Local

8 Columbia restaurants & businesses announce plans to cease operation

Stories by The State journalists, with AI summarization

Several Columbia restaurants and businesses recently announced closures, indicating significant shifts in the local commercial landscape. These changes often involve long-standing establishments. Both of Columbia's remaining Shoney's restaurants are now closed, marking the end of the chain's presence in the area. The Woody on Main, a dance club founded by radio DJ Woody Windham, also plans to close, citing high insurance costs following the owner's passing. Its prime location will become a pizzeria soon.

Looking Good, a beloved clothing shop, will close as its owner, Jaya Tolani, retires after decades of service. These closures highlight the evolving business environment in Columbia, as traditional establishments face new challenges and changes.

A Wayback Burgers location at 5230-A Sunset Blvd. in Lexington is closed. By Chris Trainor

NO. 1: A LEXINGTON RESTAURANT KNOWN FOR BURGERS HAS CLOSED. WHAT WE KNOW

A burger restaurant along a busy Lexington road has closed its doors. | Published August 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

Banh Mi Boys, a Vietnamese sandwich shop, has closed its doors at 625 Whaley St. in Columbia, according to posts on social media. By Photo from Banh Mi Boys Facebook

NO. 2: A COLUMBIA RESTAURANT NOT FAR FROM USC HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS. WHAT WE KNOW

A restaurant that specialized in Vietnamese sandwiches that was located near apartments popular with University of South Carolina students has closed its doors. | Published August 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

The Shoney’s at 2208-B Airport Blvd. in Springdale near West Columbia has closed. By Chris Trainor

NO. 3: THIS LONGTIME COLUMBIA-AREA RESTAURANT HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS. WHAT TO KNOW

A restaurant that had been part of the Midlands dining scene for more than three decades has closed its doors. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

The sign for Shoney’s on Garners Ferry Road in Columbia, SC. By Chris Trainor

NO. 4: ANOTHER SHONEY’S HAS CLOSED, LEAVING COLUMBIA WITH NONE. WHAT WE KNOW

The last Columbia-area location of a well-known restaurant chain apparently has closed. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

The Diablo’s Southwest Grill restaurant location at 5541 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington . By Chris Trainor

NO. 5: LEXINGTON BURRITO RESTAURANT ON HIATUS AS THE BUSINESS IS FOR SALE. WHAT WE KNOW

A fresh Mex restaurant in a busy part of Lexington is closed for the moment and the business is for sale. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

The Blaze Pizza location at 275 Park Terrace Drive in the Harbison district in Columbia, SC. By Chris Trainor

NO. 6: BOTH COLUMBIA LOCATIONS OF THIS NATIONAL PIZZA CHAIN HAVE CLOSED. WHAT WE KNOW

Two Columbia locations of a national pizza chain have closed. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

Jaya Tolani, owner of Looking Good on Two Notch Road, poses for a portrait at her men’s clothing store on Thursday, September 4, 2025. She is planning on retiring after Easter, if not earlier. By Joshua Boucher

NO. 7: RETIRING OWNER OF BELOVED COLUMBIA CLOTHING SHOP BEAT CANCER & NEAR DEPORTATION

Across more than three decades, Jaya Tolani has outfitted Columbia. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor

Couples dance at The Woody on Main for Salsa night. The dance club opened in downtown Columbia right as the Coronavirus pandemic was causing businesses to close. They’ve since re-opened with safety guidelines in place. 8/19/20 By Tracy Glantz

NO. 8: LONGSTANDING COLUMBIA DANCE CLUB TO CLOSE. HERE’S WHEN AND WHAT WILL REPLACE IT

The Woody on Main, a dance club started by local radio disc jockey Woody Windham and his daughters, will close down at the end of October, the Windham family announced. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Wade

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.