Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

I noticed while I was driving Clemson Road to I-20 recently that the front building on this long-time auto lot appeared to be vacant. The back building, with the huge flag which has flown for many years is still there, and appears to be Jim Hudson Chevrolet.

As nearly as I can determine the vacant building was first Capitol Hyundai and then Stivers Hyundai. It appears that Capitol closed sometime before 2020 (though their Facebook is still up) and Stivers took over the franchaise after that. Apparently they recently built a site on Farrow Road and have moved out there.

The Circle K at Clemson Road & I-20 is apparently undergoing the same teardown/rebuild of the gas islands that a number of other local stores have been through recently. I haven't kept good track of the time these conversions take, but it should be back in a month or so.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Guy)

UPDATE 2 October 2023 -- Still under construction:

As with the Circle K on Garners Ferry, this one, on Bush River Road just north of I-20 is undergoing some kind of pump-plaze remodeling.

I have stopped at this location a number of times, and I recall thinking that in the beginning it was a bit upscale for the chain, but the rest of them have passed it now with the latest upsizing and updating. One novel feature it has or had was the the extra wide sliding glass doors.

There's been a lot of land cleared on the South side of the road between those two intersections.

I've never been to this Waffle House at I-20 & South Lake Drive, but I assume it was, you know, a Waffle House, reliable for what it does. It appears that this one is getting the same gut & refit treatment that the one by Texas Roadhouse on Two Notch is getting.

The brickyard which used to be Richtex Bricks, then Hanson Brick and possibly a few others in there somewhere has changed again, this time to Watsontown Brick.

It's a more volatile industry than I might have thought.

(Hat tip to commenter Gypsie)

This one surprises me.

Fuddruckers closed in February 2020, and and was quickly sold to Columbia World Outreach Church for $452,500.

They worked several months getting the place gutted and rebuilt. According to LoopNet

Upgrades include a new roof, all new interior finishes, restrooms, sanctuary to accommodate 192 chairs, classrooms, children's nursery and a large outdoor area.

Unfortunately they did not have long to enjoy it, and the property went back on the market in mid-December 2020.

UPDATE 20 October 2021 -- As mentioned in the comments, this is to become The Gala Event Center:

UPDATE 15 December 2021 -- Looks like The Gala Event Center is up and running, and they have leveraged the very neglected patio area of Fuddruckers with new construction:

Read the rest of this entry »

Well, I am saddened by this one, but not surprised. I have been going to Fuddruckers for many years, and it has been obvious over the last several that there was minimal money for anything more than basic upkeep on the store. There was never a real update to the fixtures, and certain booths would break and never be fully repaired. Starting perhaps ten years ago, the hours dropped off a bit, one side of the burger condiment bar was retired, and the patio was basically abandoned.

Still I stopped in every six weeks or so because I did enjoy the burgers (and the buns!). I noticed that over the years the same faces would be there month after month -- something that is pretty uncommon in the restaurant business these days. The story in Cola Daily makes the point that the manager had been there since the store opened.

As I said, I have gone many times over they years, but some people take it to another level. The Fuddruckers model is you place your order at the register, take your drink, sit down, and then come back to the counter when your name is called. Last year I heard: "Bob, your 25th anniversary dinner is ready!"

This was Columbia's only Fuddruckers. There are at least two on the coast, and apparently several in the upstate.

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

UPDATE 13 February 2020 -- Here are some post-closing pictures:

UPDATE 17 June 2020 -- This place has now been sold, and construction is starting. Commenter
Mike Dodds says a church as bought the property:

When the Hardee's co-located with this S-Mart closed last year, I figured it was some sort of issue specific to that franchaise, or Hardee's in general, but with the closing of the S-Mart as well, it seems more like perhaps the restaurant lease was just up first and there are plans to re-purpose the whole property.

Looking at the work going on, it appears to be an extensive re-model, but not a demolition and re-build.

(Hat tip to commenter Ed)

UPDATE 4 February 2020 -- Now open as a 7-11/Exxon/Burger King:

UPDATE 2 October 2023: Updating tags.