The holiday season has passed and a new year lies ahead, but there’s still time to take stock of the busy year that was.
News is always happening and there was plenty to follow in Winter Park throughout 2024, from new businesses and a neighborhood crime alert to a fond farewell to a respected resident. Using Google Analytics, we tracked the numbers and compiled the list of the32789’s most read stories of 2024.
#10 Former Home of The Coop Could Soon Offer Fine Dining
Eight months after John Rivers announced the closing of his Southern comfort food concept, The Coop, Clermont Investment, LLC received conditional use approval for fine-dining renovations to the 4,695 square-foot space. The proposal included details of a 170-seat restaurant intended to make the property more marketable to a potential tenant. The developer agreed to meet conditions including a 10 p.m. final seating with closing by midnight, adherence to noise ordinances and parking requirements, and that renovations must comply with Morse Boulevard design guidelines.
#9 Winter Park to Celebrate the Life of Mike Winn
Mike Winn passed away in October at the age of 82. A longtime realtor and Winter Park resident, Winn and his wife, Gail, are known for their involvement in local organizations and efforts to make the city a better place. His many philanthropic ventures included the donation of the Park Avenue clock and historic marker at Central Park. “He’s one of the kindest, most giving people I ever knew,” said Winn’s business partner Lief Erickson. “We had a wonderful relationship, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
#8 Winter Park to Unveil New Holiday Sights, Sounds – and Smells
The new holiday décor throughout Central Park and along Park Avenue were a focal point of city events and celebrations. The new look was presented by the Park Avenue District and is the result of five months of work spearheaded by district Executive Director Carina Sexton and Design Committee Chair Tracy Brand-Liffey. Both sat down with the32789 to discuss the process and the new design elements prior to the November 14 debut.
#7 Ethos Vegan Kitchen Ends 17 Year Run in Winter Park
One of the area’s most well-known vegan eateries was part of the rash of local restaurant closings and readers took notice. Ethos first opened in 2007 at the 1235 N. Orange Ave. address that is now home to The Hammered Lamb. It moved in 2012 to its Rollins College-adjacent location at 601 S. New York Ave. Co-owner Laina Shockley said current economic challenges proved to be too much to keep the business going and told the32789 that she was excited to “pass the torch to the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
#6 New Restaurant, Retail Spaces Coming to former Holler Chevrolet site
The Holler Chevrolet property on Fairbanks Avenue between S. Denning Drive and S. Capen Avenue will house 26,210-square-feet of retail and restaurant space. The developer, DI Partners LLP, also donated 10-feet of property for a left-turn lane at Denning and a former residential lot by Comstock Avenue was donated for stormwater control. The plans received conditional use approval from city commission in August but timelines for construction and tenant leasing have yet to be released.
#5 Blue Bamboo Edges Out Rollins Museum for Winter Park Library Reuse
Questions surrounding the future of the former library building were answered when the renovation plan by Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts passed city commission with a 4-1 vote on June 12. The proposal for a live music and arts education facility beat the Rollins Museum of Art plan to refurbish and occupy the building. Commissioner Marty Sullivan pointed out that Rollins already had an approved art museum location and that allowing Blue Bamboo to have the library would mean the city could benefit from both projects. Blue Bamboo Executive Director Chris Cortez recently discussed the progress of the renovations.
#4 The Imperial Winter Park to Reopen at Former Home of The Parkview
After closing The Imperial’s E. Morse Boulevard location and announcing his intent to reopen on Park Avenue, owner John Washburn named its new address at 136 S. Park Ave. in June. A menu of fresh seafood specials and grilled items will accompany a weekend brunch, and the door will always be open to live music performances. Plans are to quadruple the kitchen staff of the Morse Boulevard location and to add more bartenders and servers when the new location opens in the first quarter of this year.
#3 Massey Home One of Three Lakefront Listings to Sell on Same Day
The Winter Park real estate market made news when three properties sold for a combined total of $30.95 million on March 29. The home of the late Harvey Massey and his wife, Carol, sold for $9.25 million while Marc and Sharon Hagle’s Casa del Mondo sold off-market for $12 million. An Isle of Sicily property also sold for $9.7 million.
#2 M’ama Napoli Brings Authentic Italian Flavor to Winter Park
Lilly Solla and Luigi Diana opened their authentic Italian bakery and deli concept in June. Located by the corner of Orlando and Minnesota avenues, the traditional Neapolitan recipes and hard-to-find imported goods inspired a fast and loyal following that continues with locals lining up for breakfast, lunch, and to place take-out orders from the fresh pastry displays.
#1 WPPD Issues Crime Alert for Mayfield Avenue Area
A residential burglary in the 1600 block of Mayfield Avenue caused citywide concern at the beginning of 2024. Suspects wore uniforms similar to landscaping and pest control workers and neighbors were asked to review their own surveillance footage and report any persons resembling the suspects. A series of similar burglaries later prompted police to issue a list of measures to secure residences in the absence of the homeowners. While the investigation is ongoing, no arrests have been made.
We are eager to begin a new year of reporting. If you have a Winter Park story idea for us, please send it to news@the32789.com.
