Central Florida Residents_What do you need/what is there? (Tampa: maintenance, condos)

[wandab509]

Hello all,

Moving there in Jan. 2009 from Detroit Michigan and was just wondering, what do the residents there miss/need besides disney and thier counterparts. Not sure where yet I will be but don't want to be too far from Orlando as I like being close to city life.

How much has the central area grown?

What type of businsses are needed/wanted?
What would you not like to see?
What do you see too many of/ not enough of ?
What would you like to see close down?

Are there more small unique businesses or large chain businesses?

Examples: beauty shops, nail shops, restaurant's, specialty stores, car repair, oil change services, computer repair, pool maintenance, high end shopping, wholesale, car washes, party stores, wedding shops, liquor shops, heating/colling, etc.....

Are the same businesses every where you look? Please give me some ideas of what to expect. Only been to Kissimmee area. (192)

Here there are liquor shops on almost every corner, nail shops within a mile or less of each other and hair shops, have to travel a ways for good shopping and good restaurant's. Close by are Mcdonalds, BK, Wendy's, etc... Most big chains have moved to suburbs, even the nearst mall sucks...

Thanks for your responses.........

[DailyJournalist]

What Orlando needs is a true downtown so that it can actually be considered a true city. Orlando is basically a large strip-mall with very few walkable neighborhoods. Chain restaurants dominate the dining scene. Very few mom and pop bakeries or fish markets, most people consider chain grocery stores to be the best place to buy baked goods or fish.

[gypsychic]

To me, Orlando is a strange city, and a place I just could never live. I hate the vibe of it even driving through there, although I am a bit fascinated with the way the buildings look lit up at night.

I think the problem is, that most of it is all new, shopping centers, condos, developments, and came after Disney. No real feeling of history or community except in isolated small areas. I sense a coldness and detachment about it all. I don't want to bash it, as I know it has some nice areas and there are people living happily there, it is only my particular feeling about the place and how it affects me.

As DJ above said, very few mom and pop places, mostly chains, so if you are OK with that you will probably be happy in Orlando.

[Wilshire81182]

There are plenty of ma and pa shops outside the Waterford type suburbia that makes up certain parts of Orlando. There are parts of town devoid of chains almost altogether like downtown Orlando, downtown Sanford, Mt Dora, Deland, College Park, Avalon Park, Thornton Park, or Winter Park. You do have to search for them, but pick up an Orlando Weekly or do an internet search. Please do not go only by information on this forum for everything because some of it is overly critical and false.
You tell me a good or service and I will tell you where to find it in the area. If you want character, I would not recommend Orlando as the first place to go looking for it, but it is possible to find it. The areas around downtown have a lot of what you are looking at and are much more livable and less run down than the central areas of Detroit.

[pianogal]

Lived here 25 years. There are many mom and pop places. But I doubt you'll notice if you're just 'driving through.'

[Alphaman]

I agree there are plenty of mom and pop places around the Metro when you know the area you will find them.

Orlando does need some work on it`s Downtown but improvements are being done and hopefully will be good for the area. I can say that Orlando has a better downtown then Tampa, Tampa has a better Skyline but Downtown life is not as vibrant.

[Crane's Rooster]

I think everyone agrees that Orlando could use more Mom and Pop establishments but just building more is not the solution. We need to change the mindset so that not every trip involves a major chain store. We have to create the demand that will increase the supply and it's a matter of making a conscious effort to spend a few more pennies here and there to support the local little guys. I know I'm preaching he choir here and just wish I could reach the average consumer. I do not shun the big box stores, they have their place and their advantages, I am a Target fan. However, I try to shop at the local Asian supermarkets for my food and eat out at local owned restaurants as opposed to big chain. Eventually you find the quality of the product at smaller local joints is just hands down better. I find better fish at the Asian supermarket than the Publix or Albertson and I would much rather eat at Antonio's than Olive Garden ANY DAY! People just need to get out of the Waterford town center mentality.

To respond to the poster more directly though, as long as you stay in one of the older more established areas you will not feel the cookie cutter presence nearly as much. For instance if you're downtown or in Winter Park the feeling you get will be completly different than the vibe you get out in say Waterford or any these new communities. I have nothing against Waterford, I'm just using it as an example. Many people move here to Central Florida for that reason, to live in new, clean, convenient community. But if you're looking for a sense of history or tradition than look towards the core of the city.

[Wilshire81182]

I know what you mean. I bought a huge bag of chopsticks in the asian market for about $3-$5 and I could never find that at Publix. They also have the unique imported teas and food items that you just can't find anywhere. I totally agree that the major battle is the mentality. People do like consistency and convenience, but we lose out on those unique shops and eateries that are rare here. They exist and you can search them out, but they are less prevalent than Walmart and Publix for sure.

[Crane's Rooster]

Wilshire we seem to see eye to eye on alot of subjects. I totally agree that the average consumer trades consistency and convenience for uniqueness and quality. It's sad because we do have some really good locally owned business that are blowing the big boys out of the water. For instance, I worked as a sushi chef in college so I'd like to think I know sushi. The sushi here in Orlando is step above most places, including many of the major cities I have been through. Even if Sushi is not your taste, try any of the hot entree's at Seito, Wassabi, Amura, Ichiban or Shari and I doubt you will go back to PF Chang's as often. I went to one of my favorite Italian restaraunts today and got my usual. But it didn't come out as it "usually" does, they used a new presentation with new side dishes, it was amazing. You would never have that experience at Olive Garden. I get my haircut at a local barbershop where everyone comes in and is greeted by first name. I don't walk out looking like every other supercuts customer and during my haircut I have some very interesting conversations with my barber and usually buy him a beer when I see him out. I know the care I get in hair cut is going to be a cut above anything I could get as customer number 8 at the supercuts. Ok I'll get off my soapbox now.

[Wilshire81182]

I know what you mean. I love Amura and have been meaning to try many of the others. Sushi is one of those things that is very family owned still. I like Bikkuri just east of the ViMi district on E Colonial. I also like Fuji Sushi as well. There are a lot of great sushi places here. I cut my own hair too, but I used to go to those SuperCuts type places and that is why I decided I can do a better job at it. I loved when Thornton Park still had the Central City Market and there is Harmoni Market. That is what I mean about the places being able to be sought out; they just don't jump out at you! I must say I love my Starbucks where they know my name and Target as a bix box retailer, but I do not really like the homogenous encroaching presence of Walgreens, CVS, McDonalds, WalMart, etc. We do see eye to eye on a lot! Great posts!