Friday, September 7th, 2007
IKEA is coming to Orlando, opening on November 14th, (although you can start lining up to be the first in the new store on November 12th.) They will be handing out prizes to those who line up for first entrance in the store.
Located across Eastgate Drive from The Mall at Millenia:
IKEA Orlando will present nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, three model homes, 50 room settings, a supervised children’s play area, a 300-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes.
Other family-friendly features will include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store.
Posted in Commercial, Orlando | 4 Comments »
Saturday, August 25th, 2007

(click here to “>download a PDF version of the map)
The skyline of Downtown Orlando has been in flux for the last 5 years, and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. A healthy portion of the condos that have been completed are sitting vacant, and there are quite a few more (like 55 West) that will become available soon.
All of this is part of the Downtown Orlando 20-Point Strategic Plan (PDF - beware, this is a 100 page document).

(hat tip OrlandoCondo411)
Posted in Commercial, Condos, Downtown Orlando | No Comments »
Monday, August 20th, 2007

Outback recently opened a franchise in East Orlando. If you have never had their Kookaburra Wings, take advantage of the Curbside Takeaway and give them a try. You can call in our order (or order online), and then go pick the wings up 15 minutes later. They even bring the order out to your car. No waiting for a table or for your food, now just pick up the wings and take them home. Delicious!!!
Other Outback locations in Orlando include:
Image courtesy of PerryW on Flickr.
Posted in Commercial, East Orlando, Orlando | No Comments »
Saturday, August 18th, 2007
I don’t know about you but I’d never heard of this chain of pubs until I saw one being built in my Waterford Lakes neighborhood. This establishment is being built on the corner of Woodbury Road and Waterford Lakes Parkway (you know, that little back street going to the Waterford Town Center).
For months I had been wondering what this huge building was going to be. I thought maybe it was a Baby’s-R-Us or another fitness center. Finally, the anticipated “Coming Soon” sign appeared. I craned my neck as I drove by, nearly hit the guy in front of me, and read “Firkin and Kegler…something…something…pub…something… something.” What!?
So, for your reading delight, I present my research titled, “What in the World is Firkin and Kegler?”…minimal though it is. At least you don’t have to go research it, right?

Founded in 1987 by Stanley Adelson and Ian Fisher, experienced restauranteurs and South African ex-patriots, The Firkin Group of Pubs is a chain of full service restaurants modeled after the traditional neighbourhood British pub. Canada’s largest pub chain with 33 locations, the Firkin has expanded to the US with units (only 8 so far) open in locations ranging from Florida, Michigan, Virginia, New York, Illinois and Texas. Another 120 are in development and scheduled to open over the next few years.
The concept for the franchise is based on generating an inviting pub environment; combining an individual name, such as that of an animal, with Firkin - a nine-gallon wooden barrel used for storing ale; and lastly, creating individual Firkins where “Everyone’s a little different, ones just right for you.”
Each Firkin location has its own individual identity and is best known as a casual and comfortable neighbourhood establishment serving an extensive lunch and dinner menu, a brunch menu on the weekend at select locations and a late night menu. Each Firkin location offers eight different specials daily with set menu fare ranging from traditional British pub dishes such as Shepherd’s Pie and Bangers, Beans & Mash to signature items as the Firkin Steak Sandwich and Cajun Greek Salad.
The average size of a Firkin is between 2,500 – 4,500 square feet with average seating ranging from 80-100 plus bar seating. The average check is between $12 - $14 per person.
The origins of the Firkin are rooted in Toronto, Ontario, Canada where in 1986 Adelson and Fisher became franchisees of Toronto’s Empire Pubs, opening up the Fox and The Firkin. Adelson and Fisher soon purchased the location from Empire and with no copyright on the name, the Firkin Group of Pubs was established.
For more information visit www.firkinpubs.com
Posted in Commercial, East Orlando, Orlando | 15 Comments »