Cracker Barrel is taking Thanksgiving dinner orders now, with a family-sized turkey meal starting around $119.99 and a larger feast priced around $189.99. The restaurant chain opened preorders on October 20, the same day it introduced new holiday dishes, including Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes and a Country Fried Turkey Sandwich. The seasonal rollout comes as the chain works to reconnect with customers following a leadership change [...]
Beloved Virginia burger restaurant closes after nearly 40 years, selling out before final day
Virginia has lost another longtime neighborhood institution, joining other beloved restaurants that recently closed across the state. Burger in the Square in Roanoke County served its final customers on October 13 after selling out of food, ending a run that stretched back nearly four decades. The restaurant had originally announced October 14 as its final operating day, with the closure effective October 15, but demand for [...]
A key milestone for North Carolina’s first Buc-ee’s hits 50%
North Carolina’s first Buc-ee’s has reached a visible milestone before a single Beaver Nugget is sold. Since our update on the Mebane Buc-ee’s timeline shifting to 2028, the $50.5 million highway project serving the site has reached 50% completion. That halfway figure applies to the road and interchange work—not the Buc-ee’s building itself. It is still meaningful progress for a project that depends on major traffic [...]
Shipley Donuts opening 15 new locations in Michigan
Shipley Donuts is planning 15 new shops in Michigan, giving Metro Detroit another bakery chain to try alongside the options in our roundup of Krispy Kreme alternatives. The Houston-born company plans to spread its first Michigan locations across Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, with the first shop targeted for early 2027. Shipley reiterated the 15-store Michigan expansion in an October 22 announcement about its broader push [...]
Arizona vegan restaurant closes after more than 20 years as financial pressures mount
A longtime Arizona restaurant served its final meals after more than two decades in business, ending an era for customers who have supported the locally owned establishment for years. Despite efforts to keep the restaurant operating, mounting financial challenges ultimately proved too difficult to overcome. Lovin’ Spoonfuls, a longtime vegan restaurant in Tucson, closed permanently on October 24, 2026. The restaurant had [...]
Beloved Michigan restaurant closes after 32 years as staffing shortages force shutdown
A longtime Upper Peninsula dining destination has permanently closed its doors, ending a 32-year run that made it a fixture in the local community. The restaurant's closure also marks the loss of a brewpub that helped shape Michigan's craft beer scene. Hereford & Hops closes after 32 years Hereford & Hops Steak House & Brewpub in downtown Escanaba, Michigan, permanently closed on October 3, 2026, after more [...]
