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Home » News » Orlando » Article

Second Chance for Sanctuary?

10/06/2009 16:29:00 Jamie Hyman

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The developers behind two failed Thornton Park restaurants hope to see their doors open again one day. Graze and Sanctuary Diner were located in the bottom of The Sanctuary Condo Tower in Thornton Park. Despite good reviews, the restaurants both shut down last month, just a couple of months after they opened.

“It was just a victim of the economy right now, a lot of people dining out less and less to conserve funds,” said Ted Maines, interior designer for the Historic Creations Design/Development Group.

Maines said when the restaurant was in the planning stages four years ago, 1,500 condominium units were planned for the area.

“They never got built. It was a question of timing,” Maines said. “We loved the Diner and we loved Graze but we believe they might have been a little ahead of their time.”

He said he’s not giving up on the spaces because the neighborhood needs restaurants for the locals, the kitchens are incredible, and he hopes someone will want to own and operate a restaurant there.

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Comments (9 posted):

InterestedObserver on 15/06/2009 15:01:43

Gee, I wonder why The Beacon, next to The Sanctuary Diner and Graze, isn't closing?

I wonder if an hour wait for our breakfast could be a factor in customers not coming back?

We never were in Graze, but the three times we were in the diner, it was a fustercluck behind the counter and one can only imagine what was going on in the kitchen!

Thornton Park's Hue, CityFish, Spice, The Breakfast Club, 310 Lakeside, Relax Grille, Wildside, Anthony's, Dexter's and the new Graffiti Junktion all seem to be doing OK. I wonder what the difference is?

Here's a hint: knowing how to run a restaurant is a step in the right direction.

TS in Orlando

InterestedObserver on 16/06/2009 11:00:41

Within an hour of my posting my comment, I learned that The Beacon is closing too.

Still, many Thornton Park & Downtown eateries are faring well.

What is the difference between those restaurants that are not closing and those that have or are closing?

It causes one to ponder, don't it?

TS in Orlando

Jamie on 16/06/2009 14:00:59

How did you find out about the Beacon?

Tom on 16/06/2009 22:10:54

I learned about the Beacon's closing through Twitter .... former Orlando Sentinel food writer, Scott Joseph, tweets. I hope that Watermark gets involved in Twitter, too. It's an excellent way to maintain an ongoing conversation with readers and drive traffic to the Watermark website.

By the way, I'm really liking the new and improved Watermarkonline.

dborlando on 19/06/2009 13:51:45

To "TS in Orlando": There's a difference between constructive and sarcastic critism. Sadly, yours sounds like the latter, which only serves to create divisiveness in our community. Personally, I'm saddened to see both Graze and Sanctuary Diner close. They were significant attributes to Thornton Park. I applaud Steve Kodsi and Ted Maine's vision, passion, hard work & dedication in creating excellent and well-run dining operations. Regardless of why these businesses closed, I'm proud to call these two outstanding and successful businessmen my friends. Dan Bray- Orlando

2Papi on 10/07/2009 01:15:09

I loved Graze, but had the worst ever breakfast experience there (food awful, service friendly but lacking skill). I hope they re-open, it's important for the neighborhood. Am I the only one who misses the Lake Eola Yacht Club?

2Papi on 10/07/2009 01:18:24

Just realized I needed to edit my last entry. The awful breakfast was at the Diner, not Graze.

Josh on 10/07/2009 11:16:37

i only went to Graze a handful of times but each time was FANTASTIC..the food, service and particularly the drinks were are really great. I never got a chance to eat at the diner. I'll miss Graze...

Shane32803 on 12/08/2009 23:12:22

My partner and I dined at "Graze" for the soft opening, and went several times after that. The ambiance,food, and service, was second to none.

I am very sad to see Graze close.
I, too, applaud Steve Kodsi for his vision, and dedication to the development of Downtown Orlando. We are very lucky to have him here in Orlando.

Shane Pagano -Orwin Manor

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