South Beach’s Mango’s Tropical Café, a premier attraction in Miami Beach and one of the top restaurant/ nightclubs in the U.S. for more than 20 years, is slated to open a second entertainment venue on Orlando’s International Drive during the third quarter of 2014. The newly acquired Orlando site sits at the main Interstate 4 interchange for the Convention Center District and International Drive.
Joshua Wallack, COO of Mango’s in South Beach, will relocate to Central Florida to oversee the development of Mango’s Orlando. And what better ambassador for Miami Beach than Joshua Wallack and the Mango’s Brand?Mr. Wallack’s commitment to Miami Beach is extensive. He spearheaded the question 502 campaign to pass the resort tax for the Miami Beach Convention Center renovation and expansion project, and he sits as a member of the Chamber’s Board of Governors and Executive Board. He is Vice President of Community Partnership and member of the Executive Committee of the Foundation Board at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Additionally, he is a member of the Miami Beach Convention Center Advisory Board, the Ocean Drive Association, the Miami Beach Police Athletic League and the Miami Beach Nightlife Task Force.
Mr. Wallack is proud of the Mango’s product and business model, especially its insistence on real estate ownership. Mango’s will ensure that it stays the same, and the best way to do this and ensure that it remains a family business for future generations is to own the property, as is the case in South Beach and now in Orlando. Though he is headed away to lead what is sure to be a successful expansion to Orlando, Mr. Wallack’s roots are firmly planted in Miami Beach
“We are very fortunate to have such a dynamic opportunity in Orlando,” said Joshua Wallack, “Mango’s Orlando will become the largest must-see nightlife entertainment destination in Central Florida with amazing shows, atmosphere, and late night dining.”
Just as in South Beach, Mango’s Orlando is expected to become a targeted tourist destination in Orlando, the most-visited US city with more than 55 million visitors each year. The 2.9-acre site is situated at 8102 International Drive, at the entrance to the Orange County Convention Center district. The convention center is the second largest in the U.S. with 2.1 million square feet of exhibition space. The existing two-story, 49,000-square-foot building, a former TGI Fridays concept and Bargain World retail store, will undergo extensive renovations.
More than twenty years ago, David Wallack, Joshua Wallack’s father, decided to relocate the Eastern Sun, his holistic adult congregate living facility (ACLF), and turn the 900 Ocean Drive property into a restaurant and bar; people thought he was crazy, but today, Mango’s is a South Beach staple, a must-see for tourists and a favorite of locals. Mango’s exudes everything that is Miami Beach-its tropical theme, its location next to the beach and its Latin flair.
Mango’s represents Miami Beach so well because it helped to create the South Beach of today. During the early 1990s, Mango’s was one of the first major nightclubs to stimulate the South Beach renaissance, and today it stands strong while other major nightclubs have fallen by the wayside. The difference is Mango’s has something for everyone. The venue boasts wonderful food and entertainment in a family-friendly atmosphere before 10 pm when it transforms into a nightclub with a variety of music and dancing as well as live performances. Mango’s attracts young and old, families and young singles, tourists and locals, and everyone that enters is a celebration of Miami Beach.
It is precisely this unique atmosphere, a testament to Miami Beach, which will be transported to Orlando. The Orlando location will be the same, only larger, boasting 65,000 sq. ft., and representing a total investment of $30 million. The Miami Beach community should be so proud of the success that Mango’s has achieved; the venue and the family that built it are truly a product of hard work and dedication to the local community, partnering with the Chamber, Mt. Sinai and other organizations in numerous community initiatives.
Mango’s Orlando will surely follow in the South Beach location’s footsteps and have great success in Central Florida, and success for Mango’s is success for Miami Beach. The Orlando location will reach even more visitors and teach them about the unique culture, history and beauty of Miami Beach. Mango’s Orlando and Joshua Wallack will serve as ambassadors for the Million Dollar Sandbar bringing the message of beach breeze, tropical heat and Latin flavor to its Orlando guests.
