Nov. 6--D'IBERVILLE -- Four years after Hurricane Katrina washed it from the beach, Red Lobster returns to South Mississippi on Monday at The Promenade.

Trading a beach view for easy access off Interstate 10, the restaurant joins several other eateries including Olive Garden and Newk's Cafe, and Target and other stores at The Promenade. The Bar Harbor architecture is Red Lobster's new design and the restaurant has booths and tables in the dining rooms.

Red Lobster will be open only for dinner the first week, said culinary manager Danielle Lee, before switching to lunch and dinner daily the week of Nov. 16.

Lee said the restaurant had more than 1,000 applications for 185 jobs, Lee said.

Other shops and restaurants continue to open at The Promenade while construction is under way at Kohl's department store. Indulgence opens Monday and a new Cellular South store on Nov. 24. Among those still to come are Michaels craft shop in winter 2010, Subway, Frosting gourmet filled cupcakes, Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Sports and LOL: Luxuries of Life.

"I was expecting the best and it's met all my expectations," Max Benson, the operator of the new Chick-Fil-A at The Promenade. "The crowds haven't stopped since the grand opening,"

He and his staff of 65 have handed out more than 12,000 coupons for free sandwiches, and Benson said, "Believe me, most people are redeeming them."

Staff and management from other Chick-Fil-A restaurants have come to help, and Benson said the restaurant opened with 14 trainers on Oct. 29 and is down to five.

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