Investments Blog

Clermont is getting a new brew pub this year.

The Centennial, Colo.-based microbrewery franchise Growler USA will be opening shop in August at 2507 US Highway 27 in the Clermont Landing plaza next to an Aldi. The other tenants in the plaza include Flippers Pizza, Jimmy Johns and Burnfat Orlando.

“When I looked at where the brew pubs were, they were in Sanford or downtown — the Clermont area was underserved,” Growler USA Franchisee Charles Good told Orlando Business Journal. He previously…

Happy Friday, loyal readers. It's apparently National Camera Day. Here's what else you need to know today.

But first, coffee

In March, I told you about the locally owned Badfish Coffee & Tea, which at the time was expected to open in April. The process took a little longer than expected, but Badfish debuts today at 9346 Greenback Lane in Orangevale. Learn more about the coffee shop on its Facebook page.

Building investor sues other owners

An investor in the building at 700 J St. in downtown…

Two Greater Cincinnati pizzerias and three in Kansas City closed this week as the result of Chipotle Mexican Grill’s turnaround efforts.

Both Cincinnati Pizzeria Locale locations, at 9540 Mason Montgomery Road and Sycamore Crossing, were closed as the Denver-based company (NYSE: CMG) announced it would shutter five of its seven pizzerias along with 55 to 65 underperforming Chipotle stores. About half of the closings were expected to happen by the end of July.

Cincinnati was the second market…

After less than a year selling kebabs and wraps from the streets and parking lots of Baltimore, popular food truck Döner Brös is opening its first brick-and-mortar location.

The concept will join an array of stores and restaurants along St. Paul Street in Charles Village, taking 1,126 square feet of space for a fast-casual concept at Nine East 33rd.

Co-founder Alex Politsch said opening a store was always part of the plan for Döner Brös, and this one at 3204 St. Paul St. will be the first…

An executive with a Louisville company has been named one of the most influential chief marketing officers in the U.S.

Forbes ranked 50 CMOs in the new report. The publication said its rankings are based on a range of indicators gathered through Sprinklr’s social media listening and benchmarking platforms, as well as on engagement and influence metrics from LinkedIn. Click here for the full report, with more information about methodology.

Marisa Thalberg, CMO of Taco Bell, ranked No. 18 on the…

Louisiana-based hospitality brand Ballard Brands increased its bid for the Garces Restaurant Group, the sale of which has been delayed.

Chef Jose Garces' eponymous restaurant group in May this year announced it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with intent to sell to Louisiana-based Ballard Brands, which owns New Orlean's PJ's Coffee franchise.

A federal judge in the same month awarded Ballard stalking horse status, with a bid of $6.6 million, setting the figure as the low-end bar on bids.

Multiple…

The city's inaugural Philadelphia Black Restaurant Week was held June 10-17. We spoke with organizer Falayn Ferrell about the importance, impact and plans for subsequent years.

Kennywood Park in partnership with Mattel has announced the opening date for its new Thomas Town area for families with young children.

In a Facebook post, the West Mifflin amusement park set the date for its opening as July 27.

The $8.5 million area encompasses nearly an acre around a re-themed Olde Kennywood Railroad next to the Auto Race and Kiddieland, which hadn't seen a major update since 2007.

It will include four rides plus the railroad and a live show in addition to an indoor play area…

A new restaurant from Scott Plank's War Horse Cities LLC will open on the Canton waterfront next week.

Button, a neighborhood-focused bar and cafe, will take over the former Canners Row space at 2723 Lighthouse Point starting July 2. The restaurant is located adjacent to a pool that War Horse recently renovated and relaunched as Swim Club.

Both the restaurant and pool will be run by War Horse Hospitality, the development firm's new hospitality arm headed by former Dean & Deluca Managing Director Jay…