According to paperwork filed with the City of Orlando, a new restaurant concept called Heatwave has signed a five-year lease for the currently vacant Stonewall Bar building in Parramore.
Stonewall Bar closed suddenly on New Year’s Eve in 2021, with little to no notice to patrons and staff at the time, and has sat vacant ever since.
Heatwave ownership has applied for assistance from the Community Redevelopment Agency to be reimbursed for work on the property, which is located at 741 W. Church Street [GMap] directly across the street from Inter&Co Stadium.
They’re expected to receive roughly $130,000 from the CRA as part of the Downtown Facade Program Grant Review and another $125,000 through the CRA Retail Stimulus Program which includes $75,000 for tenant improvements and $50,000 in rent assistance.
Their paperwork describes the new concept as “an approachable but elevated full-service restaurant with three unique spaces that all focus on inclusivity for all, with a focus on the LGBTQ_ community.” Those three spaces include a cafe and terrace offering specialty coffees and fresh pastries from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., a full-service restaurant from 6 p.m.-midnight, and a lounge area with entertainment programming.
Heatwave is led by an ownership team consisting of Kevin Varanai and Andrea Dunn.
