Around the Garden

When asked to name our favorite restaurant, cafe, or shop, it’s typically a unique local business. The Orlando weekly’s “Best of” poll is proof of that.

Those businesses define our sense of place, but we often forget their survival depends on our patronage.

Though our director is out of town this week, our local shops and restaurants are still there.  So go have some sushi at Sushi Lola’s, coffee at Stardust, breakfast at Bikes, Beans, and Bordeaux, a cupcake at Blue Bird Bake Shop.  A new summer dress at Dear Prudence is under $40, and Park Ave CD’s is a great place to spend a few hours browsing LP’s, CD’s, books and merchandise while escaping the summer heat.

The Garden District is lucky to have many locally owned independent businesses. Over the last few years of rough economic times we have lost a few, the most recent being Bijou’s Boutique.

If you don’t want to wonder what happened to the great little shop in Audubon Park then make the choice to buy local whenever you can. And hey, telling a friend about a cool place and the benefits of shopping locally  not only educates, but builds our community and creates a sense of ownership and place.