Business
FNN Good News & Reviews: ICON Park’s Latest Häagen-Dazs® Shop Offers Irresistible City Sweets Collection
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Dining at ICON Park on International Drive has gotten sweeter in the last two months, thanks to the opening of a second Häagen-Dazs® shop, located right under the big wheel, nestled between Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips, the Orlando Sea Aquarium, and Ole Red. It’s so new, it’s not even on Google Maps yet!
Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
Thanks to its location in the heart of ICON Park, the still-new shop has enjoyed a positive response from tourists in the area. “It’s been great,” said store manager Art Nitikin of the customer traffic they’ve seen so far. “We opened close to the end of Spring Break [in April], so we caught that crowd, and now with summer coming, we hope to have even more people here.”
An eager customer comes in for a milkshake just minutes after the Häagen-Dazs® shop opens at 12pm. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
Haagen-Dazs manager Art Nitikin (center) and the shop staff prep a banana split for a customer. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
The New City Sweets Collection
Well, if Florida’s already 90-plus degree temperatures don’t bring the masses in for the summer, Häagen-Dazs’® latest sweet treats will. Their new City Sweets Collection introduces two fun and insanely flavorful combinations: the black and white cookie dazzler, a treat so packed you’ll likely end up sharing it with someone, and the chocolate peanut butter pretzel milkshake, a cool and addictive take on the tried and true sweet-salty combination.
FNN Good News & Reviews co-host Kathleen Michelle tries the chocolate peanut butter pretzel milkshake. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
In fact, the milkshake’s so yummy, it won Nitikin over. “My favorite flavor was always the cookies and cream, but I really like the chocolate peanut butter pretzel milkshake,” he confessed on the show. “But that’s ’cause I love peanut butter.”
FNN Good News & Reviews co-host Mellissa Thomas tries the piled-high black and white cookie dazzler. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
The black and white cookie dazzler comes packed high in a cup with caramel, cookie chunks, ice cream, whipped cream, and two Lorna Doone shortbread cookies standing in the whipped cream for good measure. The best way to eat it is in a bowl, so that you can see and easily get to all of the layers and ingredients.
Non-Dairy? They’ve Got You Covered.
While the new location has 30 ice cream flavors to offer, they also have four exquisite fruit sorbet flavors for non-dairy customers to choose from: lemonade, strawberry, raspberry, and mango.
FNN Good News & Reviews co-host Kathleen Michelle tries the strawberry sorbet. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
The sorbets offer immediate refreshment for heat-worn visitors and excited kids, flooding the tastebuds with frozen fresh fruit puree, not just pounds of fruit-flavored syrup.
The mango sorbet, like its strawberry counterpart, packs on the flavor of true mango puree. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
Whether you’re a local bringing the kids to ICON Park for fun during summer break or a visitor to beautiful Orlando, stop in to the new Häagen-Dazs® and try their new (or tried and true) treats.
Sofia, the senior staff member at the new Häagen-Dazs® shop at ICON Park on International Drive in Orlando, holds a platter of sweet and savory ice cream and sorbet offerings: a bowl of the new black and white cookie, one of the two new options in the City Sweets Collection, the peanut butter pretzel milkshake, the second City Sweets Collection option, as well as a mango sorbet bowl, a strawberry sorbet bowl, and a banana split. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
We give the new Häagen-Dazs® at ICON Park a 4.5 out of 5 for tastiness, cleanliness, and positive and helpful staff.
Watch the full interview above and new episodes of FNN Good News & Reviews every Thursday at 12pm ET on Facebook and YouTube @FNN News TV.
_________________________________________________________
Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com
Business
Orlando Regional REALTOR Association Event Highlights Orange County Growth, Housing Trends and Economic Outlook
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Orlando Regional REALTOR Association (ORRA) hosted its second annual State of Real Estate event for Orange County on April 17, bringing together industry professionals, policymakers and community leaders to examine the region’s housing market and economic outlook.
Held at ORRA’s headquarters in Orlando, the event focused on the evolving dynamics of residential and commercial real estate across Central Florida. Discussions centered on housing affordability, economic growth and long-term regional development.
Speakers and Panelists
- Lawrence Yun — Chief Economist, National Association of REALTORS
- Maria Henson — Senior Director of Market Research & Insights, Visit Orlando
- Racquel Asa — Head of External Affairs, Central Florida Expressway Authority
- Amy Mercado — Property Appraiser, Orange County
- Chris Atwell — Moderator, 2026 ORRA President
Industry experts said Central Florida’s economy continues to grow, though at a more measured pace. While housing and stock market wealth remain near record highs, job growth is softening, consumer sentiment has declined and loan defaults are rising — creating a market shaped by mixed signals.
Panelists noted the housing market has shifted into a more stable phase compared to the rapid growth seen during 2020 and 2021, with more balance and sustainable conditions.
Despite short-term fluctuations, long-term fundamentals remain strong. Orange County’s tax base has grown significantly since 2023, while the broader Central Florida region has experienced a 23% population increase over the past decade, with more than 1,200 people moving to the area each week.
Infrastructure and tourism were also highlighted as key drivers of future growth. Officials pointed to major roadway investments by the Central Florida Expressway Authority and the region’s continued strength as a tourism hub, drawing more than 75 million visitors in 2024.
“We’re operating in a global economy where interest rates, supply chains and migration policies all influence what happens at the local level,” said ORRA CEO Cliff Long.
Economic Trends Show Mixed Signals
Experts emphasized that strong asset values are being offset by softer job growth and declining consumer confidence.
Housing Market Enters Stable Phase
The market has transitioned from pandemic-driven volatility to a more balanced and sustainable pace.
Growth, Infrastructure and Tourism Drive Future
Population growth, infrastructure investment and tourism continue to support long-term expansion in Central Florida.
ORRA’s Impact and Benefits on the Real Estate Industry
The Orlando Regional REALTOR Association provides critical market insights, advocacy and professional resources for REALTORS® across Central Florida. Its events foster collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers and the community, helping guide responsible growth, inform housing policy and strengthen the regional real estate market.
Business
Walmart’s Road to Open Call Returns to Orlando, Offering Small Businesses Access to National Retail Opportunities
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Walmart, in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, will host the 2026 Walmart Road to Open Call pitch event on May 21 in Orlando, offering small businesses the opportunity to present their products directly to Walmart buyers.
The Orlando event is the only Florida stop in 2026 and is part of a nationwide initiative designed to support small business growth, expand supplier diversity and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Road to Open Call serves as a pathway for entrepreneurs to connect with Walmart’s sourcing team, refine their pitches and prepare for the company’s annual Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Applications are open through May 1 at 10 p.m. EST. A select group of applicants will be chosen to participate in the Orlando event, where each business will receive a 30-minute, one-on-one pitch meeting with a Walmart buyer, along with feedback and mentorship.
Top participants may earn a fast pass to Walmart’s annual Open Call, where they can pitch for potential placement in Walmart stores or online.
FOCUS ON U.S.-MADE PRODUCTS
Walmart’s Open Call is the company’s largest sourcing event for products made, grown or assembled in the United States. The program is open to businesses across industries, including food and beverage, beauty, safety and consumer goods.
“The Road to Open Call provides a powerful platform for small businesses to grow and scale,” said Mark Espinoza, senior director of public affairs at Walmart. “By connecting entrepreneurs directly with our sourcing teams, we’re helping bring innovative, U.S.-made products to customers while supporting American jobs and local economies.”
LOCAL IMPACT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Local leaders say the initiative strengthens both entrepreneurship and the regional economy.
“We are proud to join forces with Walmart for the second consecutive year to bring this opportunity to the business community,” said Pedro Turushina, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. “This initiative supports entrepreneurs and helps small businesses access national retail opportunities.”
Since launching in 2014, Walmart’s Open Call has helped thousands of small and midsize businesses become suppliers, while more than 85% of Walmart shoppers report valuing U.S.-made products.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Impact Grants, aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations working to address critical health needs across Central Florida.
The grant program partners with community-based organizations to expand initiatives that improve quality of life and promote long-term sustainability. Eligible nonprofits serving residents in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and South Lake counties are encouraged to apply.
Applications are open from March 30 through April 16, with funding expected to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS
The grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which identifies key challenges impacting residents’ well-being.
“Our annual Community Impact Grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment to ensure we are investing meaningfully where our neighbors need us most,” said Tricia Edris, senior vice president of innovation and partnerships for AdventHealth Central Florida. “We are honored to align our resources and stand as partners to create measurable, lasting impact across the region.”
PRIORITY AREAS FOR FUNDING
The 2026 grant cycle will focus on three key areas:
- Housing instability
- Transportation
- Food insecurity
These priorities reflect social determinants of health that can significantly influence a person’s ability to live a healthy and stable life. Community organizations often serve as the first line of support for residents facing these challenges.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Past grant recipients say the program has helped expand opportunities for residents. Crystal Davidson highlighted the impact of the initiative on workforce development.
“Schools and colleges often don’t have the funding to provide introductory workforce programs that expose students to new career opportunities,” Davidson said. “Through partnership grants like the one AdventHealth is providing, we’re able to give young people hands-on experiences that help them discover their potential and build a path toward a meaningful career.”
AdventHealth will also host an informational webinar to guide organizations through eligibility requirements, funding priorities and the application process. Interested applicants can learn more and apply through the AdventHealth website.
