Business Spotlight

five men enjoy beers

Business Spotlight: The Commission Beer Chamber to start bodega

At the point where the Curry Ford West Main Street and the Hourglass District blend together with the residential areas west of Bumby Avenue lies The Commission Beer Chamber, a community center for residents, businesses and visitors in the growing area. Owner Benny “Mister Blanco” Colón makes everyone feel right at home at the self-described throwback craft beer joint that […]

Business Spotlight: The Lovely

The Lovely Boutique Market, located in the Audubon Park Garden District, is a local vintage shop that features unique clothing, furniture and home decor from the twentieth-century.

Royal Original

Enter curious; leave feeling like royalty

Tall ceilings and sleek, curated clothes hanging from metal pipes — a room that oozes industrial minimalism. This is the interior of Royal Original, a store akin to many high-end shops in Los Angeles or Miami, but found here in the heart of Orlando.  Beyond having its own brand of clothes in stock, what makes Royal Original stand out against […]

Business Spotlight: Simply Brave Therapy Center

After transitioning from a career in business and marketing and being inspired by the work of author Brené Brown, Mandy Persaud, founder of Simply Brave Therapy Center, dedicated her life to helping others through counseling by teaching them about shame, resilience and vulnerability, three factors that make us who we are. Persaud’s journey to become a therapist began before her certification […]

colorful building exterior

Business Spotlight: Sam Flax

  Founded in 1990, the Sam Flax store in Orlando continued the brand and reputation of a company that was already more than seven decades old. Now, 34 years later, the art supply shop is the last one owned by the direct descendants of Flax, preserving a tradition of selling quality products to aspiring and established artists. Located at 1800 […]

old photo of a funeral home

Business Spotlight: Colonial Funeral Home

While this business isn’t one you might frequent regularly, everyone will need their services some day! Colonial Funeral Home (at 2811 Curry Ford Road), has been in business for over 100 years. Offering funerals and cremations, Colonial Funeral Home also has comfortable visitation suites, a large chapel, and a banquet room that provides a place for families to gather with […]

Man inside of a shop

Business Spotlight: The Bandbox

A 1920s-style speakeasy with a 2020s twist

Nestled between a tattoo parlor and an upcoming bookstore is a charming, historic building housing one of Orlando’s hidden gems: The Bandbox, a 1920s-inspired speakeasy. What makes this place unique as compared to any other 21-and-older stylized bar in town, however, is owner Kevin Zepf’s choice to make its drinks completely alcohol-free. Born initially from Zepf’s desire during the pandemic […]

Business Spotlight: Twist Hair Studio

Along Edgewater Drive sits a strikingly bright pink building, nearly impossible to miss when driving by. It’s Twist Hair Studio, located at 3708 Edgewater Drive, consisting of the hairstylist duo Jill Hegarty, owner of the salon, and Ciara “CJ” Doran. The salon specializes in hair services such as extensions, color services and balayage. Hegarty said she wants her salon to […]

Business Spotlight: Florida Glass House

After going to culinary school and deciding the industry was “too hot,” Thomas Musolino said he took a lateral step and went into the 2,150-degree glass blowing business instead. “Once I tried it, I was like, ‘This is it,’ and I haven’t stopped for almost 20 years,” Musolino said. “Sometimes you choose something, and sometimes it chooses you.” Musolino is […]

a lady in front of a pub

Business Spotlight: The Aardvark

At 2610 S. Fern Creek Ave., just north of Michigan, lies a neighborhood community center of sorts — The Aardvark. Originally a convenience store, the Aardvark is still a bottle shop where you can get beer, wine and CO2. In 2017, the store transitioned into a coffee shop, and in 2020 it changed from quick service to a full-service restaurant under […]


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