The National Main Street Center, Inc. announced Monday, May 23, that the Audubon Park Garden District in Orlando, Florida has been chosen as a 2016 Great American Main Street Award® (GAMSA) winner. Audubon Park Garden District (APGD) received the award at the 2016 Main Street Now Conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photo by Steven Miller Photography.
Established in 2008 and inspired by Audubon Park pioneer Stardust Video and Coffee (1842 E. Winter Park Road, Orlando FL), APGD developed a unique and creative program.
The area is now flourishing with small businesses, pollinator plantings and events that stand in stark contrast to bland suburban sprawl. With the Main Street Approach as its guide, Audubon Park Garden District has emerged as a hip place to be. The redevelopment of a foreclosed church into the nationally recognized food and culture hub East End Market (3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando FL 32803), a thriving shopping and dining scene with award winning businesses and a retro modern home tour are just a few of the attractions that make this neighborhood one of America’s best.
Photo by Tipso Photography.
“Audubon Park is to be commended for reinventing itself as the home of several destination-worthy small businesses and the epicenter of Orlando’s good food movement, while also pioneering green practices for businesses and commercial districts,” says Patrice Frey, president and CEO of the National Main Street Center. “APGD’s skill in providing low-cost, high-touch support to its small businesses has paid huge dividends, driving retail vacancy rates to just 2 percent. They should take great pride in creating such an inviting place for people to live, shop, and open businesses.”
APGD will celebrate this national recognition throughout the rest of 2016 and into 2017 with a variety of programming, beginning with a district wide community appreciation day Saturday June 18, 2016. See our video here.
Photo by Steven Miller Photography.