Mount Dora Business and Real Estate

MOUNT DORA TO LOSE PASSENGER TRAIN

2/27/2019

Superstitious folks might just feel the tracks are cursed. For over a decade, Mount Dora has seen passenger train operations start and stop for a variety of reasons. Inevitably, a new vintage passenger train arrived to fill the void.

That’s about to change. On April 22, Central Florida Railroad (CFR), which owns the tracks, will cease allowing passenger trains on the section of track between Tavares and Mount Dora.

Government regulations understandably require tracks that carry passenger trains be maintained to a higher standard than their freight counterparts. Officials at CFR have determined it’s cost-prohibitive to maintain 100-year-old tracks to that high level, according to Pete Petree of Pinsly Railroad Company, the holding company of CFR.

The passenger train will continue its excursion rides from Tavares to Eustis which operates on much newer tracks.

CFR will return the use of the Mount Dora/Tavares tracks to its main business of freight and storage and will also explore other opportunities that would not involve passenger trains. The termination date of April 22 cannot be changed and the company is not looking for subsidies from the City of Tavares or Mount Dora, according to Petree. Instead, CFR officials opted to move forward with re-focusing their business on that portion of track.

The train operator, Royal Palm Railway, remains committed to the Tavares/Eustis excursion train. Last year the operator experienced strong growth in ridership as visitors rode the train into Mount Dora from Tavares and used it as a shuttle into Mount Dora’s large festivals. Additionally, the operator’s Polar Express train and other themed rides have been very successful, according to Neil Bagaus, spokesperson for Royal Palm Railway. He estimates ridership during a 12-month period to be between 100,000 and 125,000. After April 22, riders will still be able to catch the train at the downtown Tavares station and ride it into Eustis on Thursdays through Sundays starting at 10 a.m.

As Mount Dora passenger train operations have come and gone, their charm remains woven into the fabric that created the city’s reputation as a quaint, historic town. Gone are the days of Herbie, the little yellow engine beloved for years by local toddlers, followed by the big steam Orange Blossom Cannonball. Now Mount Dorans will bid farewell to Royal Palm Railway and its fleet of refurbished 1940’s passenger cars in what seems to be the sad end of Mount Dora’s passenger train era.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

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ADVENTHEALTH ANNOUNCES TOMORROW'S GROUNDBREAKING ON MOUNT DORA MEDICAL PLAZA

2/18/2019

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AdventHealth will break ground on its newest Lake County project, a 22,260-square-foot medical plaza on U.S. 441 near the intersection of Wolf Branch Road in Mount Dora. The two-story $13 million medical plaza, located at 19735 U.S. Hwy 441, will be the first of its kind in Lake County. It will house eight primary care physicians and will provide convenient walk-in primary care and extended office hours.

The plaza is located to care for the growing Sorrento and Mt. Plymouth areas, as well as Mount Dora. The contemporary and efficient design on the large property can accommodate expansion and add additional services, as the second floor will be shelled for future use.

“We considered many locations in the Golden Triangle area and noticed a true need here. We are confident this new medical plaza will give the surrounding residents increased access to excellent healthcare services,” said Abel Biri, Florida Hospital Waterman Chief Executive Officer. The Tavares hospital is also currently expanding its emergency department to keep up with the growing demand.

The medical plaza's architect is Gresham Smith and the main contractor is Robins & Morton. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2019.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

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NEW RESTAURANT BRINGS MORE OF NEW ENGLAND TO MOUNT DORA

2/5/2019

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Long ago, as northern tourists flocked to Mount Dora, the small historic town was dubbed the “New England of the South.”   Now a new downtown restaurant is planning to add to that reputation with its award-winning New England seafood specialty.

Tony’s Chowder House is expected to open by Valentine’s Day in the small space on Donnelly Street vacated last year by Rocking Cafe. The free-standing building is up the short hill from the core of downtown Mount Dora’s bevy of shops and restaurants, The finishing touches are being added to the remodeled interior to recreate the nautical decor of an old New England chowder house, according to Bill Martin, one of the restaurant’s owners.

The approximate 12-table eatery is the sister restaurant to the award-winning Tony’s Seafood Restaurant on Cedar Key, owned by Martin’s cousin, chef Eric Jungklaus. That popular establishment has been dishing out casual seafood fare for almost 14 years and is a three-time winner of the Great Chowder Cook-off in Newport, Rhode Island.   Jungklaus is also co-owner of the new Mount Dora restaurant and a local resident.

In the beginning Tony’s Chowder House will offer a limited menu that focuses on their white clam chowder recipe and other soups made from scratch, as well as sandwiches, salads, beer and wine.   Later, the menu will expand to include other offerings like clam strips and fried oysters, and eventually the restaurant will add outdoor dining, according to Martin.

Martin is no newcomer to the business climate in downtown Mount Dora. He and his mother were the original owners of the Whispering Winds gift store on Donnelly Street.

Tony’s Chowder House is located at 622 North Donnelly Street.

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For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

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ADVENTHEALTH WATERMAN OPENS TEMPORARY ER ENTRANCE

2/2/2019

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As part of AdventHealth Waterman’s $74 million construction project to expand the emergency department and build a new four-story patient tower, the main entrance to the ER will be temporarily relocated on February 1.

Patients can access the emergency department through the main hospital entrance at 1000 Waterman Way in Tavares just off U.S. Highway 441. At this entrance, free valet parking for emergency care will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Signage will aide in directing patients to the ER.

“During this construction process, I want to assure our community that our hospital and emergency department will remain fully operational,” said Abel Biri, AdventHealth Waterman CEO. “This construction project is the single largest investment in a Lake County healthcare facility since our Tavares campus was completed in 2003, and we want to make sure patients know they can still rely on our hospital during their time of critical need.”

In April, the emergency department’s main entrance will reopen as AdventHealth Waterman celebrates the completed construction on its four-story patient tower for women’s services, pediatrics and future growth.

The construction to more than double the size of the emergency department, growing from 35 to 58 beds, is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. This expansion project will improve privacy and patient flow in the ER and add advanced technology for caring for children, seniors and heart attack patients.

Originally built to accommodate 50,000 patients a year, the AdventHealth Waterman emergency department cared for nearly 66,500 patients in 2018, demonstrating a clear need for the hospital to add more beds to the ER.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

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TWO LANDLORDS SUCCEED IN BRINGING NEW BUSINESSES TO MOUNT DORA

2/1/2019

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ABOVE: The Creators Corner building on Donnelly and Third Avenue in downtown Mount Dora. (Photo by Mount Dora Buzz)

In a city where some vacant downtown spaces have seemingly become permanent fixtures, at least two downtown landlords have succeeded in leasing their space.

Recently, the two-story building at the corner of Donnelly Street and Third Avenue added three new businesses to its roster of tenants that already included the Jane Slivka Art Gallery in its courtyard. Now there’s only one 935 square-foot space available in the Creators Corner building owned by Carillo Family Enterprises, LLC and managed by Mike Levine of Certified Real Estate Investments, Inc.

FYI Creations, a unique home decor store featuring original handmade items crafted from Florida driftwood and other natural materials, was the first new store to move in and opened in front of Slivka’s gallery.

ABOVE: Angela Kvetiki of Soft Step Shoes

This weekend marks the opening of a new shoe store, Soft Step Shoes, that offers several women’s dress and casual styles, as well as shoes to help with foot pain, including diabetes-related foot issues. The business was formerly located in Lake Square Mall.

In March, a new creative endeavor will open on the Donnelly side of the building vacated by Wallace Fitness. Alexandre and Company will offer DIY craft workshops on a variety of different topics, similar to the “paint and sip” concepts in the area, but offering a broader assortment of classes. Workshops will be held at the space, as well as on location to accommodate groups and parties.

Meanwhile, Sandi Weld of CFL Property Group has achieved an impressive one hundred percent occupancy rate for the company’s retail and residential rental holdings downtown. The most recent retail tenant to move in was Cappadocia Arts, as home decor store featuring handmade Turkish textiles and pottery.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

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A FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT CLOSES AFTER A DECADE IN MOUNT DORA

2/1/2019

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Just off the beaten path stood a secret loved by locals for over a decade.    An unassuming walk-up style eatery in the Grandview Business District enticed residents from all over town by dishing up its soulful fare.

Ivory's was a small family-owned restaurant that cooked up family recipes made from scratch, according to owner Maria Thomas. Seating was limited to a couple of outdoor tables, so much of the business was take-out.

The casual and value-driven menu included a wide range of full breakfasts, plus lunches and dinners featuring fresh burgers, sandwiches and wings among other standards. The restaurant, named for Thomas' grandfather, was also known for its soul food specialties like fried catfish, rice and beans, and collard greens.

Now the building is empty, located at 1325 Grandview Street, and residents are left hoping for another business to fill the space and the big shoes that Ivory’s has left.

Thomas built the business from the ground up eleven years ago in Mount Dora's historic East Town area, which is located a few blocks east of Donnelly Street. The concept came from her mother's and aunt's successful restaurant in Fort Lauderdale that shares the same name and recipes.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

Subscribe to Mount Dora Buzz updates

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Business & Real Estate

MOUNT DORA TO LOSE PASSENGER TRAIN

ADVENTHEALTH ANNOUNCES TOMORROW'S GROUNDBREAKING ON MOUNT DORA MEDICAL PLAZA

NEW RESTAURANT BRINGS MORE OF NEW ENGLAND TO MOUNT DORA

ADVENTHEALTH WATERMAN OPENS TEMPORARY ER ENTRANCE

TWO LANDLORDS SUCCEED IN BRINGING NEW BUSINESSES TO MOUNT DORA

A FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT CLOSES AFTER A DECADE IN MOUNT DORA

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