East Orange County, Fla., Continues Economic Growth.

Byline: John T. McCann

Aug. 3--The trend these days is for choosing restaurants instead of going grocery shopping, which may make it seem odd that Linda Loudon would open a business that lets people create their own plates and bowls.

The novelty of that business, though, is one of two things she's banking on. The other is location. She has set up her Port of Pottery shop in the booming Waterford Lakes area of east Orange County.

Economic experts and market watchers say east Orange is ripe for new business. As Central Florida loses steam along with a national economic slowdown, they say east Orange is more than holding its own.

"It is a hot area," said Bryan Douglas of the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida Inc. The organization tracks office and manufacturing trends, including at the University of Central Florida, …