9:20 p.m. EDT, April 9, 2011
Orlando Magic games have been good to Mojo Cajun Bar & Grill near the new Amway Center, but as the NBA regular-season comes to a close, its co-owner is worried about the summer months ahead.
"I think any merchant on Church Street is going to be extremely nervous,'' said John SanFelippo, co-owner of the restaurant and bar that opened last year in the old Rosie O'Grady's. "Unless we see some sort of increased traffic in downtown Orlando, I don't know if a lot of people are going to be able to survive the growing pain of getting through the non-Magic season."
The Amway Center, which opened Oct. 1, was supposed to drive a comeback on Church Street. And the arena has, in fact, helped spur the opening of a dozen new businesses there.
But a more general renaissance has yet to arrive. Dinnertimes are still slow on nights when there's no game or concert at the arena, SanFelippo said. And few mill about at lunchtime, except for the crowd at a new Five Guys burger joint.
"We've still got a way to go," said Marjorie Brown, co-owner of Paradise Island Café, whose restaurant was practically empty on a recent Monday at about noon.
The city says it is trying to help. Its downtown-development board is marketing the area, largely online.
The city also has approved a plan to close Church Street from Orange to Garland avenues to car traffic every night, allowing outdoor seating to go all the way to the curb and making it easier to set up street festivals.
A lack of variety in the tenant lineup, the economy and the slowdown in Orlando condo development after the housing bubble burst have all slowed Church Street's revival, said Britt Beemer, an Orlando retail consultant. "They've got to figure out a way to get some unique retail to come back," he said.
Church Street needs more family-friendly entertainment, said Mike Murray, who manages the new Heat restaurant and nightclub.
"There's enough dance clubs," he said. "Let's get some different venues."
It doesn't help, either, that the merchants on Church Street must compete with the many food and drink options inside the Amway Center.
"I think any merchant on Church Street is going to be extremely nervous,'' said John SanFelippo, co-owner of the restaurant and bar that opened last year in the old Rosie O'Grady's. "Unless we see some sort of increased traffic in downtown Orlando, I don't know if a lot of people are going to be able to survive the growing pain of getting through the non-Magic season."
The Amway Center, which opened Oct. 1, was supposed to drive a comeback on Church Street. And the arena has, in fact, helped spur the opening of a dozen new businesses there.
But a more general renaissance has yet to arrive. Dinnertimes are still slow on nights when there's no game or concert at the arena, SanFelippo said. And few mill about at lunchtime, except for the crowd at a new Five Guys burger joint.
"We've still got a way to go," said Marjorie Brown, co-owner of Paradise Island Café, whose restaurant was practically empty on a recent Monday at about noon.
The city says it is trying to help. Its downtown-development board is marketing the area, largely online.
The city also has approved a plan to close Church Street from Orange to Garland avenues to car traffic every night, allowing outdoor seating to go all the way to the curb and making it easier to set up street festivals.
A lack of variety in the tenant lineup, the economy and the slowdown in Orlando condo development after the housing bubble burst have all slowed Church Street's revival, said Britt Beemer, an Orlando retail consultant. "They've got to figure out a way to get some unique retail to come back," he said.
Church Street needs more family-friendly entertainment, said Mike Murray, who manages the new Heat restaurant and nightclub.
"There's enough dance clubs," he said. "Let's get some different venues."
It doesn't help, either, that the merchants on Church Street must compete with the many food and drink options inside the Amway Center.
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A few friends hang out at Heat Tandoor Lounge
(Jacob Langston, Orlando Sentinel / April 1, 2011)
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"The worst thing is somebody was pushed down," she said.
Police records show officers have responded to 20 incidents at the arena since it opened in October, including a few reports of theft or lost property, a fight between two women and a weapons violation.
The arena also was also supposed to help the mostly black-owned businesses in the strip that now lies directly in front of the arena. Those efforts, too, have been mixed so far.
Timothy Adebule had drummers beating out rhythms before one recent game to help lure Magic fans toward his African mask store and art gallery. He says sales have doubled.
Meanwhile, Andria Brown, who converted her clothing-alterations business to a candy store, is disappointed by slow sales. She opened the store, with city assistance, only to discover that the arena would not allow people to take her treats inside.
City spokeswoman Heather Fagan said the company that oversees concessions at Amway Center is working with Brown to see whether she can sell candy in the building. Business owners were encouraged before the arena opened to work out such arrangements, Fagan said, noting that nearby Paradise Island Café did so.
SanFelippo says he is going on the offensive. His Mojo restaurant is planning events around Orlando Predator arena-football games and has brought in comedians to perform on weekends.
"Let's get people to start thinking, 'Let's go to Church Street,' " he said.
spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240. Follow her on Twitter @dineshopwrite.
Police records show officers have responded to 20 incidents at the arena since it opened in October, including a few reports of theft or lost property, a fight between two women and a weapons violation.
The arena also was also supposed to help the mostly black-owned businesses in the strip that now lies directly in front of the arena. Those efforts, too, have been mixed so far.
Timothy Adebule had drummers beating out rhythms before one recent game to help lure Magic fans toward his African mask store and art gallery. He says sales have doubled.
Meanwhile, Andria Brown, who converted her clothing-alterations business to a candy store, is disappointed by slow sales. She opened the store, with city assistance, only to discover that the arena would not allow people to take her treats inside.
City spokeswoman Heather Fagan said the company that oversees concessions at Amway Center is working with Brown to see whether she can sell candy in the building. Business owners were encouraged before the arena opened to work out such arrangements, Fagan said, noting that nearby Paradise Island Café did so.
SanFelippo says he is going on the offensive. His Mojo restaurant is planning events around Orlando Predator arena-football games and has brought in comedians to perform on weekends.
"Let's get people to start thinking, 'Let's go to Church Street,' " he said.
spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240. Follow her on Twitter @dineshopwrite.
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