Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando
This weekend while in line at a coffee spot, I heard someone sharing a rumor about “Trader Joe’s coming to Lake Nona.” Sure Sure Sure. I’ve lived in a number of cities in a number of states throughout my life and literally every one had this rumor.
In today’s issue: 👇
- The Mayan Revival Mastermind
- Bin There, Done That
- Three Birds Cafe
- ….and much more
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Let’s dive in!
- Philip
ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
The Mayan Revival Mastermind Who Built Paradise in Maitland
Tucked away in Maitland, sits one of America's most delightfully bizarre artistic treasures. The Art & History Museums of Maitland. It’s a place where ancient Mayan symbols mingle with Buddhist monks, concrete gets transformed into pure magic, and one wildly creative man turned his backyard into a living masterpiece.
Jules Andre Smith (1880-1959), armed with patron Mary Louise Curtis Bok's (1876-1970) deep pockets and an imagination that knew no boundaries, created the Research Studio. Part artist colony, part architectural fever dream.
This isn't your typical art space. Smith audaciously mixed Mayan motifs with Asian spirituality and Christian symbols, carving them directly into concrete across his campus like some sort of cultural mashup artist.
Starting in 1937, Smith's playground grew to include eleven buildings with studios, galleries, and courtyards that unfold like scenes in a play. His secret weapon? An innovative "carved cement" technique using grapefruit spoons and a clever contraption called a "teeter-table" to create over two hundred sculptures and reliefs.
For twenty years, artists flocked here each winter to this monastery-meets-art-camp retreat. When wrecking balls threatened in 1969, Maitland swooped in to save this concrete wonderland, which earned National Historic Landmark status in 2015, proof that sometimes the most unexpected places become the most extraordinary.
❤️🔥 See the collections and museums housed here.
(Learn a lot more about this marvel at Orlando Foundation for Architecture, right here)
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Lake Eola Park's Epic $60 Million Makeover is Finally Happening
Lake Eola Park, downtown Orlando's beloved centerpiece, is about to get the makeover of a lifetime. The $60 million transformation by Wharton-Smith Inc. will relocate those iconic swan boats to a sleek southeast marina, add much-needed shade to the amphitheater, and install fancy stormwater filters to keep the lake sparkling.
Construction kicks off late 2025 (or early 2026) after seven years of planning (yes, really!). Expect wider sidewalks, fresh restrooms, cool play zones, and accessibility upgrades that'll make everyone happy.
This renovation is setting the stage for countless selfies, first dates, and "remember when" moments in America's hottest metro area.
👉 Check out the full master plans right here, including outstanding renders.
Farm Rescue Heroes Save 100K lbs of "Imperfect" Produce
Central Florida's fields are buzzing with an unlikely treasure hunt!
Orlando's food gleaning program just hit the jackpot, rescuing a whopping 100,000 pounds of perfectly good produce since 2020 that was destined for the compost pile.
After big harvesters roll through, volunteer "produce detectives" sweep the fields, hunting down fugitive fruits and rebel vegetables, the too-small tomatoes, wonky carrots, and runaway apples that escaped the initial harvest.
What started as Orlando's quirky sustainability experiment has become a full-blown food rescue operation!
Teaming up with the Society of St. Andrew and EndHunger, these agricultural superheroes transform farm "rejects" into community gold, delivering fresh local goodies to neighborhood centers, food hubs, and McQuigg Urban Farm.
It's the ultimate win-win: saving perfectly delicious food while feeding hungry neighbors!
👉 Did you know Orlando has an Office of Sustainability & Resilience? Me neither. Peep it!
(Learn a lot more about this gleaning program with Logan Lamphere right here)
Battle for Orlando's Birthplace: Neighbors Fight to Save Where It All Began
Orlando's most forgotten origin story is getting a second chance as feisty residents rally to rescue an abandoned school building that sits atop their city's dramatic birthplace.
Fort Gatlin, the scrappy military outpost that sparked Orlando's existence, now languishes empty south of downtown, but this unassuming spot once witnessed epic showdowns between federal soldiers, early settlers, and Seminole warriors during a wild 12-year conflict.
The Orange County School Board threw residents a lifeline with a crucial 60-day extension recently to convince county leaders that this slice of history deserves preservation over a $1,400,000 auction block fate.
Local neighbors are championing plans to transform the site into a historical park rather than watching Orlando's birthplace disappear under yet another development project in an already crowded area.
🛟 Check out plans to Save Fort Gatlin, right here.
(Learn a lot more about this battle for Orlando’s birthplace with Randy Rauch, right here)
Bin There, Done That: How Winter Garden Residents Created Their Own Recycling Service
When Winter Garden ditched its $1 million recycling program in January, Robert Montgomery's ten-year-old had a brilliant idea: why not just move somewhere greener? Plot twist. Montgomery and neighbor Cory Sims decided to bring the green to them instead, launching Plant Street Recycling from scratch.
Now this dynamic duo spends Wednesday mornings on their eco-mission throughout Stoneybrook West, with Sims driving while Montgomery hops out to hand-sort everyone's castoffs.
For just $25 monthly, subscribers get their environmental guilt officially absolved through weekly pickup service.
Their July launch was such a hit that nearly 50 homes signed up immediately, with hundreds more begging to join the recycling revolution. Montgomery calls it leaving a legacy, one sorted bottle at a time.
♻️ Check out Plat Street Recycling, right here.
(Learn more about this recycling program rebirth with Justin Warmoth, right here)
TASTY NEWS 🧑🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going
1️⃣ COMING: Pie-Fection - Brazilian Pizza Paradise Opening in Windermere
Pie-Fection’s (Insta) signature pizzas feature Portuguese and heart of palms with catupiry, while sweet options include Nutella, guava, and strawberry creations. With signage up and parking ready, this Horizon West adventure opens soon.
2️⃣ ARRIVED: Daniel Gabor's Alpine Bar & Grill - Alpine Flavors Arrive in Ocoee
This German-Alpine inspired eatery (Facebook) launched its soft opening Tuesday-Sunday, 5-9 p.m. (10 p.m. weekends), featuring beloved dishes from his former Schmankerl Stub'n alongside exciting new Alpine creations. Diners enjoy 15% off during the soft opening, while reservations remain essential.
3️⃣ COMING: Paik's Noodle - Korean-Chinese Fusion Arriving in Orlando
This August, Paik's Noodle (Insta) opens inside H Mart Orlando's food court, serving Korean-Chinese classics like jjajangmyeon, jjamppong, and tangsuyuk. The restaurant seats 100 guests and offers takeout, operating daily from 10:30-11 am until closing, delivering Seoul's Chinatown flavors to Orlando's evolving culinary landscape.
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
City Market Fitness
📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Ivanhoe Village
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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Three Birds Cafe
📍2 W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787. Map to this location.
Three Birds Cafe's (Insta) Summer Menu transforms this charming "All-Day Cafe" (8am-5pm daily) into something extraordinary.
Their Island Coconut Latte, Banana Bread Matcha, Blueberry Cobbler Chai, and Cookies N' Cream Waffle (GF, V) redefine neighborhood dining expectations.
But the real showstopper? Their legendary Seasonal Brunch Board. Scrambled eggs, seasonal French toast, warm baguette with apple butter, breakfast potatoes, and fruit-topped yogurt, plus two pressed orange juices or drip coffees.
👉 Check out the menu, right here 👈
Image courtesy of Three Birds Cafe. Brunch board?? 👆
MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out
🎮 Game & Hobby Night at The Burrow
📅 Tuesdays | 5-8pm
📍 The Burrow Cafe & Play, Mills area
Weekly gathering for games, crafts, reading, and relaxation with drink specials available. 👉 Play Together
🎭 Forgotten Broadway
📅 Tuesday, July 29, 2025 | 7pm
📍 Judson's Live, Dr. Phillips Center
Orlando's top improvisers portray "forgotten" Broadway stars in a completely improvised musical revue.
👉 Unpredictable Fun
🍔 Tasty Takeover in The Milk District
📅 Tuesdays | 6:30-10pm
📍 The Milk District – 2424 E Robinson St
Orlando's premier weekly food truck block party featuring diverse culinary offerings behind the shops and bars.
👉 Dine Alfresco
🍪 Wine Night Cookie Decorating Workshop
📅 Tuesday, July 29, 2025 | 6:30-8:30pm
📍 Grape and the Grain Wine Bar
Transform plain sugar cookies into edible masterpieces with Sweet Little Social, leaving with six decorated cookies.
👉 Unleash Creativity
🍷 Tour de France Wine Tasting
📅 Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 6-8pm
📍 The Good Pour, Winter Park
Guided journey through French wine regions with welcome bubbles, four curated wines, pastries, and $10 shopping credit.
👉 Taste France
🎭 Last Wednesday Laughs
📅 Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 8-10pm
📍 Gravity Taproom, North Downtown Orlando
Monthly stand-up comedy showcase featuring talented comedians for a night of non-stop laughter and good times.
👉 Laugh Out Loud
THANKS!
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Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
