The end of Columbus Square 1.0

This complex at the corner of Constitution & Virginia Beach Blvd used to be a Hechinger hardware, that was converted into a large Barnes & Noble. Then it was Planet Music, then it was carved up in to various retail businesses. I don't really remember when the Bed, Bath, and Beyond was added (I was probably out of the area).. but looks like it's getting leveled. And in the process of remodeling the area, they dumped their old Columbus Square sign, that had probably been there 30+ years.

Rest in peace, gothic(ish) lettering..

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HQ

HQ (Home Quarters Warehouse) was basically the first hardware mega-store I remember in Virginia Beach. Which I guess makes sense, they were initially headquartered in Hampton Roads. There was a Hechinger hardware store that preceded the Barnes & Noble at Columbus. But it's floor plan was sort of in between a mega-store and smaller, traditional mom & pop hardware stores.

This is a photo from years after HQ was abandoned.. maybe 2006. This was the store I remember most, at Pembroke (where Wegman's is currently located).

(jokes kinda wrote themselves with this tagline)

contact- nat.rain@gmail.com