“Hey, Bungalower. You wrote about a lobster roll place opening downtown like forever ago. Is it ever going to open? I heard a rumor the City was giving them a hard time.”
– BUTTER FINGERS
A prime restaurant space in downtown Orlando is back on the market, offering a unique opportunity for restaurateurs seeking a near-ready location.
Two years ago, we told you that the popular lobster roll chain Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls (Facebook | Website) had signed a lease for the former home of Embassy Irish Bar at 2 S. Orange Avenue [GMap].
Two years later, the 1,924 SF storefront still sits empty, with the windows papered shut.
We were unable to make contact with the franchisee behind the project, though rumors from nearby businesses all sang a similar song that the lobster concept had issues getting the kitchen permitted in a historic building through the City of Orlando.
We reached out to the Mayor’s Office to see what may have happened. According to the Public Information Office, the restaurant had multiple rounds of inspections, and none of the issues came from the Historic Preservation Board; rather, the issue stemmed from a previous tenant.
“This space is complicated by the fact a previous renovation cut the first floor into two levels, which dropped the floor-to-floor clearance really low. They originally wanted some mechanical equipment hung on the Central Avenue facade. However, that was not approved as it would have to be located on a pedestrian elevation. HPB didn’t require any location. Just that it not be visible.”
– CITY OF ORLANDO
So, from what we could see, the only issue the City had with the project was the placement of a mechanical device (a vent fanning hot kitchen air) into the right-of-way of Central Avenue.
First Capital Property Group is handling the leasing for new concepts looking to pick up the torch.
Do you have something you want us to look into for you? Send your question to [email protected] and we’ll check it out!