Latest news with #Julie'sWaterfront
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Orlando restaurant closed indefinitely after overnight fire
A building that has housed a waterfront Orlando restaurant for more than 50 years caught fire early Sunday morning, and the place that touted 'Food, Brews & Views' is now closed indefinitely. Owner Ryan Davis said he was told by fire officials that electrical problems might have started the fire in the kitchen area at The Waterfront, located on Lake Jennie Jewel in South Orlando. There were no injuries. 'I don't think there was foul play or anything, but having it happen it the middle of the night caught me a little bit by surprise,' he said. 'There's not much power being used in the middle of the night.' Davis said his wife woke him up about 5 a.m. Sunday after she saw a TV news report about the he got to the restaurant, crews were working to put out the blaze. About 10% of the building was burned by Davis' estimation. Flames from the fire reached as high as 20 feet in the air, he said, but most of the inside of the building, including the seating areas, were saved by the firefighters. 'You start off kind of feeling sad and emotional and now we're ready to get going,' Davis said. 'We're ready to get things on track and figure out what the next deal is.' Davis said he plans to rebuild, adding he feels he owes it to his staff and his regular patrons. The building that houses The Waterfront has been there since 1972 and was named Julie's Waterfront when Davis took it over about eight years ago. Davis said the restaurant has started a GoFundMe page to help pay staff who have now lost their jobs, and he has been overwhelmed by the response. Donors have raised over $5,000 for The Waterfront since Sunday. 'You just feel awful for the staff and you feel awful that happened, but what can you do?' he said. 'That's what we're trying to do now, is figure out what to do next.'
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Popular Orange County restaurant ‘The Waterfront' suffers major damage in fire
Fire has damaged a popular restaurant in Orange County. 'The Waterfront,' also known by locals as Julie's Waterfront, was severely damaged by fire over the weekend. The owner is now turning to the community to help his employees while the restaurant is closed. Photos: Popular Orange County restaurant 'The Waterfront' suffers major damage in fire The fire broke out at the business on the shore of Jennie Jewel Lake around 4 a.m. Sunday. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire, and the Orange County Fire Department was able to extinguish the flames quickly. Watch: Immigration concerns to be a major issue during Florida's special session this week Still, according to owner Kevin Little, expensive items, including the a/c, electrical system, and freezers, are a loss. Little expects it to be months before doors could reopen; in the meantime, his staff are without a job. Read: Orlando Regional Medical Center boosts trauma care with ER upgrade A GoFundMe page has been set up to help support the staff without work. Patrons can also stop by 'The Other Bar,' which is also owned by Little, to support reconstruction efforts. Watch: Remembering Bob Snow: Pioneer of Orlando's tourism and founder of Church Street Station Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
