Blue Star seeks to give Church Street new life
Ever since development closed her theater, Blue Star has been on the lookout for a new performance home. Now she has found one — at the heart of Orlando’s storied downtown entertainment district on Church Street.
“I’m happy to bring some life into a place that really needs it,” Star said. “The story is always, ‘Well, I used to go to Church Street…’ and ‘Back in the day on Church Street…’ I want to change the conversation to ‘Last night I was on Church Street.’”
Star’s new concept, Häos on Church, will combine a performance venue with visual-art exhibits, cocktails and a restaurant. Its tagline: “Cuisinary. Libations. Amusements.” Planned to open later this fall, Häos on Church will take over the space at 123 W. Church St., until recently home to the Lion’s Pride soccer-themed pub.
“Lion’s Pride wasn’t working, and I love to reimagine and rework things,” Star said.
Gustavo Fonseca, the Brazilian entrepreneur behind Lion’s Pride, is still part of the team, though Star said he’s happy to let her take the lead with her vision of locally based entertainment.
“He was excited about trying to give something to the community,” Star said.
Star’s previous performance space, The Venue, closed last September after a 7-year run to make way for The Yard, a new residential and retail community in the Ivanhoe Village neighborhood. It was known for its latenight shows and sense of bonhomie among the regulars, who enjoyed burlesque and cabaretstyle entertainment.
Venue business manager Jackie Lewin, who has restaurant-management experience, is also part of the Häos on Church team.
“We are going to transfer that Venue love over here,” Star said.
But at the same time, Star expects Häos on Church to have a polish — a “wow factor,” she called it — that the homespun Venue couldn’t achieve.
“This is not The Venue,” she said. “It’s a new concept with old-school ideas. We all have to grow… I think The Venue would be proud.”
Upstairs at 123 W. Church St., Häos on Church will feature a nearly 2,000-square-foot space with full bar. Patrons will be entertained by lounge acts, DJs, cabaret artists, pianists, singalongs and other performances. Star’s storytelling dance troupe VarieTease will be anchored there, as well. The space, which has its own entrance, also will be available for private rentals.
The downstairs room will continue as a restaurant, though with a new artistic flair. The videoscreen wall, for example, could display digital art, Star said. The cuisine will be Mediterranean-inspired.
“We’re not going to focus on steaks or burgers,” said Star, pointing out Church Street is already home to Kres Chophouse and Hamburger Mary’s.
“We’re going to ‘add not ‘compete with.’”
She called those businesses and their owners “pillars of the community,” saying it would be an honor to work alongside them.
The coronavirus pandemic has created challenging circumstances for downtown restaurants, which don’t have sports events, concerts and other nightlife drawing crowds. With more people working from home, lunchtime traffic is slower, too.
Burger joint Wahlburgers and Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant have permanently closed. Owners of Hamburger Mary’s and Pepe’s Cantina both told the Orlando Sentinel in recent weeks they have seen huge drops in business. Star is undeterred.
“I’m always up for a good challenge,” said Star, who thinks people always will hunger for good meals and good entertainment.
“It truly is pure love,” she said of her Häos on Church concept. “The way we show love is with music, food and art.”
to,’