Orlando Shopping Small Guide 2021

November 24, 2021 Lindsey Thompson

I love to shop local. The more I travel the more I’ve realized Orlando really kills it when it comes to the sheer number of local shops, boutiques, and creative spaces we have that allow us to find and support local artists. Below is just a sampling of items I decorate my office with from places like Yay!, Good Crowd, Hellcats, Gasp, to local artists like Goldies Little Shop, Michellina Jones and Hoop There It Is.

Beyond this list of shops, we have grown to have a wonderful variety of local markets, from the Mellow Market and the Grandma Party Bazaar, to the Collective Corner, Hausfest, Milk Mart, Will’s A Faire, and Bazaar Botanica. Many of these markets will be having events during the month of December, so make sure to check their socials.

For the person happily stuck in the 90s

Gasp - This shop located in Winter Park this fun shop is full of colorful accessories that are perfect for anyone who is loving the 90s trends for the first or second-time around.

Sunny State Co. - New to the Mills 50 district, this boutique is full of on-trend clothing, accessories, and perfectly giftable items.

Darling Authority - One of College Park’s newest shops adds more retail life into the main district with on-trend and staple pieces perfect for Gen Z - Gen X shoppers.

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

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.

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.

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:

Purple Glass Boutique

Popular Lonely Girl

Yaya + Lou

La Boutique

ALL THE GOODIES YOU DON’T NEED, BUT MUST HAVE

Miscellaneous Market - Accessories, home goods, books, gift sets, planners, bath and body items, jewelry, bar ware; they have it all.

Hellcats - For something a little darker and note quite so cutesy, hit up all the locally designed and produced merchandise over at this shop in Winter Park. Also, top-notch smelling candles.

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.

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

THE SHOP FOR MULTIPLE PEOPLE AT ONCE CAUSE WHO HAS TIME TO RUN ALL AROUND TOWN

Owl’s Attic - Best known for their vintage, the Owl’s Attic has expanded their space to host a variety of local vendors making shopping small easy in their Audubon Park location.

The Neighbors - Located on the 2nd floor of the East End Market this space hosts over 75 different Florida-based small businesses.

Main House Market - They sell alot more than plants. As you walk through the space you’ll find different curated sections that offer the work of several different artists spanning many different categories.

ALL THE THINGS YOU NEED TO MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

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

Fledge by Piante - Owned by Piante Designs, this shop specializes in carrying things for the home that are affordable and stylish.

Autumn & Ro - This locally owned gift boutique and art studio located in Ivanhoe Village . You’ll find a unique collection of artisan jewelry, gifts and local art.

IT’S VINTAGE DAHLING

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.

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.

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.

A few others to check out:

Deja Vu

Diversion

Orlando Vintage

Cool Hand Robyn - Local Potter Christina Stetson sells all her handmade pots here, along with plants, but you can also take a workshop and learn how to make them yourself!

Artifact Candle Foundry - At Artifact it’s all about the experience. Grab your friends and head to candle bar where you can create your own signature scent and make a candle, diffuser, or linen spray. They sell gift cards and pre-poured candles as well.

Other local favorites:

Lafayette & Rushford

Maffrey’s Good Goods

Dora Mae Jewelry

Naked Bar Soap Co. - College Park’s very own natural and handmade green beauty shop, that has gotten national press, always has the best products. Their scrubs, soaps, and bombs make the perfect self-care set.

Wildflower Beauty by Jessica - Over in Winter Garden you can visit this locally-owned beauty shop where the owner handmakes all the scrubs, toners, oils, lotions and more!

Salt Room

Nail Alchemy - my salon

Healing Spots - my massage therapist

Kin Salon - my salon

Mockingbird Apothecary

Butterfly Bliss Naturals

Luna Nueva

La Jetée Perfumery

Glutenless-Mart

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

Jungle Room by Bros with Hoes - Whether you are looking for a new plant baby, or a new plant accessory or gift item, the gorgeous College Park showroom offers a variety at different attainable price points.

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.

Succulent Empire - Filled with rare plants this could be a plant lovers paradise, just double check the price tags as rare plants cost more.

Ruby and Rust - This shop is much more than plants with lots of home decor options, but you can’t help but be drawn in by all the greenery right when you walk in.

Live Trends - Live Trends started as a Design Group and has grown into a recognizable brand, but here in Winter Garden you can visit their newest boutique that is perfect for botanical lovers.

A few others to check out:

FOR THE FOODIE WHO HATES WHEN YOU ASK TO STOP AT TACO BELL

Golden Hour Wine - This shop in Baldwin Park has become the go-to for wine lovers and those ready to immerse themselves in the natural wine scene.

BHome - What better place to buy some items for your home than an interior design studio located in College Park.

Stasio’s Deli and Italian Market - Stasio’s might be your favorite stop for a sandwich but don’t forget about all the cooking accoutrements.

Digress Wine - Whether you are searching for a particular beer or wine, check out the collection over at Digress. Better yet, hang out in their courtyard and enjoy it! You can even join their wine of the month club!

Deli Desires - Your favorite deli also has great foodie takeaway items. Coffee, spreads, salts, honey, wine and more. You could easily create a basket worthy of your favorite food snob.

Ancient Olive

Tim’s Wine Market

Eola Market

Modest Wine

Smiling Goat Goods

Project Pop

New General

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 POP CULTURE GURU

Echo Base Collectibles - If you want a blast from the past of all the toys you grew up with (and should have kept) spend some time browsing the shelves at Echo Base at their new and larger location past downtown.

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.

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

Royal Gaming Empire - Retro video games is big business right now, so if you or someone you love is becoming a collector, or is just a gamer, visit this spot in Longwood.

Cybertron Video Games - A great place to grab used games or search for highly sought after retro cartridges.

FOR SOMEONE WHO LOVES STACKS OF WAX

Smart Punk Records - Over near UCF this record shop has all the current titles you might be looking for with a good mix of oldies.

East West Records - This independent shop near the Conway area offers a variety of new & used records, CDs & DVDs, plus special orders.

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

Bossa 'N Roll Records - This is a great little record shop in Maitland where you can buy or sell used vinyl.

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.

A few others to check out:

Remix Record Shop

Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe

Re-Runz Records

BYNX