The Original Red Lobster - Lakeland, FL
Landlocked Lakeland, Florida is the home of the original Red Lobster restaurant. Bill Darden founded Red Lobster in 1968 at this location on Lake Parker. The brand was acquired by General Mills in 1970, which expanded Red Lobster from five restaurants to a nationwide chain of hundreds of restaurants. Then, in 1995, General Mills spun off its restaurant division and Darden Restaurants was formed.
This restaurant closed around 1996 and moved to Darden's former China Coast Grill building at 3706 US Highway 98 North. Today the former Red Lobster is occupied by Ale Gators, a half restaurant half nightclub (not good at either) which was closed when I took these photos despite the hours posted on the door.
Location: 1330 East Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, Florida
The Original Red Lobster - Lakeland, FL
Landlocked Lakeland, Florida is the home of the original Red Lobster restaurant. Bill Darden founded Red Lobster in 1968 at this location on Lake Parker. The brand was acquired by General Mills in 1970, which expanded Red Lobster from five restaurants to a nationwide chain of hundreds of restaurants. Then, in 1995, General Mills spun off its restaurant division and Darden Restaurants was formed.
This restaurant closed around 1996 and moved to Darden's former China Coast Grill building at 3706 US Highway 98 North. Today the former Red Lobster is occupied by Ale Gators, a half restaurant half nightclub (not good at either) which was closed when I took these photos despite the hours posted on the door.
Location: 1330 East Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, Florida