AUBURN — Ruby Tuesday’s may have closed at 649 Turner St. in March 2020 citing the financial strain of the pandemic, but for the first six months of this year, it has been a rumor buffet.

Eric Cousens, Auburn’s director of planning and permitting, said the city has heard about one Maine company and one national chain expressing interest and expects some movement in the next few months.

One of the rumors involves never-ending soup, salad and breadsticks, and a reply from an Olive Garden spokeswoman left some wiggle room:

“Unfortunately, we don’t have too much to share at the moment. As we continue to grow, our real estate teams are constantly looking for sites across the country. However, we cannot confirm any specific plans until a project has received the necessary approvals.”

So, we wait.

Down the road, Topham’s empty Ruby Tuesday’s building just got a new tenant, according to Mainebiz: The 6,155-square-foot space was leased by Highbrow, which has a chain of marijuana retail shops in Maine and was approved over the winter for a cannabis cultivation facility in Lewiston.

Quick hits about business comings, goings and happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact staff writer Kathryn Skelton at 689-2844 or kskelton@sunjournal.com.