 16 June 2025: Updating tags.