For example I am right now sitting in an Arby’s. I’m trying to figure out what business was here before Arby’s? Which would’ve been at least 20 years ago.
Is there a website or someplace that I could easily search this information at, preferably for free.
Edit: the arbys building was built when they moved in. I’m curious what business was there before.
To find the previous businesses at that address, contact the City and ask for business license history at that address. Most cities require a business license for every business that wants to operate in a city.
To find the previous construction activity at that location, contact the City (or County if it’s unincorporated) and ask for Planning and Building permits at that location. Some sort of permit is always needed when something is being built, so there should be records on it.
Typically, City/County websites have a permit record database online under their Building/Planning/Community Development department. You can usually use those to search up permits for an address. To see actual plans, you would need to contact the City.
For business licenses, that information isn’t normally available online but should be public record and can be accessed by contacting the City.