Things are looking up in Winter Park. The first of two community gateways has been installed on the north end of Park Avenue, visible to people driving to the area from Webster Street. Community members and local leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Aug. 25.
The sign celebrates Winter Park’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places. This distinction was earned in 2011 to preserve historically significant areas. Pro tip: Learn more with the Winter Park History Museum’s free, self-guided walking tour.
For a few weeks, this installation was a bit of a mystery for locals visiting the area. People had seen two silver poles, but they were unsure what was coming — now, that mystery has been solved.
When it comes to the second gateway sign, there is no mystery. The city announced it’s set to be installed in late September at the south end of Park Avenue.
Asked
Asked
Which of these have you noticed most in the past year?
A. 🏡 More homes being built or sold B. 💼 New jobs or companies moving in C. 🚙 Increased traffic or commute times D. 🛍️ More restaurants, stores, or services E. 💸 Rising rents or home prices F. Other
Last Wednesday Laughs | 8-10 p.m. | Gravity Taproom | $8 | Get through your midweek slump with a dose of humor from local comedians.
Thursday, Aug. 28
The Art + Vinyl Experience | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Propagate Social House, Apopka | Free | Art, music, and cocktails cross paths at this immersive night with featured artist Eddie Inkfish.
Disney On Ice 2025 | Friday, Aug. 29-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Kia Center | $38+ | Escape the heat with this magical event that brings beloved Disney films to the ice.
Metamorphosis Art + Music Project | Friday, Aug. 29-Sunday, Aug. 31 | 12-11 p.m. | Central Florida Fair | $121+ | Celebrate music and art at this three-day festival featuring experimental and electronic artists like Alison Wonderland, Big Gramatik + Duke Dumont.
The historic Edgewater Hotel in Winter Garden has been sold for $10.3 million. The 44-room building first opened in 1927 and was built on a $300,000 budget. The hotel’s future plans have not been revealed, but at the time of it sale, daily rates averaged $140. (Orlando Business Journal)
Civic
The City of Orlando has launched 407 Connect, a new initiative to provide safe, overnight accommodations to unhoused locals. The effort has fabricated two buses with space and utilities to shelter up to 42 people and aims to connect guests with resources to obtain permanent housing.
Coming Soon
A new Burlington store is coming to Orlando. The “off-price” retailer announced expansion plans across the US, including a new location at Skyview Plaza. The store is set to open on Friday, Oct. 17. (USA TODAY)
Announced
TheMall at Millenia announced a new luxury lineup of stores to be added over the next few months, including menswear store Suitsupply, athletic wear brand Vuori, and PacSun. The mall is also seeing renovations at stores by Gucci, Aritzia, Tory Burch, Louis Vuitton, David Yurman, and Fit2Run. (Orlando Business Journal)
Outdoors
It’s hatchling season, and Central Florida dog owners are being asked to keep a special eye on their four-legged friends while visiting the water. Pups often discover turtle nests while snooping in the sand, which can harm eggs. The best solution is keeping dogs on a leash. (WFTV)
Real Estate
The price of a mansion in Orlando is getting bigger. According to Zillow data, the median cost of a home exceeding 5,000 sqft is $1.95 million. This seven-digit price tag places Orlando’s mansion market above the national average of $1.44 million. (Orlando Business Journal)
Home
Have a project you’ve been itching to work on? Think: bathroom renovation, upgrading your HVAC system, or maybe a backyard makeover. Wondering how to pay for it? Hint: A HELOC isn’t the only way to access your home’s equity. Enter: Unison.*
Category
City
🕰️ What everyone’s tocking about
There are four faces on this Parramore Park clock. | Photo via City of Orlando
It’s time for a comeback — the four-faced clock in Parramore Park has been restored and reinstalled. Now, the clock can be seen in a slightly different location: at the corner of West Church Street + Lee Avenue.
The new location was determined by community feedback. The city hopes the clock will serve as a landmark and signify Parramore’s heritage and growth.
This clock was donated to the city in 2009 to help enhance the appearance of Parramore Park. It was later moved to storage, where it remained for nearly a decade, as the city redesigned the area to prepare for Inter&Co. Stadium, which opened in early 2017.
Games
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
It may not feel like it, but pumpkin spice season is here — at least, according to Starbucks. If you’d rather get your pumpkin spice latte with a shot of local flavor, we recommend a shop like Double O’s Coffee.
