This month marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of the first Margaritaville Cafe, on Duval Street in Key West.

That opening was the beginning of Jimmy Buffett’s business empire, which has expanded over the years to include frozen foods, tequila, rum, beer, footwear, tailgating accessories, and even horse racing. There are now 13 Margaritaville’s open in the U.S. and in Mexico and the Caribbean. The first two Margaritaville’s in Canada will open in the next two years (Edmonton and Calgary).

Learn more about Jimmy’s business empire here.

A not-so-subtle hint was dropped on Jimmy Buffett’s official Facebook and Twitter pages today:

If you happen to be in Honolulu Friday night you may want to stop by Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber around 8p. We’re just sayin’.

(hat tip to Dean)

Last week we showed you the below picture of Jimmy Buffett and Kinky Friedman and asked you to come up with your own caption for it.

We got a lot of great captions and have selected five of our favorites and want you to vote on your favorite!

We have some more details on Margaritaville Rum, which we reported in November that it was beginning to be distributed but seems to be moving very slowly.

Description:

Inspired by the lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville embodies a relaxed state-of-mind lifestyle synonymous with island escapism. Now with the introduction of Rum, Margaritaville takes consumers to the Island of Jamaica, where for centuries some of the world’s most exquisite rums has been handcrafted.

Every bottle of Margaritaville Premium Jamaican Rum contains a unique blend of aged rums hand selected by Jamaica’s most famed Master Blender, Joy Spence. Each rum is carefully selected and hand blended to create a sophisticated flavor and aroma. After blending, the rums are married. This fusion of the various components is the final touch to the unique blend.

Silver

Clear. Light vanilla, cane stalk, warm custard, and nougat aromas. A soft, silky entry leads to a dry light-to-medium body of attractive cane, vanilla bean, and pepper flavors. Finishes with a zesty, peppery powdered sugar flavor.

Spiced

Pale golden amber color. Creamy vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, and white chocolate aromas. A rich supple off-dry medium body with notes of white pepper and toasted nut. Finishes with a long, warm cinnamon and spicy vanilla fade.

Dark

Deep golden amber color. Vibrant aromas of brown sugar, buttery caramel, roasted nuts, and creame brulee. A buoyant entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body accented with vanilla beans, nut, and peppery brown spice flavors. Finishes with a nice dark caramel toffee and peppery spice fade.

Coconut

Clear. Rich fresh-cut coconut and soft vanilla bean aromas follow through to a mildly sweet medium body of toasted coconut flavor. Finishes with nice length and creaminess.

Suggested retail is $16.99 per bottle.

Margaritaville Rum is reportedly available at Margaritaville Cafes, but have you been able to find it in stores yet?

A couple different articles report that Jimmy Buffett is dining Saturday night with old friend Ed Podolak, former running back for the Kansas City Chiefs and play-by-play man for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa is playing Georgie Tech in the Orange Bowl at Landshark Stadium in Miami on Tuesday. One of the articles says that Buffett will be heading to Tahiti this week.

Ed Podolak is sleeping on a boat.

Well, not a boat, exactly… a motor yacht near Fort Lauderdale Beach, courtesy of an old pal at a local boat company. And speaking of old pals, the Saturday night itinerary for the former Iowa star-turned-analyst was slated to include a dinner with music icon Jimmy Buffett.

Podolak said Buffett wasn’t staying for Tuesday night’s Orange Bowl at Land Shark Stadium, a building that , for now boasts Buffett’s Land Shark Lager as its title sponsor.

“He scheduled over the Orange Bowl,” Podolak explained.

“Buffett will be in Tahiti during the Orange Bowl because he didn’t think the Hawkeyes would be playing in it,” Podolak said.