It seems we are at the end of two stories for which there has been much ado.

I never quite figured out when Lagniappe Bistro (350 First Ave. N) was ever open. I know it was, because i walked in once. There were people behind the counter and everything. That restaurant had been in the making for some time, and with the amount of history it had amassed before even opening, I decided to give it some time before checking it out. The early menu I had suggested it was open for lunch hours only. So, when I decided that, officially or not, i wanted something New Orleans-flavored, I went over to get a po' boy. But no matter when I went over, they were closed. Not in a way that looked like they were out of business, because there were tables set, and lights on, but decidedly unopen. Friends told me that they had seen them open in the evening, but that it didn't look like they had anything resembling food.

All this leading to the fact that there is now a For Lease sign in front of the store, and brown paper covers the windows. So, I'll pretty much scratch that one off the list.

Similarly, we first heard that Rad Finz Coastal Cuisine was going to open in the spot formerly occupied by Leatherbacks (15000 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach) in January 2010. The initial opening date was set for April, and it was pushed back consistently. But there has been no movement, or an announcement of a new opening date, for some time. Phone numbers associated with the project are disconnected, and I've heard that a new tenant is being sought. It is a prime spot across from the beach and hotels. Something should work there.

We'll see.