Red Lobster opened in Lakeland in 1968

This week, Red Lobster began liquidating, closing dozens of restaurants, including three Tampa Bay-area locations.

That's tough news to swallow for those who love the restaurant chain's food, but also those who take pride in its Tampa Bay roots.

In 1968, restaurateurs Bill Darden and Charley Woodsby opened the first Red Lobster in Lakeland, and it became a near-instant success.

Two years later, Red Lobster was acquired by General Mills, and the chain eventually exploded across the country into what we know it to be today.

Today, the original Red Lobster location on East Memorial Boulevard is home to Lakeland Fishing Outfitters.

Assistant Manager Anthony Angelo showed 10 Tampa Bay the pieces of the restaurant that remain.

"These are the original bar tops from the original Red Lobster," Angelo said. "To salvage a piece of history, we did what we could to refurbish them and put them to use, and now they're kind of a conversation piece around here."

MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/history/red-lobster-opened-lakeland/67-0fa0c3b6-a1d7-4292-a4e3-2371854b38ba

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