Ace Cafe Orlando Sets World Premier for May 19

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines: Ace Cafe Orlando, the first North American location of the celebrated London-based cafe, makes its world debut on Friday, May 19. Guests are invited to kick-start the grand opening weekend of the all-new, full-throttle, rock ‘n roll destination Ace Cafe with a cuppa coffee and tea when the Ace officially opens its doors to the public on Friday at 7:00 a.m., then stay to enjoy an action-packed weekend of festivities at the 35,000-square-foot motor-centric dining, entertainment and retail destination.

North America’s newest home for all who share the passion for speed, thrills and rock ‘n roll is waiving the green flag, signaling that it’s “go time” for Central Floridians and guests from around the globe to celebrate the heritage and history of the most famous cafe on the planet. All three days of grand opening weekend will feature cool cars and hot bikes, live rock ‘n roll inside and outside both day and night, a BMW RnineT Racer motorcycle raffle benefiting Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children (APCH), live demonstrations by three world-famous artists, onsite activities and brand partner merchandise (while supplies last), and a free Friday night concert by Rockin’ Jason D. Williams – direct from Memphis. A snapshot of Ace Cafe Orlando’s grand opening weekend celebration is listed below; visit www.acecafeusa.com to stay up-to-date on the Ace’s grand opening happenings.

Friday, May 19, 2017

· The first Ace Cafe in the USA opens at 7:00 a.m. Grab a cuppa Julius Meinl coffee – direct from Vienna; tea and grab ‘n go breakfast bagels, muffins, burritos, croissants, and cinnamon rolls also available.

· Lunch menu is served and bars open at 11:00 a.m., with live music on the back porch

· Raffle opens to win a BMW RnineT Racer to benefit APCH

· Register to win a trip for 2 to the 24^th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend

· Live painting and sculpting works by three world-renowned artists: Japanese chopsticks painter Makoto Endo, Spanish artist Antonio Merinero painting the Ace’s backyard beer garden bocce courts (opening summer 2017), and American sculptor Michael Ulman

· Music in the car park (parking lot) starts at 4:00 p.m. with live rock ‘n roll lasting well into the night. Taking the stage at 8:00 p.m. is headliner Rockin’ Jason D. Williams.

Saturday, May 20, 2017

· Carbs & Caffeine at 7:00 a.m. Kick-start Saturday morning and drive in for an early morning cuppa!

· Ace Cafe’s Cool Cars for Kids to benefit APCH. For a $15 donation per car, participants can be a part of the opening weekend car show and receive a limited-edition Ace Cafe grand opening t-shirt.

· Hungry? Start the day with a bang at Ace’s 4-Banger Brunch at 9:00 a.m. (a buffet-style, all-you-can-eat brunch served every weekend).

· Free activities in the car park starting at 10 a.m. with a variety of local partners and vendors engaging Ace fans until 5:00 p.m.

· Raffle continues to win a BMW RnineT Racer to benefit APCH

· Registration continues to win a trip for 2 to the 24^th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend

· Live painting and sculpting continues by Japanese chopsticks painter Makoto Endo, Spanish artist Antonio Merinero and American sculptor Michael Ulman

· Live music starts at 4:00 p.m. outside with live rock ‘n roll into the night.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

· Bikes & Bacon at 7:00 a.m. Kickstart Sunday morning and ride in for an early morning cuppa and Ace’s Bacon of the Week!

· Ace’s 4-Banger Brunch kicks off again at 9:00 a.m, with full lunch menu starting at 2pm.

· Raffle continues to win a BMW RnineT Racer to benefit APCH

· Registration continues to win a trip for 2 to the 24^th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend

· Live painting and sculpting continues by Japanese chopsticks painter Makoto Endo, Spanish artist Antonio Merinero and American sculptor Michael Ulman

· Free activities in the car park starting at 10 a.m. with a variety of local partners and vendors engaging motor fans until 5pm.

Ace Cafe Orlando is located at the corner of West Livingston Street and Garland Avenue on a three-acre parcel in downtown Orlando in the extensively refurbished 100-year-old Harry P. Leu buildings (the former home of The Edge rock venue).

“Our team is privileged to continue the culture and heritage of the world’s most famous motor diner,” said Mark McKee, CEO and Chief Gearhead of Ace Cafe North America. “This is exactly the Ace that we envisioned – a beacon for everyone, from petrolheads and enthusiasts, to the after-hours work crowd, families, music lovers, and everyone in between. We have remained true to the spirit of the Ace, and we have done so in a way that honors this incredible space in the heart of downtown Orlando. It is our hope that Ace Cafe Orlando will serve this community for generations to come.”

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.