Cayce, SC (Paul Kirby) 11/22/20 - The popular Cayce eatery D's Wings is moving to the City of West Columbia from its longtime home in Parkland Plaza. Lexington County Councilman Glen Conwell who represents the City of West Columbia brought this up at a meeting last Monday night. It was confirmed by the owners of D’s in a Facebook post the following morning. It was also covered in an article in the West Metro News last Tuesday.
According to their social media post, on May 19, 2020 the owners of D’s were informed that their current lease would not be renewed on May 19th , 2021. Their post read, “This did not come as a huge surprise to us as we had felt something like this was on the way for many years.” The owners said it was a, “gut punch,” in the middle of the pandemic and the accompanying stress brought on all businesses, especially businesses in the restaurant industry. D’s has been in Parkland Plaza in Cayce for more than 30 years.
The morning after they were informed their lease wouldn’t be renewed, the owners of the business met with West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles. In that meeting, they discussed the possibility of moving there. They located a building in the fast-growing River District around State and Meeting Streets and renovations are underway. The owners said they hope to be open at their new location by May of 2021.
For some time, there has been talk that the Parkland Plaza property would be repurposed. Speculation has been that it will be apartment living for retirees, couples downsizing, and students from The University of South Carolina. If that occurs, additional Cayce landmark businesses will need to close or relocate.
Landmarks like the Kingsman restaurant and businesses like the Ace Hardware and the space that’s currently a Bi-Lo will be some of the casualties. The Kingsman is as much a part of the DNA of the City of Cayce as Zesto’s is to Triangle City in West Columbia.
If these businesses are forced to close or relocate, it could leave a gap in convenient retail establishments for the citizens of Cayce and West Columbia who live in and around State and Knox Abbott. The Walmart Neighborhood Market further west on Knox Abbott Drive will be the closest option for groceries. Businesses like SC Lumber and Supply and Shuman-Owens do sell some hardware but are generally focused on specific building needs. That leaves Lowe's Home Improvement on Augusta Road as the closest real hardware outlet. Although their selection of hardware is tremendous, they do not offer anything like the customer service that Ace Hardware has.
The River District in West Columbia has exploded over the last decade with dining, entertainment, and shopping options. D’s Wings will be a wonderful addition to the area that includes West Columbia’s Interactive Art Park, the area that’s home to the Artisan Market, the Wyman "Mac" Rish Riverwalk and Amphitheater, and the all-inclusive park for children who have special needs.
That area already has many great eateries. They include Al’s Upstairs Italian, Terra, the New Brooklyn Tavern, State Street Pub, Café Strudel, and The Black Rooster just to name a few. D’s Wings should fit right in and offer a choice of dining that’s currently underrepresented in that area.
