Mount Dora Business and Real Estate

Popular Mount Dora restaurant welcomes new owner

2/1/2022

It’s one of downtown Mount Dora’s most popular restaurants.

After opening the Olive Branch Mediterranean Bar and Grill in 2015, Jerry and Karen Vejseli quickly built a large loyal following. Diners enjoyed the friendly owners and staff and returned repeatedly for their fresh Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as the live music on the outdoor deck.

Simultaneously, Karen also had a successful career in finance with a Manhattan firm and was often commuting back and forth. A recent promotion required that she be in New York full time, so the Vejselis decided to put the restaurant on the market and move to Long Island.

Olive Branch’s new owner is Jeff Riesland, whose family has a long history in the restaurant business. A Wyoming native, Riesland began busing tables when he was five years old.

Riesland plans to maintain the same hours and menu, plus add a mushroom ravioli that is a personal favorite of his. He also plans to introduce daily specials. Riesland is also keeping the same live music and staff, so Olive Branch’s regular customers will be greeted by the same friendly faces they are accustomed to. Riesland, who will maintain his decades-long career as a business and real estate broker, has decided to relocate to Mount Dora from Orlando to be closer to the restaurant.

Jerry agreed to stay on with the restaurant for a few weeks to ensure a smooth transition. Olive Branch is located at 115 W. 3rd Avenue in downtown Mount Dora.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.   For local things to do, click here and for the area's free mobile app, click here.

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A new indie market takes root near Eustis

2/1/2022

Take a fresh produce market, blend in a healthy dose of local artisans and vintage vendors, and you have an independent market. North Lake County’s new indie market is located in Dona Vista just north of downtown Eustis.

Once a month, visitors can browse the tents in a corner field filled with everything from artisanal and handmade goods, plants, vintage treasures and jewelry to hand crafts, gifts, art and beautiful items crafted by a local blacksmith. Indie markets are popular across the country, and typically Lake County residents would have to travel to DeLand, Winter Garden or St. Petersburg to find one.

On the weekends when Dona Vista Independent Market isn’t happening, customers can still visit its host, the original Dona Vista Market, a local co-op of farmers and handmade and homemade vendors that opened in one convenient location last year. The outdoor indie market was launched so more vendors could participate in the growing co-op and fill the needs of its customers.

Dona Vista Independent Market launched in November, resumed in January, and continues monthly through April. The three-day market starts on the first Thursday of those months and runs through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The market is located at 16209 Eustis Place in Dona Vista, just five minutes north of downtown Eustis on the west side of State Road 19 across from the Mason Jar. The next Independent Market weekend is February 3, 4 and 5. Vendor applications are now being accepted and anyone interested should call Leslie Wasgatt, (352) 551-0345.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.   For local things to do, click here and for the area's free mobile app, click here.

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Popular Mount Dora restaurant welcomes new owner

A new indie market takes root near Eustis

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