Archive for the ‘West Columbia’ tag
Compton's Kitchen, 118 B Avenue: February 2024 2 comments
Compton's Kitchen was a family run meat-and-three which has been around since late 1977 in several different locations. including Topspin Plaza in Lexington, ending up in this Triangle City storefront. I never ate there, but I like the murals.
Nobody seems exactly sure when the place closed, but it was definitely gone by mid February, so I'll just go with "February 2024". Both The Post & Courier and The State have stories, here and here
(Hat tip to commenter Heath)
The Army Navy Store, 463 Sunset Boulevard: May 2022 2 comments
I remember when this store was on Main Street, and actually did a closing for that location, but kind of forgot about it and lost track after it moved to Capitol Square in West Columbia, though I must have seen it many times in passing as I drove by.
Seventy Five years is one heck of a run.
As I mentioned in the closing for Jin Jin, this plaza is now entirely vacant.
Jin Jin Chinese Restaurant, 469 Sunset Boulevard: 2 December 2023 2 comments
I was not aware of Jin Jin tucked away here in the struggling Capitol Square shopping center, but they apparently closed on 2 December according to their facebook. As far as I can tell, this closure brings an end to any activity at the plaza. Since their note mentions that their lease was ending, I can't help but wonder if the owners have been getting everybody out in advance of redeveloping the property which abuts an up-and-coming area (with the only negative being the chicken plant when the wind is wrong..). Given that even the plaza's roadside marquee sign has been let to go to pot, I suspect something like that is happening.
The other thing about the property which strikes me, aside from it being all vacant, is the number of payphones, mostly not vandalized (though not currently connected) along the walkway. I mean, I suppose '3' is not a high number historically, but it's the most I've seen in years.
Here is the strip's real-estate brochure, which mentions none of this, but does show a number of former tenants, and the roadside sign.
(Hat tip to commenter Justin)
UPDATE 18 December 2023 -- Here is the plaza sign in happier times circa 2016:
Graham's TV, 1221 B Avenue: Circa 2011 1 comment
As far as I can tell Graham's TV in Triangle City started in 1985 and closed sometime in or not long after 2011. You can see their archived web page here. Looking at Google Streetview from August 2023, it appears this storefront is currently vacant.
New Brookland Tavern, 122 State Street: December 2023 2 comments
I thought I had some daytime pictures of this place, but in the event I can't find them. The nighttime shots are suboptimal because of a big streetlight in the wrong place, but they'll have to do as a placeholder.
The New Brookland Tavern has been in this spot seemingly forever, with very few changes over the years. I Believe the last time I was there was to see The Explorers Club, which whould have probably been August 2011. At the time I recall thinking that the place was pretty ragged, and judging by the stories about the place moving, it doesn't sound like it has gotten any less so.
The building has been sold recently, and the Tavern's lease expires at the end of the year, so they plan to have the final shows in December, and hopefully find a new home in the new year.
You can check out upcoming shows for the final season here.
The story has featured several times in local media. You can read The State stories here & here, and the Free Times story here.
(Hat tip to commenter Tom)
UPDATE 2 October 2023: Added a (still not great) daytime shot.
Ricky's Tire & Auto Center, 1534 Sunset Boulevard: July 2023 2 comments
I don't know much about Ricky's Tire & Auto, but they seem to been a well regarded shop and closed last month after struggling with first COVID and then the economy for a while.
Commenter Andrew sends this ColaDaily link which has much more information, including a video report.
(Hat tip to commenter Brandon Brown)
Food Mart, 3309 Platt Springs Road / Privilege Pharmacy 3311 Platt Springs Road: Spring 2022 1 comment
I think given the complementary signage, these two storefronts on Platt Springs Road, next to the final location of Taco Cid, were clearly under the same ownership and probably run together. I can't find out much other information, but the last google reviews suggest they closed about this time last year.
Old House, 3712 Sunset Boulevard: 2000s 2 comments
The address is a bit of speculation based on gazing at Google Maps, but I noticed this decrepit old house last week when I was driving down Sunset towards Lexington.
They are doing some wastewater work along the highway, and had trimmed the foliage back alongside the right-of-way, exposing this old place. It looks like at one time it could have been a starter-home with some character, but it has pretty much gone to the weeds at this point. I was surprised to see some furniture, newer than I might expect, still inside, but given the way the floor had collapsed under it, I did not venture from the (concrete slab) front porch any further inside.
If the address is correct, then this LoopNet listing suggests the house is on a four acre property that might go upscale someday, as the next lots to the south are a medical complex of some sort.
CVS Pharmacy, 1210 Charleston Highway: Summer 2022 5 comments
This CVS was a fairly short & straight shot away from the one across the street from Parkland Plaza, which may have been a factor in the decision to shut it down. It also can't have helped that it is across the street from a new Wal-Mart Neighboorhod Market with a drive-through pharmacy.
(Hat tips to commenters Brandon Brown & Russ)
Studio 221 Interiors, 536 Meeting Street: Late August 2022 2 comments
This small furniture & decor store opened here in 2021, moving from Chapin to Meeting Street in West Columbia. Unfortunately with the challenging retail, supply chain and rising restock price environment, they will be closing sometime this summer. From their Facebook, it sounds as though it will not be too long from now though no date is given -- I am going to assume late this month for the post title.
The State has some more details.
(Hat tip to commenter Robin)