Main Streets are our ten 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 $1.26 billion. Two of our Main Streets are anchored by Florida Hospital and Orlando Health which accounted for more than $804 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.
2019 Totals for all Orlando Main Streets Districts
- Total Improvements: 130
- Amount Invested: $32,668,973
- Businesses Opened: 84
- Jobs Created: 730
- Volunteer Hours: 10,400
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $282,866.40
- Private Dollars Invested: $1,296,427
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
- Businesses Opened: 1
- Jobs Created: 7
- Volunteer Hours: 997
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $25,353.71
- Private Dollars Invested: $109,401.18
Accomplishments
- Two completed bird murals for the Endangered Florida Birds Public Art campaign
- First neighborhood in Central Florida to be recognized as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Community Wildlife Habitat
- Held third Retro Modern Home Tour, celebrating mid century modern architecture in Orlando
- Held three free community festivals the 11th Annual Zombietovberfest with Night Market, 11th Annual Bastille Day, 8th Annual Kidsfest – all bringing thousands of visitors to the area
- Promoted our small businesses with Shop Small Saturday and two (new) district wide semi annual sales
- Created and distributed 26 electronic newsletters supporting the businesses and connecting with the public
- Supported business partner events such as Record Store Day, Grandma Party Bazaar, Pop Swap Holiday Market and the Holiday Lights Bike Ride
Events – 7,462 attendees
- Third Retro Modern Home Tour – 422
- Kidsfest – 240
- Bastille Day – 800
- Zombietoberfest with the Night Market – 6,000
“I’m so glad I opened our business is in the Audubon Park Garden District. The Main Street program here couldn’t be easier to work with and we always feel supported in everything we do.” – Cathy Sands
About College Park Main Street
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: 15
- Amount Invested: $1,169,405.00
- Businesses Opened: 20
- Jobs Created: 86
- Volunteer Hours: 665
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $16,911
- Private Dollars Invested: $199,140.39
Accomplishments
- Established relationship with CTS Agency to design the new College Park Main Street Website
- Established relationship with GrowthZone to create new Member Relations Management (MRM) system
- Held 3 events in College Park – JazzFest, Holiday on the Drive and Spring Fest
- Placed 6 Benches on Edgewater
- Had 20+ Palm Trees removed, and trimming done
- Hired a new Executive Director
Events – more than 14,000 attendees
- JazzFest
- Holiday on the Drive
- Spring Fest
“My House Fitness of College Park is a goals-oriented studio whose personal trainers are passionate, knowledgeable, and focused on our clients’ success. We pride ourselves on the positive and uplifting atmosphere we provide for our members. We work together as a team to give all of our clients a great experience and we strive to make your fitness experience awesome every time you train in our studio.
We chose to open our doors in College Park because of the fitness-minded and close-knit community. I grew up in College Park and had some idea that the demographics seemed to make sense for our kind of business. In the months and years that followed our opening, we were blown away by the acceptance and love we received from this great neighborhood.
College Park is a neighborhood and a community and not just a place to live. We all look forward to sharing time together at local businesses and community events. People of College Park really value doing business locally, both to support local commerce and to do familiar business with real friends. It’s very special.
We are so blessed to be a part of this community. We have become an establishment that people trust and we want to maintain great relationships with our clients and provide quality service to those friends who trust us with their fitness from workout to workout and as part of their long-term goals.
Advise to other businesses : Focus on the people you serve and the quality of the service or product you provide. Since you’ve found an area of interest that you’re so passionate about that you’ve decided to open a business and make a living doing it, the money will come if you’re doing it right.” -Ben Graves, My House Fitness of College Park
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: 12
- Amount Invested: $4,174,239.00
- Businesses Opened: 7
- Jobs Created: 64
- Volunteer Hours: 1,797
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $45,697.71
- Private Dollars Invested: $142,398.56
Accomplishments
- Hosted 2019 Florida Main Streets Conference in Downtown Orlando in partnership with Orlando Main Streets
- Over $164,264 raised and invested back into the district for local, regional and national events
- Over $2,126,705 of capital investment made by business and property owners within Church Street District toward renovations, rehabs and new construction between Oct. 1, 2018 – Sept. 30, 2019
- Over 1,796.5 volunteer hours contributed to Church Street District committees, projects and events
- 44 events held within and permitted under the Church Street District bringing an estimated 65,000+ guests to downtown Orlando
Events – more than 59,000 attendees
- Fourteen Game Block Parties ~17,250 attendees
- Twelve Concert Block Parties ~18,000 attendees
- Nine General Block Parties ~9,000 attendees
- Special Events 15,000 attendees
“The data and knowledge provided (at the September CSD Lunch & Learn) was extremely insightful and informative, we also admired how refreshing it can be to witness local business owners unify and work towards a greater cause.” – Ryan Rappaport, Church Street Entertainment
About Curry Ford West
Orlando’s newest Main Street District is also its most rapidly transforming. What had become a pass-through for commuters is being revitalized by passionate business owners and championed by a new generation of residents eager to build community and see local culture thrive.
Visitors to Curry Ford West will enjoy a vast collection of craft beer, both locally brewed and from all over the world. They’ll also get to select from diverse dining options including Greek, Lebanese, Mexican, Cuban, Irish, Italian, and arguably the best local pizza in Orlando – demanding a return visit to try a new favorite next time.
Other businesses and services include one of Orlando’s longest running fresh produce markets, personal training and yoga studios, craft coffee shops and a variety of hair and nail salons perfect for a pampering day.
Combine all of the business growth with two beautiful lakeside parks to the north and established, tree lined neighborhoods filled with proud Orlandoans on all sides, and while Curry Ford West may be the newest Main Street District, it’s certainly well positioned to quickly become one of the most exciting.
- Total Improvements: 8
- Amount Invested: $218,359.00
- Businesses Opened: 11
- Jobs Created: 47
- Volunteer Hours: 957
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $24,336.51
- Private Dollars Invested: $46,669.93
Accomplishments
- Blue Street Signs installed
- Banners have been designed, application submitted and pole location decided
- Strategic Plan written
- By Laws were updated
- Membership is at 133
- Board retreat for planning accomplished
- Calendar of most events established for 2020
- Call for artists has begun
Events – more than 2,800 attendees
- Trunk or Treat
- Real Estate Rundown
- Coffee Corner x4
- Happy Hour at Cilantro’s
- Curry Ford West Happy Hour x2
- Back to School Haircuts
- Curry Ford West Business After Hours
- 2nd Annual Dress Like a Dad Pub Crawl
- 15th Annual Yappy Hour & Open House
- Paint + Wine Night
- Pizza Bruno Happy Hour
- Small Business Saturday
- Curry Ford West Grand Opening
- Curry Ford West Father’s Day Pub Crawl
- Curry Ford Community Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Fair
- Wine & Dine on Curry Ford Road
- Curry Ford West Back to School BBQ
“I see the area getting better and the growth in the neighborhood. I like the main street programs and discount card and look forward to more things happening within the Main Street.” – Jason King, Core n’ More
About 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: 5
- Amount Invested: $1,310,030.00
- Businesses Opened: 5
- Jobs Created: 82
- Volunteer Hours: 347
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $8,824.21
- Private Dollars Invested: $96,314.38
Accomplishments
- Hosted first Jazz & Wine event, to showcase the best restaurants in the district. Proceeds benefited the Children Home Society and Kiwanis club.
- Hosted 2nd Gateway Gala (Bratini) to bring breast cancer awareness and support local charity Ribbon Riders
- Hosted 7th Annual Trunk O Treat at Keiser University
- Organized first ever Chalk Art Festival March 30th with proceeds benefiting Halifax Children Grief Center.
- Compassion Pediatrics and Urgent Care opened its doors and became Platinum members.
- Hosted first entertainment event at Castle Church Brewing called featuring the Rat Pack.
- Hosted the first Battle of the Bands at Castle Church.
- Castle Church Brewing opened its doors in the area.
- Hampton Inn and Suites Hotel became a member.
- Sunshine State Medical celebrated 15 years of service in the district.
- Gateway Orlando District became a 501c3 non-profit.
Events – more than 3,500 attendees
- Jazz and Wine 2018
- 2nd Bratini Signature Gala
- 7th Annual Trunk O’ Treat
- 1st Annual Chalk Art Festival
- Rat Pack a Gateway to the Past
- Battle of the Bands
- Connection Core group is a weekly networking event that meets every Tuesday morning from 8:30 am – 9:30 am and has an average attendance of 18 – 30 people weekly. Met weekly for 40 weeks in 2018-2019.
“The Gateway Orlando District was an integral part of the success of our Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport’s Reintroduction event on October 17th. Miguel assisted our team by connecting with area restaurants, reaching out to members on our behalf, and by promoting our event on the Gateway Orlando District Facebook page. There is no doubt this organization is focused on serving our community. Thank you for your support!” – Hampton Inn & Suit
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: 8
- Amount Invested: $294,117.00
- Businesses Opened: 12
- Jobs Created: 87
- Volunteer Hours: 617
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $15,690.31
- Private Dollars Invested: $108,851.00
Accomplishments
- Increased Events for 2018-2019 from 1 (Jingle Eve) to 4 (Virginia Drive Live x2, Steak Cook-Off and Jingle Eve)
- Added two bike tours (Commissioner’s Bike Tour, Florida Main Street Conference)
- Participated in Florida Main Street Conference as attendee and mobile bike tour
- Added monthly Business After Hours through Economic Vitality
- Economic Vitality and Organization collaborated on new membership drive and increased membership by 25%
- Membership Drive concept evolved into an upcoming fundraising event in October
- Increased consistency of committee meetings
- Successfully implemented a project based committee, Jingle Eve Planning Committee
- Made a staff change with minimal issues
- Steadily increasing membership both with new businesses and businesses that haven’t been active in the last few years
- Working with businesses on parking and traffic conflicts as we add more residents
- Completed three traffic control box art projects
- Design Committee created branded key chain and tote bag
- Organization Committee created a membership brochure
Events – more than 3,575 attendees
- Jingle Eve
- Virginia Drive Live
- Steak Cook-Off
- Virginia Drive Live
“Ivanhoe Village Main Street District has been a great program that has connected Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. with a lot of other businesses, residents, and government officials. This has allowed us to concentrate more on our operations, while helping us grow within the community. This is a huge benefit for us, as our main goal and mission was to help build relationships in the community, even as we grow through distribution chains throughout Central Florida.” – Glenn Closson, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company
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: 24
- Amount Invested: $2,772,926.00
- Businesses Opened: 9
- Jobs Created: 147
- Volunteer Hours: 1,072
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $27,260.96
- Private Dollars Invested: $112,577.22
Accomplishments
- Received National Main Street Accreditation for the eighth year in a row
- Received the 2019 Florida Main Street Award for Outstanding Special Event for Dragon Parade/Lunar New Year Festival
- Produced a 2019 calendar featuring Historic buildings in Mills 50
- Co-sponsored and produced the Annual Dragon Parade/Lunar New Year Festival, attended by over 8500 people
- Sponsored the Mills 50 Historic Homes Tour, featuring six (6) homes in Colonialtown North
- Encouraged businesses to participate in Small Business Saturday and produced a social media marketing campaign
- Hosted 3rd Annual “Love Fest”, a free event celebrating all things love – love of the earth, love of music, love of art, etc
- Hosted four pub crawls: “Chills 50” Pub Crawl & Costume Contest; the Annual Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl; the Annual St Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl & the inaugural “Dog Day Afternoon” Pup Crawl
- Sponsored the Third Annual “Mills 50 Artist Series” art wine bottle reception and fundraiser, featuring wine bottles painted by over 40 local artists
- Organized the annual “GreenUp” for volunteers to trim, mulch and fertilize the eight (8) Chinese Fan palm trees along Mills Avenue
- 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
- Co-sponsored “Virginia Drive Live” in May and September, with Ivanhoe Village Main Street
- Hosted a Small Business Appreciation reception for our members during Small Business Week in May
- Named “Best Neighborhood to Eat In” – Orlando Weekly 2019 Best of Orlando Awards
- Voted “Favorite Local shopping/entertainment district” in the Watermark WAVE awards
Events – more than 11,400 attendees
- Dragon Parade/Lunar New Year Festival – 8000 people
- Historic Homes Tour – 150 people
- 4 Business After Hours – total of 175 people
- Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl – 690 people
- Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl – 410 people
- “Chills 50” Pub Crawl & Costume Contest – 250 people
- GreenUp – 20 volunteers
- Mills 50 Artist Series – 120 people
- Love Fest – 400 people
- Dog Day Afternoon Pup Crawl – 300 people and at least that many dogs!
- Virginia Drive Live – May – 220 people; Virginia Drive Live – September – 100 people
- Pride Wrap – Colonialtown Square Park – 50 people
- Pride Pole Redux – in front of The Center – 15 people
- Hoodstock – 500 people
“The Center is proud to call Mills 50 our home. We have watched the community morph into what it is today – a vibrant, artsy, inclusive and eclectic neighborhood. Public art fills the streets and sides of buildings and the social scene is amazing. Mills 50 is unlike any other neighborhood in Orlando.” -Dr. George Wallace, Executive Director, LGBT+ Center Orlando
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: 17
- Amount Invested: $37,538,151.00
- Businesses Opened: 11
- Jobs Created: 159
- Volunteer Hours: 1,442
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $36,670.06
- Private Dollars Invested: $33,887.00
Accomplishments
- Tax Collector of Orange County has joined our board (Scott Randolph)
- Business Banter and Beer and all Economic Vitality networking events sold out
- Business member Backbeat entertainment presented at Florida Main Street quarterly meeting
- Created and implemented first Home Tour with a history and film twist
Events – more than 1,600 attendees
- Q1 coffee club
- Q2 coffee club
- Q3 coffee club
- Business Banter and Beer
- Cocktail Party
- Small Business Week and Main street week
- Halloween Event
- SoDo After Dark
- Artist event
“SoDo District is a huge help in promoting and marketing our business, they also bring our community together.” – Melisa McAvoy Swirlery Wine Bar
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: 25
- Amount Invested: $1,606,805.00
- Businesses Opened: 17
- Jobs Created: 108
- Volunteer Hours: 1,006
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $25,582.58
- Private Dollars Invested: $116,013.30
Accomplishments
- Hired new Executive Director
- Launched The Milky Way
- Three adaptive reuse projects highlighted in State of the Milk event and subsequent press
Events – more than 8,400 attendees
- January 9, 2019 – Meet the Director
- February 16, 2019 – Chili Cookoff
- February 23, 2019 – Rockin’ Robinson
- March 20, 2019 – Orlando Blogger Food Tour
- June 14, 2019 – The Milky Way
- July 31, 2019 – State of the Milk
- September 20, 2019 – The Milky Way
“We couldn’t ask for a better community to open our business in!” – Diana Palo, Stasio’s Italian Deli
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: 9
- Amount Invested: $599,556.52
- Businesses Opened: 4
- Jobs Created: 44
- Volunteer Hours: 569
- Value of Volunteer Hours: $14,469.67
- Private Dollars Invested: $237,271.42
Accomplishments
- TPD Design team worked with City Staff and Commissioner Sheehan to create a safe and creative pedestrian crosswalk area at the intersection of Washington Street and Summerlin Avenue
- TPD Design Team worked with City Staff for the install of the beautiful planters on Washington Street between Hyer Avenue and Eola Drive
- TPD Marketing Team worked on a tri-fold brochure listing all TPD Businesses for local Hotels and Airbnb
- TPD Promotion team worked on and volunteered for 22 Successful events that brought in new foot traffic to the Thornton Park District.
- TPD Design team oversaw the mural install on Burton’s raising awareness of the Women’s Suffrage movement in the Orlando area
Events – more than 25,000 attendees
- 12 Thornton 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk
- 12 Call to Artists for Thornton 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk
- TPD 6th Annual Halloween Block Party
- TPD Christmas Tree Decorating with Santa Claus
- SantaCon
- TPD Holiday Mixer
- Deck the Downtown
- Sip and Savor
- Putt N Pour
- 4 (Quarterly) Neighborhood Clean-ups
- Small Business Saturday
- 13th Annual Shampooch
- 17th Annual Taste of Thornton Park
- Come Out With Pride- Booth-Float
- 420 East Church Street Block Celebration
“The TPD Main Street program has encouraged the businesses and residents to work together to create a successful neighborhood that they can all be proud of.” –Todd Ulmer Board Member, Promotion Co-Chair and owner of Stardust Lounge and Aku Aku