The smell of buttered popcorn just got closer. Mount Dora's Epic Theatres scheduled its ground breaking for this Friday.  

Site work will then begin on the 12-screen multiplex  being erected on the land between Target and Walmart.  Construction typically takes nine to ten months putting the theater's expected opening in early Spring of 2017, according to an Epic representative.  Read more

It's difficult to get a favorable consensus on a restaurant.   Difficult, but not impossible.  

Lago Dora Ristorante opened six weeks ago in Tavares and diners' glowing reviews are piling up.  

The brick oven and colorful mosaic tables are the focal point of the inviting modern space, but the food steals the show.  Their lunch menu features ten fresh dishes all priced at $7.50, including chicken alfredo, spaghetti with perfectly seasoned meatballs, shrimp diavolo and their popular 10" margherita pizza. ​  Read more

The first one was an overwhelming success.   Now, this summer's pub crawl is expected to draw even bigger crowds.

Festive revelers will descend on Mount Dora for the "Red, White & Booze"  pub crawl on July 3.  Due to the success of the Tipsy Elf Crawl last December, the upcoming event has garnered more participating businesses than its predecessor.  Read more

Historic buildings come with plenty of charm, character and often a hefty dose of maintenance.  Downtown landlords have been battling dry wood termites by spot treating for years.  This year a group of property owners is working together to win the war.     
 
On Monday, June 27, 2016,  the entire east side of the 400 block of Donnelly Street will be enclosed in a tent for three days to fumigate with Vikane gas to eliminate dry wood termites.   The protective action is necessary during the insects' swarming season for the safety of everyone and every building on the block.  ​Read more

A new Latin restaurant opened its doors in a familiar downtown Eustis location.  Maria's Latin Diner, a fast-casual eatery, opened last week in the former home of That Cuban Place.  

The family-owned restaurant features a large steam table that boasts a selection of traditional Latin main courses including pernil (roasted pork), rabo (oxtail) and ropa vieja(shredded beef).  ​Read more

It's rare that an idea combines a ton of talent and a bit of creative enterprise.

Those are the ingredients required when local street performers, as well as performers from across the US, converge for the Eustis Buskers Festival on May 14.  ​​ Read more.

Remodeling any building takes patience. Transforming a historic building into a premier dining destination requires a different level of patience.

Luckily, celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken and his experienced management team arrived well-equipped with tons of passion and patience to pursue their culinary vision in Mount Dora. ​ ​ Read more.

Who could miss it?--the aged and weathered neon Simpson Hotel sign hanging above what is now Le Petit Sweet on Fifth Avenue.

What is the story behind this iconic piece of Mount Dora history?  Read more.

​One of the most visible downtown buildings is getting a few upgrades.  The New Orleans-style landmark on the corner of 5th Avenue & Donnelly Street recently had new windows replace the boards on the second floor, plus a new roof and exterior painting are in progress.   Read more.

Sometimes it's good to be blue.  Well, at least for a weekend.

Now in its second year, the Mount Dora Blueberry Festival is expected to be bigger and better in its new lakefront location in Evans Park.  The downtown festival runs April 23-24 celebrating the growing agricultural importance of blueberries to the Central Florida.  Read more.
​

​He's been anointed one of the favorite sons of Gator football.  Former quarterback Tim Tebow will appear on April 9 at a benefit gala at Mount Dora Christian Academy.  

The former University of Florida quarterback and Heizman Trophy winner will speak about his career in football, as well as his significant work with children.  ​ Read more.

What's pink, takes one year to complete and brings joy to life?  A new food truck, that's what.

Whipping up fresh, decadent donuts in a myriad of flavorslike French Toast, Frosted Crack, Bird's Nest, and its signature Blueberry Glazed is a new favorite local business, Joy Donuts.  The retro-painted pink trailer, not an actual truck, has been attracting locals and selling out since its opening day on March 12. ​  Read more.

Spring has sprung and the cooler weather means more time in the garden.

This weekend inspiration for gardens will be sprawled under the oaks in Mount Dora.   An eclectic collection of garden treasures and plants will be available at the Vintage Garden Show on April 2 & 3.  Read more.

Momentum is expected to pick up speed in the greatly anticipated Epic Theatres multiplex project approved by the Mount Dora City Council months ago. 

Although given the green light, the project's permits have been delayed due to an existing public arts requirement in the city's code for projects exceeding $1 million.  Read more.

​Tandoori anyone?
​
Mount Dora is abuzz about the new Indian restaurant, Shiva, opening downtown.  Experienced restaurateurs,  Davinder (D.K.) and Vhonda Kumar, along with their partner Devendra Patel, hope to open on April 4 after incurring some delays.

Shiva will diversify Mount Dora's dining options with the bold flavors of India and feature an extensive menu of traditional Indian dishes like Butter Chicken, Paneer Makhani, Tandoori, Chicken Korma and plenty of vegetarian options.  An Indian meal would not be complete without the popular naan bread and Shiva will not disappoint.  Read more.
​

They've come a long way from their lives as architects in Camaguey, Cuba.  Alberto & Grace Paneca fled to Florida in 1999 and settled into Lake County in 2002.  Much like how they transformed their lives, the family turned a darkened, run-down space  into a bright, thriving restaurant in downtown Mount Dora.  Read more.

When it comes to electric bills, what goes up usually doesn't come down.    Not true, in the City Of Mount Dora.  It was announced today that utility bills for customers receiving the city’s electric service will reflect a lower Power Cost Charge (PCC) rate starting on April 1.    The PCC on the customers’ electric bills recovers the actual cost of power that the city purchases from Duke Energy.  Read more.
​

She has been a phoenix in the making for almost two decades.  The century-old, Sydonie Mansion, has had its share of starts and stops in the arduous process of restoration.
Today, the impressive historic estate nestled on Mount Dora's southern edge is well on her way to a rebirth.  

​New owners Amy & Clark Frogley are passionate about preserving the landmark's architecture and history.   The couple purchased the thirteen bedroom, 10 bathroomMediterranean Revival mansion in 2014 and plans to complete the its restoration...Read more

A late-night, mano-a-mano battle will unfold in Mount Dora this later this week.  Two local chefs will compete in the open kitchen of Pisces Rising during its After Hours Supper Club on Sunday, February 28th.

This culinary competition will test the cooking abilities and creativity of Casey Aldridge of Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora  and Clemente Rodriguez of Mary's Kountry Kitchen in Tavares.   Read more.
​