Lake Wales CRA Approves Matching Grant for Event Space in Former Ranch Building
by James Coulter
A place that once served coffee and craft beer will be renovated into an event space expected to draw in more than 4,000 annual visitors to Downtown Lake Wales, all thanks to a matching grant from the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
At a regular meeting in July, the Lake Wales CRA Board voted unanimously to provide a matching grant to McGowin’s On Park, an event venue planned to open in the former location of the Ranch Taproom and Coffeehouse.
The grant will be provided through the Food-Related Services Incentive Program, which offers up to $50,000 in dollar-for-dollar matching funds “to assist in establishing food-related businesses in Downtown Main Street District,” wrote Ronni Wood, Assistant CRA Director.
This grant will be used to construct a well-appointed commercial kitchen that will include “seamless workflow, industrial-grade equipment and strict adherence to food safety and hygiene standards,” Wood explained.
Located at 247 E. Park Avenue, McGowin’s on Park is anticipated to open in mid-August 2026. The event venue will be located within the former location of The Ranch, which closed in July 2025.
Bill Whidden, the building’s new owner, plans to utilize the space to host various high-end events, including an estimated 90 to 120 luncheons and banquets, projected to draw in 4,500 additional visitors to the downtown area, as reported on Lake Wales News.
“Mr. Whidden…is excited to be part of downtown Lake Wales’ renaissance,” Wood wrote. “McGowin’s on Park will set the stage for an unforgettable event. Regardless if the celebration is a corporate gathering, wedding reception, and/or public or private celebrations, McGowin’s On Park will offer chef-curated menus, flawless service and unmatched ambiance.”
Wood voiced strong support for the new business, noting that the site was chosen for its turn‑key readiness and that the owner aligns well with the city’s growth plans.
“I was very impressed,” she said. “He is totally on board with the renaissance, and he wants to be an integral part of our downtown.”
Whidden brings with him 30 years of event planning experience. His first business had seven offices across the country and catered large events, including parties at the White House.
In 2022, after closing their original business, he and his wife opened the Sugar Barn, an event center located on a 45-acre estate along Camp Mack Road. Currently, the center has 140 events booked for 2027, Whidden said.
Whidden opened McGowin’s On Park to draw more of his clients into the downtown area, especially those seeking venues for receptions, rehearsal dinners, and brunches.
Many of his wedding clients come from out of town and often stay in Winter Haven, Tampa, or Orlando, so he’s eager for the Historic Walesbilt Hotel to open as a closer option.
Given that past clients have requested high‑end accommodations like the Ritz‑Carlton and Marriott, he believes the hotel will suit their expectations well.
“When these groups come to town, it is about 125 people per group, or about 18-25 thousand people per year,” he said. “We cannot wait for the historic hotel down the road to get built. We feel that half of our clients have 10,000 room nights a year in this area. This gives us an opportunity to bring in people and keep them local, so they will be here for two to three nights.”
Whidden also hopes to host regular events at McGowin’s On Park every Sunday evening. He expects such events to sell tickets 10-12 weeks in advance and potentially become as big and popular as the Ramon Theater in Frostproof.
Miller noted that some residents were uneasy about taxpayer funds supporting a private venue. Whidden responded that the business operates like any other private enterprise and, despite its ownership, would still host events open to the public.
“I know the concerns, and they ask why we should get public money for a private event center,” Whidden said. “Well, aren’t all businesses in Downtown Lake Wales private? Isn’t their goal just to make money? We are in business to make money.”
Miller added her own support for the venue, citing Whidden’s decades of experience and the affluent clientele he brings into the city, especially the downtown area.
“I am excited to see expanded opportunities for downtown,” she said. “I have seen the people you have brought in. They are beautifully dressed, and they come with nothing to do. So it is exciting to have this open.”
