Boardwalk Plaza / Bum's Factory Outlet (Bum's Bummers) / Shamrock Haircutters, 1023 Bush River Road: 1984 27 comments
Boardwalk Plaza was an odd little shopping center down the hill from Dutch Square on Bush River Road. At this point, my memories of the place are very hazy (for instance, I distinctly remember a Book Dispensary location there which I cannot verify in any directory..). However, my memory is that the "boardwalk" part of the name came from the fact that the "plaza" was really a bunch of trailers which sat above street level and so were connected with a wooden walkway rather than concrete sidewalks.
None of these pictures are actually the Boardwalk site. As far as I can tell, the address 1023 no longer exists on Bush River Road. The last block before I-26 is 900, with the Days Inn / Comfort Inn at 911 Bush River Road apparently being the last building before I-26. That leads me to think that I-26 coming through blew away the 1000 block. However, my memory is that I-26 was completed well before 1984.. Also, I used to walk to Boardwalk from Dutch Square, and thought it was closer than that.
Anyway, the 1973 City Directory, only listed one business at 1023 Bush RIver Road: Ray C. Parker Package Stores, Inc.
By the next year, while 1023 had no shopping center name attached to it, the sole listing for Ray C. Parker Package Stores, Inc. had expanded to:
Ray C. Parker Package Stores, Inc.
Bicycle Center of Columbia
Etc Bath & Boudoir
Leaf 'n 'petal
Trulas-West
Whit-Ash Furnishings
World Of Sounds & Sights Inc
In the 1975 City Directory, 1023 Bush River road is first identified by the name Boardwalk Plaza and has building numbers identified. It had the following tenants:
Ray C. Parker Package Stores, Inc.
3) Leaf & Petal
4) Orange Owl gifts
5) World Of Sound & Sights Inc
World Of Turquoise & Imports
7) Vacant
8) Bicycle Center
10)Aquarium Pools Of Columbia
The Different Drummer ("joke products")
12) Vacant
15) Dutchbrook Interiors
16) Dan Dee Toys & Gifts
17) Vacant
18) Design Studio Inc
By 1979, the City Directory indicates a nearly total turnover:
1) Ray C. Parker Package Stores, Inc.
2) Cheap Joe's Jeans & Sportswear
4) The Final Touch
5) Vacant
6) Adams Tailor & Alterations Shop
7) Underwater Works Ltd
8) Muldrows Bar-B-Que
10) Muldrows (Overflow)
11) Vamps
12) Vacant
13) Vacant
14) Shamrock Hair Design
15) Rosco Recreation Store
16) Vacant
17) Bum's Shirt Factory Outlet
18) Korner Keg
19) Celsios Foam Insulation
1984 is the last City Directory to have an entry for Boardwalk Plaza at this point, the founding store, Ray C. Parker was gone. The tenant list was:
1) Vacant
2) Bum's Bummers shirt outlet
4) Wise Floor Covering Inc
5) Vacant
6) Adams Tailoring & Alteration Shop
7) Underwater Works Limited
8) Vacant
10) Columbia Shaver & Appliance Service
11) Vacant
12) Sims Music
13) Columbia Flag & Banner
14) Shamrock Hair Cutters
15) Direct Mailing Service
16) Vacant
17) Vacant
18) State Farm Insurance
19) Quick Print Center
The Frame Shop
I would have still been living in Columbia at this point, prior to taking a job in North Carolina in September of 1985, so you would think I would have some memory of the place closing and being torn down, but apart from radio ads for Bum's Bummers it was apparently totally off my radar screen..
UPDATE 15 March 2011: Folks, I am able to present this major picture update courtesy of one of the owners of Bum's Bummers, Barbara Summers, and the good offices of her son Lane. All these photos are property of Barbara Summers, and I use them with her kind permission. (I see in "preview" it turned out a bit confusing -- the captions for a set of pictures come after those pictures). [D'Oh! Had "Lane" as daughter rather than son -- fixed!]
Here's the plaza sign. At this point, the plaza's original entrance had been blocked off by construction of the motel that would replace the plaza.
Here are various views of the old plaza itself, already in somewhat of a disassembled state in some of the shots.
Here is Barbara herself standing on the boardwalk which gave the plaza its name.
Here is Bum's Bummers getting ready to go to 2700 Broad River Road.
Bum's is on the move, heading out then crossing I-20 moving north. Note the "Coming Soon" sign -- no kidding! Finally touchdown at the new location. (Also note the classic look Rush's in the background of two shots).
Here are Bum's and Shamrock in their new location.
Here's some notices of the move. (Note the Broad River Road Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.)
Business resumes after the move.
Construction starts on the permanent buildings at 2700 Broad River
27 Responses to 'Boardwalk Plaza / Bum's Factory Outlet (Bum's Bummers) / Shamrock Haircutters, 1023 Bush River Road: 1984'
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weston
2 Dec 10 at 12:52 am
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Hmm. Yes, I see Dutch Square as 800 in these old directory pages, and 421 in google now. I'm at a loss to explain that. Of course the address of a mall is a bit arbitrary when it has a number of entrances on two different streets, but I don't see how it could go from an even number to an odd one.
Furthermore, other businesses which are still extant now have the same addresses they had then. For instance Shoney's was at 600 Bush River road in 1974 and is at 600 Bush River Road today (minus "Big Boy"). Similarly, "Quick as a Wink Car Wash / Bob & Frank's Car Wash / Frank's Car Wash" has been at 601 Bush River since at least 1974 as well. Firestone has been at 835 Bush River Road since at least 1979..
ted
2 Dec 10 at 1:36 am
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My parents owned Bum's Factory Outlet. My mom still has pictures of Boardwalk Plaza and some very interesting pictures of Oswald Movers actually moving Bum's (the original Cheap Joe's building) up Bush River and down Broad River to its new home behind Rush's.
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Lane,
If you have any scans of those, I would love to post them!
ted
2 Dec 10 at 11:38 am
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Ted,
I will talk to my mom today. She doesn't even know about this site and i'm sure it will be a joy for her to view it since she has lived here most of her life.
The hyperlink hovering over my name will take you to my website for my side business. Email from there and i will get together with her and send you what we can find of the Boardwalk pictures via a return email.
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I remember Cheap Joes moved into Dutch Square, where Todd & Moore were located at one time. I think Todd & Moore then moved next to where Spud's was. I loved Bum's. Shirts With A Flair & A Flaw!! I remember in middle school, it was cool to wear the Polo with the player on the right side, as opposed to where it was supposed to be. Up to that point, you got laughed at for wearing "irregular clothing."
Jonathan
2 Dec 10 at 1:53 pm
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Yep, "Shirts with a Flair...and a Flaw" ruled the Irmo public school system in the 1980s. I seem to recall my mother buying me some comic book related shirts from a huge clothing store circa 1975-76, and remember the store being located roughly where the comic book superstore currently is on Bush River Road (just up the hill from Arrowwood on the right side). I recall this being Bums or an earlier incarnation. Was it another store, or am I misremembering the location?
59 Ford Wheelman
2 Dec 10 at 5:43 pm
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Boardwalk Plaza was just past the intersection of Bush River Road and Morninghill Drive. I-26 at Bush River road was extensively re-done in the mid-80's. They changed the route so that you could no longer exit from I-126 onto Bush River Road there and widened the bridge. The re-direction took out Boardwalk Plaza and the long time Exxon gas station beside it.
Eric S.
2 Dec 10 at 9:57 pm
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Interesting!
Looking at Google Maps it actually appears that Morninghill crosses Bush River as kind of an I-26 appurtenance, which I had not realized.
The Exxon was Bush River Road Exxon Car Care at 1033 Bush River Road (ie, the same block). It was already listed as vacant in 1984, the last year Boardwalk Plaza was listed.
ted
3 Dec 10 at 12:07 am
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Wow, you all have got it close to being right..I owned the business from 1975 to 2003 when it closed..it started out on Rosewood Dr. and then we expanded to Boardwalk Plaza(actually really trailors hooked together)..then when they took away the land, they gave us 60 days to vacate and built the motel..we moved the store (Oswalt movers) intact! Not a thing moved either..to Broad River Rd. where it stood...opened a ladies outlet on Two Notch in Pontiac in 2000 and yep, the shirts had flaws..it was a nightclub game to "guess where my flaw is" fun times, not like now.
Barbara Summers
4 Dec 10 at 10:36 am
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Thanks Barbara, that move must have been something to see!
ted
4 Dec 10 at 1:43 pm
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I am going to give Lane some pics he can scan in and send you..do you remember Duffs the restaurant with all you can eat carousel food trays? in the middle where Broad River and River drive split? They had to aske the SC football players to quit coming because they ate so much of the food!
Barbara Summers
21 Dec 10 at 7:52 pm
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I remember the name..
ted
21 Dec 10 at 10:58 pm
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I've been waiting anxiously for these pictures since they've been announced. Even though I practically grew up in Dutch Square and Bush River Mall I have absolutely no memory of Boardwalk Plaza whatsoever, even after seeing the pictures. Strange.
59 Ford Wheelman
15 Mar 11 at 4:44 pm
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I had my hair cut by Bob and Debbie at Shamrock plenty of times. Thanks for these pictures.
Eric S.
15 Mar 11 at 8:40 pm
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I grew up on Morninghill Dr. What great memories of Boardwalk Plaza! I loved those pictures. Was that Tal working at the register of Bum's? Thanks for the memories!!
Dianne
9 Apr 11 at 9:17 pm
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I grew up across the street from Boardwalk Plaza. In about 1979, a bar or club, I think, burned down. My friend and I sneaked in to the half burned building and just hung out in there one day. We were about 9.
Craig S
12 Apr 11 at 11:24 pm
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Boardwalk was home to the original Sims Music location.
Mike
23 Sep 11 at 10:59 pm
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Hi! I can confirm that the Book Dispensary did start out there! I used to work there, and shortly after I started, we moved to Boozer Shopping Center. Started in the side area, where Webb-Rawls used to be before moving into the large space next to Dem's. Always wondered what became of Bum's Bummers! Memories....
Becky
3 Mar 12 at 2:19 pm
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Yep, that was Tal Morgan
Barbara
21 Mar 12 at 5:42 pm
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My dad owned Lean N Petal. His main office was at Boardwalk Plaza until he closed 3 small stores and made 1 big one off of Berea Road. I always thought it was neat to walk around the boardwalk. This was mid 70's or so. I was 9 or 10.
Allen
9 May 12 at 8:08 pm
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Well, what a blast from the past. Barbara, it's your other employee Melanie. I found this site when I was back in Columbia, and was curious to see if Bum's Bummers was still open. Sorry to see that it had closed. I have wonderful memories of working for you!
Melanie McLean
13 Feb 13 at 1:20 am
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Melanie! OMGosh! I moved away from Columbia a few years ago but mom still lives in Lexington... How are you? I know its been a year since you posted here but look mom up on FB! (or me)
Lane
24 Apr 14 at 7:52 pm
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I see the pizza inn sign across the street from Pizza Hut ! I forgot about that place. I still miss Chappy's.
Robert collins
25 Nov 14 at 10:07 pm
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There was a fishing tackle shop in Boardwalk Plaza in 74-75. It was operated/owned by a guy named "Doc". My dad used to frequent it with me in tow many Saturdays. He was always looking for Creme, Mann and Rebel brand plastic worms for bass fishing.
Jeff
19 Jan 18 at 4:19 pm
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only a few survived.
Artisankiv
31 Aug 21 at 1:34 pm
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I was quite the fashion plate in middle school mid to late seventies and early eighties high school and bought so many clothes from Bums Bummers. Grew up in Westover Acres and spent many Saturdays finding me something original at Bums. Most of my class photos I had on Bums stuff. Then headed to Moe Levys on assembly for more fun clothes. crazy if you go on sites like ebay and look at the vintage shirts and sweaters, they are quite expensive. I kept so many of my clothes from back then and glad I did. I can look at one of them and memories from those days flood back. can remember what games or parties I went to in them,which is so fun to go down memory lane holding 45 year old clothes.
Stephen
5 Feb 23 at 9:23 pm
Actually, it would have been an entirely different location. I worked at the Office Depot in Dutch Square Mall from 1999-2003, and at some point around 2001-2002, our street address changed. The mall is now at 421, but it used to be 800.