[Orlando Restaurants & Bars]

Taqueria Del Sol, a chain out of Atlanta that opened last year across Orange from the Market at Southside, is closing today.

Better a chain than a mom and pop. Reading their Facebook is interesting. Customers are as mad as they are sympathetic. It seems like they didn't give their all to try and succeed in a challenging location.

Not very surprised. The owners have remained too focused on the Five Guys franchises they own to really give this a chance. Business was definitely building and in I thought it would actually take off in another 6 months. Guess they decided to just cut losses now and refocus on their burger business.

[Other Metro Area Projects]

Traders Joes would be a nice addition, but I don't think there's nearly enough parking to make it happen here.

 

http://www.thedailycity.com/2012/12/trader-joes-and-new-resturants-possibly.html

 

I don't buy that spot at all. Seems like another useless TJ rumor that is either clickbait or the broker trying to hype a project. The traffic at this spot would be awful and the parking would be impossible. Would be smart of them to take the old Winn Dixie further up 17-92 in Maitland and turn that into a TJ. Traffic is much more manageable there and it might lead to a return of a version of the initial planned development there with a parking garage and everything.

[Metro Orlando Headlines]

Very cool. From my understanding, the delay consisted of Downtown's requirement of establishments on the lake to utilize a full kitchen. Good to see them clearing it up and moving forward. Another win for the CBD.

New art installation by the city in the round a bout required some fire code changes with the outdoor patio. Opening in March or so.

[Orlando Restaurants & Bars]

Has anyone tried Benjamin, the French bakery in Thornton Park?

I expected way better for people who have been doing this for years professionally. I know their last place closed on them so maybe I shouldn't be surprised it was not very good.

[Downtown Orlando Project Discussion]

Thanks for that update, DowntownRetail! I'm looking forward to all the new development in this area. Especially the addition of a terrace to that area. I think it really has the potential to transform that area. I'm also looking forward to any restaurant/retail concepts that may occupy the former AltaModa Salon on Central.

Yeah that area looks like it will start drawing a lot more folks to that side of Lake Eola beyond just the farmer market on Sunday. The AltaModa spot will remain a salon as far as I know. There are quite a few people looking at it and they don't want to change its use at all.

[Downtown Orlando Project Discussion]

What are the other 2 projects at Post Parkside besides World of Beer?

First one to open will be The Hyppo which will be the first gourmet popsicle shop in Orlando. They have a store in St. Augustine currently and as you can see, people love it. It really is an amazing product so very exciting to have it locally. This is going in the old Slate modeling space.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/294/1530970/restaurant/Downtown-St-Augustine/The-Hyppo-St-Augustine

WOB is going to be the next to open. They are going to have the patio on the side where the current brick roundabout is. That road will be torn up and some of it claimed along with the grass right there to make the patio.

The last tenant going into the old Eola Wine space is some sort of salad and wrap type concept. Don't know too much right now because they won't be open till next year.

I'll let you know if I hear anything else.

[Downtown Orlando Project Discussion]

Demo in old Antigua continues. Looks like this project is a go? Last I heard, klstorey posted a blog entry indicating it might be an Irish sports bar. Barley House:

http://orlandonarrat...nt-goodbye.html

Pic:

Yes it was originally going to be an Irish bar and they wanted to massively redo the space to return it to its old brick look. The city said no since it was turned into one of the remaining art deco spots in the city and they wouldn't allow it to go back to a brick look. Since Irish wouldn't fit the look it will be Mexican themed now. Guy owns Frank & Steins as well. I know he had a signed lease that he couldn't get out of when the city rejected the initial plan so guess he is going through with it now.

[Metro Orlando Headlines]

Your wishes have been granted:

Trader Joe’s sniffs out Orlando sites

http://www.bizjourna...ando-sites.html

Anyone want to wager the locations where they might debut a few stores?

Wish I knew. Would love to lease space nearby when they open.

[Downtown Orlando Project Discussion]

3 new projects about to begin construction at Post Parkside. The new outdoor patio on Lake Eola there will be very nice.

[Orlando Restaurants & Bars]

I was at Courtesy for their opening and thought they did an excellent job. As the night went on and more people showed up the wait for drinks became fairly long but there is really nothing they can do about that. The bartenders were great and moved real quick to move along cocktail orders that were probably 10+ deep per bartender at some points. The interior is really well done and the drinks are great.

[Florida Mall/Mall at Millenia]

I think one would do well in Winter Park. I am not sure if there is a space large enough for them, though. They would do well alongside stores like Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.

The space that is currently YOLO on Park Ave is available to lease. Really the only thing available on Park Ave that isn't on an extreme end of the road.