The future of the long-closed Hood’s Up gas station facility, located in a prime location at Robinson Street and Bumby Avenue in Orlando’s Milk District (2400 E. Robinson St.), is becoming clearer.
The Orlando City Council on Monday approved funding improvements to the property owned by Usler Development, which is moving toward opening Paper Kites, a restaurant project with the James Beard-nominated Good Salt Restaurant Group, says Good Salt’s Jason Chin. The name was chosen by his wife and partner, Su Chin, from the fond memories they had together in their hometown of South Korea.
“It’s been thrown around a few places as a tenant business entity (LLC) name, but it’s really not very defined yet,” Chin told the Orlando Sentinel.
“We have been working on renovation plans and ways to use the building adaptively,” Chin said. “Paper Kite is probably the name (of the restaurant), but nothing official or final.”
This iconic mid-century property has been the subject of much speculation and discussion in recent years, especially since it was purchased by Ustler Development in 2024. Parking, already an issue in the Milk District, is a concern for neighbors. Mr. Ustler purchased the property only after a variance was granted requiring 10 spaces instead of the normally required 18 on the property.
“As you can imagine, with an old building and an adaptive reuse project like this, construction drawings and permitting took time. We then had to conduct an environmental study and conduct regular environmental cleaning and removal of the old elevator in the service bay,” Chin explained.
“Although there were no major environmental concerns, regular cleaning and related work took time. There are some structural modifications to the plans we are currently working on, and we hope to begin renovations in June or July 2026.”
Chin estimates the renovation will take at least six to nine months.
“That means we’re still a long way from opening day.”
Details such as design, menu, theme, and opening date are still to be determined.
This is a developing story. Check out the latest information.
@amthompson@orlandosentinel.com
