Here's everything opening up in downtown Windermere

The redevelopment has quickly attracted a diverse mix of tenants, combining returning businesses with new additions to the downtown landscape.

Ace Hardware

Already open and serving customers as the project’s first tenant.

Fresco Pizzeria

A new concept and second location from Fresco Cucina Italiana, the Scialoia family’s beloved restaurant on Turkey Lake Road.

Solvino

A high-end wine bar and restaurant led by Arjun and Sara Kumar, Windermere residents and Keene’s Pointe locals, bringing a community-focused concept to Main Street.

Victoria Jewelers

Opening a second location; the family behind the business lives in Windermere.

Revel Realty

Formerly Suzi Karr Realty, the firm has rebranded under Broker/Owner Chris Sapp as Revel Realty, a boutique brokerage focused on transparency, client advocacy, and modern, technology-driven service.

Elysium Interiors

An interior design firm returning from the previous buildings.

Allstate Insurance

Another tenant that was part of the original downtown footprint.

With the leasing process complete, all spaces are filled. Most tenants are expected to open by the end of the year.

For both Gissy and Karr, longtime Central Florida residents, the project is as much about community identity as it is about commerce.

The redevelopment wasn’t without its challenges. Some residents voiced concern about bringing new businesses into downtown, but the final product has been met with praise.

“There’s always some opposition when change comes to a town like Windermere,” Gissy told The Orlando Life. “But once the project was finished, many of the same people who fought it told me how much they loved it. It really upgraded the town.”

Karr echoed that sentiment, noting the importance of keeping Windermere’s small town character intact. “We never wanted a big corporate brand in here,” he said. “What we needed was something special, a place where people know the owners and feel at home. That’s what this lineup delivers.”

The redevelopment also represents a collaborative effort among locals. The Hembree brothers, who grew up in Windermere, led the construction. Vick, a Central Florida native, emphasized the intentional choice to keep the project grounded in the town’s identity.

“We worked hard to make sure existing businesses had a place in the new center and that local firms were part of building it,” Vick said. “It’s about continuity as much as change.”

A New Era for Main Street

The project replaces aging structures that were torn down to make way for modern facilities designed around Windermere’s unique character, including tree preservation and a custom engineered wastewater treatment system.

For residents, the redevelopment brings in new businesses and a chance to strengthen community ties. Karr, who has lived in Windermere since 1970, sees the downtown evolving into a place where neighbors gather again.

“Back when the post office was downtown, people bumped into each other every day,” he said. “With these new restaurants and shops, I think we’ll see that same spirit return.”