In June of 2006 Chef Mark Dollard opened his first two restaurants, Absinthe Bistro and Bar and The Cafe at Church Street in Church Street Station with the idea that with great food, great wine, great booze, consistent service and live entertainment, he could build a successful restaurant business there. It seemed like an uphill battle from the get go with the downtown district of Orlando Florida under heavy construction. Mark although was thinking of the future. The number of residents' downtown was going to triple within a year. A new performing arts center and sports arena were to be built just a block away. Even the city commissioners were sponsoring a "world class downtown" suitable for tourists and walking traffic. The key to success was to survive the construction and continue to grow the restaurant based on good business.
After nearly a year of operating, with kudos from restaurant critics and receiving an abundance of positive press, there was a good buzz surrounding Absinthe and the Cafe. The number of diners increased steadily and Absinthe was in the black. In early 2007, unforeseen financial issues began surfacing about Church Street Station and its now infamous music mogul owner Lou Pearlman. Harsh press coverage surrounding the issue had a hugely negative impact on business. Within weeks, Lou was on the lam, and bankruptcy proceedings against him began. Church Street Station was inevitably sold at auction. The leases for all of the tenants at Church Street Station were nullified by the Judge overseeing the proceeding, both Absinthe and The Cafe were forced to close their doors.
While writing off the loss of Absinthe and the Cafe, and working to secure a location for a new restaurant, Chef Mark and his partners were offered a chance by the latest owners of Church Street Station to house a new concept in the very same space of Absinthe Bistro and Bar. Knowing the potential of the location, Mark and his partners took the offer and the Brick & Fire Pizza and Wine Company was born. Earning kudos again, Brick & Fire gained attention for its pizza almost immediately receiving numerous "Best Pizza" in Orlando rewards.
Given the positive attention to the food and service at Brick & Fire Church Street which coincided with an ailing economy, a business decision was made to expand the concept but a few changes were to be made. Again facing the possibility of loosing our lease as the new owner of Church Street Station faced foreclosure issues, in mid November of 2008 Chef Mark and his partners closed the doors at Church Street Station and opened a free standing restaurant just two weeks later on the first of December. Simply called "Brick & Fire" it was just a mile away on Orange Avenue just south of Downtown. A focus on scaling back the size of the dining room along with menu prices was in order. Value and quality for price paid became key fundamentals to the Brick & Fire concept.
Within weeks of opening our doors on Orange Avenue, our previous Church Street patrons began returning to Brick & Fire. Our new location it seems was far more convenient and family friendly.
We hope you join us for some unscripted service and stellar pizza at Brick & Fire. We look forward to exceeding your expectations.
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The Original Logo of Absinthe Bistro and Bar, Chef Mark's first restaurant at Church Street Station
The Original logo of the Cafe at Church Street Station
Replica of Brick & Fire wall art
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