Columbia coffee chain locations closed; country cooking buffet shutters
A pair of Columbia locations of a drive-thru coffee chain have closed their doors.
The Scooter’s Coffee locations at 7808 Garners Ferry Road and 81 Tulip Oak Drive near Killian Road were closed when a reporter went by each store Wednesday. The Columbia Scooter’s shops had been open for about two years.
“Due to circumstances beyond ownership’s control, this Scooter’s location will permanently close effective 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025,” read notes to customers posted in the drive-thru ordering stations at the two Columbia Scooter’s. “We are incredibly grateful to our customers and staff for the two years of support and will look to serve you again in the future in new ways.”
There are about 880 Scooter’s Coffee locations across the U.S., per data website ScrapeHero.
Southern buffet near Columbia’s Harbison closes after a brief run
A country cooking place in one of Columbia’s busiest shopping districts didn’t last very long.
B Mac’s Buffet, which was located 1230 Bower Parkway in the Columbiana Station shopping center, closed in late August after less than a month in business. Columbia TV station WLTX first reported the closure.
The buffet restaurant is listed as “permanently closed” on Google, and was shuttered when a reporter went by recently. A call to the restaurant’s phone number went unanswered.
The Southern food spot was located in a shopping strip that also includes a Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles, the British Bulldog pub, the Regal Columbiana Grande movie theater and the recently opened Yummy Bowl Mongolian restaurant. B Mac’s was in the space that formerly was home to Copper River Grill, which closed in 2020.
Coffee shop near USC marks new ownership
A downtown Columbia spot for coffee and other drinks recently had a ribbon cutting as it celebrated new ownership.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea at 1002 Park St., just a couple blocks from Colonial Life Arena, had a “re-grand opening” as it marked new ownership. City of Columbia officials including Councilman Ed McDowell and others joined new owner Edwin Ng in celebrating the new era for the business.
Sweetwaters initially opened on Park Street in 2019. It offers coffee, tea, sandwiches and desserts.
“More than just a cafe, Sweetwaters is a vibrant gathering place where students, professionals, families, and visitors can come together,” the city said in a release. “With exciting plans to host social events, community gatherings, and cultural experiences, Sweetwaters is set to become a hub of connection and creativity for the University of South Carolina, local businesses, and residents across the Midlands and beyond.”
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM.
