The Ledger, September 16, 2011

LAKELAND | A large discount retailer is filling up two spots long ago left empty. Big Lots will open a store on Oct. 7 at 4233 S. Florida Ave. in the Palm Center Plaza where a Kash n' Karry used to be and another location will open Nov. 3. in the space left vacant by Circuit City at 4212 98 North in the Village Plaza. The second opening is a relocation of the Big Lots at 931 E. Memorial Blvd in the Town Center, which started liquidating on Sunday.

The Ledger, September 09, 2011

LAKELAND | Hope you're hungry for steak. LongHorn Steakhouse is building a restaurant in North Lakeland and expects to open around
the end of the year. The Western-themed eatery will be at 3392 U.S.
98 North, adjacent to Hooters. Polk County has two existing LongHorn sites in South Lakeland and Winter Haven. "We think there's good opportunity in the market. We're continuing to grow LongHorn so we're looking for great sites...

The Ledger, July 21, 2011

LAKELAND | Dixieland is courting restaurants and redevelopment officials are offering enticements. The Dixieland Community Redevelopment Area advisory board has approved a grant program that will allow potential restaurateurs to be reimbursed up to $15,000 to improve the interior of a Dixieland building...

The Ledger, July 08, 2011

LAKELAND | The county's first GFS Marketplace store is scheduled to open in Lakeland in late September. The Marketplace stores, operated by Michigan-based Gordon Food Service, offer foods in bulk sizes, as well as various kitchen and dining supplies. Typical customers include restaurants, caterers and nonprofit organizations, but GFS Marketplace also sells to the public and doesn't require a membership.

The Ledger, July 08, 2011

LAKELAND | A veteran of Lakeland's restaurant scene has taken over a well-known property for her newest venture. Joanne List is readying Chateau Brieann for its official opening Monday at 5125 S. Florida Ave., the former site of Steak & Ale. List, who previously operated JJ's Cafe in downtown Lakeland and Julianne's on U.S. 98 South, said she thinks Chateau Brieann has the right menu and location to be a success. The 5,200-square-foot...

The Ledger, July 06, 2011

LAKELAND | Texas Roadhouse has set a course for Lakeland.
The Kentucky-based restaurant chain plans to demolish the former Bennigan's on South Florida Avenue to make way for a new location, according to documents filed with the city. It will be the first Texas Roadhouse in Polk County. Company officials were not available for comment Wednesday; an opening date for the Lakeland site...

The Ledger, April 08, 2011

LAKELAND | Ready yourselves, Krispy Kreme loyalists: the D-day for your favorite doughnuts is at hand. The area's first Krispy Kreme franchise will open 5:30 a.m. Tuesday in Lakeland at 4209 South Florida Ave. "We're expecting a huge turnout," said General Manager Jerry Coe, who briefly opened the shop Friday morning for a sneak preview event. Employees handed out countless boxes of the decadently glazed doughnuts to city officials....

The Ledger, December 11, 2010

LAKELAND | A Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant is coming to North Lakeland in early 2011. Diversified Restaurant Holdings, a Michiganbased Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee, has taken over the defunct Don Pablo's Mexican restaurant at 3750 U.S. 98 N. in Lakeland. Company officials say they have signed a 10-year lease for the property and plan to open a 7,400-square-foot Buffalo Wild Wings there in February.

The Ledger, October 19, 2010

LAKELAND | The Birmingham, Ala., development company that built Grasslands and Oakbridge in South Lakeland wants to build a 35,000-square-foot commercial development north of Lakeside Village plus 27 upscale homes and a community park for residents.

The Ledger, October 04, 2010

LAKELAND | The face of retail is about to change in North Lakeland. A Michigan real estate company has submitted plans to build a 560,000-square-foot shopping center called Gateway Commons with 15 businesses, including a new Kohl's Department Store. The shopping center, located just south of Target off U.S. 98 North, could create about 480 permanent jobs and could generate $54 million...