March restaurant news: Here’s what opened, closed and announced plans in the area

March saw a number of announcements of restaurant openings, closings and plans in the region.

Here’s a look at what happened:

OPENED: Asian Lantern, Hamilton

A restaurant familiar to Hamilton’s dining scene came back to life. Asian Lantern opened at 965 Main Street on the city’s west side in the same spot that for more than 30 years was Chinese Lantern.

READ MORE: This popular Hamilton restaurant has been reborn

OPENED: Flub’s, Hamilton

A Hamilton ice cream shop that is only open for a little more than half the year opened for the season in early March to overflow crowds.

Flub’s, which was founded in 1965 by Ann and Mike “Flub’s” Connaughton and taken over in 2003 by son Brian Connaughton, is located across the street from a park that hosts baseball game, one of the factors that helped cement Flub’s as a staple of Hamilton life.

READ MORE: Here’s why this Hamilton area was PACKED: It’s a new season at Flub’s

ANNOUNCED: Starbucks, Mason

Located in the 5200 block of Kings Mills Road a few miles from Kings Island, the 2,307-square-foot business will sit on a 1-acre property, according to a permit filed by Mike Doty, director of construction with Brandicorp, which is headquartered in Bellevue, Ky.

READ MORE: A new Starbucks is coming to this busy local area

ANNOUNCED: Woodhouse Kitchen + Bar, Mason

Woodhouse Kitchen + Bar said it plans to open soon in the former Bob Evans location at 2629 Water Park Drive in Mason, just off Interstate 71.

READ MORE: This new restaurant spent nearly a year renovating a former Bob Evans, and it will open soon

CLOSED: Butt Shack BBQ & Grill, Fairfield

A Butler County restaurant that touted its “low and slow” wood-smoked barbecue has closed. Butt Shack BBQ & Grill, 500 Wessel Drive in Fairfield, shut its doors in March. The restaurant took its name from the shoulder of a pig, referred to as Boston butt or pork butt.

READ MORE: Barbecue restaurant that moved ‘home’ to replace Fairfield tavern in 2016 has closed

OPENED: Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, West Chester

Taziki’s Mediterranean Café opened its first Butler County location today at 7841 Tylersville Road in West Chester Twp. in the West Chester Plaza that is home to Kroger and other businesses.

READ MORE: A new restaurant chain opens its first Butler County location. Here’s what you should know.

OPENED: Chester’s Chicken, Liberty Twp.

Deg’s Flame Grilled Chicken recently renovated its Liberty Center location to introduce a second dining option. Chester’s Chicken is a quick-service, fried-chicken franchise known for crispy double breaded chicken, especially tenders, according to Deg’s owner Naveed Haq.

READ MORE: There’s a new way to get your fried chicken fix in Butler County

ANNOUNCED: Nanak India, West Chester

Nanak India plans to open in late April at 7741 Tylers Place Blvd. following renovations to the location that formerly was Tap & Barrel Tavern.

READ MORE: New Butler County restaurant to open in former tavern space

ANNOUNCED: Liberty Sandwich Factory, Liberty Twp.

Liberty Sandwich Factory will open soon in a Liberty Twp. shopping plaza down the road from Liberty Center. The new business will open at 7129 Liberty Centre Drive, located just off Ohio 129’s Cincinnati-Dayton Road exit.

READ MORE: A new sandwich spot is coming soon to Liberty Twp. (and it works nicely with the nearby craft beer shop)

ANNOUNCED CLOSURE: Angilo’s Pizza, Hanover Twp.

Angilo’s Pizza at 2269 Millville Ave. Hanover Twp., which was launched three decades ago, announced on Sunday it would close May 25.

READ MORE: Longtime Butler County restaurant announces plans to close

ANNOUNCED: Coney Bar B Que, Kings Island

Kings Island is getting two new culinary additions for the 2018 season, which begins on April 14, with a preview for Gold Season Passholders on April 13. A new restaurant is being added to the park’s line-up: Coney Bar B Que.

READ MORE: Kings Island is getting a new restaurant AND a new reality TV star chef

ANNOUNCED: Alexander’s Market & Deli, Hamilton

Alexander’s Market & Deli, which closed in November at 160 High St., is reopening soon under new owners.

READ MORE: 5 things to know about Hamilton’s newest market and deli

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