First Watch opens D.C. restaurant

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- First Watch continued its expansion in the Washington, D.C., market this week with the opening of a new restaurant in Chantilly, Va.

The new 4,185-square-foot eatery becomes the Lakewood Ranch-based restaurant chain's second in Virginia, joining two others in the greater D.C. area.

Each restaurant employs about 25 local employees.

"We're very excited to expand our presence in Virginia and the D.C. market," Chris Tomasso, chief marketing officer for First Watch, said in a statement.

Alternative Therapyopens new office

EAST MANATEE -- Alternative Therapy will becelebrating its 13th anniversary in business with anopen house from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at Braden Woods Office Park, 5801 Braden Run, East Manatee. Door prizes, food and a chance to meet alternative medicine, acupuncture, massage and yoga practitioners will be offered.

Information: 941-727-1500 or cure@myalternativetherapy.net.

Martial arts businessto celebrate Nov. 17

BRADENTON -- Ultimate Tiger Martial Arts is having a grand opening Nov. 17 at its new location, 6703 14th St. W.

From noon to 3 p.m. there will be karate and self defense demonstrations. Any new student who signs up to take classes will receive a free uniform.

There will be free dance cardio and boot camp exercises with food and door prizes.

There are classes for men, women and children, from beginner to professional fighter level.

For more information, call 941-720-4667.

Kodak reaches dealto borrow $793 million

NEW YORK -- Kodak says it has reached an agreement to borrow $793 million, an important step in letting it leave bankruptcy protection in the first half of next year.

The printing and photography company would borrow the money from a private investment firm, Centerbridge Partners, and the lending arms of asset management firm The Blackstone Group and banks JP Morgan Chase & Co. and UBS AG.

The deal is contingent on Kodak being able to sell its patent portfolio for at least $500 million. The company has been trying to sell that asset for more than a year. Kodak says it is "confident it will achieve" that requirement.

Hostess Brands closing3 bakeries following strike

Hostess Brands Inc. is permanently closing three bakeries following a nationwide strike by its bakers union.

The maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread said Monday thatthe strike has prevented it from producing and delivering products, and it isclosing bakeries in Seattle, St. Louis and Cincinnati. The facilities employ 627 workers.

Hostess, based in Irving, Texas, operates 36 bakeries nationwide and has about 18,300 employees. It warned that the strike, by about 30 percent of its workforce, could lead to bakery closures.

-- Staff and wire report