05.20.2024

Today’s Forecast

90º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. | Sunset 8:13 p.m.

🦞 Sea Lakeland differently

How Red Lobster got its start in Lakeland

The exterior of the Lakeland Fishing Outfitters Tackle Shop which was the original location of Red Lobster, viewed from the parking lot.

Did you know this spot near Lake Parker was the start of Red Lobster? | Photo by LALtoday

Seafood chain Red Lobster has announced plans to shutter more than 50 of its locations across the US and is considering filing for bankruptcy — but before the days of Endless Shrimp and Cheddar Bay Biscuits, Red Lobster was just one restaurant in Lakeland, FL.

Entrepreneurs Bill Darden + Charley Woodsby opened the Red Lobster Inn on the shores of Lake Parker in 1968 (they dropped “Inn” from the name soon after). The building at 1330 E. Memorial Blvd. was leased from Lawton Chiles, a native Lakelander and eventual governor of Florida. Chiles was one of Red Lobster’s first investors.

Red Lobster became known for its casual feel and fresh seafood, and it didn’t take long for the rest of the nation to take notice of the small Lakeland eatery. General Mills acquired the business just two years after opening. It quickly started expanding from there, branching across the US and into Canada by 1983. It’s currently owned by seafood producer Thai Union Group.

The exterior of the front entrance of Red Lobster in Lakeland. Customers sit in front of the door under a sign at the top of a short staircase. — You can find a Red Lobster near you in Lakeland and Winter Haven.
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Photo by LALtoday

Through the decades, Red Lobster added new fan favorite menu items and specials (can you say Cheddar Bay Biscuits?). The all-you-can-eat Endless Shrimp promotion began in 2004, but it led to $11 million in losses in the third quarter of 2023.

Despite several closures in Central Florida, there are no current plans to close the Lakeland location at 3706 US Hwy. 98 N. near the Lakeland Square Mall. Want to get a glimpse inside the original restaurant? It’s now paying homage to its seafood roots as Lakeland Fishing Outfitters Tackle Shop — just look for the building with the sealife murals on Lake Parker.

Asked

When did Cheddar Bay Bicuits hit the menu?

A. 1975
B. 1992
C. 1998
D. 2000

You shrimp-ly must guess

Events

Monday, May 20

BOGO Bingo | Monday, May 20 | 6:30-7 p.m. | CRAVE Hot Dogs & BBQ, 2250 Griffin Rd., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Enjoy BOGO chocolate chip cookies + glasses of wine while you compete for five-in-a-row.

Tuesday, May 21

Beautiful Beach | Tuesday, May 21 | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39-$59 | Paint a seascape step by step — add DIY candle making for $20.

Wednesday, May 22

Piano/Keyboard Class | Wednesday, May 22 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $30 | Pianists ages 6+ can learn techniques by playing popular and classical songs together.

Thursday, May 23

Four Seasons | Thursday, May 23 | 7-9 p.m. | Magnolia Building, 702 E. Orange St., Lakeland | $10 | Couples and singles can waltz, cha cha, swing, and foxtrot at this weekly dance social.

Friday, May 24

Completely Unchained | Friday, May 24 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $20 | “Jump” at tickets to this tribute performance featuring the music of Van Halen.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Holiday

Red, White & Kaboom is officially set for Wednesday, July 3, 6-9:15 p.m. The city’s annual Independence Day celebration at Lake Mirror will feature food trucks, a live concert, and fireworks over the lake. Entrance is free, but bring a canned good donation for VISTE.

Closing

Pour one out. The Yard on Mass will close soon, with owners citing weather and its location as reasons for the closure. Since the venue was partially funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency, city commissioners will vote on the lease’s termination. (LkldNow)

Tech

How’s your internet connection? That’s what Polk County’s IT department is asking as it prepares to apply for grants to expand broadband access. Test your speed and send in low results to help the county create a coverage map. (LkldNow)

Edu

Renovations are complete on Miller Planetarium at Florida Southern, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. FSC received a $250,000 federal grant to restore the planetarium in 2020, but it would need more funds to purchase new projection equipment. (The Ledger)

Quoted

“There will be much change here at the airport, but I’m a big proponent of change,” said Lakeland Linder director Kris Hallstrand in a Q+A with Tampa Bay Business Journal. Hallstrand shared about the city’s 15-year agreement with Avelo before flights begin next month.

Real Estate

City officials are seeking innovative solutions to increasing housing density as Lakeland’s population exceeds available units. Ideas floated at last week’s strategic planning meeting included 3D printed houses, modular homes, and multi-unit housing. (The Ledger)

Lakelander

Artist Gabriela Jaxon, known for murals like the one on Thom Downs Antiques’ building, was a featured speaker at Meta + Sephora’s La Cultura of Beauty Summit. Jaxon grew up in Lakeland and is now part of Meta’s Dale Tú creator program. (The Ledger)

Kids

Spots are still available for a few of the Aerospace Center for Excellence’s summer camps. Children can experience aviation hands-on at the She Can Fly!, STEMtastic, or new Destination Aviation: Air Power programs.

Plan Ahead

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce will host Politics in the Park on Tuesday, Aug. 6 in Munn Park. Attend this community event to hear from local, state, and federal candidates and ask them questions before fall elections.

Home

You deserve beautiful, energy-efficient windows and doors. Renewal by Andersen^® is offering buy one, get one 40% off + $200 off your order for a limited time.*

Edu

Doing things the Wright way

Florida Southern College opening School of Architecture in fall 2025

A rendering showing the interior of Florida Southern College's future School of Architecture, featuring community seating and workspaces.

Get a glimpse of what students will see in the future School of Architecture. | Rendering provided by Florida Southern College

Florida Southern College has announced plans to open a new School of Architecture in the fall of 2025. Students will get hands-on experience on campus, as well as through study abroad + internship opportunities. Offerings will begin with a four-year Bachelor of Architecture program, followed by a master’s program coming in 2028.

Florida Southern is no stranger to the art of architecture. The campus is a National Historic Landmark thanks to its collection of structures designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The school itself will find its home — along with new design studios, fabrication labs, and a research center — in the Wright-designed Ordway Building.

What’s next for the upcoming program? FSC says it will begin the search for a dean to lead the School of Architecture in June.

The Buy

Group A, The Buy 5.20.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

An excellent summer hydration bottle: Hydro Flask’s 32-oz. stainless bottle with a flex straw lid. Color “Sugar Crush” is only available for a limited time, and it’s so cute and summery, we’ve got all the heart eyes for it.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Did you know this delicious bit of Lakeland history? I polled my local friends to see if they knew Red Lobster began here, and results were 50/50. If you’ve got a piece of local trivia you think will stump us, reply to this email and test our knowledge.

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