Columbia Closings   What's not in Columbia anymore

I admit to being a bit disenchanted with Buffalo Wild Wings. I never went to this location, but I used to go the the Devine Street store some because it was open late nights. I had one ongoing issue in that they would frequently be out of unsweet ice-tea. I know it's mainly a beer place, but my theory is that if you are out of something easy to make, and it's two hours before closing: make more. The other insight I had came when I ordered the hot pretzels one night, and decided I would rather have butter than cheese sauce or mustard. There was none. I'm sorry, but if you don't have butter in the kitchen, you're not a real restaurant. (Doesn't have to be in a individual packet, just put some in dressing cup and it will be fine..). Anyway, that's just one man's opinion.

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I sometimes go the the neighboring Applebee's, and from what I could see across the way, Buffalo Wild Wings seemed to be doing a pretty good business. Coupled with the recent closings of the nearby Wild Wing at Sandhill and the Vista Wild Wing, it makes me wonder if the wings & beer restaurant is in decline.

Here is The State on the closing.

(Hat tip to commenter Mr. Hat)

I guess this isn't too surprising given that the other Wild Wing Cafe locations in the area have already closed (one fairly recently), but combined with the recent Buffalo Wild Wings closing on Two Notch, it makes me wonder if this market segment as a whole is in trouble. I have heard that for restaurants to get wings nowdays it is almost a "market price" situation and a recent google review for this place does comment:

The wings here are TINY. Like half the size of a traditional wing. Maybe smaller honestly. It’s like they killed the chicken just after it hatched.

I can't comment personally about that as since I don't care for chicken I had never visited the place. Still it's always a shame to see a spot close and folks out of work.

Here's today's Facebook announcement, and here is the still extant web site

(Hat tip to commenter Larry)

2011:

August 2022:

To the best of my memory, I've never been in a Wild Wing, even to get a burger, largely because I don't like the smell of chicken.

I did enjoy their radio campaign which leveraged The Troggs "Wild Thing!". The first set of pictures above is from 2011, with night shots presumably taken while I was on the way home from the movie theater. The next set are from this month, and post-closing.

The State has the story, but I'll fancy my pictures have a more complete one.

(Hat tip to commenter Sidney)

I believe the last time I did a closing for this place was as Uncle Ozzy's, although I did not have any pictures of that actual incarnation. This old Popeye's location has been the site of many short-lived operations since the original tenant closed, and I know I have missed several of them.

Noisy Wings seems to have had several locations, and continues to run on Clemson Road. 3315 Grille is I think the most recent to close and I don't really know anything about it. I could have sworn there was a Chinese restaurant in the spot fairly recently, but I don't see anything online about that.

UPDATE 9 June 2022 -- Found a few more pictures:

This is the fifth closing I have done for this building, and there would have been six except I totally missed doing one for Levi's Lake House.

I don't know what it is about the spot -- It seems like a good location, and a good building, but nothing seems to stick. This may be the Lexington County 2360 Decker.

(Hat tip to commenter Steve)

I was not really aware of The Casual Pint, off of 378 in Lexington, behind The Mellow Mushroom, but commenter Andy reports it was a "fun spot", with "excellent beer selection".

They made it through the pandemic, but as far as I can tell from the google reviews, closed in early May of 2021.

(Hat tip to commenter Andy)

Over the years I have eaten more often at the, vanished, franchaised, D's Wings locations than the flagship store in Parkland Plaza. I guess the last time I ate here was probably in 2018 or 2019 -- and it was fine, as usual.

This move, to 415 Meeting Street, has long been in the works, since they found out their lease would not be renewed. This still strikes me as odd, as Parkland Plaza is not exactly overbrimming with stable tenants.

Here is a story from The State about the move, and here is one from ColaDaily.

You can see the new building in the last two pictures, and there is clearly yet some work to be done there in advance of the posited 1 June opening. I have to say I agree with commenter Lone Wolf that parking will be an issue here.

I was shooting against the light, and didn't really have time to get out, so these aren't great shots, but the Wild Wing Cafe in Columbiana Station on Bower Parkway is closed due (mostly) to the COVID-19 crisis.

I say "mostly", because looking at the Yelp reviews, this place was pretty clearly on its last legs, and you have to feel kind of sorry for the corporate rep who had to comment on the 1-star reviews with apologies. Curiously, the Copper River Grill in the same shopping center (and which will soon feature here) had similiar reviews, and the spot there which was most recently (I think!) HuHot Mongolian Grill has been a revolving door for years. For some reason, restaurants don't seem to do well here..

(Hat tip to commenter Heath)

UPDATE 23 August 2022: Updating tags.

Carolina Wings & Rib House has shed a number of locations over the last few years. According to the chain web site, they currently have five operating inasmuch as any restaurants are operating right now.

I was not aware of this Washington Street location at all until commenter Gary noted its closing. This one would have not have been too far from the Gervais Street location which is now Twin Peaks, though I guess it would have been too far for downtown office lunchers to hoof.

(Hat tip to commenter Gary)

I was going through some old pictures this evening, and found the above, which I have no memory of having taken. The shot is from 26 April 2015, and from what I can find online, Fat Buddies Two probably closed sometime in 2014 and was near the Publix at Chapin Crossing. The Yelp reviews are sparse, but seem to agree the wings were pretty small.