A longtime restaurant chain known for its Southern-inspired comfort food has abruptly shut down restaurants across Ohio, ending decades of business in several communities. The closures are part of a nationwide shutdown that marks a dramatic turn for a brand that once operated hundreds of restaurants. O'Charley's closes restaurants across Ohio O'Charley's closed its remaining company-operated restaurants on September 9, [...]
Bankrupt Wendy’s franchisee seeks $18.6 million sale of 42 restaurants in 4 states
A bankrupt Wendy’s franchise operator wants to sell 42 restaurants across Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri for $18.6 million. The proposed deal offers a possible way to keep those locations running while their current owner restructures its debts. It is a new turn in the Wendy’s franchisee bankruptcy that has already brought closure plans to Oklahoma. The latest sale request was filed October 21, but the [...]
Iowa neighborhood grocery store to close after costs outpace sales
A small Iowa grocery store created to bring affordable, healthy food to an underserved neighborhood will close on December 18 after nearly five years. Its shutdown adds a very local chapter to broader grocery store closures reshaping shopping options in 2026. Cultivate Hope Corner Store at 604 Ellis Boulevard NW in Cedar Rapids is operated by the nonprofit Matthew 25. The store opened in April 2022 with a mission to give Time [...]
Chia Spiced Moon Milk
When the evenings turn chilly and it’s time to slow down, there’s something comforting about wrapping your hands around a warm mug of something delicious. This chai spiced moon milk is a cozy, creamy drink made with milk, warming spices, and a hint of vanilla. It’s simple to prepare and lovely to sip during a quiet evening at home. Inspired by the warming flavors of chai, this recipe combines cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, [...]
Pennsylvania county loses its only Red Lobster as chain keeps shrinking after bankruptcy
Mercer County, Pennsylvania, has lost its only Red Lobster. The chain named November 1, 2026, as the permanent closing date for its longtime restaurant at 3370 Shenango Valley Freeway in Hermitage, leaving local customers without a Red Lobster on their side of the Ohio state line. The shutdown extends a national wave of Red Lobster restaurant closures. The seafood chain emerged from bankruptcy in September 2024, but it is [...]
Local gem Timber Pizza opening 2 new locations in Maryland
Timber Pizza is planning two new Maryland restaurants, with Chevy Chase and Bethesda next in line for the Washington, D.C.-born wood-fired pizza chain. While several major pizza chains have been cutting locations, Timber is pushing farther into Montgomery County through a new agreement with a locally connected franchise team. The company announced the two-restaurant deal on October 6, 2026. Husband-and-wife operators Kyle and [...]
