Note: This story has been updated to reflect Starbucks' decision to close its Vista location.
COLUMBIA — Starbucks will close permanently its location in the Vista, a move that comes as a surprise to the Columbia cafe’s landlords.
The closing of the location at Gervais and Lincoln streets since Nov. 19 had been called temporary, including on signs attached to the doors.
On Dec. 7, however, the company confirmed that it will not reopen the cafe, which had been a favorite downtown hangout and meeting place.
The closing came as part of a regular review of its locations, a Starbucks spokeswoman said. All employees have been offered positions at the company’s other locations.
That decision was news to the location’s owners, Hal Stevenson and Scott Garvin. They had been told by Starbucks management that the closing was a temporary one because of staffing challenges.
Starbucks has a continuing lease on the site, Stevenson said.
Pre-pandemic, the location was one of the most popular sites for Starbucks lovers to come in, get a coffee and hang out.
In recent years, the company has grown to more than 20 stand-alone locations in the Columbia market. Those new locations all have drive-thru lanes, which have been a bigger priority for the company than ever during the pandemic.
The Gervais Street site has no drive-thru.
Peebles in the Vista
Peebles, the Rosewood Drive venue that specializes in wings and beer, continues to slowly work toward opening its Vista location as a full, dine-in restaurant.
Peebles recently sought an alcohol license for the Vista site at 902 Gervais St., in the restaurant strip anchored by Longhorn Steakhouse.
Interior renovations continue to move forward including the installation of new counters, according to the business' social media.
No opening date for dining in the Vista location has been announced, but it looks like the long march to open fully will be over soon.
Golf retailer opens downtown
For the capital city of a state that loves golf, Columbia's downtown did not really have much to offer, unless you use the simulators at The Main Course on Main Street.
That changed recently with the November opening of Club Champion, a golf retailer and custom club maker in the Jackson Square retail center at the corner of Percival Road and Forest Drive.
Club Champion offers custom fittings for golfers with premium club brands such as Calloway, TaylorMade and Titleist, with two hitting bays for golfers to have their swings digitally analyzed for a proper fit.
Golf retail tends to have a holiday problem, in that it's hard to walk into the shop and figure out the right purchase for the golfer on your list.
Club Champion is offering a novel way to fix that issue: gift boxes to go under the tree that let the recipient pick out a driver or putter and get a custom fitting for the club.
A putter and custom fitting is priced at $500, while a custom-fit driver costs $1,000.
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Have any Midlands business news to share in the column? Reach Mike Fitts at mfitts@postandcourier.com.
