East End Market finally opens in Orlando

east end marketYou could say that East End Market is just an indoor farmers market. But for developer John Rife III it is far more than this. It will represent a newstyle of shopping, a new way to get the costumers to the food. The place will show the growing importance of artistic side of culinary. “The food is more serious, better, fresher and interesting — and pricey. Perfect for today’s customers seeking choice, variety and products they believe they can trust.” said Michael Whiteman of Baum+Whiteman, an international food and restaurant consulting company. The Market is placed in a former two-story, 15,000-square-foot abandoned commercial building in Orlando’s Audubon Park neighborhood. It will be home of several local businesses including Casselberry-based Olde Hearth Bread Co. and Winter Park-based Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine & Events, as well as new businesses. The East End Market was set to open earlier this year but there were paperwork and tchnical problems; and it kept growing to become the place it is on its opening day October 25th. “We had no model for this in Central Florida,” John Rife III said “It has become this organic living thing that had to evolve on its own timeline.”

Allegiant Air adds traffic to Orlando Sanford International Airport

Allegiant_Air_-_McDonnell_Douglas_MD-83_-_AAY4743As there are some questions on whether Allegiant Air will be able to launch their Portsmouth to Florida service, scheduled for the 25th November, the low cost carrier announced on Wednesday a new, non-stop jet service from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport to Orlando Sanford International Airport starting Feb. 12, 2014. The new flights to Orlando are on sale for $100 roundtrip including taxes and fees and will operate twice a week – on Wednesday and Saturday. This announcement marks the 100th U.S. city served by Allegiant. This achievement will be celebrated with Cincinnati service with roundtrip fares as low as $100. “We are pleased to add Orlando and Southwest Florida as affordable, convenient destination options for Cincinnati residents,” said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President. “We are confident the community will appreciate the convenience of flying nonstop to these Florida destinations and the value of bundling their air, hotel and car rental reservation together.” Allegiant is known as an ultra-low-cost carrier, operating at airports in small cities and flying mainly to warm-weather vacation destinations, mostly across Florida, California and Hawaii. “We are pleased to add Orlando and Southwest Florida as affordable, convenient destination options for Cincinnati residents,” said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President. In addition the company spokeswoman Jessica Wheeler said they were optimistic that launch of passenger service from Portsmouth International Airport at Pease will take place as planned despite administrative delays related to the recent federal government shutdown.

Orlando airport $1.1 Billion expansion plan approved

pg7-Orlando-airport-south-terminal-rendering-304The Orlando airport authority has approved an expansion of Orlando International Airport (MCO) so that it can accommodate 45 million passengers a year. The $1.1 billion plan was approved on Wednesday and will allow the airport to grow its capacity almost twice beyond its original design. The current airport facility, originally designed to accommodate 24 million passengers annually, opened in phases beginning in 1981, a decade after the arrival of Walt Disney Co. turned Orlando into a worldwide tourist destination. Previous expansions occurred in 1991 and 2009, according to a GOAA timeline. Airport officials say they are confident a growing number of passengers are on the way because the economy is improving and theme parks are constantly upgrading, including Walt Disney World’s planned “Avatar” land at Animal Kingdom, set to open in 2017. “We hope to grow with our region and attract business,” OIA Chairman Frank Kruppenbacher said. The project includes four additional international gates, an automated people mover, improvements to the ticket hall and baggage screening areas, and a rail terminal to support All Aboard Florida, a train service between Orlando and Miami that is being backed by private investors. As for the possible second terminal, final design and planning for that wouldn’t start until the airport’s passenger counts hit certain benchmarks that would equate to about 40 million passengers a year. “We don’t want to build it before it’s time,” Orlando International director Phil Brown said for the Orlando Sentinel.

Universal: What’s where at Halloween Horror Nights

os-halloween-horror-nights-23-map-20130919The guide map for Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights helps guide guests to the eight haunted-house mazes and other attractions of the event, which kicks off Friday and runs 27 select nights through Nov. 2. Going up the main drag of Universal Studios, straight through turnstiles, are queues for four houses: The Cabin in the Woods; Resident Evil: Escape From Raccoon City; An American Werewolf in London; and Evil Dead. Havoc2: Derailed is in the San Francisco section of the park, sometimes referred to in HHNspeak as the Disaster Queue Extended house. Three houses are backstage. The entrance to Afterlife: Death’s Vengeance is near the Men in Black attraction, and Urban Legends: La Llorona queues up near the Barnie attraction. The Walking Dead: No Safe Haven is in a building that usually houses Universal‘s floats. “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” is in its customary spot at Fear Factor Live. The new “Rocky Horror Picture Show – A Tribute” is on the stage for Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue.

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