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 $1.15 billion. Two of our Main Streets are anchored by Florida Hospital and Orlando Health which accounted for more than $797 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.
2018 Totals for all Orlando Main Streets Districts
- Total Improvements: 195
- Amount Invested: $27,780,531
- Businesses Opened: 78
- Jobs Created: 486
- Volunteer Hours: 9,778
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $248,654.54
- Private Dollars Invested: $1,109,253.61
About Audubon Park Garden District
Hip, diverse and independent are the norms of the Audubon Park Garden District. Known for its vintage shops, cafes, bakeries, music, books, craft beer, boutiques, urban farmlettes, plus superlative professional services, the APGD is a fiercely independent shopping and dining district on Corrine Drive in Orlando, Florida.
Developed in the 1950 and ’60s, for decades the area catered to nearby Orlando Air Force Base and then later the Naval Training Center Orlando. Since then, the Audubon Park Garden District has blossomed into a thriving community of unique businesses and seemingly endless events and activities.
- Total Improvements: 0
- Amount Invested: $0.00
- Businesses Opened: 2
- Job Created: 24
- Volunteer Hours: 827
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $21,031.00
- Private Dollars Invested: $71,035
Accomplishments
- APGD is a registered Wildlife Habitat Community and are halfway towards becoming a Certified Habitat Community with the National Wildlife Federation.
- Had over 5,500 attendees at the 10th annual Halloween festival, which includes Zombietoberfest and The Night Market at Audubon.
- Held their first Garden Tour this year, which included native habitats and one bird sanctuary on the tour.
- Held the 10th Annual Bastille Day Celebration, which included a wine and cheese tasting, French Market at Audubon, baguette fencing and a Moulin Rouge cabaret.
- Worked with Full Sail and The Nature Conservancy to produce a video on the APGD’s conservation efforts, with a focus on the Monarch butterfly. The video has won two awards so far and is still entered in upcoming contests. It may wind up being shown in the next Florida Film Fest.
Events – 9,300 attendees
- Zombietoberfest and The Night Market
- Bastille Day Celebration
- Kidsfest
- May the Fourth Be With You
- Eat Local Sip and Stroll
- Shop Small Sip and Stroll
- APGD Garden Tour
- Spring Market at Audubon
- Main Streets Restaurant Week
- APGD Craft Beer Tour
- APGD Progressive Dinner
- APGD Dessert Stroll
“The Audubon Park Garden District is a great place to live, work and have a business. They go above and beyond to support everything we do and we appreciate being a part of this community.” Brittany, The Owl’s Attic.
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: 22
- Amount Invested: $562,503.00
- Businesses Opened: 19
- Job Created: 87
- Volunteer Hours: 1,170
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $29,753.00
- Private Dollars Invested: $279,430.00
Accomplishments
- Design committee’s completion of 8 Utility Art Boxes in the district.
- Design committee’s ongoing collaboration with the City of Orlando to improve Albert Park’s design.
- Design committee’s ongoing collaboration with the City of Orlando planning to improve park benches along Edgewater.
- Awarded two façade grants for artist wall murals at Guernsey St and Smith St.
- Nip Tuck district clean ups throughout the year.
- Economic Vitality committee’s ongoing campaign delivering welcome baskets to new businesses in the district.
- Economic Vitality committee’s data collection project, putting together an inventory of vacant commercial space to incubate new businesses’ in the district by soliciting retailer’s that would fit the vacancies.
- Collaboration and partnership with the College Park Neighborhood Association.
- Economic Vitality conducted a Quality of Service Survey for our district businesses to receive feedback to be used to better align Main Street resources with our businesses owner’s needs.
- Organization committee’s ongoing strategic planning to organize and put timelines on the organization’s short term and long term goals.
- Implementation of new membership levels and benefits to provide more value to our district businesses.
- Ongoing implementation of a marketing calendar to have more focused social media outreach campaigns.
Events – more than 11,000 attendees
- College Park JazzFest 2017
- Small Business Saturday 2017
- Holiday on the Drive 2017
- Member Appreciation and Awards Social
- Silent Auction
- College Park Sip Shop & Stroll
- Coffee Connect and Learn – The State of College Park
- Coffee Connect and Learn – Packing District Update
- Coffee Connect and Learn – Non Profit Spotlight
- Networking Social and Jade New Asian
- Networking Social at Metro Finishes
- Networking Social at Digress Wine
“It’s been our pleasure to work and live in College Park since 1989. Our company has witnessed substantial growth in our local community since the implementation of the College Park Partnership which has transitioned into College Park Main Street. The support to small businesses has been invaluable to Great Graphics Photoscan along with enhancing the local economy and our property values. The variety of annual events along Edgewater Drive have been instrumental in creating a small town feel within a larger city. All these attributes make living in CP a rewarding and profitable endeavor!” -Greg Young, Great Graphics Photoscan
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: 19
- Amount Invested: $2,130,683.00
- Businesses Opened: 3
- Job Created: 18
- Volunteer Hours: 504
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $12,817.00
- Private Dollars Invested: $107,705.00
Accomplishments
- More than $182,000.00 raised and invested back into the district for local, regional and national events.
- More than $897,500 of capital investment made by business and property owners within Church Street District toward renovations, rehabs and new construction between Oct. 1, 2017 – Sept. 30, 2018.
- More than 550 volunteer hours contributed to Church Street District committees, projects and events.
- 51 events held within and permitted under the Church Street District bringing an estimated 65,000+ guests to downtown Orlando.
Events – more than 65,000 attendees
- October 5 American Outlaws “Night Before” Party
- October 6 US Soccer Game-Day Celebration
- October 13 *Pride on Church Street (Hamburger Mary’s)
- October 14 Bruno Mars Block Party
- October 15 Soccer Block Party: Orlando vs Columbus
- October 19 Dia de los Muertos & Monster Factory
- October 21 Tim & Faith Tailgate Party
- October 28 *Halloween Bash (C.S.E.)
- November 11 Jay-Z Block Party
- November 22 *Thanksgiving Eve Bash (C.S.E.)
- December 28 Camping World Bowl Tailgate Party
- December 31 *New Year’s Eve Party (C.S.E.)
- January 13 Puff ‘n Stuff Private Event
- January 19 Miranda Lambert Block Party
- January 27 NFL ProBowl Pre-Party
- January 28 NFL ProBowl Game Day Block Party
- February 3 Ceviche Wedding
- February 24 UFC Block Party
- March 2 Orlando City Pub Crawl – Church St Stop
- March 3 Blackberry Smoke Concert & Orlando City home game
- March 10 AAC Men’s Basketball Block Party/OCS Home Game
- March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Block Party (C.S.E.)
- March 24 International Wine Festival
- March 31 OCS Home Game vs. NY Red Bulls
- April 8 OCS Home Game vs. Portland Timbers
- April 14 Eagles/Jimmy Buffet Block Party
- April 18 Bon Jovi Block Party
- April 21 OCS Home Game vs. San Jose Earthquakes
- April 24 Pink Concert Block Party
- April 27 Whiskey Business
- May 5 Cinco de Mayo Block Party (C.S.E. & Pepe’s)
- May 6 OCS Home Game vs. Real Salt Lake
- May 13 OCS Home Game vs. Atlanta United
- May 14 Justin Timberlake Block Party
- May 26 OCS Home Game vs. Chicago Fire
- May 24-27 Universal Studios Fast and Furious promotional activation
- June 1-3 Universal Studios Fast and Furious promotional activation
- June 2 Supercharged Car Show on Church Street
- June 23 OCS Home Game vs. Montreal Impact
- June 26 Hall & Oates/Train Party
- July 14 Tacos & Tequila
- July 14 OCS Home Game
- July 15 World Cup Watch Party: presented by OCSC
- July 26 OCS Home Game & Rod Stewart
- August 4 OCS Home Game
- August 24 OCS Home Game
- August 29 Beyonce & Jay-Z Concert
- September 1 OCS Home Game & Alabama Game
- September 2 Miami vs LSU watch party
- September 3 VT vs FSU watch party
- September 22 OCS Home Game
“Amway Center brings diverse programming and draws big crowds throughout the year, so partnering with the Church Street District as a member makes perfect sense for us. The bars, restaurants and clubs, along with other merchants that line the street, help make downtown a lively and vibrant destination where patrons can spend time before and after our shows. Church Street District’s frequent, large-scale street activations complement our events and help create memorable experiences for everyone.” – Kirk Wingerson, Orlando Venues
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: 23
- Amount Invested: $3,160,235.00
- Businesses Opened: 16
- Job Created: 104
- Volunteer Hours: 1,915
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $48,689.00
- Private Dollars Invested: $32,090.00
Accomplishments
- Hosted first ever Azalea Park Festival at Keiser University with Special Edition Barbershop as sponsor.
- Hosted first ever Gateway Gala (Bratini) to bring breast cancer awareness and support local charity Ribbon Riders.
- Hosted 6th Annual Trunk O Treat at Keiser University.
- Gateway Guardian Program helped reduce the crime in district by working with local and federal law enforcement, Hotels, and stake holders. We have enjoyed the lowest crime in the city of Orlando for the past months.
- Acquired two new district sponsors – Bonchon Korean Chicken and McDonald’s franchise Owner Oerther Foods.
- Painted the first four electrical boxes in district along Lake Underhill, and Dixie Bell.
- Worked in conjunction with LYNX to paint 49 bus shelters in district colors in preparation for the bus Shelter Art Project.
- Hosted 10 business of the month events at the respective businesses.
- Launched Welcome to Orlando Podcast to talk about what makes Orlando great and to feature district business expertise and Core group presentation highlights.
- Participated in Restaurant Week 2018 and Marlow’s Tavern was featured on Fox35 to promote Restaurant Week and other Districts.
- Launched new website to showcase organization as a featured location and not just an organization.
Events – more than 1,600 attendees
- Azalea Park Festival and Car Show at Keiser University
- Bratini Signature Gala
- 6th Annual Trunk O’ Treat
- October Business of the Month Sunshine State Medical
- November Business of the month Mecatos
- December Business of the Month Taste of Yucatan
- January Business of the Month Café Caobana
- February Business of the Month Bonchon
- March Business of the Month CG+ Insurance
- April Business of the Month DNF
- May Business of the Month High Tide Harry’s
- June Business of the Month Prince of Peace
- August Business of the Month That Shoe Store and More
- October Gateway Guardian Hilton Garden Inn
- November Gateway Guardian Sheraton OIA
- December Gateway Guardian Ana G Mendez
- February Gateway Guardian Springhill suites
- March Gateway Guardian Country Inn and Suites
- April Gateway Guardian Hampton Inn and Suites
- May Gateway Guardian Springhill Suites
- June Gateway Guardian Hyatt Regency
- August Gateway Guardian Marriot OIA
- September Gateway Guardian Renaissance Hotel
- August women of the District Happy hour
- Connection Core group is a weekly networking event that meets every Tuesday Morning from 8:30am – 9:30am and has an average attendance of 18 – 30 people weekly. We met weekly for 40 weeks in 2017-2018
“Joining Gateway Orlando has been a great if not the greatest organization CG Plus All In One Insurance has joined so far. The synergy and honesty between all the members create an immediate pleasant environment. Miguel has been able to put together a group where business owners come together, not only to network and promote their business, but also to help and support the community by sponsoring events where the families from our community can come, enjoy a good time and get to know trustworthy businesses around them that offer a variety of services and products they can trust. It has been a pleasure been part of Gateway Orlando during 2018 and we look forward to continue been part of such great association during 2019.” -Juliana Garces, Managing Partner, CG Plus All in One in One Insurance, LLC
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: 9
- Amount Invested: $836,700.00
- Businesses Opened: 13
- Job Created: 83
- Volunteer Hours: 673
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $17,114.00
- Private Dollars Invested: $836,700.00
Accomplishments
- A new business recognition program was implemented, highlighting business openings with signage and social media.
- A Business of the Month program was implemented to recognize unique business plans and Ivanhoe Village branding.
- Received United Arts Grant to continue Art Boxes throughout Ivanhoe.
- Started a monthly newsletter.
- Rebranding.
- Partnered with Mexican Consulate and Mesa 21 to put on Ven a comer Mexican Festival.
- Established a monthly Coffee Club.
- Moved official office into a co working space at Credo Conduit.
- Recognized Jason Lambert of Hammered Lamb as volunteer of the decade.
Events – more than 3,000 attendees
- Ven a comer Mexican Festival
- Wanderlust Wednesday
- Jingle Eve
- Monthly Coffee Clubs
- Main Street Restaurant Week
“Ivanhoe Village Main Street is an incredible asset to the businesses and residents as it strives to create a vibrant and diverse neighborhood with the intent to elevate the local economy while highlighting cultural and history aspects. Our family has been part of the community for nearly 30 years, and we appreciate the focus and intentionality of the strategic pillars of economic vitality, design, promotions and organization to attract individuals to the district to live, work, shop, dine, recreate and enjoy the museums. I love Ivanhoe Village so much that I recently opened a new small business and value the support of Ivanhoe Village Main Street and the ability to connect with other members. I am very excited Ivanhoe Village Main Street serves as a gateway to Orlando for residents and visitors. Being a member of Ivanhoe Village is dynamic, engaging and I believe we are on the brink of even greater things to come.” -Verbelee Swanson, Oxford Eyes
About Mills 50 District
Mills 50 is a centrally located, culturally diverse, progressive minded, eclectic urban district! It is a grass roots, member-based organization made up of local business owners and residents, whose mission is to foster Orlando’s most diverse neighborhood by stimulating business, creating a walkable community and promoting our creative culture.
- Total Improvements: 22
- Amount Invested: $2,124,387.00
- Businesses Opened: 14
- Job Created: 124
- Volunteer Hours: 979
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $24,896.00
- Private Dollars Invested: $51,504.00
Accomplishments
- Encouraged businesses to participate in Small Business Saturday and produced a social media marketing campaign.
- Hosted 2nd annual “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 second annual “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.
- Produced “Virginia Drive is for Lovers”, a free street fair/art market.
- 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.
- Hosted four (4) Business After Hours networking events for business and residential members.
- Sponsored a Safety & Security workshop for business owners.
- Co-sponsored, with the City of Orlando, a food/commercial recycling workshop for business owners.
Events – nearly 11,000 attendees
- Dragon Parade/Lunar New Year Festival
- Virginia Drive is for Lovers
- Baja Out Back
- Historic Homes Tour
- Four Business After Hours
- Patty’s Day Pub Crawl
- Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl
- First Day of Fall Pub Crawl
- GreenUp
- Mills 50 Artist Series
- Love Fest
- Safety & Security workshop
“When my company moved here 6 years ago, to let people know our general location we told them we were “near the intersection of Mills and Virginia”. Now we tell them that we’re in the Mills 50 District and they know exactly where we are located. Our clients tell us of their favorite Mills 50 restaurants, bars and businesses and how much they love the area! The cultural, artistic and epicurean diversity is unparalleled! We are thrilled to be a part of this Main Street District.” -Chuck Barnett, President/CEO, BMDM Direct Marketing
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: 50
- Amount Invested: $5,031,080
- Businesses Opened: 11
- Job Created: 23
- Volunteer Hours: 1,025
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $26,066
- Private Dollars Invested: $53,559
Accomplishments
- Earlier this year the Milk District community was shocked to learn that a beloved community staple, Colonial Lanes Bowling, was being razed to make way for a self-storage facility. After months of hard work, and negotiations with the new property owner and the City of Orlando, the bowling alley will be saved and only partly demoed to allow for both the self-storage facility and the bowling alley.
- Mosaic Hair Salon has announced that they intend to open a second location in the Milk District.
- Mills 50 and the Milk District are going through a Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Study.
- The Milk District, City of Orlando, and the Levitt Foundation met to explore to the possibility of building an amphitheater at Festival Park. The amphitheater would be committed to hosting 50 free shows a year as part of the agreement with the Levitt Foundation.
Events – more than 9,000 attendees
- Free Community Concert
- State of the Milk
- Thirsty Third Thursday
- Rockin’ Robinson
- Bingo with the Commissioner
- Happy Hour Bowling
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: 35
- Amount Invested: $11,147,709
- Businesses Opened: 11
- Job Created: 63
- Volunteer Hours: 1,865
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $47,427
- Private Dollars Invested: $56,640
Accomplishments
- First SoDo After Dark.
- Increased and recruited additional volunteers and now have a total of 19 BOD members
- Painted four additional Art Boxes
- Worked with local businesses to review the Façade Grant opportunity
- Moved monthly BOD meetings each month to local business
- Adopt a Road via Orange County SoDo District – East Michigan
- Tested Visual Art Projection on Silos in Division and now moving forward with installation
- Ordered Bike Racks with SoDo Logo
Events – more than 700 attendees
- Hosted Quarterly Coffee Clubs
- SoDo After Dark
- Clean-Up Green Up
- Adopt a Road Clean Up
“I have been a business owner in SoDo for three years and my business has benefited from our membership! I am also now on the BOD.” -Melissa, Swirlery
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: 8
- Amount Invested: $153,296
- Businesses Opened: 4
- Job Created: 42
- Volunteer Hours: 572
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $14,546
- Private Dollars Invested: $125,880
Accomplishments
- Were able to get four-way stop signs installed at three intersections located in the District
- Helped raise more than $10,000 for local animal shelters through sponsorship and working with the Shampooch Team
- Thornton Park Central Garage Mural project
- Sponsored the Richard Ulmer Fund and helped raise more than $12,000 for children and their families to bring Christmas Eve to them complete with a dinner, tree and gifts
- Sponsor of Come Out With Pride, bringing thousands to the Downtown and Thornton Park District
- Assist new businesses getting their doors open by helping them navigate through the correct process with City staff
- Worked on new planters for Washington Street
- Partnering with neighborhood association for a Neighborhood “Clean Up”
- Sponsored seven storm drain art projects
Events – more than 25,000 attendees
- 12 Thornton 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walks
- Putt N’ Pour
- SantaCon
- TPD Christmas Tree Decorating
- TPD Holiday Mixer
- Thornton Park Live
- TPD Halloween Block Party
- Spring & Fall TPD Car Show
- Richard Ulmer Celebrity Bartending Fundraiser
- Shampooch Estimate
“Since Thornton Park District has become part of the Orlando Main Street Program we feel like we have grown into a tight knit community who work together with business owners and residents to ensure that TPD is the number one Neighborhood in Downtown Orlando.” -Sue Bee Laginess, Olde Town Brokers