Latest news with #Buckner
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bahama Breeze restaurant closures: Map shows which locations are open and closed
Caribbean food chain Bahama Breeze abruptly closed 15 restaurants last week, or more than a third of the casual dining chain's total locations. The closures leave just 29 Bahama Breeze restaurants in operation around the U.S., with most of the locations in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Darden Restaurants spokesperson Kiara Buckner confirmed the closures to USA TODAY after reports of shuttering restaurants began to emerge on Thursday afternoon, May 15, across multiple states. "We continually evaluate the performance of all our restaurants," Buckner said. "Closing a restaurant is a difficult choice because it impacts our team members and guests. However, we believe this is the right decision because it will allow Bahama Breeze to focus on its highest performing restaurants and strengthen the brand's overall performance." Customers were informed of the move via signs posted on the restaurant's front doors, according to reports from USA TODAY Network papers in Gainesville and Naples, Florida. "This location is permanently closed. Please visit a nearby sister location," read the sign outside of the Gainesville location, nudging guests to visit nearby Darden-owned restaurants Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. "We appreciate your business." The following map shows where Bahama Breeze locations have closed and where they remain open. Contributing: Kendall Little, Naples Daily News; Alan Festo, Gainesville Sun Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which Bahama Breeze restaurants are open and closed? See locations map Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Popular National Restaurant Chain Closes 15 Locations With 'No Warning'
With so many major businesses filing for bankruptcy and shutting down stores, there's yet another name to add to the list. Popular Island Grille, Bahama Breeze, has abruptly closed 15 locations nationwide, USA Today reported. 🎬 🎬 Darden Restaurants spokesperson KiaraBuckner confirmed the closures to the outlet after reports began surfacing that locations across multiple states were suddenly closed. Customers were informed of the move by signs and notes posted on doors of locations as they attempted to dine in. "We continually evaluate the performance of all our restaurants," Buckner said, adding, "Closing a restaurant is a difficult choice because it impacts our team members and guests." The statement also stood by the decision, noting it will "allow Bahama Breeze to focus on its highest performing restaurants and strengthen the brand's overall performance." Closures span locations in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Tennessee. Fans took to social media to voice their concerns and complaints, with one writing, "Why the hell is Bahama Breeze closed with no warning" as a second added, "am I the only one who's upset about Bahama Breeze? those empanadas were just different" and a third concluded, "the bahama breeze closest to me just abruptly closed. IM SO HURTTTTT" Others called it the "worst news" of the week, with another stating they "can't believe the shutdown," adding, "They had the best happy hour & the best pasta" and someone else expressing that they would miss the Bahamaritas the most. The sign at the Gainesville location reportedly read, "This location is permanently closed. Please visit a nearby sister location," suggesting the nearby Darden-owned restaurants Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. "We appreciate your business." Darden Restaurants also owns Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Chuy's, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, and Eddie V's. You can see the full list of closures here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
'I don't know about that': Why Quinn Buckner keeps Larry Bird high on his all-time players list
Quinn Buckner pushed back on the notion that Larry Bird would ever fall out of the top 10 of all-time basketball players. The national champ at Indiana who was a teammate of Bird's for three seasons with the Boston Celtics appeared Wednesday on the "Dan Patrick Show" to talk Pacers (he's the local TV broadcast analyst), and about an upcoming documentary on the 1983-84 Celtics. Patrick suggested that some of today's stars could someday move Bird down the list of all-time greats. "I don't know about that," Buckner responded. "Larry has a uniqueness about him, but I'll tell you who is comparable," Buckner continued. "Larry has said there's only one guy he watches play. It's (Nikola) Jokic. (Teammates) play at a higher level for having played with them, because I did. I may be biased, but I don't this so. "If you look at pure basketball players, Larry is as pure a basketball player as you're ever going to find. There's nothing he could not do. "Larry's staying in the top 10." Buckner has watched Tyrese Haliburton since his trade to the Pacers, and has seen what he offers on the court, and off. "He's a young man, but he really gets what winning basketball is about. It's important for him to share it with his teammates, and that's one of the reasons this team can run. Guys will run if you know you're going to get the ball. ... "That's why he can play with his teammates, and they're not jealous. He's not trying to take the limelight and carry it for himself." Haliburton had 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, 4 steals and 0 turnovers in Indiana's 130-121 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night that puts the Pacers within one game of the NBA Finals. Buckner said he has also seen Haliburton's humanity up close.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Long-time THV 11 Chief Meteorologist Ed Buckner passes away at age 59
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas weather community and beyond is mourning the loss of a longtime meteorologist in the state. KTHV 11 announced on Monday that former Chief Meteorologist Ed Buckner passed away at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer. Buckner, a Houston native, joined the THV 11 team in 1996 and served as the station's chief for 25 years. KARK 4 News Chief Meteorologist Todd Yakoubian remembers Buckner as a friend and he will be missed. 'Many are alive today because of his life saving severe weather information,' Yakoubian said. 'Ed made our state a better place. We continue to think and pray for his family and friends during this very terrible time.' THV 11 shared that Buckner stepped away from his meteorology work in early 2020 after complications with Tourette Syndrome. FOX 16 News Chief Meteorologist Joel Young shared he was saddened to hear of the passing of Buckner and shared his impact on weather was felt by those for generations. 'I never knew him personally, but the weather industry is small and his impact on his community was huge,' Young said 'My thoughts and prayers go out to Ed's family and friends during this difficult time.' Buckner is survived by wife Carolyn Buckner, his children Brooke Buckner, Morgan Buckner, Grant Lewis, Kristan Hendricks and seven grandchildren. One daughter, Ashton Eakin, preceded him in death in 2019, also from cancer. For more information, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Who is Ed Buckner, Little Rock meteorologist who passed away after battle with cancer?
Former THV11 Chief Meteorologist Ed Buckner passed away at the age of 59, after a battle with cancer. Buckner was a popular face in the Arkansas weather coverage circle for decades and has been a trusted source of weather predictions and analysis for Arkansans during severe weather events. Some of his monumental weather coverage includes the infamous 1999 tornado outbreak. ALSO READ| Who is Yaqeen Hammad? Gaza's 'youngest influencer' reportedly killed by Israeli airstrike Buckner was a part of popular channel THV11 for nearly 25 years, and his colleagues admired his commitment and dedication towards work, apart from being a great mentor and a kind-hearted friend. Buckner was also a musician and had even released a children-friendly weather album. 'Ed was such a sharp, polite gentleman and so talented in so many ways. He left us too soon,' KATV Chief Meteorologist Barry Brandt was quoted as saying after news of Buckner's death reached the office. ALSO READ | New footage emerges from The Titan's expedition to Titanic wreckage, implosion heard 'Ed was so kind. He gave me my first start in TV — back in 2004. THV had a summer Kidcaster campaign and I was selected to do weather one evening that summer. It was an incredible experience that shaped me at just 10 years old, and it put me on a path to a TV career in this market 15 years later,' KATV Meteorologist James Bryan said. 'So sad to hear the news of Ed Buckner's passing. Although we were local television competitors, it was always a friendly competition between us. I am only wishing his family peace at this difficult time,' Chief Meteorologist Ned Perme was quoted as saying, according to a KATV report. Bucker is currently survived by his wife, four children, and seven grandchildren.
