By Jim Carchidi
August 18, 2026
Change is under way at the Hoods Up property on Bumby Avenue in Orlando's Milk District. The 1950s-era building will be replaced with a new concept by Good Salt Restaurant Group. However, an adaptive reuse effort with Ustler Development, Inc. revealed more problems with the original structure than anticipated.
Assessment and demolition
The building has been a Milk District icon for decades, but fell into disrepair during 30 years of abandonment. The Orlando Real first reported on the adaptive reuse project in June after the proposed restaurant, dubbed Paper Kites, was granted $50,000 in renovation assistance under Orlando's Small Business Facade, Site Improvement and Adaptive Reuse Program (FSARP).
Good Salt co-owner Sue Chin previously said the property, which formerly served as a gas station and auto repair shop, had passed necessary environmental assessments and construction was expected to take up to nine months.
Demolition began last week and by Saturday, Aug. 15, only one brick wall on the property's east side and a portion of the building's northwest section were left standing. Ustler Development, Inc. President Craig Ustler informed The Orlando Real in an email that the plan was to incorporate more of the original structure. Instead, the new build will use what's left and recreate other architectural features with new materials.
“We encountered a lot of structural deficiencies, so we are having to build it back to its same general footprint,” Ustler wrote.
The new concept
The property was purchased in 2024 by an Ustler Development subsidiary. The plan for a new restaurant began prior to the purchase and the 12,000-square-foot lot was granted a code variance for 10 on-site parking spaces. According to city documents, the new building will include several architectural references to the original with a larger floor plan to accommodate indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
Renderings submitted with the grant application may undergo some changes, but will include a new version of the front canopy and brick exteriors. Completion is expected mid-2027 and the restaurant theme, name, and menu are being finalized.
Good Salt is behind several popular restaurant concepts including Seito Sushi, Reyes Mezcaleria, The Osprey, and The Monroe. The name Paper Kites appears in city paperwork and is the work-in-progress title of the project.
Assisting adaptive reuse
Under the terms of the FSARP, commercial property owners and small businesses can apply for up to $50,000 in assistance with building upgrades related to changes of use. Qualifying projects include exterior and site enhancements, safety and mechanical upgrades, and electrical and plumbing improvements.
The Milk District is in the midst of a strategic land use study for long-term growth. The findings are expected in spring 2027 and will include redevelopment guidelines, recommendations for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and a shortlist of underutilized parcels suitable for redevelopment.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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