Mount Dora's Lost Parrot Closes

ICONIC MOUNT DORA RESTAURANT CLOSES

4/12/2017

Locals are taking it hard. The Lost Parrot, a landmark restaurant in downtown Mount Dora, closed its doors earlier this week as the property changes hands.

The 4,500 square-foot historic building, formerly a Texaco station and Greyhound bus terminal, sold for $1.75 million. The buyer is 100 E. 4th Avenue LLC, which has the same principals as the building across the street occupied by Las Palmas Cuban Restaurant. The partners have a good track record of marketing and leasing their other Mount Dora properties.

For decades the family-owned building and establishment was known as much for its live music and over-sized rustic shutters as for its American-Caribbean food. Dee Hawking originally opened Eduardo's bar and restaurant and then took a break in 2006 to devote time to the family's tropical aviary. In 2011, Hawking and her three children, Patty, Sandy and Vicky, reopened Eduardo's, but renamed it The Lost Parrot after their escaped pet Macaw.

The popular venue launched the careers of some of the area's best musicians, including Jeff Whitfield and Stephen Currence decades ago.

The turnkey building is immediately available for lease. The family will retain the valuable liquor license for potential future sale.

For more restaurant news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app. Monthly issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

News & Events for
Mount Dora • Tavares • Eustis

Download the free Mount Dora Buzz
mobile app.

15 Comments

Sheila

4/12/2017 11:03:16 am

I hope whatever goes in will be similar to the Parrot. It had a relaxed outdoor feel to it and not a sleek modern cold one. Too many places now are getting away from the fun tropical relaxed atmosphere of Mt Dora and that's what makes it special here! Don't want to be another Winter Park!!

Billie

4/12/2017 05:18:43 pm

This makes me sad. It is one of our favorite places to go. I certainly hope they do not replace it with a yuppie gastropub. I lived the feel and the atmosphere of the parrot. 😱

CATHY PLUCHEL

4/12/2017 08:27:19 pm

I REALLY HOPE SOMEONE CAN TAKE IT OVER AND INCORPORATE MUSIC AND HAVE FOOD OF GREAT TASTE SO I HOPE THEY FIND A GREAT CHEF WITH A TASTY MENU AND SOMEONE TO HAVE MUSIC WEEKLY AS THE HEART OF MANY WILL BE FOUND IN GOOD FOOD AND GOOD SOUNDS

Papa Bear

4/12/2017 08:49:19 pm

Thanks for the great times and wonderful memories. The Lost Parrot and Edwardos will remain in mortal in the memories of locals and fans of both establishments . Great times & great music , great place to unwind and a great place to work. Thank you Patty Sandy and Vicky

Melissa

4/12/2017 09:59:59 pm

Ummm... this place was a Mexican restaurant called Eduardo's, its only been the lost parrot for under a decade. You are obviously not a Mt. Dora native

Nana

4/13/2017 07:13:08 am

Melissa, re-read the article. The owners of the Lost Parrot owned Eduardo's...

Laura Passen

4/12/2017 10:15:03 pm

Loved the establishment and especially the family!

Karen Jones

4/13/2017 07:03:06 am

I am saddened and shocked beyond words. The Lost Parrot has been one of our favorite places to eat in town since we moved to Mount Dora two years ago, and we were there just this weekend. We will miss Terry and Patty and the fun atmosphere there. (How could we ever forget Halloween!) So many great servers and bartenders over the past two years! Hugs to you, Amber! I'm still in shock :(

Carolyn G. Kriebel

4/13/2017 01:19:05 pm

I'm so sorry to see the Lost Parrot go, it always felt so comfortable to me, and Terry and Patty made you feel like you were family... Amber you are great and you will all be missed so much. I hope the new owners make it fun and light, like it was.... so sad, all will be missed. Best to you guys.

4/13/2017 08:36:57 pm

Food was never that great but atmosphere was fun.

Misty Lena Red

4/14/2017 12:34:21 am

Started working at Eduardo's in 94 with family so very sad but so very blessed to have the memories.... love and miss you guys like crazy

John C

4/14/2017 07:37:22 pm

You are loved and missed too.

linda lowe

4/16/2017 12:44:55 pm

Holy holy!!! Just because i amhere in Vero, does not mean you have to shut the doors!!!Things will never, be the same.. The best memories for me!! What are we to do???........LOVE!!

Mark and Val

4/20/2017 09:06:11 pm

BUMMER!!! We loved going there, it was a hit with our son that is autistic and hated crowds. And he has a bit of a crush on the bartender. :-).
So sad to see it go......:-(

Margie

5/5/2017 12:51:31 pm

I was fortunate to have met and known Dee, the smart lady that started the original Eduardos, and her children, Sandy, Patti, and Vicki. They have created a great place to dine, have fun and enjoy friendship for many years and will be hard to beat or compete with all the fun and memories we have from them.
Good luck to all of you and "thanks for the memories".

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Business Buzz

ICONIC MOUNT DORA RESTAURANT CLOSES

Leave a Reply.

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE

Archives

Categories