Submitted by Larry Oskin
The Citrus Tower has been a nationally respected tourist attraction and landmark here in South Lake County since being built in 1955. Scott and Heather Homan have recently taken over complete management and operations of this long-standing family business from his father Greg Homan. This property includes the Tower and the Citrus Tower Shopping Center.
Scott grew up working with his brother and sister in the Tower Gift shop that his mother ran in the lobby selling Florida souvenirs. Scott was previously a successful local real estate agent. Heather was a respected teacher. Their new and very simple vision is to be respectful to the local community while seeking out growth in tourism for Central Florida. They want the Citrus Tower to become an exciting new community hub.
Clermont Citrus Tower History & View: Scott Homan’s father bought the land in a real estate deal over 25 years ago. Opening in 1956, the Citrus Tower now stands tall as a monumental showcase and tribute to the internationally famed citrus industry here Central Florida. The Citrus Tower was one of Florida’s original tourist attractions and landmarks, built here before Disney, Universal and any of the other theme parks. Built mainly through the efforts of A.W Thacker and F.J. Toole, there were over 240 founders and stakeholders involved.
It was built at a height of 226 feet at the equivalent of a 22 story building on one of the highest hills here in Florida’s Ridge area. The tip of its highest antenna is about 500 feet above sea level. This beautiful landmark contains 5 million pounds of concrete with almost 150,000 pounds of reinforced steel. When the Tower first opened, it had a glassblowing business, a candy factory, a gift shop, restaurant and a citrus fruit packing place where tourists could pack their citrus to ship or take home.
The current Citrus Tower features a glass-enclosed observation deck that can be accessed by a recently refurbished elevator from the lobby. As you walk around the deck, you can easily see Lake County’s rolling hills with hundreds of lakes and endless new housing developments. You can see and photograph portions of Lake, Orange, Polk and Sumter Counties besides the distant downtown Orlando skyline and Disney World. On clear sunny days, you can also see parts of Osceola, Pasco, Seminole and Hernando Counties.
New Plans & Events: While the business and marketing plans are still in progress, they are already under construction to add a new lobby, an exciting new Mountaineer Coffee Shop and the new Tower Arcade, while they are now searching for a dynamic new restaurant to be located on the first floor.
Mountaineer Coffee will feature coffees, delicious home-made pop tarts and orange flavored soft service Florida ice cream. They do plan to sell Florida souvenirs again. Scott is seeking tenant partnerships that the entire community will really enjoy.
The Citrus Tower Shopping Center includes Uncle Kenny’s BBQ and Weight Watchers. The new Happy Troll Games store will celebrate their grand opening within a few weeks. That store will feature board games, tabletop games, collectibles, and special gaming events. They do plan to create special events for Cape Rocket Launches.
Visit their website at www.CitrusTower.com to keep track of their annualized events. On September 7, they will host a fundraiser with Patrick Gibson for Cure Search for the benefit of childhood cancer research.
Ride To The Top! Take a ride to the top with your cameras for only $10. There is special new pricing for children, seniors, military, first responders and teachers. Special rates are available for large groups.
With the newly air-conditioned glass-enclosed observation deck, you will be safe from the environmental challenges. Morning sunrise and evening sunset photographs are fantastic opportunities. Hours are weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 am to sunset hours. The Tower is currently closed on Sundays.
For more information, contact Scott Homan, CEO or Heather Homan, Marketing Director at 352-394-4061 or visit: www.CitrusTower.com.
The Citrus Tower is located at 141 North Highway 27 at the corner of Citrus Tower Boulevard, Clermont, FL 34711,
EDITORIAL NOTE:
