APRIL ISSUE: News for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

- The annual Lake County Fair starts April 4th and runs through April 13th at the Expo Center in Eustis.  The fair features livestock shows, carnival rides and competitive exhibits plus a talent show for adults and kids.  If you're thinking of going, check out the Mount Dora Buzz cheat sheet with the top five things you need to know before heading out.  Read more 

-  It's short, but sweet. The local blueberry season just kicked off and, weather permitting, should continue through the end of the month or so.  Many local blueberry farms have U-Pick hours, so we've compiled a helpful guide of the farms for you.  View guide.   Later in the month, get all the berries you want during the annual Mount Dora Blueberry Festival which celebrates the season with all things blueberry.  Read more

-  Watch for a new twist on an old tradition this summer.  For the first time, Mount Dora merchants are teaming up with the City of Mount Dora to organize its Independence Day Parade.  Watch for some fresh new ideas and tons of creativity at this summer's event.  Stay tuned.  

-  Easter is just around the corner.  Find out the best local Easter egg hunts for kids here.

-  The curtain will go up this summer on the 72nd season of IceHouse Theatre.  The line up of entertaining comedies and musicals for 2019-2020 was recently announced and season tickets are now available.  Get the list of plays and dates here. 

-  Gorgeous spring weather means people will be spending more time in their gardens. The good news for local green thumbs is that Mount Dora's Vintage Garden Show is back on April 6 & 7.  The two-day, outdoor event features all kinds of fabulous finds.  Read more

-  Big shout-out to the Purvee family of Eustis.  The family operates Crazy Critters Conservancy, a non-profit exotic animal conservancy that currently cares for over 300 animals.  This translates to a lot of time, money, kindness and devotion.  Read more

Mount Dora Buzz is growing!  We are currently seeking an advertising account executive, as well as a reporter intern.  If you're fun, professional, community-minded, creative and interested in growing with us, click here.

Want to know what's happening at City Hall?  Check out Mount Dora Buzz' government page here
Scroll down for all the restaurant and store news.

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-  After eighteen years of dishing out Mount Dora's favorite barbecue, Tina and J.T., the owners of  SugarBoo's BBQ on Grandview Street, announced  they were retiring and closed the restaurant.  We wish them a healthy and happy retirement.  

-  Downtown Mount Dora will soon get its only craft beer tap room.  The Filling Station will feature at least 28 premium drafts and a menu to complement them.  The watering hole, located in the ground floor of the old Lost Parrot building, will also offer premium wines by the glass or the bottle.  The rest of the ground floor will be the new Mount Dora Marketplace.  (see Retail Buzz below)

-  Something awesome is happening in downtown Tavares, but it's still a secret!  The owners of the popular BTW (Burgers, Tacos, Waffles) and BruTap House have leased the space next door, formerly occupied by a coffee house.  Their plans are still a little hush-hush, but stay tuned to Mount Dora Buzz on Facebookfor updates.  
-  One of Mount Dora's newest restaurants, Jamaica Gardens, served its last customers on March 24.  It was one of many eateries to occupy that large downtown space in recent years.  Read more 
Scroll down for news about new stores...
Copyright Mount Dora Buzz 2019

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-  A great retail concept that has proven successful in other Central Florida cities and across the country is making its way to Mount Dora.  Downtown will soon have a new shopping destination for locals and visitors. Stay tuned for the opening of Mount Dora Marketplace, a community market akin to Plant Street Market in Winter Garden that focuses on fresh and artisanal foods.  ​​Read More

-  A new children's boutique, Valerie's Gardenopened at the end of March in downtown Mount Dora.  The store in the Renaissance Building on Donnelly features wooden toys by Melissa & Doug, retro-inspired toddler clothing, stuffed animals and other traditional items for very young children.
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- Desire, the women's clothing boutique on Donnelly Street, just closed in downtown Mount Dora.  The upscale shop opened in August, 2016 next to The Spice & Tea Exchange.
Copyright Mount Dora Buzz 2019

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