COLUMBIA, S.C. — Demolition has begun on a storied business in Columbia, credited with assisting in the development of the Riverbanks Zoo.
If you've driven down Gervais Street in the last seven decades, you've no doubt seen or maybe even stopped by the Constan Carwash shop.
On Friday, an excavator began taking down the walls of the storied business.
Benjamin Means is a neighborhood resident next to the car wash and enjoys taking his cars there and seeing the old neon sign.
"It's a great visible marker there, it has a character it too. I'm sorry it's coming down. I know everything changed but I was sorry to hear that," he said.
In October, the business shut down as a result of city recommendations. The store was known for the car washes but also had a unique Midlands history.
According to Historic Columbia, between 1964 and 1974, the business hosted a live tiger named 'Happy.' Historic Columbia says interest in Happy helped persuade politicians to fund a zoo, which is now the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. When Riverbanks opened in 1974, Happy was its first resident.
Means, who is also the Director of the Family and Small Businesses Program at USC's Law School, explains businesses like Constan are crucial for growth in communities.
"They're absolutely integral to the community. They employ people and bring revenue into the community. They give the character to the community, they do a lot of great things," he adds. "I hope whatever comes next will be a contributor to the community."
The owner said the building should be entirely demolished and the iconic car wash sign taken down by Monday or Tuesday, with no permanent plans for the property yet.