Changes To Downtown Orlando + New Restaurants + Free Food

Good morning and Happy Saturday! Welcome to our new Patch newsletter serving the Orlando area. My name is Carlos Hernandez and I'll be keeping you updated on the latest news on what is happening around town each morning. Let's get started.

In this edition, you'll find out about changes to Downtown Orlando, free food for those in need, tax holidays, and new restaurants coming to Orlando.

Today's weather: The high today is 84 and the low is 65 with partly cloudy skies.

Today in Orlando:

1) The City of Orlando moved forward a number of new policies after recent shootings in Downtown Orlando that includes a noise ordinance, retraction of COVID-19 protocols that allowed businesses to operate in the sidewalks and street, earlier closure for restaurants, $800,000 for the police and code enforcement at night, and more. (Orlando Sentinel)

2) The shareholders of the parent company of Orlando Sentinel and Tribune Publishing have approved a sale to Alden Global Capital with a deal expected to close by June 30th. Journalists at the affiliated papers have said the cost-cutting movements will be detrimental to local journalism coverage. (Orlando Sentinel)

3) Struggling families can pick up a week’s worth of fresh fruits and vegetables along with dairy and protein from Farm Share today with events in Orlando and Casselberry during drive-thru distribution events. (WMFE)

4) Governor Ron DeSantis signed multiple tax holidays into law including the annual back to school tax holiday, an extension on the disaster preparedness sales tax holiday, and a new “Freedom Week” that makes items such as concert, movie tickets, and tickets to state parks tax-free. (WESH)

5) New York-based restaurant chain freshandco is expanding into Orlando and plans to open a location their first location in Dr. Phillips. Their mission is “create fresh, creative and healthy meals that excite the mind, heart and palate”. Part of a flurry of restaurants looking to expand into the area. (Orlando Business Journal)

Today in Orlando:

• Barker Park Farmer’s Market - enjoy food vendors and live music at this weekly market. (9 a.m.)
• Goat Yoga at Alaska Farms Orlando. Start your weekend by decompressing with goats. Tickets include stretching, yoga, photo time, and playing with the goats. You must get a ticket in advance to attend. (10 a.m.)
• The Boozy Brunch Crawl. Stroll through Downtown Orlando and enjoy bloody marys, mimosas, and bites throughout with Bar Crawl USA. The event kicks off at The Basement and tickets are available online. (11 a.m.)
• Orlando City vs. Toronto FC at Exploria Stadium in Downtown Orlando. (7 p.m.)
• Millennium Ages' Silent Party Orlando at Night Shade Lounge. Enjoy a silent disco with R&B and Slow Jams for singles and couples. (9:30 p.m.)

Orlando Patch Notebook:

• The City of Orlando is looking for local photographs for an annual calendar contest.
• Brevard County Schools voted to make masks optional for summer and the next school year in a 4-1 vote.
• Universal Orlando’s Aventura Hotel has announced it will reopen on June 16th.
• The value of Orlando homes has passed a pre-housing bust high and the average home in the area was worth $285,049 last month according to Zillow.
• The unemployment rate rose to 4.8% in Florida, but so did jobs and workers and the state is still below the national average. Over 487,000 are unemployed.

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Orlando. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: orlando@patch.com.

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Orlando area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.