Main Streets are our nine unique neighborhood commercial corridors scattered throughout our city that drive our region’s economy by providing jobs, goods and services for our residents. Each of our Main Streets has a distinctive identity, is home to a variety of locally-owned businesses and are where residents go to find uncommon and handmade goods, take in culture and nightlife and to experience creative cuisines.
Since 2008, public and private investment in the city’s Main Streets has surpassed $1.13 billion. Two of our Main Streets are anchored by Florida Hospital and Orlando Health which accounted for more than $795 million of that investment. Our Main Streets have garnered national attention with features in the Boston Globe, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, New Yorker, Thrillist and Wine Enthusiast.
2017 Totals for all Orlando Main Streets Districts
- Total Improvements: 184
- Amount Invested: $39,768,536
- Businesses Opened: 57
- Jobs Created: 710
- Volunteer Hours: 11,214
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $276,873.66
- Private Dollars Invested: $714,145
About Audubon Park Garden District
The Audubon Park Garden District is the hub of Orlando’s burgeoning good food movement. With an organic community garden, Fleet Farms’ urban farmlettes and an ecodistrict initiative, APGD businesses and residents are creating a sustainable community that is increasingly recognized by people all over the United States.
Home since 2007 to Orlando’s first local-only farmers market, APGD has since expanded local food options with Fleet Farms’ urban farming program, culinary cutting edge farm to table restaurants and several organic green grocers and bakeries.
This focus on organic food production, coupled with a passion for sustainable living, has resulted in Central Florida’s first bicycle powered composting service, Compost Orlando. With Compost Orlando local food purveyors can cycle local food scrap back into the urban farms. From farm to table to farm again. The Audubon Park Garden District main office, Fleet Farms’ and Compost Orlando are all headquartered in APGD.
In addition to its emphasis and support of local food, APGD is also working to become Orlando’s first EcoDistrict. APGD’s first EcoDistrict project is the creation of a Bee Safe zone to protect native pollinators. Subsequent projects will include planting a public orchard, native tree walks and becoming a certified wildlife habitat community, as well as energy and water conservation programming.
In May 2016, Audubon Park Garden District received the 2016 Great American Main Street Award, a national honor that recognizes the country’s best example of comprehensive neighborhood commercial district revitalization. APDG was recognized for reinventing itself from a neighborhood that historically served the nearby military base into a corridor flourishing with nationally-acclaimed small businesses, an epicenter for Orlando’s farm-to-table movement and its hosting of Zombietoberfest and Bastille Day that bring thousands of visitors to the district looking to partake in these unique, free events, which truly are #alocalthing.
Declared Orlando’s “most talked about community” by Atlanta Magazine, APGD is bringing transformational change to Orlando’s neighborhoods.
- Total Improvements: 0
- Amount Invested: $0.00
- Businesses Opened: 1
- Job Created: 8
- Volunteer Hours: 1,006
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $23,208
- Private Dollars Invested: $48,879
2017 Accomplishments
- Hosted 13 community events last year, including Zombietoberfest, Night Market at Audubon, Kidsfest, Eat Local Stroll, Bastille Day and more
- Worked with Metroplan of Central Florida to help bring a Complete Streets study to Corrine Drive
- Brought thousands of visitors to the area through our events, social media, newsletter, website and press releases
- Area and our businesses received national attention from the Boston Globe, the New York Times, Bon Appetit magazine, USA Today and more
- Worked with OCPS to ensure a native and sustainable landscape for the new K-8 school under development here
- Advocated for, and received, a multi-purpose path on Bumby Ave., resulting in a more bikeable and green corridor
About College Park
College Park is a vibrant neighborhood located just outside of downtown Orlando where you can experience urban living with a small town feel. This community is made up of some of the finest local retailers, award winning restaurants, and small businesses found in Central Florida. College Park’s wide selection of services, bungalow-style homes, brick tree-lined streets and many parks and lakes create a vibrant lifestyle and a comfortable place for residents to call home.
The community pride can be felt at any one of our popular annual events, that help bring alive the vibrancy, optimism, and shared values of College Park. “Come. Enjoy Life Along the Drive”!
- Total Improvements: 8
- Amount Invested: $551,495
- Businesses Opened: 14
- Job Created: 73
- Volunteer Hours: 3,107
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $71,678
- Private Dollars Invested: $255,090
2017 Accomplishments
- Promotions Committee held many successful community events
- JazzFest
- Holiday on the Drive
- Dancing on the Drive
- Business Development Committee
- Increased last year’s attendance numbers for our quarterly business member networking socials
- Shakers American Café Approved for Façade Grant
- Very successful Small Business Saturday
- Quarterly Coffee Connect and Learn
- Sizzling Summer Sale
- Design Committee
- Pink Out College Park
- Holidays on the Drive
- Decorating Albert Park for the holidays
- Vision Plan for the redesign of Albert Park
- Nip and Tuck community volunteer clean ups
- Organization Committee
- Silent Auction and Awards Ceremony
- Marketing campaign and social media promotion calendar
- Board of Directors
- Rebranding to College Park Main Street
About Church Street District
Located in the heart of Downtown Orlando, the Church Street District is home to an eclectic mix of world class dining, professional sports, live entertainment, night spots, theater and Orlando’s award winning Amway Center. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s always something new to discover on Church Street.
The area is deeply rooted in Orlando’s history and was developed around the City’s original train station. The Old Orlando Railroad Depot, dedicated in January of 1890 is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a local historic landmark. In concert with the opening of the Amway Center in 2010, businesses along historic Church Street joined forces to create a vibrant commercial district that attracts visitors from across the globe to Downtown Orlando.
The Church Street District received Main Street designation in 2011 and is focused on enhancing the corridor through marketing, hosting special events such as car shows and art festivals and promoting the area’s unique establishments.
- Total Improvements: 10
- Amount Invested: $1,117,845
- Businesses Opened: 2
- Job Created: 29
- Volunteer Hours: 572
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $13,196
- Private Dollars Invested: $156,742
2017 Accomplishments
- At least $1,117,845.00 of capital investment made by business and property owners within Church Street District toward renovations, rehabs and new construction between Oct. 1, 2016 – Sept. 30, 2017
- Over 570 volunteer hours contributed to Church Street District committees, projects and events
- Over $150,000 raised by the Church Street District in sponsorship’s and new membership
- Over 35 events held within Church Street District bringing an estimated 37,000+ guests to downtown Orlando
2017 Events – more than 37,000 attendees
- Alive@Five (Recurring event, nine dates)
- FSU Block Party
- Orlando City Soccer Block Party (Recurring event, four dates)
- Florida Fanfest on Church Street
- Come Out with Pride Kickoff Party
- Making Strides Against Breast Cancer After Party
- The Great Pilgrimage
- Wrestlemania On-Sale Party
- Billy Joel Beer Garden
- Florida Georgia Line Block Party
- Florida Georgia After Party (Harry Buffalo only)
- Pro Bowl Pregame
- John Deer Co. Buyout of Ferg’s Depot
- President’s Day Sunday Funday Scavenger Hunt
- NCAA March Madness Block Party
- St. Patty’s Day Party – Chillers
- Downtown Brew
- WWE
- Florida Music Festival
- Downtown Pour
- Cinco De Mayo
- Jimmy Buffett Block Party
- Metallica Block Party
About the Gateway Orlando District
Located in the southeast section of Orlando, Gateway Orlando is the spine of east Orlando, connecting the City’s two major airports. It is also the primary route for visitors between the airport and such critical destinations as Downtown Orlando and the University of Central Florida. In the last 10 to 15 years, neighborhoods surrounding this corridor have taken on an increasingly Hispanic or Latino character, while at the same time maintaining the strong values and home ownership that have always existed in this part of Orlando. The vibrant energy brought forth during this transition has created a virtual melting pot district experiencing an urban revival. Having a history that is barely 50 years old, Gateway Orlando joins the Orlando Main Street program as the City’s first Market Street District.
- Total Improvements:16
- Amount Invested: $12,333,242
- Businesses Opened: 14
- Job Created: 272
- Volunteer Hours: 2,345
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $54,099
- Private Dollars Invested: $35,215
2017 Accomplishments
- 5th Annual Trunk-O-Treat was held at Keiser University on October, 2016
- Painted our first Electrical Cabinets to Lake Underhill
- Gateway Orlando received $3,000 from Orlando Magic for a silver Sponsorship
- Gateway Orlando Received $ 1500 from Wawa for a bronze sponsorship
- Gateway Orlando Received $ 1500 from Edible Arrangements for a bronze Sponsorship
- Gateway Orlando Branding officially executed at the end of March 2017 by the installation of the first banner at the Orlando Gateway Village followed by 58 other banners
- Gateway Orlando Started the event Artway to Haven to encourage local artist to show case their art and to combine it with an after hours event at Haven Orlando to include the local chambers in our area
- Partnered with East Orlando Chamber to host annual Business Expo, with over 90 businesses participating
- Small business Saturday was presented with an interactive map in our Gateway Orlando App to easily find small businesses
- Worked with local business owners to help them through the process of acquiring a beer and wine license Taste of Yucatan, café Caobana. And to renew beer and wine license under different name for Rincon Montanero
- Provided toys to local business owner in support of holiday giving to needy children through several charities
- Hosted three networking after hours events to introduce our members to other business people including the Puerto Rican Chamber, Winter Springs Chamber and Brazilian Chamber
- Gateway Orlando App has been updated to send push notifications with important information about the district, including events, special deals and alerts
- Connection Core group acquired a coffee sponsor: 2nd Crack Coffee a local roaster
- Bratini Charity event preview to introduce members and attract sponsors for the main Gala event in October
2017 Events – more than 3,000 attendees
- Gateway Guardian (Recurring event, 12 dates)
- Core Connection Group (Recurring event, 33 dates)
- Corridor Coffee Connection (Recurring event, 12 dates)
- 5th Annual Trunk O’ Treat
- Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon
- Stogies and Stilettos Networking (Recurring event, two dates)
- Artway to Haven (Recurring event, seven dates)
- Banner Launch
- Small Business Expo
- After Hours with Brazilian Chamber
- Business After Hours with Puerto Rican Chamber
- Bratini Preview
- Business After Hours Winter Springs
About Ivanhoe Village
Nestled in one of Orlando’s most treasured historic neighborhoods and anchored by beautiful Lake Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe Village is filled with antique stores, art galleries, design centers, master craftsmen, restaurants and retail shops. Ivanhoe Village has something for everyone, including outdoor dining, a vintage record shop, a bike shop, jewelry and more located in one district on the northern edge of Downtown Orlando.
The buildings are oriented in a traditional pattern of small-scale one- and two-story storefront buildings facing the street, along sidewalks emphasizing pedestrian access. Most buildings display characteristics of the Art Deco style with streamlined curves and forms that articulate the façade. Entrance to this district is marked by a replica Statue of Liberty poised in an island of tropical plantings and flowers.
This district is reinventing itself to include Ivanhoe Row, Virginia Drive, Loch Haven Cultural Park and Florida Hospital Health Village. The district is home to Florida Hospital, Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, The Orlando Ballet, The Ronald McDonald House, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center, The Mennello Museum of American Art and Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.
- Total Improvements: 24
- Amount Invested: $356,250 (without hospital improvements)
- Amount Invested: $9,149,656 (with hospital improvements)
- Businesses Opened: 15
- Job Created: 126
- Volunteer Hours: 972
- Private Dollars Invested: $50,652
2017 Accomplishments
- Social Media platforms have increased in scope and impact by over 72%
- Engaged target market for retail customer growth. Women over 35 years old now lead the engaged demographics for IVMS
- Established and funded the Community Cornerstone memberships; $7000. Annual, three-year duration
- Re-introduced two active BOD committees; Design and Promotions
- Design committee now has five dedicated work plan
- Loch Haven Alliance is now an active part of IVMS
- Membership growth has increased by 31%
2017 Events
- Pink Pumpkin SURVIVOR Celebration: Strides Walk station hosted by IVMS for 987,000 Orlando walkers.
- Jingle Eve
- Small Business Saturday: 21 businesses participated in the annual event
- Drink Around the Hood by Orlando Weekly (event has been replaced by IVMS Wanderlust Wednesday)
- Wanderlust Wednesday (third Wednesday of the month)
About Mills 50 District
Visitors will discover a unique blend of independent businesses that specialize in holistic living services, massage therapy, yoga, acupuncture and martial arts. Mills 50 is also home to tattoo studios, visual artists, design studios, photographers, hair salons, restaurants, bakeries, bars, unique shops as well as a winery and brewery.
- Total Improvements: 22
- Amount Invested: $9,042,375
- Businesses Opened: 10
- Job Created: 98
- Volunteer Hours: 1,363
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $31,444
- Private Dollars Invested: $53,024
2017 Accomplishments
- Received National Main Street Accreditation for the seventh year in a row
- Produced a 2017 calendar featuring Pulse and “You Matter” murals in Mills 50
- Received the Promotions Award for Mills 50 Mad Cap and the Economic Vitality Award for Small Business Saturday at the Orlando Main Street Awards
- Co-sponsored and produced the Sixth Annual Dragon Parade/Lunar New Year Festival, attended by over 8500 people
- Encouraged businesses to participate in Small Business Saturday and produced a social media marketing campaign featuring photos & biographies of twelve (12) small business owners
- Hosted “Love Fest”, a free event celebrating all things love – love of the earth, love of music, love of art, etc
- Hosted three pub crawls: the Annual St Patty’s Day Pub Crawl
- The Annual Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl and the Annual First Day of Fall Pub Crawl
- Sponsored the “Mills 50 Artist Series” art wine bottle reception and fundraiser, featuring wine bottles painted by 37 local artists
- Organized the annual “GreenUp” for volunteers to trim, mulch and fertilize the eight (8) Chinese Fan palm trees along Mills Avenue
- Hosted the second annual “Mills 50 Mad Cap”, a scavenger hunt throughout the District
- Conducted the #Mills50Local campaign, which encouraged residents to join Mills 50 and receive coupons, offering free or discounted goods and services, from Mills 50 businesses
- Held the Annual “Breakfast for Dinner” at First Watch, featuring celebrity servers including Commissioners Sheehan and Stuart
- Hosted five (5) Business After Hours networking events for business and residential members
- Sponsored a social media workshop for business owners
2017 Events – more than 10,300 attendees
- Dragon Parade/Lunar New Year Festival – 8500 people
- Breakfast for Dinner – 75 people (sell out)
- Business After Hours (Recurring event, five dates) – total of 140 people
- Patty’s Day Pub Crawl – 620 people
- Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl – 200 people
- First Day of Fall Pub Crawl – 125 people
- Mills 50 Madcap – 130 people
- GreenUp – 15 volunteers
- Mills 50 Artist Series – 120 people
- Love Fest – 400 people
- Social media workshop – 15 people
About The Milk District
The Milk District is a cultural hub with a progressive lifestyle, music and arts scene, featuring diverse culinary experiences, colorful murals, recreational sporting and music venues, unique shopping destinations, community gardens, award winning bars, coffee shops and more.
No matter who you are, The Milk District has something for you!
- Total Improvements: 75
- Amount Invested: $2,346,749
- Businesses Opened: 4
- Job Created: 111
- Volunteer Hours: 831
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $19,171
- Private Dollars Invested: $22,206
2017 Accomplishments
- Signed up 55 total members, business and residential
- Started process for Traffic Signal Cabinet Art Project, to be completed by early 2018
- Started process of installing banners throughout The District
- Helped recruit Alchemy Salon to purchase a new building to move their business in to The Milk District
2017 Events – more than 440 attendees
- Happy Hour Bowling (Two dates)
- Bingo with Commissioner Sheehan
- The Milk Mixer at the Plaza Live
- The Milk Mixer at National Real Estate
About the SoDo District
The SoDo District is a business district surrounded by many of Orlando’s historic neighborhoods known for their lakes, walkable parks and streets. Orlando Health, one of Orlando’s most established hospitals has served as a mainstay of the district since 1918. One of Orlando’s historic railroad stations is nestled within this community which is within one mile of Downtown Orlando.
Neighbors have joined forces with property owners and merchants revitalizing the Orange Avenue and Michigan Street corridors to celebrate this vibrant community where residents live, shop, work and play. With the growing number of renovations and additions to the commercial district, the SoDo District is defined as an emerging market. Small retail and mixed-use projects are creating a positive new look and tone. Many large retail chains have recently invested in the SoDo District, though a generous amount of boutique-style shops and mom-and-pop restaurants offer diverse options.
- Total Improvements: 23
- Amount Invested: $2,428,895 (without hospital improvements)
- Amount Invested: $5,221,225 (with hospital investments)
- Businesses Opened: 9
- Job Created: 34
- Volunteer Hours: 446
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $10,289
- Private Dollars Invested: $117,500
2017 Accomplishments
- SoDo District held one of the largest attended Light Up SoDo to-date
- First Annual Accidental Music Festival
- Signed up over 35 new businesses as members
- Started several new event series including Nom of the Month and Ladies Night Off
- Helped to assist SoDo District residents and businesses following the hurricanes
- Our Board of Directors worked with the NID to continue to build a strong partnership
- Given special Award by Main Street for Light Up SoDo 2016
2017 Events – more than 11,250 attendees
- Ladies Night Out was held monthly from October 2016 until April 2017 at local business locations in the district
- Light Up SoDo 2016!
- Accidental Music Festival
- Monthly Coffee Club meets every third Wednesday
About Thornton Park District
Visitors looking to decompress will find relief in the brick-lined streets of Thornton Park, the city’s most stylish district. Just east of Lake Eola, Thornton Park District is home to a colorful commercial district with a European feel to the restaurants and boutiques. More than 50 locally owned specialty shops, services, and dining destinations comprise the Thornton Park District, so whether you’re in the mood to sit outside with a glass of wine, enjoy a leisurely dinner before catching a show, or ready to put on your shopping shoes and spruce up your wardrobe and hairstyle, they have it covered.
- Total Improvements: 6
- Amount Invested: $5,949
- Businesses Opened: 6
- Job Created: 35
- Volunteer Hours: 572
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $13,196
- Private Dollars Invested: $156,584
2017 Accomplishments
- Nationally Accredited Main Street
- Sponsor of the Richard Ulmer Fund – Christmas Eve for 72 Families and gifts for 181 kids
- Sponsor of Shampooch – Largest Dog Wash Fundraiser in Central Florida
- Sponsor of Libby’s Legacy- raising money for local women fighting Breast Cancer
- Sponsor of the Tweeka Barber Fund-raising money to fight Cancer
- Sponsor of La Maschera – Downtown Arts District Fundraiser
- Sponsor of Come Out With Pride
- Won a Golden Brick from the Downtown Orlando Partnership for Storm Drain Art Project
- Was awarded $1000 from the Awesome Foundation for the Storm Drain Art
- Began work on Washington Street for the Tree Well planters and Tree Faces
- Monthly Wine & Art Walks
- Thornton Thursdays
- Putt N Pour
- TPD Christmas Tree Decorating
- Deck the Downtown
- TPD Holiday Window Contest
- Santacon
- Halloween Block Party
- TPD Mixers
- Mentioned in USA Today as one of the Things to Do in Orlando
- “Thornton Park is one of downtown Orlando’s quintessential historic neighborhoods and currently reigns as the epicenter for all things hip.” Orlando Sentinel
- Orlando Weekly Best of: “Best Reoccurring Arts Night Event”
- Orlando Weekly Best of: “Third Best Neighborhood in Orlando”
2017 Events – more than 23,000 attendees
- Thornton 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk (Recurring event, 12 dates)
- Thornton Thursdays – Weekly for 40 weeks
- Putt N’ Pour
- Halloween Block Party
- TPD Mixer – Spring & Fall
- Shampooch
- TPD Car Show – Spring & Fall
- SantaCon
- TPD Christmas Decorating
- TPD Deck The Downtown
- TPD Holiday Window Contest