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Highlands Today

NO. 7: AP WAL-MART, OLIVE GARDEN OPEN

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

From left: Cashier Rena Dwight checks out Betty Ann Lampkin at Wal-Mart in Avon Park on opening day in August.

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: December 31, 2008

AVON PARK - Highlands County residents were more than happy to get a new Wal-Mart Supercenter in Avon Park and an Olive Garden in Sebring.

For Avon Park, it was back to old times. The city had a Wal-Mart before - the 1980s "your father's" version of a department superstore.

But then the store closed and area residents had to depend on the Sebring Wal-Mart until that closed, as well, and the Sebring Wal-Mart Supercenter opened at its present location.

Avon Park area shoppers, hoping to save time and gas money, welcomed the news that a new Wal-Mart was returning.

It took a little waiting before the store finally opened. Even after construction appeared complete, with an expected opening in late 2007, various delays pushed the grand opening to Aug. 13.

On another vein, those craving Italian dinners with endless breadsticks and salad got their wished answered when Olive Garden opened up March 24.

With Red Lobster, Chili's and Ruby Tuesday established with locations in Sebring, it was only a matter of time that Olive Garden would find a home in Highlands County.

The new shopping center on U.S. 27, The Shops at Shelby Crossing, provided the right location for the 246-seat eatery.

Dinner at an Olive Garden now became a short trip for many Highlands County residents instead of a long haul up to Winter Haven, the restaurant chain's previous closest location.

Highlands Today reporter Marc Valero can be reached at 863-386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com.

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