Archive for the ‘Forest Acres’ tag
Richland Mall Walkthrough, 3400 Forest Drive: 13 July 2008 4 comments
I came across these pictures recently while I was looking for old Barnes & Noble shots and thought I might as well just post them all now.
This is a walk around & inside Richland Mall (still in the "Midtown" phase at that time) from 13 July 2008. I have left in all the shots, even the blurry and under exposed ones because it's not like I can go back and take better ones now...
Barnes & Noble, 3400 Forest Drive: Late December 2023 (Moved) 9 comments
I think I've written that Borders Books was my touchstone for quality bookstores. They had a certain mistique as I first encountered them in exotic locales like Washington DC & Overland Park KS and often ended up coming home with a suitcase full of books I'd never find locally.
Although I never got my wish of Borders coming to Columbia, Barnes & Noble was a good second choice, and I spent many evenings at the Harbison location hanging out in the cafe with prospective purchases on the table. This one, at Richland Mall never seemed quite as nice to me, but was servicable enough and I certainly bought my share of books (and gifts) there.
You could kind of see it go down with the mall over the years though. At some point a few years before the end, they gave up on the mall and closed of the exit leading to the mall interior. You could notice a lot of maintainence that wasn't being done as well, partly I suppose because of the mall's troubles and partly because of the chain's. The mens' room especially got quite shoddy over the years, and nobody was taking care of the wobbly tables in the cafe. Finally they started dropping the hours. When I was younger and could drink coffee at 10pm, the store was open until 11pm, and I would often be on the last call out. In the end, I think, the hours had dropped to 8pm, and less on some days.
The last time I was there was on Christmas-Eve Eve of 2023, during the final closing sale, where I found some quite good bargains. Shortly after that, the store closed until the Woodhill location was ready, and earlier this year the building was finally razed during the Richland Mall demolition.
I have been to the new location once, and it looked quite nice.
Carolina Fine Jewelry, 4708 Forest Drive Suite 2: July 2024 (Moved) no comments
As reported by commenter Matt, Carolina Fine Jewelry has left Forest Acres for the old Dem's location on Lake Murray Boulevard.
As ColaDaily reports, the store has been open in one location or another since 1974. (I'm not sure when they moved into the Forest Drive location, but it's a fairly new building).
(Hat tip to commenter Matt)
Eastern Buffet, 5424 Forest Drive Suite 122: February 2024 no comments
I was at East Forest Plaza this evening, and noticed a construction bin in front of Eastern Buffet. Looking online, it appears to have been closed since sometime around February. Apparently there is something happening to the property, at the least all the benches have been pulled out, but to what end is not yet apparent.
Poogan's Southern Kitchen: 4605 Forest Drive Suite 1: 19 May 2024 3 comments
This is another place I always meant to get to, and I really have no excuse as it is exactly in my area, and I had seen early-on that it had exhibited Sign #1 that it probably wouldn't last too long. In the event however I did not, and if I ever catch them, it will have to be in a Low Country location.
Commenter Jimmy provides their closing message:
Dear Guests,
We're saddened to share the news that Poogan's Southern Kitchen in Forest Acres will be permanently closing its doors after our final brunch and dinner service on Sunday, May 19th.
We want to express our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your patronage and support since our opening in 2022. Your presence has made our journey truly special.
To the people of Forest Acres, your support has been incredible, and we're grateful for the warmth and community you've shown us.
Before we say goodbye, we invite you to join us over the next week, where we can reminisce and share our favorite Southern dishes with you once more.
For those venturing to the Lowcountry, our locations in Charleston and Summerville will continue to serve our signature cuisine with the same hospitality you've come to love.
Thank you for being a part of our story. We hope to see you soon.
Warm regards,
The Poogan’s Southern Kitchen Team
(Hat tip to commenter Larry)
Burn Boot Camp, 4507 Forest Drive: April 2024 no comments
I was aware of Burn Boot Camp in this location, but I was never really sure what it actually was. Judging by the corporate website, it is a gym chain focusing on shorter, 45 minute, workouts to get you in-and-out and off to your day with no wasted time. There remain several in the Midlands, with the next closest one probably being at Sandhill.
(Hat tip to commenter Larry)
Waxing The City, 4711 Forest Drive Suite 9: November 2023 no comments
I did a closing for the Harbison location earlier this month, and I suspect the Forest Acres location closed at the same time.
Unlike that one, the suite here in the Forest Park plaza (though that name seems to be de-emphasised since Lowes moved in..) has already been repurposed by what looks to be a New Age therapy salon: Integrative Roots Medicine.
San Jose Restaurante Mexicano, 5400 Forest Drive: Early March 2023 10 comments
My memory is that this building was built to be a Redbone Alley, and after that it was a barbecue joint, and I believe briefly a jazz club before moving to mexican food as Pancho's. When the San Jose in the current Pasta Fresca building closed, Pancho's re-flagged as San Jose, and operated there for a number of years.
When commenter Larry mentioned that the San Jose had closed as was moving to the Sparkleberry location, I figured that another operation, perhaps an Asian buffet, would be in the space before long. I was quite surprised then that when I went by to get some pictures, the building was in the process of being knocked down. I guess I shouldn't be *too* surprised: It was an odd structure, with a mostly unused second floor which must have cost a lot to heat and cool. There are no signs indicating what, if anything, is to be built here once the lot is vacant.
There is apparently still electricity to the ornamental pool pump system, and it is beeping quite forlornly about the water level being low.
(Hat tip to commenter Larry)
Where Ya Bin, 5422 Forest Drive: 29 February 2024 (Moving) 1 comment
Where Ya Bin took over from a similarly themed store, Crazy Cazboys in the fall of 2022.
They have now shuttered this storefront, and are in the process of moving to 817 Saint Andrews Road, which would be the old Kroger plaza. You can read about the move on their Facebook. Currently they expect to open sometime this month (March 2024).
(Hat tip to a commenter Matt)
Forest Plaza, 5115 Forest Drive: February 2024 no comments
I know I had seen this little plaza thousands of times over the years of living in the area, but it never impinged on my consciousness as I never had to visit any business hosted there. I was a bit surprised to find, on hearing it had been razed and going to check it out, that it is quite an elevated lot, towering over the road, and the neighboring dental office.
Commenter Larry reports that this, like the adjacent two properties (the former Turning Pointe & Marlboro Inn) has been bought by the Lexington Medical Group.
(Hat tip to commenter Matt)