Columbus
Orlando Business Journal
Local restaurant group expands with upscale Japanese tapas concept
The first of three Oza Izakaya restaurants has opened in the Williamsburg Downs shopping plaza not far from SeaWorld Orlando, and restauranteur Tim Liu, the name behind Oza and other eateries such as Mikado Sushi in MetroWest and Boku Sushi & Grill in Maitland, is ready for more. <\p> What distinguishes Oza from other similar eateries around town is the painstaking detail brought to every element in the restaurant. The food, dishes, utensils, decor and interior moss landscape all stem from Liu’s imagination. <\p>
Another historic downtown building goes up for sale
A historic building in downtown Orlando is up for sale, the second such property to hit the market in a week.<\p> The three-story, 4,731-square-foot building at 17 E. Pine St. is being offered for $1.65 million, according to Jeré Matheny, vice president of brokerage services for First Capital Property Group, which is marketing the sale.<\p>
Majors Investments building in Ivanhoe Village for sale
A collection of properties known as the Majors Investments building in Orlando's Ivanhoe Village district has hit the market with an asking price of $15.5 million.<\p> The offering consists of five properties: 2000, 2008 and 2010 N. Orange Ave., 316 E. Harvard St. and 321 E. Yale St. Combined, the buildings offer 41,051 square feet.<\p>
Central Florida school, district grades released
The Florida Department of Education this week released its grades for the state's schools and respective school districts – a barometer with important economic implications, given its ability to affect relocations and growth. <\p> According to the report, most of Central Florida's county school districts — Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia, for example — earned A's or B's.<\p>
Avelo Airlines adds Daytona Beach, Lakeland flights
Avelo Airlines Inc. has added eight new flights originating out of two Central Florida airports. <\p> The Houston-based airline this week announced a new nonstop service from Daytona Beach International Airport and seven new, nonstop flights from Lakeland Linder International Airport, according to releases from the airline. <\p>
What’s next for Cocoa Brightline station, downtown hotel
The city of Cocoa is working in partnership on two big projects, including a proposed downtown hotel and a Brightline station. <\p> The Miami-based intercity rail company in March announced it would work with the city on a new station near where State Road 528 and U.S. 1 intersect. In addition, the city is working with 360 Hospitality Group LLC on the site of its former city hall at 603 Brevard Ave. <\p>
Innovate Orlando CEO to step down
Innovate Orlando CEO David Adelson has announced he will step down from his position with the organization he founded. <\p> A leader in Central Florida’s tech scene, Adelson said on July 24 he will retire, but plans to stay on until his successor is found. <\p>
Here’s who will take over local Walmart Health spaces
A new concept will lease former Walmart Health locations in Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Texas.<\p> The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant (NYSE: WMT) is leasing the former clinical space for its health care concept to CenterWell, the health care services business of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM). CenterWell will "open senior-focused primary care" centers next to Walmart Supercenters in Tampa/St Petersburg, Orlando, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth and Kansas City. <\p>
What we know about Red Lobster’s next owner Fortress Investment Group
RL Purchaser LLC, a newly formed entity organized and controlled by Fortress Investment Group LLC, is the next owner of Red Lobster — and it has some bills to pay. <\p> Fortress, co-headquartered in New York and Dallas, will be responsible for paying any lenders and unsecured creditors who win lawsuits against Red Lobster. In addition to lawsuit awards, unsecured creditors will receive a distribution based on the available funds after the lawyers are paid. Further, landlords want money for past rent that’s gone unpaid. <\p>
City may limit downtown nightclub locations, more
The city of Orlando on Aug. 12 will vote on new regulations related to nightlife in what the city refers to as the downtown entertainment area, typically called DEA.<\p> City Planning Division Manager Elizabeth Dang said Orlando staff was asked to consider potential code amendments to prevent further concentration of nightclubs in the DEA — which is a rectangular area centered on Orange Avenue from Colonial Drive to State Road 408 — and suggested nightclubs may be responsible for the area’s lack of daytime activity. <\p>
EA exec on College Football 25, NIL in video games
This week's Florida Business Minds podcast episode introduces listeners to Daryl Holt, senior vice president and group general manager of Tiburon Studios & American Football at Electronic Arts.<\p> Sponsored by TECO Peoples Gas, the audio series features candid conversations with top business leaders from the Orlando, South Florida, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville regions.<\p>
Manchester City-tied concept acquires local soccer biz
A local soccer business has been acquired by a concept tied to an English Premier League club's ownership group.<\p> Orlando-based XL Soccer World was acquired by New York-based Sofive, according to a news release. <\p>
Local company bought for more than $1 billion
Richmond, Virginia-based Owens & Minor Inc. acquired an Orlando firm for $1.36 billion in cash. <\p> The medical device company (NYSE: OMI) announced on July 23 an agreement to acquire home-based care business Rotech Healthcare Holdings Inc. in a deal that is set to close by the end of this year. <\p>
Universal ride tech to let guests choose intensity
Theme park aficionados have a new ride experience that grants them more control over the attraction.<\p> A Universal Destinations & Experiences patent for “Choreographed Ride Systems and Methods” revealed what’s to come: an interactive ride that combines cutting-edge technology with personalized customization. As described in the patent, the system utilizes precise control mechanisms to adjust vehicle trajectories and spacing, ensuring a seamless and exhilarating ride that adheres to the desired intensity level, whether it's a close encounter simulation or a more relaxed experience. <\p>
Senior living communities sold, upgrades planned
A Birmingham, Alabama-based senior living company has bought a trio of communities in metro Orlando. <\p> Atlas Senior Living and affiliate company Salta Capital acquired Madison at Clermont, Madison at Ocoee and Madison at Oviedo on July 16 for more than $26.14 million. The trio of properties was previously owned by Tampa-based Longview Senior Housing Advisors.<\p>
Investment opportunity in small bay industrial property opens up
An alternative investment firm is offering stakes in two small bay industrial properties in metro Orlando.<\p> Dallas-based NexPoint launched a Delaware statutory trust — an instrument that allows investors to claim a stake in the passive income of properties — encapsulating both the Lakefront Business Park on Chancellor Drive in Orlando and BaySpace Belle at 1200-1270 Belle Ave., Winter Springs.<\p>
Country clubs are getting younger. Not everyone is happy about it.
Pine Tree Country Club general manager Andrew Smith isn’t sweating the dress code.<\p> The Birmingham, Alabama, club has relaxed its clothing rules since its founding in 1968, when it debuted as the result of a merger between two private clubs. Since then, the focus at the club has been on creating a fun, friendly atmosphere where people can meet — and membership has grown as a result.<\p>
SunRail DeLand station gets opening date
SunRail has a date for when it plans to debut its DeLand station. <\p> The Orlando-based commuter rail system will have a grand opening for the 12.2-mile expansion on Aug. 9, with service to the station beginning Aug. 12, according to SunRail documents. Work on the $42.8 million project started back in May 2023.<\p>
Lake Nona's Boxi Park to get upgrades
Lake Nona's Boxi Park is getting some upgrades.<\p> Tavistock Development Co. is currently seeking a new use permit from the city of Orlando for the popular destination, which includes 12 repurposed shipping containers with a variety of food and drink concepts, as well as beach volleyball courts and a live entertainment venue. <\p>
Red Lobster announces next owner
Red Lobster Management LLC on July 22 filed its "designation of successful bidder" paperwork with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida in Orlando.<\p> The seafood chain's new owner will be RL Purchaser LLC, a stalking horse bidder backed by Fortress Investment Group, which proposed a $376 million bid. <\p>
Orlando Business Journal
5K+
Posts
2M+
Views
Central Florida's source for local business news, breaking news alerts, newsletters, business intelligence and local business networking. An American City Business Journals publication.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.