Best Beach Bars, Cat-Themed Cafe, New Costco Opening: FL Business News

FLORIDA — Check out the latest business news from Florida Patch sites:

Record-Breaking Tourism Numbers Reported In Pinellas County

Pinellas County broke tourism records in March, collecting more than $14.6 million in bed tax, data from Visit St. Pete-Clearwater shows.

New Cat-Themed Cafe Serves NY Bagels, Coffee In St. Petersburg

Cat lovers have a new feline-themed cafe to check out in St. Petersburg. Doakes N Doodle is also known for serving bagels shipped from NY.

Costco Sets Opening Date For New Sarasota County Store

Sarasota County’s second Costco warehouse club is opening soon in North Port’s Wellen Park master-planned community.

FL’s ‘Best Beach Bars’ List Includes 2 Tampa Bay-Area Bars: Report

• Also Read: FL’s ‘Best Beach Bars’ List Includes 1 Sarasota County Bar: Report

Dakin Dairy Farms In Manatee County Sold To Owner’s Nephews

The 350-acre Dakin Dairy Farms in Myakka City will remain in the family after it was sold to the owner’s four nephews.

Rue21 Closing All FL Stores After Bankruptcy Filing

Rue21 stores in Florida and nationally will close in four to six weeks and will be preceded by going-out-of-business sales, CNN reported.

Gator In Starbucks Drive-Thru Moved To Pond: North Port Fire Rescue

Starbucks customers on their Saturday morning coffee run were surprised to find a gator in the drive-thru, North Port Fire Rescue said.

18 FL Red Lobster Restaurants Close With No Notice: See List

At least 18 Red Lobster restaurants in FL are "temporarily closed" according to a company website, with dozens more nationwide shuttered.

‘A Total Loss’: Cody’s Original Roadhouse In Tampa Destroyed In Fire

Firefighters battled a heavy fire at Cody’s Original Roadhouse in Tampa Thursday morning, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said.

This Is FL's 'Most Beautiful' Restaurant, New Ranking Says

A south Florida eatery, with its "warm woods" and "striking sculptures," takes the crown as the most beautiful restaurant.

Babies 'R' Us Reborn In Florida In Partnership With Kohl's

Several Kohl's locations in Florida will host baby product retailer Babies 'R' Us, which had shut down with parent company Toys 'R' Us.

This Restaurant Serves The Best French Fries In Florida

Do you want fries with that? Yes, yes, you do, and this Florida restaurant serves up the best, a foodie site says.