Latest news with #SarasotaHerald-Tribune
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Applebee's restaurant in Sarasota just closed — same day a local Chili's shuttered
While one last basket of razor-thin, heavily salted tortilla chips and red salsa was being served at the Chili's on South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, someone eight miles away at the Applebee's on University Parkway was digging into their final order of boneless wings glazed in that sweet and tangy honey barbecue sauce. Yes, two titans of the American restaurant chain world shuttered Sarasota-Manatee locations this week. As previously reported, the Chili's Bar & Grill near Trader Joe's permanently closed Monday, May 19. The Herald-Tribune has since confirmed that the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar at 3255 University Parkway also closed for good that same day, according to a guest relations specialist who verified the news on Tuesday, May 20. After nearly 40 years, a Sarasota Chili's restaurant has closed Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news, reviews, and fun things to do every Friday The Applebee's guest relations specialist declined to provide a reason for the closure or comment on what it might mean for the restaurant chain's other nearby locations. However, the Applebee's website shows that several Sarasota-Manatee locations remain open, including: 5550 Fruitville Road, Sarasota 5490 Clark Road, Sarasota 4329 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 4301 Cortez Road, Bradenton 4638 State Road 64 E., Bradenton 5908 18th St. E., Ellenton 17500 Tamiami Trail, North Port Nearly a decade ago, Applebee's closed its most prominent Sarasota location — the one downtown in the Sarasota Main Plaza, adjacent to the movie theater on Main Street. Sarasota Main Plaza opened in 1997 with Applebee's — at 1991 Main St. — as one of its original restaurants. Today, the spot is occupied by the high-end apartment complex Aster & Links, with the movie theater still operating next door. Chili's Grill & Bar was founded in Texas in 1975 and is currently owned and operated by Dallas-based Brinker International. The Chili's that recently closed at 4131 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota opened in the mid-1980s, while the Applebee's that closed this week at 3255 University Parkway in Manatee County was open since at least 1999, when it first appears in Herald-Tribune archives. Applebee's was founded in 1980 in Atlanta. There's no indication that these Sarasota-Manatee Applebee's and Chili's closures are part of a companywide initiative by the respective chains — just isolated incidents that happened to occur eight miles apart. Contributing: Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at Support local journalism by subscribing. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Applebee's restaurant in Sarasota just closed — here's what we know
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Publix open on Mother's Day in Florida? Here are the days Publix closes
Sorry, mom. Publix, the largest grocery chain in Florida, is only closed for three days every year. Mother's Day isn't one of them. On the plus side, that gives you someplace to go for a last-minute flower run. Here's what to know. Publix is closed three days a year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. The stores also close early on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and on New Year's Day. Stores will post the hours before each holiday. "Since our founding, we have been closed on these three holidays in observance of the holiday and to allow our associates time with family and friends," the company said on its website. Mother's Day always falls on the second Sunday of May. This year, Mother's Day in the U.S. falls on Sunday, May 11. Publix stores usually are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with some locations open an hour later. Check hours by location. Publix liquor stores typically are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Check hours by location. Publix pharmacies usually are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hours may vary by location. In case of a hurricane, Publix stores in the path of a storm will close or adjust hours as necessary for safety. After a storm, stores are opened as soon as possible, depending on power, damage and other factors. To check the status of Publix supermarkets, the company offers a special website. The chain, founded in Winter Haven in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, is the largest employee-owned company in the United States and has more locations in Florida than anywhere else. Here's the breakdown: Alabama (94 stores) Florida (878 stores) Georgia (219 stores) Kentucky (3 stores) North Carolina (56 stores) South Carolina (70 stores) Tennessee (59 stores) Virginia (24 stores) This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Publix and Mother's Day: When is the grocery store open in Florida?
Spectator
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Whether adored or despised, Princess Diana is never forgotten
What happened to the condolence books? They swiftly multiplied, that mad week in September 1997. The original four at St James's Palace had to be increased to more than 40. People queued for hours and often spent many minutes composing their contributions. That's not even to mention the thousands of similar books organised by councils, embassies and private businesses. The official set were 'offered' to the Spencer family. Perhaps they are at Althorp. Edward White's Dianaworld, about the phenomenon of the former Princess of Wales, shows an indefatigable resourcefulness. It is not really about the woman herself but about the effect she had on people who never laid eyes on her. White has drawn the line at reading the lachrymose, often crapulous, outpourings in the condolence books – and who can blame him? But he has unearthed contemporary commentary from Spare Rib, the Faversham News, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and countless other publications. These are extremely illuminating, often evincing views that were quickly suppressed after the Princess's death. I was pleased to be reminded of the widespread horror in early 1997 at how vulgar Diana's wardrobe had become. Anne de Courcy, observing the white jeans, pumps and gold jewellery, lamented the 'Sharonisation' of Diana. White is also conversant with the atrocious secondary literature. Even to read the titles in the seven-page bibliography is to feel soiled. (Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows.) Everyone except her good friends has written their memoirs – her protection officers, her bodyguard, her psychic healers, her press officers, her most caddish lovers. And, of course, her frightful butler. But there! I really neither know nor care For what the Dear Old Butler thought! In my opinion, butlers ought To know their place, and not to play The Old Retainer night and day! Dianaworld addresses many areas where the impact of the princess was clear, strange and quantifiable.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vote-by-mail deadline for May 13 North Port special election is May 1
NORTH PORT – North Port voters who want a vote-by-mail ballot for the May 13 special election have until 5 p.m., May 1 to request one. 'Most vote-by-mail voters know that by law they must renew their request each general election cycle, or every two years,' Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner said in a prepared statement, citing the upcoming deadline. Voters may submit a vote-by-mail request online at the vote-by-mail section of in person at any elections office or by phone at 941-861-8618. When returning their mail ballots, voters may mail them back to the elections office using one Forever stamp or $0.73 postage. Voters may also return their ballots in person during early voting, May 5-10, or during regular business hours at the North Port elections office. Hours of operation and location details can be found at For the May 13th special election, voters will find five referendum questions on the ballot but no candidate races. Turner urges North Port voters to use their sample ballot to research the questions in advance. Sample ballots were mailed to voter households in April and are available now by accessing the Sample Ballot tool at For more information or assistance, call the elections office at 941-861-8618 or visit This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: North Port voters must ask May 13 vote-by-mail ballot by May 1
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
37-year-old woman killed in Sarasota crash after becoming separated from her motorcycle
A 37-year-old woman was killed in a Friday afternoon crash after becoming separated from her motorcycle in a Sarasota crash. She was traveling south on North Honore Avenue and approaching a curve when she veared off the travel lane at 6:38 p.m. After becoming separated from her motorcycle, she collided with a 'Do Not Enter Sign' and came to a final rest, troopers said in a crash report. In case you missed it: 38-year-old woman killed in Englewood crash after walking across travel lanes The Bradenton woman was pronounced dead at the scene. She was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. As of April 5, there have been 1,557 crashes in Sarasota County in 2025, according to the Florida Crash Dashboard. Of those, there have been nine deaths and 1,040 injuries. In Manatee County, there have been 1,464 crashes. Of those, there have been 12 deaths and 991 injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol will continue to investigate the crash. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Bradenton woman killed in motorcycle crash after veering off the road
