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My Guide to Shopping Small in Orlando

There’s never been a more crucial time to support small local businesses in Orlando. With shutdowns, lagging foot traffic, social distancing, unemployment hurting spending, and everything in-between, it’s been a tough year on everyone. Local businesses have certainly felt the sting and uncertainty.

You all know I’m passionate about supporting our local people; that is one of the main reasons I started this blog seven years ago and why it still exist to this day. I will continue to be an advocate for small businesses even if at times it seems redundant.

Below I’ve linked posts from the past year filled with local makers including online sellers you can check out:

I created a Shopping Local Online guide here when stores were closed earlier this year.

I created an Online Virtual Mall here to help the ease of searching different categories.

And last year I created a Shop Small by Neighborhood guide here.

This year I’m not making a long list, because you have those in the links above. However, below is my personal guide I created by categories, plus the handy map above to help you identify brick and mortar local businesses you can support. Support local in whatever way you can, which also means not asking for free stuff.

If you have a hard time finding local people to support here are some handy tips:

  • Search maker tags on Instagram. #orlandomade #orlandomaker

  • Look at who other local makers follow and that will likely lead you to other makers you haven’t heard of.

  • Ask local-loving friends where they shop.

  • Ask me! I never mind when people slide into my DM’s with specific questions if they are looking for someone to support in a certain area.

FOR THE BESTIE WHO DESERVES THE BEST

Miscellaneous Market - With one of the best selections of curated items in the city in my opinion, Miscellaneous Market is one of the easiest places to shop for multiple people all at once. Accessories, home goods, books, gift sets, planners, bath and body items, jewelry, bar ware; they have it all.

FOR THE SKIN CARE ADDICT SOON-TO-BE SKIN-FLUENCER ON TIK TOK

Naked Bar Soap Co. - College Park’s very own natural and handmade green beauty shop, that oh has gotten national press, always has the best products. I promise that you’ll easily become addicted to using their wonderful products. Their scrubs, soaps, and bombs make the perfect self-care set.

A few others to check out:

Mockingbird Apothecary

Wildflower Beauty by Jessica

Butterfly Bliss Naturals

Luna Nueva

FOR THE FRIEND THAT QUOTES LINES FROM YOU’VE GOT MAIL (SAVE THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER AND YOU’LL SAVE YOUR SOUL)

The Good Crowd - This gift and accessory shop in College Park has plenty of fun curated items. You’ll also find select locally made items here.

YAY! Tiny Shop - This trendy and miscellaneous gift shop in Ivanhoe Village has so much packed inside that you are sure to find something perfect and unique you’ve probably never seen before. You’ll also find select locally made items here.

Magpie’s Modern General - Over in Sanford this local shop has a mix of artisan soaps and apothecary items, well-crafted housewares, and gifts.

FOR THE FRIEND THAT SWEARS IT’S NOT HARD TO KEEP PLANTS ALIVE

Piante Designs - This beautiful shop not only has a great selection of plants and pots, but a dry floral bar, and gift items. They often have ready-made arrangements perfect for gift giving.

Apenberry’s - This is a one-stop-shop for someone who is doing a serious overhaul in a garden. Perfect for a friend with a itchy green thumb.

A few others to check out:

Ouch Plants

Land of Alice

City Oasis

On the Grow

FOR THE FRIEND THAT PREFERS HAND-CRAFTED ITEMS

Julie Harbers - Julie makes beautiful ceramic goods locally that are colorful and expertly designed and created.

A few others to check out:

Form Function Form

Koozeh Pottery

Potheads by Amber

Cute and Clay

FOR THE gEn-X FRIEND WHO misses buying records at peaches

Foundation Records - Here you can find not only records but a selection of vintage threads. Keep tabs on their Instagram for some great music tees you can wear while blasting music in your house.

Rock ‘N’ Roll Heaven - A music lovers dream in Ivanhoe Village Whether you are looking for vinyl, CD’s, cassettes, and music memorabilia, this is a great music shop to find treasures for the music lover.

Park Ave CDs - This Audubon Park staple has plenty of music, but also great pop culture items, collectibles, books, and more.

A few others to check out:

Remix Record Shop

Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe

Smart Punk Records

FOR THE FRIEND THAT ALWAYS SAYS: “THANKS IT’S VINTAGE”

Owl’s Attic - Vintage clothing, furniture, and a few locally made items along the way.

The Lovely Boutique - This large shop in Audubon Park is full of local makers items, mixed retail, home goods, vintage clothes and furnishings.

Echoes of Retro - They specialize in larger pieces of vintage, mid-century modern furniture, but there is more in their newer space that includes vintage threads, accessories, and some local makers items as well.

Etoile Boutique - One of my favorite shops in the Milk District, this vintage shop has great threads for all and an expanded space to offer furnishings and home goods as well.

A few others to check out:

Retromended

Deja Vu

Orlando Vintage

Diversion

FOR THE FRIEND THAT ALWAYS ASKS YOU TO TAKE A PIC OF THEIR OOTD

House on Lang - This new shop in the Mills 50 district has a very fashionable selection, but there’s more items perfect for gifting as you make your way through the house.

Depalma World - The mother and daughter behind Depalma specialize in handmade swimwear, but their shop has a wider selection of clothing and accessories. As seamstresses, they can customize your fit.

Closet Freekz - For the friend who is bold and ready to make a statement at all times, Closet Freekz has a selection of vintage and retro threads ready for their debut.

A few others to check out:

Sophie and Trey

Lauren Nicole

Wynn Styles

Doxology

FOR THE FRIEND WITH GRANDMA VIBES

Orange Tree Antiques - This local antique mall is a bit overwhelming, but for the truly unique friend that wants something different, there’s a good chance you can find it here.

Marketplace at Rivertown - Another huge thrift/vintage space, that is three stories with lots to sort through. Housewares, clothes, art, toys, you name it, they probably have it.

FOR THE FRIEND THAT’S TRYING TO GET THEIR PLACE FEATURED ON APARTMENT THERAPY

Fledge by Piante - This shop opened right before COVID, and has been closed until just last week! Owned by Piante Designs, this shop specializes in carrying things for the home that are affordable and stylish.

Warehaus - Quality vintage home furnishings and home goods can be found in this always tantalizing space. Boho, mid-century modern, and vintage goods abound.

FOR THE FRIEND THAT’S GOING THROUGH PARTY WITHDRAWAL

Paper Goat Post - Items for all the occasions we still want to celebrate can be found here as we continue celebrating safely at home.

FOR THE RORY GILMORE

Writer’s Block - One of the few independent bookstores left in town, Writer’s Block now has two locations. Winter Park and Winter Garden.

Cliff’s Books - This shop in Deland is filled with graphic novels, books from your childhood, video games, collectibles, and lots of other images that will be a blast from your past.

Maya Books & Music - Part book store and part music store, Maya’s Books has a wide variety of titles including eclectic items and vintage items mixed in.

FOR THE “GEEK” THAT REALLY GOT YOU INTO MARVEL AND STAR WARS

Gods & Monsters - This is one of my favorite shops when looking for something in the sci-fi space. Graphic novels, collectibles, figurines, art, and so much more. If you have a “geek” in your life, this is where you need to go.

Acme Superstore - Acme is a great place to find collectibles and comics. The isles are organized in sections so it’s really easy to find a specific area that would be best to shop for a friend that’s also a super fan.

BAMF! Comics - This shop has a collection of tabletop games, comics, and other accessories plus a coffee window!

FOR THE K-POP STAN

K-Poppin USA - This shop is filled with K-pop merchandise, anime, and all things kawaii.

All images are property of Lemonhearted Creative.