Many were saddened to hear that the Orlando Improv Comedy Club was permanently vacating its residence in Church Street Station. Once a great pillar of entertainment, food and fun in downtown Orlando, Church Street Station has long since been removed from its previously glory. Hopeful men such as Cameron Kuhn are hoping to restore it to its former glory by trying to bring a Hilton hotel to the location as well as upscale steakhouses and clubs, such as Bliss. Yet Church Street Station just lost its final connection to its previous glory - the Orlando Improv Comedy Club.

Considered the premiere comedy club in downtown Orlando, the Improv closed its doors at its Church Street Station location due to the inability to renew their liquor license. Known for bringing in big name entertainers such as Chris Tucker, Tracey Morgan, and Louis Anderson, the Orlando Improv will be greatly missed until it finds a new residence in the Orlando area to call home. Meanwhile, Kuhn is wasting no time filling the now vacant 7,000 square foot space. After discussions with Central Florida restaurant owner and operator Manny Tato, the announcement for a new concept and upscale steakhouse, Rustic Steak, will soon occupy the Improv’s vacated space on Church Street Station. As if Orlando needs yet another upscale eatery, especially a steakhouse.

Throughout the changing management of Church Street Station and

developers eagerly chomping at the bit to restore Church Street Station to its long forgotten title as Orlando’s premiere destination downtown, will Church Street Station be able to regain its former glory if its revenue generating businesses that have withstood the changing management, the closure of the arcade and restaurants, and the general failure that new businesses seem to endure in that location, are vacating the premises? In 1985, Church Street Station drew 1.5 million visitors , making it the fourth largest attraction in the state behind the major theme parks such as Disney and Sea World, and now it is simply a thoroughfare for party goers to reach the main clubs and bars slightly beyond its reach.  With other new major entertainment venues such as Downtown Disney and City Walk opening and the last of it’s former glory patrons, the Orlando Improv, vacating Church Street Station is it possible to restore it to its former glory even with the new promise of luxury condos and upscale restaurants?

Post by Leslie

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