Published: Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 5:45 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 11:49 p.m.

LAKELAND | A much-debated proposal to build a hotel and restaurant near Lakeside Village has seemingly been halted.

Drummond Co., who owns the property at the southeast corner of Harden Boulevard and Oakbridge Parkway, recently withdrew its request for commissioners to hold an appeal hearing on rezoning the land.

And the property's proposed buyers may have found another location to build on on South Florida Avenue.

Drummond, out of Birmingham, Ala., wanted the city to rezone land to allow a Holiday Inn Express and a Cheddar's Restaurant to be built there. However, the proposal was opposed by nearby residents and rejected twice by the Planning and Zoning Board.

Lakeland Community Development Director Jim Studiale said Drummond sent a letter to the city on Monday saying it was withdrawing its appeal of the zoning board's decision.

The hearing had been scheduled for Monday's City Commission meeting.

In the letter, local representative Leonard Mass wrote that Drummond was confident the proposal would have been an appropriate fit for the land and the community, but it recognized the significant opposition by nearby residents and the city.

"Therefore, Drummond Company has decided to withdraw its applications, in part, because it understands that a great deal of emotion exists with respect to the East Village applications and that it is very difficult for the City Commission to balance property rights interests with the understandable concerns of many existing Oakbridge residents," the letter states.

About 120 residents of the Oakbridge neighborhood sent letters to city officials asking them to not allow the zoning change.

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Proposal to Build Hotel and Restaurant Near Oakbridge in South Lakeland Withdrawn

Monica Spees/Daily News

Demolition began this morning on the building that housed the former Beijing Restaurant. (Photo by Monica Spees/Daily News)

Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 1:51 pm

Beijing Restaurant demolished for new restaurant By the Daily News bgdailynews.com |

Demolition began this morning on the building that housed the former Beijing Restaurant.

The Asian cuisine restaurant at 1951 Scottsville Road had been closed for a couple of years. Holland Inc. construction equipment roared today on the property between Thoroughbred Square and The Medical Center Home Care Program.

The building, which has had several uses, is being torn down to make way for a Corner Bakery Cafe, according to David Bernado, construction manager, on site today.

Look for more on this story in Wednesday's edition.

Posted in News on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 1:51 pm.

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Beijing Restaurant demolished for new restaurant

Although construction of The Hub cost Kabul Restaurant its streetside location on State Street, owner Hamed Zafari said he is making things work.

Zafari said despite the unexpected relocation of hisAfghani-Mediterranean restaurant to an upstairs space across the street, he has added a full bar and other new features that are bringing customers back to the beloved Madison spot.

The restaurant has been on State Street for 25 years, butwas forced to relocate after its original location under University Inn was torn down last spring in order to build The Hub.

The new location is larger and has new features like a full bar, something that Zafari said he has always wanted. He also said he wants to add late-night menus and bring live music in on the weekends.

One month into the semester and Kabul is still finding success in its new second-floor spot above candy store ITSUGAR.Zafari said he would have preferred to be on the first floor due to foot traffic on State Street, but said it has not affected business too much.

People are still finding us because they missed Kabul. Theyre going out of their way, theyre doing whatever they have to do to find it, he said. Weve had a tremendous amount of support, a lot of people have come back and expressed how happy they are that we are open again.

The restaurant had the option to stay in the previous location, but Zafari said they would have had to wait two years to reopen with doubled rent. Zafari said the restaurant would not be able to survive a change like that without increasing prices significantly.

Zafari said staying near campus was important to him because of all the students and faculty that come in.

We were scrambling to find a space, and I really wanted to stay close to campus, he said. I didnt see myself moving too far away, or going to the Square even. Professors and students have limited time, and I know they wouldnt walk all the way to the square, they just dont have the time.

Zafari described the construction process as a nightmare, spending almost double what they intended to, but he is happy with the new location.

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Kabul thrives following summer relocation

NASCAR Sports Grille, a mainstay at Universal CityWalk since the entertainment complex opened in 1999, will close Nov. 1.

The racing-themed restaurant, which serves American-style food such as burgers, ribs, sandwiches and pasta, will continue lunch and dinner service through that date.

Universal Orlando employees recently were told of the closing. No replacement has been identified.

The restaurant "has been a big part of helping CityWalk grow and establish itself as an entertainment destination," Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder said Sunday. "This change is part of our ongoing commitment to bring new entertainment experiences to CityWalk."

The 530-seat restaurant, which originally went by the name NASCAR Cafe, is located on the north end of the complex. It's the last outlet that visitors using Universal's parking garage pass if they are heading to Universal Studios theme park, home of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Diagon Alley.

The concept was a joint project of NASCAR and the Cordish Co., based in Baltimore. The restaurant includes a retail outlet that specializes in NASCAR gear and souvenirs. An additional NASCAR Sports Grille operates in Hampton, Va.

Universal is in the midst of revamping its dining options at CityWalk. New operations include Red Oven Pizza Bakery; Vivo Italian Kitchen; Antojitos, a Mexican place that took over the Latin Quarter space; Hot Dog Hall of Fame; a larger Starbucks location; and the Bread Box. The Cowfish, a small burger-and-sushi chain based in North Carolina, is expected to open this year. Construction workers were at the Cowfish site on CityWalk's second level on Sunday.

Other CityWalk restaurants -- including Hard Rock Cafe, NBA City, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Emeril's, Pat O'Brien's, Bob Marley: a Tribute to Freedom and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. -- continue to operate.

Universal CityWalk also features fast-service dining options, retail stores, a movie theater, miniature-golf courses, bars, nightclubs and the Blue Man Group.

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NASCAR restaurant closing at Universal CityWalk

by Catherine Sutton-Martin DCNN Correspondent

Newtown Supervisors reaffirmed the acceptance of dedication for four township roads at the Sept. 22 meeting.

According to engineer Eileen Nelson of Stantec, it was discovered that the roadways were missing from the Liquid Fuels list and therefore, not included in the state funding. The roadways are Old Forest Road, Hempstead Road, Heather Way and Bakers Lane.

Nelson also advised that the notice to proceed was issued, Aug. 22, to Road-Con for the Gradyville Road Bridge. Even though the contracted completion date is July 13, 2015, Nelson told the supervisors that Stantec would impress upon the contractor the need for an earlier completion date.

Nelson also noted that a Sept. 23 notice to proceed was given to Gessler Construction for the townships Road Program, and that Reese Avenue, held over from last years program due to utility work, will be completed.

New Restaurant

Township Manager Michael Trio announced that the former Albertos restaurant will become Teca 2, a sister restaurant to the one in West Chester, and part of the Guadagnini restaurant group.

Trio also noted that the barn, which stood on the property is gone, and they must put up an historic plaque.

Leaves, Recycling

Trio announced that the township leaf collection will begin Oct. 13; the schedule is posted on the website.

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Newtown Supervisors discuss roads, restaurant, bridge and new hire

NASHUA Chick-fil-A will open its first standalone restaurant in the state this fall, and the construction of the 377 Amherst St. site is already taking shape.

But one important thing hasnt happened: The restaurant has yet to give out free meals for a whole year to its first 100 diners, an offer so good, it has led to people camping out in front of soon-to-open restaurants elsewhere in the country. ... Subscribe or log in to read more

NASHUA Chick-fil-A will open its first standalone restaurant in the state this fall, and the construction of the 377 Amherst St. site is already taking shape.

But one important thing hasnt happened: The restaurant has yet to give out free meals for a whole year to its first 100 diners, an offer so good, it has led to people camping out in front of soon-to-open restaurants elsewhere in the country.

The restaurant is set to open in about six weeks, and its only the second Chick-fil-A location in the state, in addition to the counter at the Pheasant Lane Mall food court in south Nashua.

The restaurant will create about 80 new jobs, and will be owned and operated by Anthony Piccola, according to a statement from the company.

The Nashua restaurant is part of the Atlanta-based companys expansion in New England. The first standalone locations have opened or will open soon in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, according to the company.

The Amherst Street restaurant will have seating for 140 diners, plus a patio. It will have two drive-thru lanes and will offer Wi-Fi and a play area for toddlers, the company said.

Piccola has operated the Chick-fil-A at the Pheasant Lane Mall since 2009.

The company has opened 93 restaurants across the country this year, creating more than 7,000 jobs. It reported more than $5 billion in sales in 2013.

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New Chick-fil-A store taking shape in Nashua, but no free meals yet

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By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Girard Brasserie and Bruncherie, at Girard Avenue and Marlborough Street in Fishtown, is still under construction, but its getting more attention than your typical restaurant opening due to its no tipping model.

That means theyll be paying all staff members a living wage plus fringe benefits.

How can they afford that? The hard and fast answer to that is the owners make a lot less money, says co-owner Cristian Mora.

Those who attended a job fair for the restaurant say Moras business model is quite attractive.

Benefits, paid days, sick days, thats wonderful! Thats every workers dream! says server Sean Lynch, 21.

Server Alexa Koch, 26, agrees:

I hope it would catch on because its better to make a living wage instead of not knowing if youre able to make a living wage and pay water, etc.

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New Fishtown Restaurant Turning Heads With Its No Tipping Policy

At the Otra Cocina restaurant on St. Paul's East Side, Maria Capouch and her brother Miguel Linares no longer bother to serve breakfast.

Road work this summer around the intersection of Payne and Maryland avenues has decimated their dinner crowd, as well, so they close two hours early. On Thursday, they greeted their first lunch customer at 4 p.m.

"It's been really, really hard," said Capouch, who opened the cozy, family-run restaurant and catering business in January.

The Payne-Maryland intersection this summer took its place among a sea of detour signs and construction cones on the East Side. Even getting into or out of the area has become more difficult, thanks to a lengthy state project on Interstate 35E and construction of the new Lafayette Bridge.

Don Horsfall, an employee of Warning Lites, puts up a traffic barricade on the Kellogg-Third Street Bridge in St. Paul on Friday, September 26, 2014. The bridge will be closed to all users until Monday. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)

Then this week, the city announced more road work: The Kellogg Boulevard bridge between the downtown Union Depot transit hub and Mounds Boulevard closed Friday for restriping. When the bridge reopens Monday, its four lanes will be reduced to three.

St. Paul and Ramsey County officials say the repair projects are doing more than filling potholes. In some cases, sidewalks are being widened, lighting upgraded and improvements made for drivers and pedestrians alike.

"It's been a tough summer; there's no question about it," said city council member Dan Bostrom. "However, particularly when this intersection at Payne and Maryland is completed, it's going to totally transform this section of the neighborhood.

Bostrom is less enthusiastic about the city's plans to replace the Kellogg Boulevard bridge -- work that could take several years.

"If that thing gets shut down, that's going to be a major catastrophe," he said.

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St. Paul's East Side snarled by road, bridge, sewer work

Horizon City is getting a Peter Piper Pizza. Pizza Properties, Inc. which owns Peter Piper Pizza, announced Thursday that it begun construction on a new restaurant scheduled to open in February 2015. The Horizon City Peter Piper Pizza restaurant will be located at 13800 N. Horizon Boulevard.

The new location represents an investment of $3 million in Horizon City and is expected to create approximately 40 new jobs. The new 10,000 square foot restaurant will feature an all new look for Peter Piper Pizza including a new logo, color patterns, large and small group seating options, flatscreen TVs, and free Wi-Fi.

The game room will be loaded with new state-of-the-art games providing entertainment for every age group. The new location will boast two dining areas, one of which will be separated from the game area and main dining area for a quieter experience.

The main dining area will be colorful and designed to accommodate large and small groups alike.

A designated area for carry-out orders will make pick-up convenient for "to go" customers. According to Kirk Robison, Chairman of Pizza Properties Inc., the restaurant's look has evolved out of Peter Piper Pizza's ongoing desire to enhance the family dining experience and atmosphere in its restaurants.

For more information about Peter Piper Pizza, please go to http://www.peterpiperpizza.com.

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Peter Piper Pizza in Horizon City breaks ground

Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 1:02pm

Horizon City, TX (KTSM) Horizon City is about to get a new popular restaurant! Pizza Properties, Inc. has announced the expansion of the popular Peter Piper Pizza chain into Horizon City, TX.

Construction on the new 10,000 square foot restaurant at 13800 N. Horizon Blvd. is already underway. The restaurant is scheduled to open in February 2015. The new location is expected to bring approximately 40 new jobs to the Horizon City area.

The new restaurant will feature a brand new look for Peter Piper Pizza including a new logo, color patterns, large and small group seating options, flat screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The game room will be loaded with new state-of-the-art games providing entertainment for every age group.

The new location will boast two dining areas, one of which will be separated from the game area and main dining area for a quieter experience. The main dining area will be colorful and designed to accommodate large and small groups alike. A designated area for carry-out orders will make pick-up convenient for to go customers. According to Kirk Robison, Chairman of Pizza Properties Inc., the restaurants look has evolved out of Peter Piper Pizzas ongoing desire to enhance the family dining experience and atmosphere in its restaurants.

Pizza Properties, Inc., is Peter Piper Pizza's largest franchisee, owning 49 Peter Piper Pizza restaurants in Texas and New Mexico.

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Peter Piper Pizza expanding to Horizon City location