Commercial Development Taking Off In Area

    Following on the heels of increased residential development in North Lake County in recent years, an uptick in commercial development can now be seen in the local landscape. In both Umatilla and Eustis, commercial expansion is just the latest indicator of the area's growth.
    In Umatilla, a Pizza Hut that has been in service for several decades on SR 19 was razed in the past week. That property will make way for a new joint-use dining structure that will house a smaller Pizza Hut and a new KFC restaurant. The site is being totally redeveloped to make way for a drive-through window as part of the KFC operations.
    In Eustis, a former office building was leveled to make way for a new Scooter’s Coffee, a chain of coffee houses with roots in Nebraska. That firm will take up operations in a new building being built just south of the Eustis Police Department along Grove/Bay Street.
    The largest project underway is a new Carter’s Ace Hardware, currently being framed on the north side of Eustis. Locally owned and operated by the Carter family, the new store is to be located along SR 19 in Eustis, just south of the Publix Woodland Plaza. The new location is expected to support current Carter’s Ace Hardware stores in downtown Eustis and Umatilla, and will join other area stores in Mount Dora, Tavares, and Sorrento.
    The new developments are drawing praise from area business leaders.
    “It is with great excitement to see the new Pizza Hut/KFC brand being brought to Umatilla,” said Julie Rogers, Executive Director of the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce. “This type of commercial development will bring more spending to our community.”