What Spirit Airlines' Bankruptcy Means For Holiday Travelers What Spirit Airlines' Bankruptcy Means For Holiday Travelers
What Spirit Airlines' Bankruptcy Means For Holiday Travelers Spirit Airlines, the no-frills budget carrier, announced it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy a week before a record number of people are expected to fly during the Thanksgiving holiday, reports said.  The Florida-based airline announced Monday, Nov. 18, that its debt, growing losses, and increased competition have kept the company in the red for four years, and it would need to restructure its bills to keep it in the air, NBC News reported.  However, despite its financial troubles, the airline promised passengers they would not feel any of that pain in the air.  "Guests …
Star Wars-Themed Hallmark Christmas Ornaments Recalled Due To Mold Exposure Risk Star Wars-Themed Hallmark Christmas Ornaments Recalled Due To Mold Exposure Risk
Star Wars-Themed Hallmark Christmas Ornaments Recalled Due To Mold Exposure Risk The Force is not with this one. This week, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that there is a nationwide recall of thousands of Hallmark Keepsake Christmas tree ornaments of Cad Bane, who is featured in several Star Wars shows on Disney+.  Cad Bane first appeared in the animated series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," then in "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" before being played in the live-action series by Dorian Kingi in "The Book of Boba Fett."  According to CPSC, "the brown paint on the exterior of the recalled Christmas tree ornaments did not fully dry befo…
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Two months after exiting bankruptcy, restaurant chain Red Lobster is unveiling a revamped menu. It features these seven new items: Lobster Pappardelle Pasta Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops Lobster Bisque Lemon Basil Mahi Simply Prepared Mahi Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Roasted Asparagus In addition, a pair of old fan-favorites that had been discontinued are back:  Popcorn Shrimp, Hush Puppies  Red Lobster is now giving guests the ability to customize their seafood favorites with the launch of "Create your Own Ultimate Feast." Customers can mix and match two premium picks such as …
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores A nationwide auto parts retailers says it will close over 700 stores as part of “a strategic plan to improve business performance.” Advance Auto Parts, which has about 4,800 total stores, and locations in almost every state, made the announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14. The affected outlets will close by May 2025 and are made up of 523 corporate stores, and 204 independently owned locations. In addition, four distribution centers will also close. Specific locations to be closed have not yet been announced. In announcing the move, President and Chief Executive Officer Shane O’Kelly said…
'Enough Is Enough': Food Service Workers At CT Hospital Announce Plans For Strike 'Enough Is Enough': Food Service Workers At CT Hospital Announce Plans For Strike
'Enough Is Enough': Food Service Workers At CT Hospital Announce Plans For Strike Food service workers at Connecticut Hospital will go on strike later this month for what they said is a long pattern of unfair treatment and broken promises.  Represented by Connecticut Health Care Associates 1199, the workers at Norwalk Hospital have given their employer Morrison Healthcare a 10-day notice of their intent to strike beginning on Monday, Nov. 25.  The union unanimously voted for this action in September after what they allege is "bad faith bargaining," CHCA 1199 leaders said in a news release.  The dispute stems from Morrison Healthcare's decision to revoke a…
Cybersecurity Issues Hits Stop & Shop Cybersecurity Issues Hits Stop & Shop
Cybersecurity Issues Hits Stop & Shop A cybersecurity “issue” has led the parent company of a supermarket chain to disconnect some systems to protect them. Ahold Delhaize USA said it recently detected a cybersecurity issue within its US network. "Immediately upon detecting the issue, our security teams began an investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts," the company said. "We also notified law enforcement." The move affects: Stop & Shop, which has around 400 locations in New England, New York, and New Jersey; Hannaford, with stores in eastern upstate New York and New England; Giant Company, with…
Chick-fil-A Prepares To Open New CT Restaurant; Will Employ 100 People Chick-fil-A Prepares To Open New CT Restaurant; Will Employ 100 People
Chick-fil-A Prepares To Open New CT Restaurant; Will Employ 100 People Chick-fil-A is expanding its footprint in Connecticut with a new restaurant that will open this week in New Haven County.  The first Chick-fil-A in West Haven will open at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 487 Saw Mill Road.  Jose Marquez, a Connecticut native with a background in business and a 13-year tenure at Chick-fil-A, will lead the West Haven location as its owner-operator, the company said. Marquez, who began his career with Chick-fil-A as a teenager in Georgia, said he is eager to return to his home state and bring the fast food chain's trademark hospitality to th…
BBQ Food Truck Finds Permanent Home With New CT Restaurant BBQ Food Truck Finds Permanent Home With New CT Restaurant
BBQ Food Truck Finds Permanent Home With New CT Restaurant A food truck that has Northerners' mouths watering for Southern barbecue has opened a restaurant in New Haven County.  The Wright Way Burgers & BBQ held the grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 9, for its new restaurant in Hamden at 3835 Whitney Ave restaurant.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Wright Way Burgers & BBQ (@thewrightway.burgers.bbq) The owners posted on Instagram that they were overwhelmed by the community's support and the influx of customers on their first day of business. That love went …
CT Restaurant, Bowling Alley Announces Immediate Closure CT Restaurant, Bowling Alley Announces Immediate Closure
CT Restaurant, Bowling Alley Announces Immediate Closure After almost a decade, an indoor bowling alley and entertainment center in Connecticut that doubled as a bar and restaurant has announced its closure.  Crystal Bees, located in the Hartford County town of Southington at 240 Spring St., announced its immediate closure on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in a post on social media and its website. In its announcement, the business, which consisted of a bowling alley, arcade, music venue, bistro, and bar, attributed its end to "the current economic landscape," which made it hard for it to "continue as a restaurant and entertainment venue."  "Fro…
Feds Recalling 512K Smart Space Heaters Sold Nationwide That Pose Burn, Overheating Risk Feds Recalling 512K Smart Space Heaters Sold Nationwide That Pose Burn, Overheating Risk
Feds Recalling 512K Smart Space Heaters Sold Nationwide That Pose Burn, Overheating Risk Hundreds of thousands of space heaters sold nationwide are being recalled due to fire and burn risks, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced this week. GoveeLife and Govee have issued a recall for approximately 512,500 smart electric space heaters in the US and 48,600 in Canada due to overheating, posing fire and burn hazards.  The recall involves models:  H7130 Recalled Model H7130 CPSC H7131 Recalled Model H7131 CPSC H7132 Recalled Model H7132 CPSC H7133 Recalled Model H7133 CPSC H7134 Recalled Model H7134 CPSC…
Drunk Teen Clocked Going 100+ MPH On Route 8: Police Drunk Teen Clocked Going 100+ MPH On Route 8: Police
Drunk Teen Clocked Going 100+ MPH On Route 8: Police A 19-year-old Connecticut man was busted going more than 100 miles per hour while intoxicated in Litchfield County last week, authorities said.  Jack Reynolds, of Harwinton in Litchfield County, was arrested and charged with having a weapon in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs under 21 years of age, and failure to maintain proper lane, Connecticut State Police said.  Troopers clocked Reynolds at 109 mph in a 65 mph zone around 1:10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct 30, on Route 8 in Litchfield, authorities said.  The trooper got behind …
TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants
TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants Casual dining chain TGI Fridays has filed for bankruptcy several weeks after at least 12 of its restaurants suddenly closed. The company filed the Chapter 11 petition on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Texas, near its Dallas headquarters. Founded in New York City in 1965, TGI Fridays has 95 restaurants in the US, 39 of which the company owns and operates. The other 56 are independent franchises not involved in the bankruptcy petition. The company said that all those locations will remain open. According to the TGI Fridays website and other reports, the following locations are now listed as permanent…
Popular Italian Restaurant Prepares To Close: 'We Have Loved Serving You' Popular Italian Restaurant Prepares To Close: 'We Have Loved Serving You'
Popular Italian Restaurant Prepares To Close: 'We Have Loved Serving You' The time has come.  Avanti Restaurant, a popular Italian Restaurant at 34 River Road in Meriden, will close its doors for good after service on Thursday, Oct. 31, after 17 years in business. The owners — brothers Dominic and Joe Futia — announced their decision last month because they wanted to give customers time to use their gift cards or order their favorite item on the menu before it's too late.  It is with great sadness we announce that we will be closing our doors on October 31st 2024 due to the sale of the... Posted by Avanti Restaurant on Tuesday, September 3…
Popular Restaurant Shuts Its Doors After 7 Years: 'It's Been A Pleasure Serving You' Popular Restaurant Shuts Its Doors After 7 Years: 'It's Been A Pleasure Serving You'
Popular Restaurant Shuts Its Doors After 7 Years: 'It's Been A Pleasure Serving You' A popular American gastropub in Connecticut has closed its doors for good after seven years in business in Fairfield County.  Owners of Prime Pub in Danbury announced in a Facebook post that it had shuttered earlier this month. Prime Pub's Tolland County location in Somers remains open. To our valued guests and community, we regret to inform you that Prime Pub in Danbury will be closing its doors, with our final day of service on Sunday, October 20th. We want to express our deepest gratitude for your support and patronage over the years. It has been a pleasure serving you, and we …
CT-Based Pepperidge Farm Unveils New Name For Popular Goldfish Crackers: Here's What, Why CT-Based Pepperidge Farm Unveils New Name For Popular Goldfish Crackers: Here's What, Why
Ct-based Pepperidge Farm Unveils New Name For Popular Goldfish Crackers: Here's What, Why One of America's favorite snacks has just gotten a more upscale rebranding. Goldfish, the popular cheddar-flavored catch launched in 1962 and known for a special appeal to kids, now has a new name. For a limited time, at least. And there's nothing fishy about why it's made the change. To try to get more adults to reel in the product. Out from the familiar orange-and-white packaging is the iconic "Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers" name, and in is this: "Chilean Sea Bass Baked Snack Crackers." It's a big switch, but the crackers are made with the same ingredients, says Connecticut-based p…
Jimmy John's Introduces Dill-licious New 'Picklewich' Jimmy John's Introduces Dill-licious New 'Picklewich'
Jimmy John's Introduces Dill-licious New 'Picklewich' There will be no "hold the pickles" allowed on these two new sandwiches from Jimmy John's. These are for the dill-heads out there.  The nationwide sandwich franchise announced this week it would launch the "Picklewich," a sandwich with a giant kosher dill pickle  in place of the buns on Monday, Oct. 28, the company said in a news release.  The Picklewich comes in two varieties.  The Vito Picklewich includes salami and capicola with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, and vinegar surrounded by a gigantic pickle.  The Turkey Picklewich with Pi…
Denny's To Close 150 Restaurants Denny's To Close 150 Restaurants
Denny's To Close 150 Restaurants Restaurant chain Denny's plans to shut down as many as 150 of its locations. The company said half of the underperforming outlets will close by the end of the calendar year and the others will go out of business in 2025. Specific restaurants slated for closure have not yet been announced. In announcing the move, Denny's said customers have been ordering from restaurants less often. In addition to the closures, Denny’s will trim the number of items on its menu from 97 to 46 and no longer require outlets to be open 24/7, according to a CNN report. Founded in 1954 in California as Dann…
Coffee Shop With Middle Eastern Spin Coming Soon Coffee Shop With Middle Eastern Spin Coming Soon
Coffee Shop With Middle Eastern Spin Coming Soon The windows of Yemerica Coffee in Hartford County loudly proclaim it's coming soon. Though the owners have not given any definitive date of when that will be, several people have posted their excitement online about the prospect of having a Yemen coffee house close to home.  The coffee shop is located at 1000 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford. The cafe hasn't released its menu, but a Yelp page for the business says it will serve breakfast, brunch, coffee, and tea.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by القرية العربيه …
New Update: CT Restaurant Reveals Exact Closing Date New Update: CT Restaurant Reveals Exact Closing Date
New Update: CT Restaurant Reveals Exact Closing Date Weeks after announcing its upcoming closure, a Connecticut restaurant has revealed when its last night in business will be.  After a decade in business, New Haven County's 66 Church in Naugatuck has revealed that it will be closing for good on Tuesday, Oct. 29.  The restaurant, located at  66 Church St., originally opened in 2015 and originally announced its closure on Tuesday, Oct. 8.  Earlier Report - Naugatuck's 66 Church Announces Closure Now that it has specified its last night, the owners have also revealed how they will mark the occasion. Before the ea…
'New Chapter': Popular Pizzeria That Closed Last Year Coming Back In New Town 'New Chapter': Popular Pizzeria That Closed Last Year Coming Back In New Town
'New Chapter': Popular Pizzeria That Closed Last Year Coming Back In New Town A beloved pizzeria that closed last year after 76 years in business announced it's reopening in a new town. Salerno's Apizza called Stratford home for decades, but in a Facebook post, owner Carlo Salerno said he is finalizing negotiations to open a new storefront in Shelton. He can't say exactly where it will be.  While we can’t reveal the exact location just yet as we are still negotiating on the exact location, we promise it’s coming soon! Once everything is confirmed, you’ll be the first to know! And… from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your incredible p…
Buybuy Baby Closing CT Store Buybuy Baby Closing CT Store
Buybuy Baby Closing CT Store Buybuy Baby is closing all of its physical stores as the company transitions to a digital-first approach, according to a statement on its website. Last summer, the company announced it would be closing all stores amid parent company Bed Bath & Beyond's bankruptcy liquidation. Months later, some stores reopened under a new parent company. But, those stores will be closing, again. They are located at: CONNECTICUT 1433 New Britain Ave., West Hartford DELAWARE 501 W Main St., Christiana MASSACHUSETTS 160 Granite St., Braintree MARYLAND 1683 Rockville Pike, Rockville NEW JERSEY …
Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands
Frozen Waffle Listeria Recall Expands To 14+ Grocery Store Brands A massive voluntary recall has been issued for frozen waffles sold by over 14 different grocery store chains nationwide due to the potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, TreeHouse Foods, Inc. announced on Friday, Oct. 18. Over 500 varieties of frozen waffles manufactured by TreeHouse Foods and sold with the branding of major retailers such as Walmart's Great Value and Target's Good & Gather have been recalled because of possible Listeria.  As stated in the release: "Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections …
Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported
Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported Nearly 90,000 popular fire pits sold at major retailers nationwide are subject to a federal recall due to concerns about flames escaping from their containers and causing critical injuries. Homeowners have been advised to stop using several Colsen-branded fire pits after receiving multiple reports of serious burn injuries suffered by users, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). "Alcohol flames can be invisible and lead to flame jetting when refilling the fire pit reservoir," a CPSC notice states.  "Flame jetting is a serious event that can occur while pouring …
New CT Eatery Enjoying Success Months After Opening New CT Eatery Enjoying Success Months After Opening
New CT Eatery Enjoying Success Months After Opening Mere months after opening its doors, a new restaurant in Connecticut is already a hit with sushi and ramen lovers.  Since opening in mid-July, Tomo 202, located in the Fairfield County town of Brookfield at 806 Federal Rd., has received plenty of praise for its fresh sushi rolls, ramen, and boba tea.  The eatery is the sister restaurant to Tomo 68 in Naugatuck, Ramen & Bao in Oxford, and Ji Bei Chuan in Orange, all in New Haven County.  Those who stop by the new location can indulge in delicious sushi rolls, sashimi, and tempura, as well as ramen, dumplings, oysters…
Tavern To Close Location In CT After 30 Years: Here's When Tavern To Close Location In CT After 30 Years: Here's When
Tavern To Close Location In CT After 30 Years: Here's When An Italian restaurant chain that has been around for three decades has announced when one of its Connecticut locations will close.  First & Last Tavern will serve its last meals at its location in the Hartford County town of Avon at 26 West Main St. (Route 202) on Sunday, Nov. 10, the chain announced on social media. The restaurant did not specify a reason for the closure but thanked those who stopped by over the decades, many of whom celebrated major life events within its walls.  "It's hard to believe 30 years has passed since we first opened our doors. As we reflect on it …
Pizza Hut Unveiling New Restaurant For One Pizza Hut Unveiling New Restaurant For One
Pizza Hut Unveiling New Restaurant For One Pizza Hut is unveiling a new restaurant. It's called Personal Pan Pizza Hut, and it will only serve a 6-inch personal pan pizzas to one customer at a time and by reservation only in a two-day preview. The Personal Pan Pizza Hut will be open in New York City on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 from noon to 7 p.m. in Queens at 50th Avenue and Center Boulevard. Those who can get a spot can choose from any available pizza toppings, including the newest additions to Pizza Hut’s menu: pesto swirl, spicy sauce, chicken sausage, fresh diced garlic, and …
Nationwide Meat Recall Expands To 11.7M Pounds: Products Sold At Major Supermarkets Nationwide Meat Recall Expands To 11.7M Pounds: Products Sold At Major Supermarkets
Nationwide Meat Recall Expands To 11.7M Pounds: Products Sold At Major Supermarkets A nationwide recall of meat and poultry products over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria has been expanded to include 11,765,285 pounds. The initial recall involving the manufacturer, Bruce Pac, was for 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) products sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Trader Joe's, 7-Eleven, Aldi, and other stores. It was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Late Tuesday night, Oct. 15, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced 1.8 million pounds of new products have been added to the recall. Info on …
Walgreens To Close 1,200 Stores Walgreens To Close 1,200 Stores
Walgreens To Close 1,200 Stores Walgreens plans to close about 1,200 stores over three years amid a decline in prescription drug payments and a rise in online competition. About 500 closures will come in 2025, the company announced in a statement released Tuesday morning, Oct. 15. Specific sites for store closures were not announced. Walgreens said its operating loss in fiscal 2024 was $14.1 billion, an increase of 104.5 percent compared to the year-ago period. Retail sales decreased 3.5 percent compared with the year-ago quarter, "reflecting a challenging retail environment and continued channel shift," Walgreens s…
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores 7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is closing hundreds of stores in North America. Parent company Seven & I Holdings said that the 444 locations were “underperforming.” They make up about 3 percent of 7-Eleven's total of around 13,000 outlets in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Specific sites of the stores have not yet been released. In announcing the closures, the company said that 7-Eleven stores saw a 7.3 percent decline in traffic in August, saying a "pullback in consumer spending has persisted beyond prior expectations" that has affected store traffic and sales growth "as consu…
TGI Friday's Closes At Least 12 Restaurants, Including 1 In CT TGI Friday's Closes At Least 12 Restaurants, Including 1 In CT
TGI Friday's Closes At Least 12 Restaurants, Including 1 In CT Casual dining chain TGI Fridays has closed at least a dozen of its restaurants in the last few weeks. Click here for a new, updated story: TGI Friday's Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants According to the company's website and other reports, the following locations are now listed as permanently closed: New York Middletown, 23 Crystal Run Crossing Poughkeepsie, 2594 South Road (Route 9) Clifton Park, 1 Southside Drive  Connecticut Enfield, Freshwater-Stateline Plaza, 130 Elm Street Pennsylvania Allentown,  395 S Ceda…
This CT Taco Spot Named Best In State In New Yelp Rankings This CT Taco Spot Named Best In State In New Yelp Rankings
This CT Taco Spot Named Best In State In New Yelp Rankings A taco joint doubling as a food truck and restaurant in Connecticut is the best in the entire state, according to new rankings by Yelp.  Los Garcia Mexican Fusion, located in New Haven County at 836 East Main St. in Waterbury, was named the best taco restaurant in Connecticut in Yelp's "Best Taco Spot in Every State" report for 2024.  The eatery, composed of an RV-sized trailer with an outdoor patio, a small building with indoor seating, and a smaller food truck, specializes in freshly made tacos with flour tortillas.  Google Maps street view According to Yelp's write-up, …