MOUNT DORA BUZZ - Mount Dora Business and Real Estate

NEW TAVARES DINER BOOSTS AREA'S DINING OPTIONS

1/1/2021

It may be off the beaten path for many, but don’t let that stop you.

Tavares’ new breakfast and lunch diner, Twisted Biscuit Diner, is far removed from downtown’s bustling restaurants and bars, but it’s worth the quick 10-minute trek.

The spacious restaurant, with ample outdoor and indoor seating, opened its doors in November and is quickly becoming a local favorite. Its breakfast offerings are a mix of traditional dishes and Southern favorites with a little twist. Breakfast is served all day and patrons can choose from dishes like Texas Hash ($11.99), the Pig Licker Biscuit ($9.59), banana pecan pancakes ($9.49) , Son-of-a-Biscuit ($8.99) or our choice which was the Bayou Benedict -- an open-faced, bacon-cheddar biscuit topped with fried green tomatoes, two poached eggs and boiled shrimp, then smothered in a tasty Cajun crawfish sauce ($12.59). Bloody Mary’s and various mimosas are also available.

RELATED: Local Dining Guide

The bright and airy atmosphere of Twisted Biscuit includes a long counter with seating, just like every authentic diner should. The service was very friendly, attentive and quick, and left nothing to be desired. The portions were generous and the food was flavorful. .Although the yolks of the poached eggs on the Benedict were cooked hard, the server was very quick and happy to correct it, which is all patrons can ask.

The lunch menu features everything from six entree salads (most $10.99), various Po’boy sandwiches and burgers ($9.99-$12.99), plus entrees like chicken-fried steak ($13.99), red-eye ham platter ($12.99). fried hogfish with Cajun crawfish sauce, and broiled seasoned grouper ($15.99). Entrees are served with two sides and a biscuit.

RELATED: Best of Mount Dora winning restaurants

The diner’s owner, Don Wilson, returned to his restaurant roots after retiring from a career in food service sales. His daughter’s homemade strawberry biscuits were the inspiration for Twisted BIscuits’s concept -- classic southern diner favorites with a twist.

Twisted Biscuit is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located at 4101 County Road 561 at the intersection of County Road 448A in Tavares.

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STRAWBERRY LOVERS FLOCK TO SORRENTO U-PICK FARM

1/1/2021

The local strawberry season is still in full swing and could continue through March depending on the weather.

Oak Haven Farms & Winery, a family-owned U-Pick strawberry farm in Sorrento, has seven acres of their twenty-acre farm available for picking. Priced at $3.50 a pound, visitors can pick rows of ripe berries or opt for pre-picked berries sold for $4 per pound.

The Stauderman family has owned the farm for over twenty years and strawberries have been a staple. Nine years ago, a vineyard was added to grow grapes for making sweet local fruit wines.

RELATED: List of local organic farms

The farm is family-friendly and offers a free obstacle course, playground, short zip line, as well as a hayride on weekends. Pets are not permitted at the farm.

Inside the white barn, shoppers can taste and purchase the farm’s fruit wines, as well as find pre-picked berries, condiments, and local honey. On weekends, the kitchen in the barn sells u-roast hot dogs, drinks, fresh strawberry shortcake, and ice cream.

RELATED: Entertainment calendar for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

Picking hours during the season vary due to supply and weather, but typically the days are Fridays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Oak Haven Farms is located at 32418 Avington Road in Sorrento.

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DOWNTOWN MOUNT DORA'S HOLIDAY HOURS

12/7/2020

If you want to shop and dine local during the holidays, here’s a little help. Mount Dora Merchants Association helped Mount Dora Buzz compile this list of holiday hours of some of your favorite indie shops and restaurants.

Most shops close at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. However a handful are open until 5 or 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day most downtown eateries are open, but their hours vary and most close well before the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Eve.

EATS & DRINKS

Alyson A Bake Shop
Christmas Eve: 8 a.m. to Noon
Christmas Day: Closed
New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New Year’s Day: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Claire's Creperie
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Frog and Monkey:
Christmas and New Year’s Eve Noon to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

Las Palmas
Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas: Closed
New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
New Year’s Day: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Pisces Rising
Christmas Eve: 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
New Year's Eve: 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
New Year's Day: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

PizzaAmore
Christmas Eve: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas: Closed
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: Regular hours

Maggie's Attic
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Olive Branch Mediterranean Grill & Bar
Christmas Eve: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas: Closed
New Year’s Eve: 11:30 a.m. to midnight
New Year’s Day: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Shiva Indian Restaurant
Christmas Eve: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Christmas: Closed
New Year's Eve: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
New Year Day: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

RELATED: Local DIning Guide

RETAIL THERAPY:

Barrel of Books & Games
Christmas Eve: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New Year’s Eve: Noon to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

Checkered Moon:
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

Emz on Fifth:
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Home and Garden Treasures:
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Years Day: Closed

RELATED: 2020 Best of Mount Dora winners

Julianne's Coastal Cottage:
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lee Fusion Art Glass:
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Malena and Magda's Boutique:
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

Matamo Design:
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

Modernism Museum Shoppe:
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

Painting Outside the Lines
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

Papilio
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

Reefs and Ranches:
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

Walk in the Woods
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas and New Year’s Day: Closed

Wow Factory:
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Closed

This is just a partial list, so if your favorite spots aren’t here, no worries. Just head to their social media pages to find out their posted holiday hours and unique offerings.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online event calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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BUBBLE TEA AND MORE TO HIT DOWNTOWN MOUNT DORA

12/1/2020

ABOVE: Bubble tea file photo

It’s been a “thing” for years now and Mount Dora is finally joining the party.

Authentic bubble tea, also called "black pearl tea" or "boba tea," will be making its debut downtown in early 2021 with the opening of Magic Tea. Bubble tea, originally created in Taiwan in the mid-1980s, is a sweet, frothy, cold drink made with various flavors of iced teas, sweetened milk and “pearls” made from ingredients like tapioca and fruit jelly. Contrary to the name, there are actually no bubbles.

RELATED: New eateries coming to Mount Dora's Renaissance Building

Enthusiasts and the adventurous can try various flavors of bubble teas including fruit teas, boba milk tea, oolong, matcha, brown sugar milk tea, as well as Magic Tea's signature tea topped with a tiramisu puffed cream. The new shop will also whip up a matcha latte with cheese foam, a dragon berry fruit smoothie topped with vanilla ice cream, and other decadent drinks.

RELATED: Discover the Local Dining Guide

Those who aren’t big tea fans can try the soft serve matcha and vanilla ice cream with housemade waffle cones, or opt for containers of traditional Japanese red bean ice cream and other flavors. Customers looking for a nosh can choose from a variety of imported Japanese cakes, candy, and snacks to eat in or carry out.

Magic Tea's owner is a familiar face locally. Ling Jiang and her husband also own the popular Momiji sushi restaurant in nearby Sorrento. The couple is still working on the shop's menu and snack options, but anticipates Magic Tea to open by the end of February on 4th Avenue between Alyson A Bakeshop and Wolf Branch Brewing. Stay tuned to Mount Dora Buzz’s Facebook page for an opening date.

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MOUNT DORA WAWA UPDATES IT TARGETED OPENING

12/1/2020

In the spring of 2017, it was announced that Wawa, a national convenience store and gas station chain, was slated to replace the small Shell station on the corner of U.S. 441 and Morningside Drive near Lake Gertrude. The expanding chain of large gas stations has gained popularity for its variety of take-out food offerings including salads, bowls and sandwiches.

Although the Wawa project was approved early on by the City of Mount Dora, Wawa revised its own internal construction schedule for the location which delayed the project. The Pennsylvania-based company has now begun the project and plans on opening in the spring of 2021.

RELATED: Discover the local Mount Dora Shopping Guide

In 2017, the city of Mount Dora quickly annexed the approximately 1.25 acre property and rezoned it as necessary for Wawa to proceed.

In 2020, Wawa planned to open 20 new stores throughout Florida and start construction on a number of others. The company’s goal at the time was to reach 400 stores in Florida by 2028.

Wawa opened its first store in Florida in 2012 and had over 100 locations in the Sunshine State when it first announced its Mount Dora location.

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Local Entertainment Calendar

TRENDY WOMEN'S BOUTIQUE TO OPEN IN MOUNT DORA

12/1/2020

A new source of retail therapy is coming to downtown Mount Dora that will offer fun and trendy women’s clothing at affordable prices.

Ivy Boutique will carry the latest styles of dresses, tunics, jumpsuits, skirts, rompers and more, all under $50. The shop will also sell jewelry, handbags and sunglasses to complement the clothing.

RELATED: Mount Dora's Renaissance Building gets flurry of new businesses

The boutique’s owner, Ivy Parnasius, isn’t a novice in the retail game. She owns and operates the original Ivy Boutique in downtown Spring Harbor, Michigan, and will now spend her winters in Mount Dora and summers in Michigan.

“I opened my first shop over 20 years ago in Colorado, with one goal in mind -- to help women look and feel more beautiful and confident. We offer fun and affordable styles for women of all ages,” said Parnsius, whose store offers looks not currently available in downtown Mount Dora. The store provides live fashion shows on Facebook every Friday, so customers can see new arrivals and shop online, as well as in person.

RELATED: Discover Mount Dora's shopping guide

Parnasius’ family moved to Central Florida 30 years ago, and upon discovering Mount Dora, she fell in love with it. She later graduated from Stetson University in DeLand and moved out of the state, but maintained a dream of opening a shop in Mount Dora.

Ivy Boutique will open this month at 107 E. 4th Avenue in downtown Mount Dora next to Piglet’s Pantry.

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NEW EATERIES & SHOPS REFRESH MOUNT DORA'S RENAISSANCE BUILDING

12/1/2020

Things are booming in the Renaissance Building in downtown Mount Dora. The historic building, which once served as the town’s hotel, has seen an influx of new businesses and the expansion of existing tenants in recent weeks.

Black Swan Mercantile, a French-inspired home decor and gift shop in the prime ground floor, completed its expansion into the next space to add a small specialty food market. The store had previously carried some packaged foods and is increasing its edible and culinary-related offerings to fill the new space.

Meanwhile, long-time tenant Rafiki boutique, moved from its ground-floor space to one that is closer to the front of the building. That jump forward gives the store and its African handmade items greater visibility to passersby.

The building’s short-lived ice cream shop, Steampunk Alley, closed its doors in November. However, its former ground-floor space was quickly grabbed by The Juice Box, a fresh smoothie shop which had been tucked inside Mount Dora Marketplace just a stone’s throw away. It’s new and expanded location in the Renaissance is expected to open early this month and provide much improved foot traffic and visibility. It was only a few months ago that My Peaceful Treasures, a welcoming metaphysical boutique, also moved from the Marketplace into the Renaissance Building.

A new sandwich shop is expected to open in early 2021 in the space across from The Juice Box. The building’s owner, Daniel DiVenanzo is currently considering three different experience operators to pick from. The decision will be based on which will work the best with the dynamic of the building.

RELATED: Discover the Local Dining Guide

It’s not just the ground floor of the three-story building that’s seeing an influx of new tenants. The second floor gained Wild Ibis Studio which was previously located in downtown Eustis and features paintings by two local artists. This is the only gallery in the building and DiVenanzo said he is careful about retail overlap in the building when accepting new tenants.

The second floor will also have a new eatery in the space formerly occupied by The Loft. The owners of the popular Frog & Monkey Pub in the basement will open their second eatery in the Renaissance in the bright space that overlooks Donnelly Street. The Frog and Monkey is known for its tasty food, so their new venture is expected to be another big success.

With all of the new businesses opening, the old hotel building is now approaching 100 percent occupancy with only one office space available on the third floor. Watch Mount Dora Buzz’s Facebook page for opening dates.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online event calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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NEW PEACH VALLEY CAFE TO OPEN IN MOUNT DORA

11/1/2020

Mount Dora will have the newest location of Peach Valley Cafe, a Florida-based chain that dishes up a variety of housemade breakfast and lunch options made from fresh ingredients, according to the company. The expanding chain currently has six other venues in the state.

Known for their fresh apple fritters tossed tableside in cinnamon sugar, the restaurant’s morning offerings include a variety of hearty breakfasts like various omelets, eggs benedicts, blueberry pancakes, stuffed French toast, and biscuits and gravy, as well as lighter breakfasts like avocado toast, housemade granola, smoked salmon bagels, fruit bowls and egg sandwiches. Breakfasts run from approximately $5 to $12. Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Bellinis and sangria are also available.

RELATED: New Organic Smoothie Shop Opens in Mount Dora

Peach Valley’s lunch options also run the gamut with menu items ranging from salads, wraps and soups to fish tacos, meaty burgers, shrimp and grits, plus a variety of hot and cold sandwiches. Lunches are priced from $8 to $12 A kids’ menu is also available. The cafe also offers lunch and breakfast catering and platters.

Mount Dora’s Peach Valley Cafe will be located at 18935 U.S. Highway 441 in the space formerly occupied by Bob Evans. Watch Mount Dora Buzz’s Facebook page for the opening date once it’s determined.

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Local Dining Guide

MOUNT DORA'S NEW ORGANIC SMOOTHIE SHOP WHIPS UP HEALTHY OPTIONS

11/1/2020

From organic farms, vegan menu items and more gluten-free offerings, Mount Dora has been gaining more healthy food options. Last month it gained another. Juize Box, an organic smoothie and juice bar, opened in September and whips up organic smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices, as well as an assortment of light bites.

The partners, Janice DiFiore and Linda Ricker became friends while working together in a local medical office. Both are downtown Mount Dora residents and wanted to offer a fresh and healthy alternative to patrons.

From their collaboration, downtown’s Juize Box was born. It’s a friendly organic juice bar and smoothie shop tucked next to the landmark Donnelly House on Donnelly Street near Fifth Avenue. Patrons can choose from 14 different recipes of smoothies, 10 different cold-pressed juice blends and five flavors of fresh-squeezed lemonades. Customers also have the option of creating their own beverages from the myriad of fresh ingredients and add-ins available.

The Choco Nana smoothie provides a protein boost with its recipe of banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein powder, honey, oats and almond milk. The Bee Sting combines mixed berries with banana, Greek yogurt, fresh orange juice and honey.

Juize Box also offers a variety of Greek yogurt parfaits and açaí bowls. Typically, açaí bowls are like thick smoothies consisting of a pureed acai berry base and then topped with fruits, granola, seeds, nuts and other toppings. The Mount Dora Bowl includes the organic açaí base and fresh berries, plus granola, raw honey, coconut shavings and Nutella drizzle.

The dog-friendly eatery even has a menu item made especially for man’s best friend.

Juize Box can be found at 525 N. Donnelly Street and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 pm.

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NEW TOWNHOUSES MIGHT BE BUILT IN MOUNT DORA

10/14/2020

ABOVE: Site at the corner of Liberty Avenue and Grandview Street.

In real estate there are just three words: location, location, location. That’s certainly true for the proposed new residential development in the southwest section of Mount Dora. If approved, the 32 townhomes would be just a stone’s throw from Gilbert Park and a two-block walk to the city’s lighthouse and Palm Island Boardwalk. The small wooded project site straddles the train tracks that run across Liberty Avenue and is currently flanked by two large signs announcing the residential project.

The Bungalows feature row-style townhomes that are approximately 2,200 square feet and have the common living areas on the first floor and three bedrooms on the second floor. The prices start at $289,000.

The two-story development would be designed as a pocket neighborhood with the attached townhouses arranged in two parallel rows, according to the project’s website. The fronts of the units would face a common narrow green space. Pocket neighborhoods were originally designed to foster a sense of community with an increased level of interaction between neighbors. Such multi-family unit neighborhoods are a contemporary spin on Pasadena, California’s bungalow courts built in the early 1900’s which provided residents with amenities without the higher cost of single-family homes.

The developer is G3 Development (G3), whose president, Gerry Guenther, is a longtime Mount Dora resident. His son, Austin Guenther, is also Mount Dora’s newest city council member who will begin his term in November and Director of Business Development for G3. His brother, Jake, shares the same title and is also the project manager for The Bungalows. G3 is also developing Donnelly Woods, the 112-unit apartment complex and professional office space that was approved by Mount Dora City Council earlier this year.

The proposed site of The Bungalows is currently zoned R-3 which allows for high-density residential up to 12 units per acre, as well as other housing types like single family homes, duplexes and triplexes. Any new development will require Mount Dora’s Planning & Zoning Commission review after the Development Review Committee makes a recommendation. Mount Dora City Council would vote on the project only if the developer seeks a zoning change.

According to the City, no development plan applications have been filed with the City’s Planning and Development Department, and therefore no meetings have been scheduled to begin the review process. The Bungalows’ reservation contract contains the disclaimer that G3 cannot guarantee the proposed development will be constructed if it is rendered unfeasible or undesirable and that the current plans are very preliminary and likely to change in material respects.

The closest new residential project to The Bungalows’ site is the 22-acre Dora Parc development located approximately a quarter of a mile south on Clayton Street. That single-family home neighborhood has 38 home sites with floor plans that range in square footage from 1,900 to 3,900 square feet with prices starting at $295,000. Lennar is the developer.

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POPULAR MOUNT DORA BOUTIQUE CLOSES

10/1/2020

It's the end of a retail era, as one of downtown Mount Dora’s longest-running boutiques closed last week. The owners of The Secret Garden, Marti and Steve Schwab, announced they will be happily retiring and are permanently closing the femme boutique.

The Schwabs purchased the French-inspired shop in 2007 after a visit to Mount Dora. The quaint and popular Donnelly Street store which sold apparel, accessories and vintage items had two previous owners.

After 13 years working as downtown Mount Dora merchants, the Schwabs are leaving the area to travel and to cheer on their daughter’s college cross-country team in Mississippi.

The couple attempted to sell The Secret Garden for several months before the pandemic using a business broker, but the experienced merchants cited the rent in their prime downtown location deterred prospective buyers and dissuaded them from renewing their lease. COVID-19 later presented additional challenges for the established business, according to the couple.

RELATED: Discover Mount Dora's historic downtown shopping district.

“We will miss your beautiful faces (even with masks) and we thank you for being such wonderful customers and friends to us over the last 13 years,” wrote the Schwabs to their customers on Facebook.

Loyal patrons will be happy to learn that The Secret Garden will continue to sell online through Facebook and Instagram after it closes.

Last month, the owners of Noni at the Olive Branch, a store just a few doors away from The Secret Garden, also announced they would be retiring. Read more.

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Local Entertainment Calendar

GOBLIN MARKET SETS REOPENING DATE IN MOUNT DORA

9/16/2020

For six months, Mount Dora diners have felt the absence of one of downtown’s most acclaimed bistros. Since COVID-19 resulted in limiting the capacity of restaurants, some smaller eateries opted to remain closed until reopening was more economically feasible.

The owners of the Goblin Market announced the restaurant, the winner of two Best of Mount Dora awards this year, will reopen on October 1 with extra safety precautions, and fifty percent of its seating capacity. To ensure social distancing, larger parties are limited to eight patrons in the eclectic fine dining restaurant. Due to the limited number of seats in the quaint alley building, making dinner reservations a week or two in advance is highly recommended. The restaurant's popular lunch will be first-come, first-served, as it was in the past. Guests can be added to the waiting list via phone on the same day.

The intimate upstairs bar will also reopen on a first-come, first-served basis, but there will be no standing room or waiting in the bar, so staff will take guests into the bar when seats are available.

Beginning October 1, Goblin Market’s new hours will be:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday: Lunch 11:30-3:00. Dinner 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Thursday: Lunch 11:30-3:00. Dinner 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday: Lunch 11:30-3:00. Dinner 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday: Lunch 11:30-3:00. Dinner 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Sunday: Lunch 11:30-3:00. Dinner CLOSED.

Before October 1, reservations can be called in to (352) 735-0059 between 12 pm. to 2 pm., Tuesday through Friday, to accept reservations. Goblin Market is located at 330 Dora Drawdy Way in downtown Mount Dora.

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Local Dining Guide

MOUNT DORA SHOPKEEPERS TO SWAP MOUNT DORA FOR NEW ZEALAND

9/1/2020

ABOVE: Dudley and Janet Askew outside their shop on Donnelly Street in downtown Mount Dora.

The quaint streets of a Central Florida small town are a long way from an island in the South Pacific, but that’s exactly where the shopkeepers of one downtown Mount Dora store are headed.

In a move across the globe Dudley and Janet Askew, owners of Noni at the Olive Branch, are selling their eclectic gift store and returning to New Zealand, Dudley’s native country. The couple had lived on the island nation when they first married and now plan to retire to the North Island to live close to their daughter who resides there.

The gift shop had been a staple on downtown's Donnelly Street for approximately 15 years before the couple purchased it in 2014. They had moved to Mount Dora a year earlier to escape the harsh winters of Plainfield, Vermont, where they previously lived and owned a gift shop and cafe.

RELATED: Discover other local stores on the Local Shopping Guide

Noni, as it’s often called by Mount Dorans, has long been known for its diverse mix of home accents, casual apparel, pottery, costume jewelry, plus bath and body products. The store is now among a small handful of downtown Mount Dora shops and eateries currently on the market.

The Askews, a very active couple, plan on enjoying their retirement with a lot of biking and hiking when they get to New Zealand to take full advantage of the country’s natural beauty.

“Going back to New Zealand now seems to be completing a circle which we are both happy to be able to do once Noni sells,” said Janet, adding that they will miss their Mount Dora friends and the community.

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EUSTIS TO GET NEW WATERFRONT RESTAURANT

9/1/2020

The scenic view of Lake Eustis will be expansive and enviable. Lake Eustis Waterfront Grill is currently under construction at the shore of Eustis Marina. The restaurant is being constructed in a “Florida-Fish-Lodge style” and will serve traditional American fare and seafood in its indoor and outdoor dining options that will seat 150 people.

In October, the developers will choose a restaurant operator from among the five that expressed interest in the project. Lake Eustis Waterfront Grill is expected to open in the spring of 2021 at the three-and-a-half-acre site less than a mile from the city’s downtown core.

RELATED: Find the best local restaurants on the Local Dining Guide

The restaurant isn’t all that’s new at the marina, one of the best kept secrets of the Golden Triangle. The 50-slip marina was purchased in 2018 and has since undergone major upgrades to the docks and boat slips. The site plan for the project was approved by the Eustis City Commission approximately two years ago, according to one of the project’s partners, Daniel DiVenanzo.

Improvements are continuing at the marina which has approximately 1000 feet of waterfront on Lake Eustis and the canal. All of the boat slips have been rented except five, as well as a handful of covered, dry storage spaces that are currently available. The new owners also added 24-hour manned security at the marina, as well as security cameras to the marina on Lake Eustis’ south shore.

The marina is located at 350 Lakeshore Drive in Eustis.

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DORA QUEEN NOW BOOKING CRUISES ON LAKE DORA

8/1/2020

ABOVE: Dora Queen docked at Wooton Park in Tavares. (Photo by Lisa Kilgore Davidson)

Lake County’s wait is almost over. The much-anticipated Dora Queen has started booking reservations for August and September pleasure cruises. Although the stately replica of a paddle-wheel riverboat comfortably holds up to 108 passengers, it will only book up to 50 passengers per cruise to safely allow for adequate social distancing.

The impressive New Orleans-styled boat with its gray shiplap exterior and red ornamental iron details features two bars, comfortable lounge-style seating and music for passengers to enjoy or dance to during their approximately two-hour Lake Dora voyage. Unlike the other commercial passenger boats currently on Lake Dora, the Dora Queen will be offering pleasure cruises that remain on Lake Dora, rather than narrated boat tours into the Dora Canal. Passengers will board the boat at its Wooton Park dock in downtown Tavares. In the future, the Dora Queen hopes to have additional boarding times in Mount Dora depending on logistics, but the attraction will remain based in Tavares.

The 80-foot pleasure boat has a full bar that serves beer, wine, well and top shelf spirits, as well as specialty drinks and non-alcoholic beverages. For passengers that want snacks, concession-style food is available onboard. The covered, open-air Dora Queen has a state of the art sound system, plus live music most weekends.

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER CRUISE SCHEDULE:
Wednesday and Thursday
Afternoon Cruise: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Sunset Cruise: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Ticket prices: children (2-12 years old) $24, adults $34
Friday through Sunday
Afternoon Cruise: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Sunset Cruise: 7:00 -9:00 p.m.
Ticket prices: children (2-12 years old) $29, adults $39

A third cruise is planned at approximately 1pm depending on passenger demand. Cruise times will change according to month and time of year. All times subject to change.

B.J. and Brandy Herron, long-time Mount Dora residents and owners of Steamboat Tours Inc., operate the Dora Queen which offers two scenic cruises daily on Lake Dora Wednesdays through Sundays. One of the voyages will be a Sunset Cruise taking in the picturesque evening sky for which Lake Dora is renowned. The pleasure cruises will complement the seaplane rides, restaurants and other businesses based in the Tavares entertainment district.

“We wanted a way for locals and tourists to enjoy the beauty of Lake Dora, while offering a unique experience,” said Brandy Herron. “Our goal is to add to the charm of our community with a fun and enjoyable new attraction.”

In addition to its daily operations, the Dora Queen will feature special cruises for Mother’s Day, the 4th of July and other seasonal events. The boat can also be booked for private parties.

The Herrons purchased the Dora Contessa riverboat replica that was docked on the Dead River for several years. Fortuitously, it was the same boat that served as the location of their wedding rehearsal dinner in 2001.

The couple then enlisted the help of Robbie Cunningham, of Trident Pontoon Boats in Tavares, to build The Dora Queen and incorporate The Dora Contessa’s paddle wheel and other elements into the new and larger vessel.

Precautions will be taken for the novel coronavirus, by requiring all Dora Queen staff and crew to wear face masks. Guests are encouraged to wear masks, but it is not mandatory. All guests will be given hand sanitizer upon boarding, and it will be placed conveniently throughout the boat. Staff will routinely disinfect the boat’s surfaces and a thorough sanitization of the boat will take place between each cruise. Dora Queen cruises can be booked here.

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