Mount Dora Business and Real Estate

MOUNT DORA POST OFFICE PROPERTY NO LONGER PARKING GARAGE OPTION

6/19/2019

One of the most talked about properties to help solve downtown Mount Dora’s chronic parking woes is now off the table. The Mount Dora Post Office property went under contract on June 5 and is expected to close in August.

The current owner of the Mount Dora Post Office property, Barchester Corporation, had been exclusively negotiating a perpetual land lease with Mount Dora officials for 11 months and was awaiting the signed $65,000 annual lease agreement, but instead was advised on May 8 that the City was no longer interested in leasing the property, according to John Seravalli of Barchester Corporation.

The post office is set to open in its new Mount Dora location on Old Highway 441 on July 8, so the relatively last-minute notification left Barchester only two months to market the land lease, an endeavor that typically requires a year of marketing due to lower demand, according to Seravalli. The new time constraint spurred the company to sell the property, which is a transaction that requires a fraction of the marketing window due to the higher number of interested parties.

After a handful of prospective purchasers reached out, Barchester received an unsolicited offer that they accepted. The last commercial property that went up for sale in downtown Mount Dora went under contract within days after its listing.

According to Seravalli, the purchaser has plans to extensively renovate the building.

Meanwhile, the Mount Dora officials now have one less option available to solve its critical parking shortage. Due to the scarcity of remaining options, eyes may turn toward a new garage in the location of the existing downtown parking garage and its neighboring parking lots.

Last year, the City of Mount Dora spent $798,000 for property on Third Avenue and Baker Street to develop a downtown surface parking lot with an estimated 43 to 60 spaces.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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MOUNT DORA MERCHANTS LURE SHOPPERS AFTER HOURS

6/11/2019

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It’s a common refrain from folks strolling along downtown Mount Dora sidewalks after 5 p.m. They ponder why the vast majority of quaint shops close just as patrons arrive at local watering holes and restaurants to enjoy their happy hours and live music offerings.

Well, times may be changing, albeit in small steps. Downtown’s new merchant association, formed last year, will sponsor a new event dubbed After Hours Around Mount Dora in which many stores will remain open until 8 p.m. The event will take place on the second Friday of every month beginning on June 14 with some shops offering special promotions. If evening shopping is well received, merchants may opt to extend their hours with more frequency.

Crissy Stile, owner of Barrel of Books and Games, said her store will be hosting poetry readings by local writers beginning at 6 p.m.

“The newly formed merchant's association, run by and funded by your local merchants, is working on some very cool and fun new events for downtown,” wrote Stiles on her store’s Facebook page.

After Hours Around Mount Dora coincides with downtown’s free Art in the Alley event which features artists selling their creations and live acoustic music along Royellou Alley from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The alley intersects Fifth Avenue near Mount Dora Center for the Arts and JK Thai Garden restaurant. Most downtown galleries are also open for Art in the Alley including Painting Outside the Lines which features 17 artists. Participating galleries are open from 6 to 8 p.m.

After enjoying the art and shopping, customers can head to one of the many downtown restaurants and bars to enjoy their diverse fare, craft cocktails and regular lineup of stellar live music.

Check this weekend’s entertainment calendar for local live music. Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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MONSTER DOUGH TREAT SHOP PLANS MOUNT DORA OPENING

6/1/2019

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Just a few more finishing touches and Mount Dora’s newest treat shop will be dishing out cold treats just in time for this summer’s scorching temps.

Monster Dough, a modern twist on an ice cream shop, will offer light and creamy “rolled” ice cream, as well as house-made edible cookie dough.

Customers can choose from twelve indulgent flavors of cookie dough including chocolate chip, birthday cake, oatmeal pie, peanut butter cup, macadamia nut, sugar cookie and cookie Some will be swapped out for seasonal or holiday flavors, according to co-owner Cara Fitch.

Five signature rolled ice cream flavors will be available daily, plus a create-your-own option. Not to worry, there is also hard scooped ice cream for traditionalists. Later this summer, Monster Dough will introduce its ice cream waffle tacos filled with rolled ice cream, scooped ice cream or cookie dough.

Monster Dough is expected to open at 18950 US Highway 441, Mount Dora, in early June, according to Fitch. Fitch and her husband, co-owner Ryan, also own nearby Modern Fit Nutrition in Mount Dora.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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NEW RIB SHACK TO OPEN IN ICONIC MOUNT DORA LOCATION

6/1/2019

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The new BBQ spot opening in Mount Dora has a story behind it that is, literally, straight out of a movie.

Acme Rib Shack is prepping for a June opening in the former location of iconic Sugar Boo’s Bar-B-Que. The new co-owner, Ernie Mosteller, and pitmaster Scotty Clark have decades of BBQ experience and share a dedication to authentic, old-school Southern BBQ.

“We might be new faces to some of y’all, and there’s a new sign going up, but we’re not new to BBQ at all,” said Clark. “We can tell you how good it’s going to be and talk about it all day long, but the proof’s going to be in the food. That’s where we know we can deliver.”

Mosteller, a filmmaker and Mount Dora native, echoed Clark’s confidence. “I grew up standing in line for Mr. Thomas’ ribs in Eustis in the 60s and 70s. That formed an early love for BBQ. My career as a filmmaker has me traveling deep back roads across the South and I’ve been to every little joint I’ve run across,” said Mosteller.

After Mosteller and his wife, Sarah, bought the property, he knew Clark was the man to call. The team will keep things simple by just offering what it does best: ribs, pulled pork, chicken and coleslaw. In the future, they hope to bring in some live blues music to make the experience complete.

Mosteller and Clark met almost a decade ago, when Mosteller was drawn by the irresistible force of BBQ smoke into the yard of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Sorrento. There he met Clark, the pastor and head BBQ cook.

“Scotty told me the story of how the church was built and supported by selling BBQ on the side of the road,” says Mosteller. “I thought it might make a good human interest documentary. Then I tasted his ribs, and had to make the movie, even if it was just to hang around and get some more.”

ABOVE: Ernie Mosteller (left) and pitmaster Scotty Clark (right)

The documentary, “Faith Hope and BBQ,” released in 2014 and available on Amazon, formed a friendship and mutual respect between Mosteller and Clark.

Barbecue is all in the nuances, according to Mosteller. “Seasonings, time, wood choices and other stuff no BBQ man will tell you. It’s an art form.”

The opening of Acme Rib Shack, located at 1305 N. Grandview Street, brings a renewed business vibrancy to the Grandview Business District, which saw the closings of two local favorites, Ivory’s and Sugarboo’s, over the last year.   The team hope to be cooking up ribs for Mount Dora’s annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 22 in the Grandview Business District.

“I grew up in Mount Dora, I love the Northeast neighborhood, and I want Acme to be a centerpiece where everybody wants to be,” said Mosteller.

Acme Rib Shack is located at 1305 N. Grandview Street and will be open Thursdays through Sundays.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here.  For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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NEW CORNER EATERY TO OPEN IN MOUNT DORA

6/1/2019

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During the evening hours, the intersection of 5th Avenue and Highland Street is a hub for dining and adult beverages. Soon that uptown Mount Dora location, previously home to both a hot dog stand and a burger joint, will be home to a new casual restaurant. Fifth Avenue Streatery is expected to open on the corner across from Mermaid Juice and Jeremiah’s by the end of July.

The convenient location was previously a gas station that was later transformed into a walk-up eatery with outdoor seating., The menu offerings include favorites like flatbreads, gyros and fresh salads that include Mediterranean and Buffalo Chicken options. The owners, Eustis residents with hefty experience in restaurant management, will make all sauces and dressings from scratch.

Fifth Avenue Eatery will be located at 846 E. Fifth Avenue in uptown Mount Dora.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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FROZEN YOGURT & BUBBLE TEA SHOP TO OPEN IN EUSTIS

6/1/2019

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What was once a mundane laundromat, will soon transform into Can’t Top This, a vibrant frozen yogurt and bubble tea shop in Eustis.

Bubble Tea, originally from Taiwan, is a frothy, cold drink made with different flavors of iced tea, specialty sweetened milk and black tapioca “pearls.”   Contrary to the name, there are actually no bubbles.

Enthusiasts and the adventurous can try one of the 25 flavors of milk tea including favorites like taro, Thai tea, mango and additional fruit flavors. Customers who aren’t big fans of tea can try the Popping Lemonades available in various fruit flavors that substitute lemonade for tea.

The small space will feature 10 different frozen yogurt flavors daily, many of which are proprietary blends, according to manager, Deanne Perry.   Can’t Top This will also offer tart, sugar-free and dairy-free yogurt options, plus Italian ice, gelati, milkshakes, smoothies and açaí bowls.

Can’t Top This is expected to open in June at 2810 Bay Street in the Planet Fitness shopping center in Eustis.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here.  For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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Business Buzz

MOUNT DORA POST OFFICE PROPERTY NO LONGER PARKING GARAGE OPTION

MOUNT DORA MERCHANTS LURE SHOPPERS AFTER HOURS

MONSTER DOUGH TREAT SHOP PLANS MOUNT DORA OPENING

NEW RIB SHACK TO OPEN IN ICONIC MOUNT DORA LOCATION

NEW CORNER EATERY TO OPEN IN MOUNT DORA

FROZEN YOGURT & BUBBLE TEA SHOP TO OPEN IN EUSTIS

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