JUNE 2008
Community Paper


Let's Stay Vested!
by Mike Derenthal, Derenthal Realty Group and College Park resident

College Park Video is shutting down. For those of us who were loyal customers, the disappointment is immense. For everyone else, the loss of a quirky, locally owned video shop may not seem like that big of a deal, but it is.

As we’ve all watched the College Park real estate market sustain some lumps (albeit relatively minor) during the recent housing slowdown, I repeatedly find myself saying that College Park stands to weather this storm better than just about any neighborhood here in Central Florida. “This is such a great place to live…” or “it has such a unique, small town feel …” are phrases we all hear over and over. So I know that despite what goes on in the surrounding areas, College Park has something unique that will continue to make it so appealing. Biased? Just a bit I guess. But not entirely.

Most folks we work with who are moving into College Park from other areas will also tell me they find our little neighborhood “charming,” or that it has lots of “character.” Sometimes they’ll cite our towering oaks, and the old bumpy brick streets. Or the front porches on all of the old bungalow homes that speak to simpler times.

Like most of us, I love all of these features of College Park, but I also know there are plenty of other neighborhoods right here in the downtown area and throughout Florida that also have big oaks, brick streets, neat old houses, and plenty of charm and character. These features all make College Park a pleasant place to live, but they don’t really set it apart. There is still that “something” that makes College Park stand alone in my opinion.

So is it that quirky little video store that has been chugging along for 20 some odd years? Not entirely, but partly. College Park’s vibrant combination of local businesses, schools, and churches is ultimately that elusive “something” that makes living here so special I think.

Is there anyplace else in Central Florida that has what we have? We’ve got a pedestrian friendly, relaxed, yet prosperous, business district of predominately locally owned small businesses. We have a wide selection of churches and places of worship, each with a strong history of involvement and active ties to the community. And our children can attend local schools, either public or private, from pre-school through graduation, and never have to be more than a bike ride away from the activities, friends, and parental supervision that are so critical to their development.

Yes, what we have here in College Park is absolutely unique. And no, I’m not running for office.

But I think it is easy to sometimes overlook the importance of these three pillars of our College Park community. What they mean to our neighborhood can’t be overstated. And they need our continued involvement and support.

Over the years, as I have gotten to know the local businesses here in College Park, I find it increasingly easy to purchase almost all of my goods and services right here in our neighborhood.

For several years we tried to find a church around town, never thinking to visit the ones right here in College Park. But when we did, we found a church family that was an absolutely wonderful fit for our family – within walking distance of our house no less!

And our oldest one will be starting kindergarten next year. I’m terrified. She’s so…. little! But you know what? I’ve been able to meet her teachers and the people who will be keeping a close eye on her each day. I can walk her to school in the mornings. I know many of the school staff and other parents through our church and local businesses.

There’s a pattern here.

College Park is vested in itself, and it is critical that we as a community stay vested.

Next time you drive down Edgewater, steal a glance at some of the smaller signs that pepper the buildings and I’ll bet you find a business you didn’t realize was there. Looking for a church? Grab breakfast at one of our local greasy spoons this Sunday and then stick your head into one here in the neighborhood and see if it’s a fit. Thinking that you need to send your kids to schools outside of College Park? You might want to first tour and meet the teachers and administration of our local schools first. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Stay involved. Support the local businesses, churches and schools. Keep yourself vested in this community. It’s what makes College Park so unique.

And good-bye College Park Video. Thanks Randy, Crystal, Michael, and everyone else behind the counter over there for your recommendations and friendly, laid back cinematic conversations through the years. You will be missed.

* Feel free to drop me an email at mike@derenthalrealty.com if you’d like me to send you a copy of our standard application.

by: Mike Derenthal, Derenthal Realty, www.DerenthalRealty.com
1520 Edgewater Drive, Suite E, Orlando, FL 32804
407-965-1919

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