NOVEMBER EDITION: News & events for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

Treasure hunting officially kicks off this month with the first Mount Dora Antique Extravaganza of the season. From valuable rarities to surreal oddities, everything under the sun can be found during the fun three-day event. Read more

Get your green thumbs ready! Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair returns this month to downtown Mount Dora. Vendors come from across the state with all types of unique plants and garden decor for sale during the two-day event. Read more

Love Blues music? The Central Florida Blues Lovers' Jam returns to Mount Dora on November 12. The event provides an outdoor venue for musicians to jam and collaborate with a full band and for the rest of us to just relax and enjoy. You can check it out on the big stage at Renningers from noon to 3 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket!

Later this month, Light Up events return to downtown Mount Dora and Eustis. First up is Light Up Eustis on November 24 from 5-9 p.m. in Ferran Park, followed by Mount Dora's event on Saturday, November 25. Light Up Mount Dora will be at waterfront Evans Park starting at 4:30 p.m. and feature a concert by Violectric, a seven-piece band with lighted instruments and original arrangements of popular songs. Downtown's impressive holiday light display will be turned on at 6:15 in conjunction with fireworks launched from Lake Dora near the lighthouse. Stayed tuned to Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page and website for more details on both events as they become available. You can find this year's Local Holiday Event Guide here.

Walk and learn about Mount Dora's rich history during four historical walking tours through downtown on November 4. Check-in times are 9:00, 9:10, 9:20, and 9:30 a.m. at Lakeside Inn. Mount Dora Historical Society will have docents at each stop during the nearly 16-block walk. Keep your fur babies happy at home, as they are not permitted at this event,  

Shout out to Mount Dora High School student Tyler Hartley and his friend who rescued a chihuahua near the school during their cross country practice last month. Hartley waited with the dog for hours until animal control could arrive. The dog was then reunited with its worried owners. Well done, Tyler!

In the coming weeks, residents may learn if Mount Dora's negotiating team, consisting of its City Manager, Mayor and Planning Director, reached a compromise with AMCO Development regarding its ambitious project in the Innovation District. If so, that agreement would come before the City Council for a vote. The proposed 36-acre development originally included plans for a controversial 350-foot building in an area with a 100-foot building height maximum. At the public hearing on February 21, 2023, the developer made some adjustments to the project, however the proposal was ultimately denied. The developer subsequently filed legal action seeking a compromise, but the City's negotiating team and the City Council aren't legally required to reach an agreement.

​Scroll down for buzz on local eateries and stores, plus local Government Buzz. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page and its Instagram for local updates.

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A new Caribbean eatery opened in Tavares last month. JamGrill features generous portions of traditional Jamaican breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Read more

Also in Tavares, a new casual Japanese restaurant, Tokyo Teriyaki, opened and combines an old-school diner breakfast menu with traditional Japanese lunches and dinners. Read more

Downtown Mount Dora is finally getting a deli and it won’t be just another sandwich spot. The Butcher's Nook will feature prime cuts of meat, plus mouth-watering artisanal sandwiches that are sure to attract local foodies. The owners are former partners in the Frog & Monkey restaurant and will continue to bring superior food quality, great flavor and atmosphere to Mount Dora. Stay tuned for an opening date at the 4th Avenue location soon!

The Lake House Bar & Grill on Highland Street in Mount Dora closed at the end of October. The building will undergo extensive remodeling over the next few months under its new ownership.  Whiskey Kitchen, featuring American fare, will open in its place in January. Lake House was best known for being featured on Bar Rescue in 2017.

A lot of folks are excited about the upcoming opening of the area's new ramen restaurant. A date has yet to be announced, but as soon as there is one, Mount Dora Buzz will post it along with some menu details.

Scroll down for this month's featured events, hot local government topics, stellar local businesses, new development buzz, and local resources.

Local Dining Guide

Local Lodging Guide

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Last month Lake County Schools announced its Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year awards. Two Mount Dora schools swept the top honors. Triangle Elementary’s Noris Aguayo won Assistant Principal of the Year and Mount Dora High School's Marlene Straughan earned Principal of the Year honors. Congratulations to both selfless administrators on their well-deserved recognition.

Mount Dora City Council and Lake County Commissioners held a joint meeting last month about a potential new mixed-use development proposed by Richland Communities in the Wolf Branch Innovation District. The goal is for the three entities to find a plan that would be agreeable to all. The property is currently in unincorporated Lake County and is expected to be annexed into the City of Mount Dora.

Be sure to check Mount Dora Buzz's government page regularly to find out what's happening at Mount Dora City Hall. Scroll down for the 'Buzz' about new development.

The approval process for new developments depends on the type of project proposed. Check out the current list of local commercial and residential development projects here.  As projects advance through the multi-step approval process, watch Mount Dora Buzz's website for more in-depth articles on some of the newsworthy developments.

Here's a list of great local resources and pages to follow:  
Mount Dora Events
Mount Dora Foodie
Explore Mount Dora
Mount Dora Word of Mouth
Lake County Emergency Management

Sign up for Mount Dora Buzz

​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​Be sure to follow  Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram