Fans of Red Lobster have had their fair share of disappointment this year, with restaurants across the nation shutting down in the wake of the company declaring bankruptcy.
But in light of that, many may not know that the popular seafood restaurant chain got its start here in Central Florida.
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The first Red Lobster restaurant was built at 1330 Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland back in 1968 thanks to the efforts of local restaurateur Charles Woodsby.
According to the Lakeland Ledger, he and his family ran the restaurant on the property, though after Red Lobster was acquired by General Mills, the building later changed hands.
It first became a nightclub called “Alligator Alley,” which is when the building had its outdoor rock wall installed.
Following that stint, the business once again became a small restaurant, though it was ultimately bought by its current inhabitants: Lakeland Fishing Outfitters.
“We acquired it right before COVID, and then we had it for about two or three years before we did anything with it,” explained BJ Phouikham, a manager at the fishing store.
While being a former Red Lobster was a selling point for them, it was the nearby Lake Parker and the prime location in the heart of Lakeland that drew the business to the site.
“Lake Parker gets really, really busy. There’s a lot of traffic that goes through here,” Phouikham told News 6.
And even though the building has come under new management, it doesn’t mean there aren’t still relics from its Red Lobster days.
One of the restaurant’s old bar tops was left at the site when the fishing shop took over, replete with the original cutouts from when it still operated as a Red Lobster restaurant.
In addition, the old Red Lobster cooler, storage room and signature lighthouse can still be found at the store.
The exterior of the building still resembles the old restaurant quite a bit, as well. The resemblance is strong enough that some people still stop by in hopes of a cheddar biscuit.
“We do have a lot of old-timers who went to the original Red Lobster coming in here like, ‘Yo, where are the seatings at?’” Phouikham said. “It’s kind of funny. It happens way more often than you’d think.”
Of course, Lakeland Fishing Outfitters has provided plenty of its own updates, too.
The business contracted local artist Bob Gregory to paint the colorful murals along the outside of the store.
It might be difficult to find a Red Lobster near you nowadays, though Lakeland Fishing Outfitters is still open for fishing enthusiasts who need a good rod.
The store is open daily from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. For more information, visit Lakeland Fishing Outfitters’ website here.
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