A Lakeland couple is preparing to bring their blend of fried chicken, 1980’s nostalgia and love for hot pink into downtown Winter Haven.
LoveBird hopes to begin construction of its second restaurant in downtown Winter Haven in October off the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and Avenue B NW. Owner Jeremy Brumley said the aim is to be serving its twist on Southern fried chicken and other classic dishes by the mid-spring 2024.
“Our roots are in Polk County, specifically Lakeland. We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received,” said Brumley. “We have an interest in bringing the brand to other communities here in Polk County, starting with Winter Haven.”
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Brumley said he and his wife, Leah, have been involved in Winter Haven back several years with a business that participated in Winter Haven’s Farmer Markets. Together, the couple has seen the city’s downtown grow and evolve over the last decade.
“By being part of the Winter Haven community, we hope we can play a part in downtown with all the exciting small business and developments going on,” he said.
LoveBird will extensively remodel a former car wash and convenience store at 183 6th St. NW, Brumley said, keeping the back wall of the existing building and some features intact. Building upon what existing in a community is part of the LoveBird brand as it first Lakeland location, 2101 S. Florida Ave – formerly a Starbucks.
“We look for second-generation sites we can go in and remodel,” he said. “This location will feel very similar, but different. This site happened to become available and will look in the vein of the 1950s-style gas station we are in with a few tweaks.”
The plans call for the new Winter Haven restaurant to have a big outdoor patio. Brumley said outdoor dining has proven popular in Lakeland and it helps the small, locally-owned business keep its overhead costs down.
“It helps keeps our prices affordable and our experience cozy,” he said.
LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken restaurant in Lakeland Fl. Wednesday June 9 2021.LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken opened in April and has been flooded with long lines and rave reviews. It’s the second spot in Lakeland (but the only brick and mortar) to offer Nashville hot chicken. ERNST PETERS/ THE LEDGER
Since opening LoveBird in April 2021, Brumley said he’s learned a lot surviving the COVID lockdowns and refined their brand. The Lakeland location started with a drive thru, Brumley said. “It was an odd time in the fact that I felt the customers were wanting to get out and come be in a restaurant. I felt it was divine intervention a little bit,” he said. “We were unexpectedly so busy.”
LoveBird’s staff had to learn how to run an efficient operation and production in a ‘cozy’ space quickly, Brumley said. The Lakeland restaurant’s drive-thru eventually closed. It also doesn’t accept online orders and doesn’t do third-party pickups like UberEats or DoorDash.
“We are only cooking for guests who are there, which improves our quality and resonates,” he said.
It’s a key difference between LoveBird and many other in the restaurant industry, Brumley said, who said he believes many don’t think their business could survive without the revenue streams from takeout or delivery. Admittedly, Brumley said he recognizes some customers have come to expect these conveniences.
“It’s been evident in two and a half years. We’re not for everybody, but we are for somebody. We can’t be everything for everyone,” he said. “We have an engaged fan base that continues to grow by doing the things that we do best.”
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on X @SaraWalshFl.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: LoveBird to bring its almost famous chicken to Downtown Winter Haven
