The path to Don Bosko bringing the first Beef ‘O’ Brady’s restaurant to Lakeland in 1991 began with his working for free for a month before the chain’s owner granted him a franchise. This weekend, the 74-year-old restaurateur celebrates 30 years in business. More
The property at North Florida Avenue and 8th Street is special to Denise Gilmore. She spent much of her childhood there in her grandparents’ house. She worked across the street at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center for 27 years. And she is in the process of making it the home of Mary’s Bagel Café, named after her grandmother. More
Shaina Day was counting down the days until Krispy Kreme opened in north Lakeland on July 27. The traditional glazed doughnuts at the popular doughnut shop were calling her family’s name.
Krispy Kreme joins two other new food establishments, Arby’s and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, on U.S. 98 North, where Toys R Us lived for 30 years. More
A Krispy Kreme donut shop opens Tuesday at 3790 U.S. 98 N. near Lakeland Square mall, replacing the south Lakeland store that closed in June. It’s the company’s fourth location using a larger design that lets customers view the doughnut-making process, The Ledger reports. (Subscribers-only story)
The commercial district just north of I-4 and U.S. 98 continues to expand, with a Cajun-themed sports bar, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, which opened June 21. It’s located adjacent to Lakeland Square in the space formerly occupied by Toys ”R” Us. More
The owners of Sweet Cup Café, which offers a taste of Mexico on Lakeland Hills Boulevard, had to delay opening by more than a year because of the pandemic, but they say social media has given their business a big boost. More
A Winter Haven barbecue and seafood restaurant is expanding to Lakeland. Gaskins Barbecue and Lobster plans to open a new location at Lakeside Village in the space formerly occupied by Beef O’Brady’s. More
Culver’s, a Wisconsin-based restaurant chain known for its butter burgers and frozen custards, is coming to two locations on opposite ends of Lakeland, The Ledger reports. One will front the Fort Fraser Trail in Highland City along U.S. 98 at Clubhouse Road; the other will be on U.S. 98 north of I-4 near Walmart and Sam’s Club. The separate franchisees hope to open by the end of the year.
Most of the French macarons and other pastries created by DOU Bakehouse go to Orlando-area resorts, but retail customers can now pick them up curbside at the North Massachusetts Avenue bakery or at the downtown curb market, Fox 13 News reports. (DOU will not be at the Lakeland market this weekend, according to their Facebook page.)
